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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Is it me , or does it seem that recently these things have been popping up a lot recently?
Book Elite
Not that I mind, if they keep showing up, maybe the price will drop to where I can afford it. :D I've wanted one of these for a long time. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | That's a great price for one of these! |
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July 2007
Posts: 161
Location: Seoul, Korea | Dave:
You've played both Book Elite and 1987 Collector's. How do they sound similar/different? Thanks.
Simon |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | And how does the sound compare to the 1534? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by bvince:
And how does the sound compare to the 1534? Vince, do you mean 1537? |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Yeah ... It's the altimers kickin in again. ... Sucks gettin old! |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | All 3 are fantastic wood tops.
Fwiw, I've played all 3, and the one I bought was the '87... one of these days I'll send it in to have the OP24 replaced with an Optima. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by STK:
Dave: You've played both Book Elite and 1987 Collector's. How do they sound similar/different? I have both of them still (the '87C is awaiting shipment to it's new owner) + I had them both side by side with the 1537. So yes, I have done a lot of side by side comparisons.
When I bought my Book new in '96 I was really disappointed. It sounded very tight and muffled. Not a good acoustic guitar at all. But I bought it strictly for the looks. BUT, in the last 10 years it has aged nicely and is now a lot more vibrant and not half bad as an acoustic. The 87C is in the same boat, but I think sounds a little better because it has a 10 year head start in the process. Ditto for the 1537. Slightly better yet due to it's advancing age. They really get better over time and I'm looking forward to the next 30 years ...
Plugged in, it's a whole different story. Book would be my winner hands down because I'm a big fan of the Optimia electronics. That would be a nice upgrade to put in the 87C. Although OP24 has plenty of fans as well. Looks is just a matter of personal choice. For me the Book is top dog in the pound, especially glossed from the shoulders up. 1537 gets bonus points for being non-cutaway, but I really soured on the 1537's due to the weight of the guitar. I don't want to hold something that heavy, especially the neck. The whole guitar is just way out of balance, but does sound nice.
Summary: All three are really cream of the ovation crop and you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. Depends what you are looking for. I wouldn't put any of the up against a good true acoustic center hole guitar. But for the combo of acoustic, plugged in, and looks - you'd have a hard time going better than any of these. If my life was on the line and I had to rank them, I'd say 1) Book, 2) 87C, 3) 1537. But it's a really close horserace.
Dave |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Thanks Dave. |
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March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | I had a chance to play my 87C and someone elses 1537. Don't know if strings would have made a difference. I thought the 1537 had a slightly better tone. I also like the none cutaway look. I just got a good deal on the 87C and I think the book was just a remake of this guitar. As was said you are looking at the top of the line with each of them.
Steve |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think a cedar top has a very cool sound also. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | I've never played one of them, but I threw an opening bottom feeder bid at this one. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I spent a few minutes listening to others play my 87C and Miles Book. I couldn't tell the difference in sound. I/m not a fan of the abalone trim around the Book headstock, but that's trivial. The 1537 sounds much different. More mellow. Dave's right about the weight. I handed the 1537 to someone the other day and he said, "My God, that's a heavy guitar." I don't notice the weight except when I take it down or put it back up on the hanger. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Great price and great location. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Absolutely great price if the description is accurate. I bet the Professor could check it out and swing a deal for around 8 bills (since the BIN is $1000). That would make it an absolute STEAL! |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 48
Location: Omaha, Nebraska | They remind me a lot of my N768s. The look is almost the same except the Nakaos are missing the abalone on the headstock (it does run all the way up the neck). They have also just continued to age better and better with age. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Someone jumped on it. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| Originally posted by TR McCoy:
They remind me a lot of my N768s. The look is almost the same except the Nakaos are missing the abalone on the headstock (it does run all the way up the neck). They have also just continued to age better and better with age. I love mine, should have kept the other one I had as well, but I'm as impulsive and swap-happy as Jim is :rolleyes: but I did double my money on it...even tho it was stamped USED and had a bridge relocation done on it.
I'd like to have a matching N769 someday..
I think these(Nakao Craftsmans) were the only guitars that Ovation made with AAAA Master grade tops, tho I could be wrong.
it does sound fantastic tho, and bling, bling, bling all around... still mulling about having the carved bridge installed while they re-finish it..
but then it wouldn't really still be a N768 would it.
GH |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Paul Blanchard:
Someone jumped on it. and he just bought some airlocks from Al. |
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Another Book Elite!