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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Sorry for the long post, but I've got a lot bottled up to say …
There was a post here recently asking what our favorite Ovation Collectors series guitars were. I've got some pretty strong opinions about the Ovation Collectors, less to do with the guitars themselves (all of which are good) and more to do with the idea of a pre-defined "collectable" guitars. I mean think about it - How utterly arrogant for someone to market a brand new product and right out of the gate call it "collectable". The buying public will decide what is a collectors guitar and what is not. And this can take decades to happen. Don't get me wrong, these Ovation guitars are all really nice and perhaps some will actually turn out to be true "collectors" guitars. But only time will tell. Maybe better off to call them "Special Editions" or something similar. But to me, simply rolling out a different color finish or a different wood top does not ensure collectability. Sorry.
So, I guess this is the reason I have never been inclined to own a Collectors Series guitar. I've had many dozens of Ovation guitars over the years (not all at the same time) but never a Collectors Series. I guess I always had the attitude that it would be ME who determined what was collectable, not some Ovation marketing campaign. And for me, to be collectable a guitar has to be extremely rare or unique. The Ovation Collectors Series is certainly not rare, since a few thousand of each are made and you can buy them right down at the old Guitar Center store. And they certainly are not unique other than maybe the choice of wood for the top. I mean, isn't almost every Collectors Series a shallow or mid depth cutaway of some sort or another? That's not unique.
EXCEPT for the 1997 Parlor Guitar. To me THAT is a unique Ovation (right up there with the Thunderbolt) and in terms of REAL collectability over the long haul, I think this may the one. It was a radical move for Ovation to roll out such an instrument. Parlor sized, vintage looks, unique electronics. There was nothing like it before or since. Even the case was unique. But the buying public didn’t go for it. Basically it was a flop. No fancy colors, no built in mixing boards and DSP, no celebs using it (although I did see the guitar player for No Doubt play one on TV during last years Grammy Awards show). It died on the vine. Probably one of the least desirable Collectors Series to the general public. Too bad.
But to ME, this was always a very interesting guitar simply because it was SO unique. And if I ever was going to have a Collectors Series guitar in my stable of Ovations, THIS would have to be the one - no debate about it. So low and behold, years pass by and now I finally found one at a really good price. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I paid all of $385. for it and it's in dead mint condition. It arrived yesterday. I had to replace a broken tuner button and make a slight truss rod adjustment. But for that effort (10 minutes) I have something that might actually live up to the label inside that says "Collectors Series". The acoustic sound is really nice. Much more full and louder than I expected from the small parlor body. Quite well balanced tone. Of course I absolutely love the 12 fret neck and slotted headstock. Feels just like my Folklore Deluxe or Josh White. I love those necks. The small body is extremely comfortable to play and I can see this becoming an everyday front porch picking kind of guitar. Overall I'm extremely pleased and pleasantly surprised. I can understand why this guitar had no appeal to the general guitar buying/playing public. Just like other guitars that I own and love. But that just adds to the mystique to me and makes this even more of a "Collectors Series".
Dave
PS - I'd love to hear from others on this board who own '97 Collectors or have opinions about them. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Dave, I owned one and sold it. Not because I didn't like it, I did, a lot, but it was the one guitar of all my Ovations that never got played, so it went. The 97 was a true departure from the norm, and that's probably why it bombed, that and the 12-fret, slot head, which I guess is too staid & traditional looking for most buyers. If I could find a wide-neck version I'd probably buy one again.
Didn't they do the parlour size in the Elite style for a while? |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | very nice sounding guitar but almost impossible to use in a live situation if you want to plug it in. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | ".. but almost impossible to use in a live situation if you want to plug it in"
Why? |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I wouldn't say impossible, but the "touch sensitive" preamp leaves a lot to be desired. a knob is actually just as easy to use, plus at least with a knob you have an indication of the level, which you don't with the '97. Also you can hear audible "clicks" as you touch the volume "pads" (at least you could on the several I've tried, so I guess it's not an isolated problem)
Still a great guitar though. This to me is what the collectors series should be about, trying new ideas. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | there is no way to see where your vol is or how to adjust it. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | I guess, if you want to play live, plugged in, is to tear out all of the touch stuff and have Ovation put in an OP 40. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I have not tried the TS preamp as this is not a priority for me. The only playing "out" this guitar will will see is "out" on the back porch rather than in the framily room. If I was really playing gig work, I would probably just wire the pickup direct to the end pin jack and use an external preamp.
BTW PT - This is a wide neck one. Same width as a folklore. That's one of the main reasons I wanted it.
Dave |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| Hi Dave,
I purchased a 1997 Collectors, serial number 097,
several years ago, partially for the fact of the serial number. It is of the narrow neck variety, and I must say that this model is truly a unique guitar. Due to the extremely small neck, it is somewhat difficult to adjust to playing, but that's what makes it unique.
I have only used the guitar amplified on one or two occasions, primary to try out the electronics.
It has never left my house, and probably will never leave the house, as I play it primarily in the bedroom. As it was promoted, it is a "Parlor Guitar", hence one to be played in the house, not
played out. It serves its' purpose well.
As an admirer of fine guitar cases also, I appreciate the 1997 Collector's case more than any of the other many varieties of Ovation cases that populate my house. Several months ago someone offered the case by itself on eBay, and I was tempted to buy it just for the beauty of it.
And, even though I already have a 1997 Collectors, I placed a bid on the guitar that I believe you presently possess, as it was a deal almost too good to pass up.
Some have said that the tone is on par with other deeper bodied Ovations, but that is not my experience. It has an excellent tone, but it is sweeter and more subdued. It is not intented to be a "canon"; rather, it is best used instrumentally or to accompany vocals, preferably unamplified. I recently played a Mini Martin at Gruhn's (which is itself an outstanding instrument) with a price of $2,000 plus, and I personally prefer the Ovation.
To sum up my opinion of this guitar, although it is not for everyone, it has joined the list of my "keepers" that I never plan to sell at any price. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.
Bob Frith |
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Posts: 7237
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | From my point of view it is the Ovation Collectors Series... not individual "collectable" guitars. Just like baseball cards which are collectable (some more than others) Ovation puts out a YEARLY collectors series guitar. Many folks buy them just to have one from each year, or some buy them to have a guitar with a particular year on it. Some people judge the individual model on its own merits as a guitar, and do not care that it is part of a series. Most of us buy guitars because of how they sound, and that's it... I'm not one of those people. It has to be a combination of looks, sound, or just something that attracts me. I have several guitars that I just think are cool, and don't really care if they even are playable. |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Never rains but it pours. Here's another one!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2547374247&category=33029 |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul - This one has your name written all over it. The seller says the tuners are non-original but they sure look original to me.
Bob - Great post and thanks for all the details about your collector. Sounds like you and I have a lot of the same tastes. Yes, that CASE is just awesome. It puts the plastic molded Ovation cases to shame, hands down. I finally got to trying the TS electronics last night and they seem to sound fine, but I would not be happy with them if I really played out because of the ergonomics and the "click" when you change volume.
Dave |
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97 Collectors Series Guitar
