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Posts: 186
Location: The State of Hockey | Hi all,
I am wondering what your experiences on the 1997 Collectors is. I am thinking/looking at a narrow neck.
Thanks in advance. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Hi Couch,
A number of members,(myself included), have the 97 Collectors. They are a really unique guitar. :cool:
The wide neck,(1 7/8"0) seems to be preferred but the Narrow neck,(1 11/16" are nice also.
Usually the wide neck models will have a "W" at the end of the model #.
I've been using Silk & Steel strings on mine and love the way it sounds. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Trader-Jim, you gonna explain the narrow neck?
They're great guitars, go for it. |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I have a narrow neck '97. Unique voice, very easy to play with the 12 fret narrow neck. The original electronics went bad in mine, so I installed an OpPro in it.
Not a lot of bass when you're playing unplugged...but enough, and the mids and highs are magical. This guitar sustains forever. Sometimes I use high-octave strings and it becomes a whole 'nother instrument altogether.
With the OpPro it sounds just like a large guitar when plugged in.
The case is a conversation piece all by itself...beautiful high-end TKL.
John <>{
John <>{ |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I'll echo what others said (said... said... said ... )
Definately Ovations "best" collectors guitar by my definition. Meaning that they tried something totally new, broke the mold (literally) and didn't roll it out in mass production later, thereby maintainiung the significance of the "collector".
I've long ago since sold mine, but it was a great guitar to play, extremely comfortable, nice sound for it's size, but ... the electronics truely sucked big time. I had my electronics replaced with FD14 straight out.
John is correct, the case was Ovations best ever. Same quality case that you get with Takamine, Martin, Collings ... not the cheap Ovation plastic crap.
Dave |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I love mine, in spite of what Beal called it because of it's "less than manly" neck. :rolleyes: I won't post the exact term he used....
It's a great little guitar with a very loud voice.
...and no, mine is not for sale. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I love mine. I particularly like it for alternate tunings. |
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Location: south east Michigan | I never tried one before.
Now I want to. |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I never tried one before.
Now I want to. Brad, These small bodied (Parlor, 00, New Yawker, ...) guitars are very cool. They will not cut through the mix in a "jam" or anything like a dread or a deep bowl would but they are SUPER nice to play and have a very nice tone unlike anything else. And plug one in with good electronics and WOW, what a gigger. Go watch a James Taylor concert DVD.
I've got two of these type guitars (custom koa backed Martin 00, and a Tak koa backed EF417) and enjoy them both very much. You need to try one. The Ovation parlor is nice as well, although to be honest I found the ratio of bowl depth (mid) to body dimensions (parlor) to be somewhat uncomfortable to play sitting. But that's just me.
Interesting tidbit - about 5 or 6 years ago during that Grammy Awards the band "No Doubt" did a performance and the guitarist used a '97 Collectors !!!
Dave
Dave |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Brad, you owe it to yourself to try one. I had one, and sold it (go figure) and ended up buying another (from the same person I bought the first one from, he had two) and I don't think I'll part with this one. |
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Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | As Jim's "supplier" (twice!) I concur with every comment you read here. They are beautiful little guitars, tone wise and aesthetically too. The narrow neck is extremely comfortable for those of us who tend to drift towards a comfortable baseball grip left hand style! :) |
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Posts: 186
Location: The State of Hockey | So is the narrow neck for steel strings and the wide neck for nylon? |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | No. Both versions are steel strings. |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I don't think I'll part with this one. Anybody want to do a search and see if TJ has ever said this before? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I don't think I'll part with this one. Anybody want to do a search and see if TJ has ever said this before?
I'm waiting for the CEO. :cool: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I've changed my ways. :rolleyes: "turned over a new leaf" :eek: whatever... I'm just experimenting with cures for GAS, so far, no antidote, but I'm having fun trying. :p |
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Posts: 186
Location: The State of Hockey | Trader, why are these guy picking on you? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by couchflyer:
Trader, why are these guy picking on you? Top Five Reasons For Picking On Trader Jim
5. Makes him think before trading away a great guitar. (Probably Not).
4. It reminds him just how lucky he is that Bonnie,(His SWMBO), doesn't mind. (Probably).
3. A reasonable way to increase our post counts.
2. He makes it so easy..
And finally.........
1. BECAUSE WE CAN!!!!  |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I'm starting to get a complex. I've actually owned one guitar I have now for almost a year. (about 7 months ;) ) |
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Posts: 186
Location: The State of Hockey | "Because we can" that is a tough one to argue.
Jim can you put that guitar away for five months and then you would have one for a year?
-back to the 97 collectors what is wrong with the electronics? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by couchflyer:
Jim can you put that guitar away for five months and then you would have one for a year?
If it is the CEO send it to me and I'll make sure you don't sell it. :D Plus you need to get that guitar out of the high humidity of South Florida.
couchflyer, there isn't really anything wrong with the electronics that I have found. I would prefer the Stacked tone/volume or the two knob control than the stealth style. |
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Posts: 5
Location: San Francisco | I have a '97, I believe it to have the slightly smaller neck profile. This one is perfect. I got it from Haight Ashbury Music late 2006. This one had hung almost untouched in the store for almost 10 years.( these folks are very strict about customers picking up guitars GC style.) It was sent back to Ovation to have the electronics fixed, it was cutting in and out.
They also put real ebony buttons on the tuners because the plastic had cracked open.I removed the shim under the saddle and when it was back at Ovation I requested the nut to be lowered a bit so it plays as fast as you want. You could not find a scratch on this. #317. The case is mint as well. Extra lights and it sounds very very good. It's a bit tricky to hold but one can work that out.
The Ebony Rosette knocks me out.12 frets to the body is a cool feature.
I ended up with it because they have a store credit only policy and I had returned a new Godin. As soon as I tried the Ovation I wanted it. I play it once in a while . It is in mint condition.
Just thought I would add my Ovation story. This the only one I have ever owned.
Think I'll play it now.
Cheers
Eddie |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | There is a 97 Collectors in the store a few miles from me.
Over 10 years old and I think I'm one of the few that has played it. When I wanted to plug it in the battery was dead so they put in a new battery and a fresh set of strings.
I got mine on eBay for a lot less than this one would cost although this one is new. |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Joined June '06, first post March '08. :eek:
You obviously put a lot of thought into your first post, Eddie.
I'll be lookin in September '09 for your second. :D |
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Posts: 256
Location: chicago | Hey Dave, Dont you own the Steve Howe 0018 Martin? and isnt that a parlor of sorts? Jeff |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't think there is any rigid definition of what's Parlor sized and what's not. My Steve Howe is a 00 14 fret body which is larger than the '07 Collector, Tak417 or other guitars ore commononly called "parlor". The 0 size body, such as the Ian Anderson model would be closer to what I would call a true "parlor" sized Martin. Dave |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | There have been a couple of them on the Guitar Center site for a long time. One in Independence is only $599. The other one is almost twice that. |
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Posts: 5
Location: San Francisco | next post, 09/09/09 |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I don't think I'll part with this one. Anybody want to do a search and see if TJ has ever said this before? |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | TJ just beat me to the buzzer...
Being the new grand-parent of TJs '97, I have to 'ditto' all the positives above. It's now my 'go to' git when I'm in that 'day-um, I haven't heard that song in forty years or if I did, I don't remember...' mode. 
Having small hands elevates my appreciation of the narrow neck. My hands thank me after putting 'em through the Richard Simmons  "Dancin' to the Oldies" on my Classic, especially when I remove the spandex gloves!  |
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Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
There have been a couple of them on the Guitar Center site for a long time. One in Independence is only $599. The other one is almost twice that. I called Independence. As he described the guitar to me, he couldn't figure out why Ovation put a non-slip surface on upper side of the guitar.
That's the volume control for the pre-amp I said. :rolleyes:
I didn't even know it was acoustic-electric says he.
Can you check the pre-amp for me please?
No sound just a buzz.
Can you put in a new battery and get back to me?
(One hour later) It still doesn't work. We'll send it to be repaired and get back to you. |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've got another year on my no more guitars moratorium. Maybe it will still be there by then. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I've got another year on my no more guitars moratorium. Mark,
That's pushing the OFC 'man- O -card' criteria! 
If ya start pushing the time limit, LMK. I'll ship ya a loaner CC057 and won't tell on ya.  |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I've got another year on my no more guitars moratorium. Wow...  |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | The difference between us, TJ, is that I don't sell any. I did buy another acoustic amp last night. The ban only relates to guitars. I bought the 83 Collector's about a week ago, but I'm calling that my daughter's. I have some training in finding loopholes. I have no shortage of guitars, iffy. I'm actually trying to spend a little more time playing them than I spend looking at deals. |
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97 Collector thoughts