Guitar Collector Forum

I'm always on the lookout for unusual guitars and I like the look of the Ovation Breadwinner. I think this was the only solid body electric guitar Ovation ever made?

There's been on on eBay for some time now, but are they really worth this much money? This one's up for £895 (GBP), which is $1470 (USD).

Ovation Breadwinner
Black
1970s
Internally /Externally Original
Condition 8/10

Their condition "8/10" seems generous when you look at the detailed pictures!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0313972109

Is this the sort of price I'd need to pay for a Breadwinner, or are they chancing their arm with a high price?

Paul, the Breadwinner wasn't the only solid body electric made by Ovation - did did a few 'standard' shapes and also the Ovation Deacon, which was a kinda deluxe version of the Breadwinner.

They had revolutionary (for the time) active electronics, so if buying it's worth checking that all is in order there.

The one you mention does sound very over-priced, try looking on US eBay. Even with shipping to the UK you should get one well under $1,000. I've seen them go for around $700 plus shipping.

Thanks Stratman, I'll look wider afield and check out the Deacon as well.

looking further at the UK eBay one shown, it's obviously been up for sale since January and still not sold, so I guess he's holding out for a high price.

From eBay...

User ID Offer Status Date of Offer
n***i ( 316) Expired 17-Apr-09 13:40:56 BST
i***b ( 574) Declined 03-Jan-09 12:36:38 GMT
a***3 ( 101) Expired 02-Jan-09 17:38:12 GMT

There was a nice Breadwinner on US eBay this week - I did bid on it, but didn't win (the timing was wrong for me, so I bid around 3hrs before the end of the auction. Predictably, I was outbid by a very small amount ). Looked like a better deal and better condition than the other one I mentioned.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0311312698

I'm seriously interested in getting either an Ovation Breadwinner or Deacon.... if anyone knows of one up to around £500 GBP or $850 USD I'd be seriously interested.

I'll put a thread in the "guitars wanted" forum.

Cheers,
Paul

Paul, have you seen this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-OVATION-BREADWINNER-SOLID-BODY-ELECTRIC-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ280357393171QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item41469a5313&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A4|39%3A1|72%3A1205|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A200

Thanks Geoff, I'm watching that one... looks like a nice early example - although white wouldn't be my first choice.

Hi there Paul,

I have an original Ovation Deacon (diamond-shaped fret markers) that I purchased secondhand in the early 1990s, in very good order with original Ovation flight case and some of the original Ovation paperwork. Been in storage most of the time I've had it, only used for one or two gigs and a bit of home recording. I was thinking of putting it on eBay when I came across your post. Have you bought one yet or are you still looking? I can send photos and full spec upon request. I'm based in Edinburgh, so you would be able to keep your shipping costs down compared to a US purchase.

Cheers,

Bill

Hi Bill,

Sounds promising! I've been offered a couple of Breadwinners from the States, but have been put off by shipping & import duty costs so have been biding my time, waiting for the right opportunity.

I'll send you a private message to discuss details, but feel free to post photos etc here anyway. Look forward to hearing more about the Deacon.

Regards,
Paul

Paul-- the guitar above is a rather rare version of the Breadwinner-- check the contour along the top edge of the body-- it's not present on regular Breadwinners or Deacons. It's called a "Breadwinner Limited."

I bought an early '70's Breadwinner a long long time ago, c. 1979 or '80, and it was my main axe through the '80's:



I still have it.

Congrats on your scoring that Deacon from that bloke in Scotland. For more info on Breadwinners/Deacons:

http://www.doremi.co.uk/breadwinner/

I have a Ovation Breadwinner Limited in flawless condition s/n E 16188 i would sell for the right price........