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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I'm really impressed at how my 87C sounds compared to my other Ovations.
My 1718 Deep bowl Elite sounds great too, but I think the 87 edges it out a bit(I have both of them here on Base in Virginia).
I'd always thought my 68 DB sounded best but maybe that was Sentimental, I guess the 87C does edge it out as well.
I haven't had the 87 on an amp yet but I'm sure it'll sound great on it too.
I'm kinda like sligoman, my taste in guitars substantially outweighs my playing ability but I know what sounds good to me.
I haven't seen much less played a Book Elite and while I'm sure they sound awesome as well, I like the carved bridge and the fingerboard inlays on the 87C better, although the inlays in the headstock of the Book do look pretty cool.
As an aside, does the Book Elite have a glossed neck?
I'm considering having my 87C's glossed when it goes back to the MS for it's neck reset.
I just prefer the glossed neck over the "satiny" neck. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | The Books have "hand-rubbed" necks. However, mine was damaged in shipping and went to the factory for repairs. While it was there, I had the neck glossed anf the bridge replaced with a carved ebony one. I must say, I like the look...A LOT!
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | While I'm at it, here they are side-by-side. Honestly folks, we may be splitting hairs, but Ovations simply don't come much better than these.
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Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | That carved bridge looks really good on it!
The more I think about it, I am gonna have the back of the neck glossed when it goes back.
Shoot, I think an 87C would look really good with inlaid Eppies, maybe some would think that sacrelidge or something but I really like the look of those inlaid ones.
They kinda remind me of the inlaid rosette on my 68 DB and how the old O's are so readily distinguished by them.
Hmmm ideas, ideas, I don't even know if they could do it if I wanted them to.
I can hear it now, "That idiot ruined that 87C having the eppies inlaid in it".
The downside with the "exposed" eppies is, if you play 'em enough, the eppies get worn and this thing sounds too good not to play a lot!
Decision, decisions. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | We did a very rough comparison between my daughter's 87C and Miles' Book at the NW Gathering in 06. The conditions weren't ideal, in Greg's backyard with a bunch of talking and other playing going on, but I sure couldn't tell any difference in the sound. I like the appearance of the 87 better, but now that I've given it to my daughter, picking up a Book for what Sligoman paid would be nice. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 416
Location: On the Coast - Halfway between SF & OR | Originally posted by Michael R. Winters:
Shoot, I think an 87C would look really good with inlaid Eppies, maybe some would think that sacrelidge or something but I really like the look of those inlaid ones.
Hmmm ideas, ideas, I don't even know if they could do it if I wanted them to.
Michael,
I've had the same idea on a couple of my Ovations and found out that the top would need to be replaced for the factory to inlay the eppies. Their equipment can't do it with the top attached to the guitar.
As it seems a waste to tear apart a perfectly good guitar, I'm constantly searching eBay for the same model with a damaged top - then I'd have the work done and sell mine (with the exposed eppies) to pay for it. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I agree with Fletch. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
As to glossing the neck, I prefer a glossed neck (Bobbo prefers the satin finish). But I wouldn't gloss an 87C neck. It feels good and when I play it, I can't tell the difference. And the face of the headstock on the 87C is glossed. Looks great.
One of the big problems I've always had with the Book Elite is that the face of the headstock is not glossed. Just don't like the looks of it in the least. And if it were glossed, I could probably overlook the gay outties..... |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Well, that takes care of the inlaid eppies, wishfull thinking anyway.
The neck does feel great but I still like the looks and the feel of glossed necks though.
We'll see, I might just keep it as originally made.
As I've said, part of me wants to get the neck reset done and sell it to finance a blue 1681 Adamas.
But, on the other hand, I've wanted one of these for a long time too.
Knowing myself as I do, I'll hang onto it and keep saving up for the Blue Adamas and for an older nylon string O.
I'm pretty lucky to have the guitars I do have and these last two are the only others I REALLY want to have aside from them. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Michael R. Winters:
...and these last two are the only others I REALLY want to have aside from them. Boy, if I had a guitar for every time I've said that!
Wait a minute.
I do. :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | Patch: Very nice photos! The light wood in the middle of the eppies (maple?) on the book elite is a really nice touch. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | I got it today and it is absolutely dead mint. If it's been played at all, I saw no evidence of same. As to specifics, it sounds nearly identical to the N768, which was also like brand new when I got it. The 87C has it for overall sound, but this one is in better shape than my 87C. Color-wise, the 87C is a little better from my perspective, but not by much, a little deeper color and I love the walnut headstock. I agree with Paul about the gloss on the headstock. Otherwise the neck is easy to get used to. My N769 is identical in color and condition, except for 14 yrs of playing. I am really glad I got this. It is fun to play. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to tell my wife. And I'd better start thinking about either: 1.) Where I'm going to put them or 2.) Which one(s) I've got to sell. |
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October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | BTW, I like the outies. They are feminine indeed, but not necessarily gay. You can cite your own examples of that particular principle. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | You could store them at my brother's house. I think he lives just across the golf course from you. |
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October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | I would be open to that if he didn't mind the occasional visit from a slightly inebriated guy singing Fats Domino Blues out there in the garage. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by sligoman:
... didn't mind the occasional visit from a slightly inebriated guy singing Fats Domino Blues out there in the garage. Hell, KC, my cat and I would luv dat! He can do a duet better than I...  |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He doesn't have a garage. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
We did a very rough comparison between my daughter's 87C and Miles' Book at the NW Gathering in 06... Miles doesn't have that Book anymore. :D |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | What kind of strings (type and gauge) you guys using on your 87C's and Book Elite's? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I've been keeping D'Add EXP26 (Custom Lights) on my 87C since I use it more than any other of my acoustics for leads and higher registers. Only a slight reduction in volume compared to regular lights, and it plays like an electric. I used it for the lead on Pretzel Logic . |
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October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | I use phospher/bronze either lights or bluegrass, which is a little heavier. I think the heavier strings give a broader tone. |
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Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | Congrats on the great score. I also am the happy owner of a "book" in the same condition as yours also off ebay in January. 2 weeks ago I put on a set of Martin MFX130s. They sound great and are super easy to play (11-47). They are a lower tension string - silk and phosphor - and have a good dynamic range. I also use silk and steels on my 1617 but these appear to be lasting longer. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Congrats Sligo...very nice guitar! You will love it! My former Book(and formally Dave,s), resides in Oz now along with a ton of other O's and A's for good company... |
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OK ... Which one of you bought the Book Elite?
