An OFC story for those who are interested:

in June 2011, I posted a thread here asking for help with an ad on CL in California. Stonebobbo stepped in for me, and I purchased a battered 1987 Collector's that eventually (a real understatement given my propensity for procrastination) made it to Poughkeepsie. It sat in my office for quite a while, but finally late last fall, I took the poor thing home to mother with an idea that originated at the Woodstock Invitational Luthier Showcase. (SERIOUSLY, that event is a more GAS-inducing experience than bourbon and beans!)

At the invitational, I browsed along various tables of tonewoods (among other things), and at the display by Northwind Wood came across some absolutely KILLER Mahogany. I've never heard of a mahogany-topped "O", and suddenly I had the perfect use for that old 87C. It undoubtedly needed a top as the old one was badly split down the middle and held together with a long piece of clear packing tape. All that remained were the details.

So I want to thank Tom Thiel of Northwind Woods for his time and patience. Boy did he step into way more than it seemed on the surface! John and Kim at the factory deserve a loud shout-out as well as they continue to tolerate my amateur ravings and ideas. But look what became of it all!

The wood came from a tree called Mahogany Mama. Here's a link to Tom's website with the story behind it:

Mahogany Mama; Northwind Woods

The guitar has a unique tone for an Ovation. My wife and I were both trying to describe it last night with great dificulty. It's not a crisp sound at all; it's very smooth but has considerable punch. Remember that kid in class with the voice that carried to the teacher even when he whispered. This guitar is like that. It is not unusually loud, but it cuts through the mix in my choir effortlessy. The tone is well rounded with bell-like overtones while no string predominates. I'm still coming to grips with it, but I like it a lot!

The original neck is a veteran, with cracking in the binding and a good battle-scar on the tip of one ear. But with that burled walnut overlay and all that abalone, it's hardly an issue. The factory has it set up perfectly, and what else can I say: I'm thrilled with the result.

Now for those of you who might ask why I would deviate so far from the original, spruce-top specs, scroll down to the last picture. Trust me, I got you covered.

Hope you all like the photos....

Congrats!  "Patch'd" that up nice!!  

even though I'm an inlaid eppies fan... keepin' its original '87 CE "vibe" seems right... especially in that group shot!