I've had an Applause since the late 70's or possibly the early 80's.
It has the full rounded back unlike the "skinny" back of some today's Applauses.
The label on the inside (coincidentally, which just fell out this morning)
says "applause - A KAMAN MUSIC PRODUCT - MODEL NO. AE14-4".

The serial number is still stuck inside. S/N 050580

I've played for lo these many years.
It sits right next to me in my music/computer room
and I play it while the PC is booting up or something
(like the BIAB 2011) is downloading.

It has the aluminum neck and frets all in one piece.
There lies the drawback.
Some of the frets got worn down and couldn't (naturally) be replaced.
The local music shop said it couldn't be fixed.

He was wrong.
I took off the strings, cleaned up the bad frets
and then applied some "Permatex Cold Weld Bonding Compound - Hardens Like Steel".

Mixed a small amount, applied it sparingly to the frets, let them dry overnight,
then carefully filed them down to their original height.

It lasts for 3-8 months before I have to do it again.
I should just get a new guitar but this has so many good memories
I can't bear to part with it.

Anyway, just a heads-up on what to watch for it you're buying a used one.
Good luck!
LLOYD S