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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | I have quite a few guitars and I thought that I should thin the herd. I bought a 93 Collectors maybe 10 or more years ago. Used it as my main guitar for a while and a couple of years latter I had a chance to pick up a 87 Collectors which I always thought was one of Ovations best. I took the time to put the same new strings on both guitars and went back and forth. Both good guitars but I have to admit that the 93 Collectors is the better acoustic. Clearer, and I think a little louder. I think it comes down to the smaller more tradition acoustic guitar saddle, and the thin satin finish. The 87 has the thicker gloss finish but also the deep body, the 93 was the intro to the mid bowl. Anyone else have them both? Not what I expected.
Steve |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | That's strange ... I would think the deep bowl would be louder. I had both the deep and mid versions of the Custom Legends and I liked both. The mid bowl seemed to have a more balanced tone accross the spectrum and the deep bowl basswass heavier and sounded noticeably louder. I think to get a good comparison, you need to have someone sit accross from you as you play on each, and ask them what THEY think.
I personally like the outies (epaulets) better than the innies, and like the rest of the 87C over the 93C. |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | Actually my wife listening to the two guitars started all of this. She liked the 93 a little better. Could be just differences in guitars, the wood of the day etc. I actually went into a very small bathroom after that to get reflection of the walls back to my ears. Don't get me wrong they are both great guitars and we are talking about small increments but the 93 just surprised me. I think the quality is a little brighter sound that kicks it up a little.
Steve |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Yeah, I've found that two or more of the same make and model guitars can even have noticeable differences when played side by side, but I would think Ovations would have a more consistent sound due to the lack of wood on the sides and back. I remember Beal mentioning before that the 87s were better, but then he may have been speaking of his preferences between models. Don't really know. I am still wondering if the 87Cs were constructed the same as the 1537s. Guess I'll just have to wait until mine comes back from the mothership and look inside. (4 more weeks :) |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | The '93 was created with the "Nashville Sound" in mind, means, acoustic sound was what this guitar's strength should be - and it should sound brighter and more cutting.
To gain this the thinline pickup was invented, canted 15% away from the nut, helping the guitar speak quicker and brighter.
The acousticness was handled by a very thin satin finish on selected spruce tops.
Go figure.
And, no, I didn't suck that out of my fingers - it's written in the sheetlet "Thirty years of Innovation", that came with the '96 Collectors (no, not the books, the red ones).
Best regards,
Kurt |
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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | bvince:
If you want some pics of the inside of my 87C lemmee know, I have it here on base with me. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Flint, i agree with your review of the two guitars.I have owned several 87C and two 93C..In my opinion Acoustically the 93 is one of the best sounding Ovation guitars ever.Although the 93 was loud it also had a warmth,clean crisp notes and mid punch more like a takamine or a early Takoma.Not sure why exactly probably the satin finish more than anything else.The 87's were always good guitars but had the typical Ovation acoustic sound..They are more bling than outstanding sound. |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | Thanks for reenforcing what I thought I was hearing. Its made me appreciate the 93C again. Has the V, natural finish, neck as well that you are supposed to wax? Haven't done that in a while. I remember buying special wax at time. Had a lot of unique features. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | That's OK Michael, I'll have my own back from the factory in a little while, and i see it first-hand. Thanks Anyway. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | No sweat, just put it back in it's case a few minutes ago.
I wish my playing ability was close to the level of taste I have in guitars :) |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Yeah ... I can relate to that also. I figure the only person I have to please on that note is myself anyway. If I don't have to rely on my playing for income, I'm safe (;
I still work on trying to learn new things and improving my playing, but the reality is I'm 52 y/o with lots of progressing physical ailments - including arthritis in the hands - so I thank God for every day I can wake up and play the guitar. |
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87 Collectors vs. 93 Collectors
