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January 2002
Posts: 4
Location: WI | Hi Folks,
I am the happy owner of 2 USA Ovations. However in a recent conversation, a comment was made that leaves me concerned that these guitars that I love will be damaged by a design flaw. I'm not sure that I believe it, and figure people here may help answer my question.
The issue deals with how the bowl and the solid wood top will react to humidity and temperature changes. Is it true that as humidiy decareases, the top is more likely to crack on an Ovation than on a traditional all-wood guitar because the top will contract in low humidity while the bowl will not adjust at all?
Your input is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Marcus |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | Marcus,
I have a Balladeer made in 1995 that does not have any cracking problems, even after having spent 9 months at sea on an old ship, with poor AC while we were near the Horn of Afica and in the Middle East. From what I have seen here on the board, I don't think you have anything to worry about. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I had this same discussion with Kim Keller. I asked him about the top cracks in relation to the bowl. He told me that the bowl itself is very flexible, and gives quite a bit. I really don't think the top cracks have anything to do with the bowl. In fact I have a 1975 Custom Balladeer that was given to me. It spent most of its life in a car trunk. And it gets very hot here in Louisiana. The guitar top did have some finish cracks, but it is in good shape condering what it has been through. I am not sure why some Ovations develop finish cracks, but I would rule out the bowl as the cause....Paul Hebert |
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March 2002
Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | I don't know for certain, but my guess would be that people are rougher with Ovations than with other guitars, thinking that the bowl makes them indestructible. The oldest Ovation I have had since new is a 1978 Legend. It developed finish cracks when my niece took it to sub zero temperatures. But as long as I've had it, there have been no cracks in the wood. I've got a 20 year old Elite that's been on planes with me and in the car. And it has absolutely no cracks of any kind in it.
If you take care of a guitar, it should be just fine. |
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May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | I have a 96 Elite that has spent it's entire life with me in around 10% humidity. I keep it in it's case and use one of those cheap clay humidifiers. So far, knock on it's solid wood top, I have had NO problems with it.
Dale |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Older Ovations will tend to develop finish cracks between the bridge and end-pin area of the guitar. As I understand it this has nothing to do with the bowl. It is a combination of very light bracing and very thick lacquer finsh. Especially previlent on 12 strings. The problem areas have been "re-engineered" and this does not happen on newer Ovations (newer being something like late 80's onwards). Do a search on this board and you will find lots of comment on this topic. You can lessen the changes of this happening to your older Ovations by keeping them in a stable temp and humidity environment. Dave |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | How long can we expct a guitar to be perfect, they age just like we do, as time goes by our guitars will show some signs of age. I pity you fools that think that you won't. |
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Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | What I want to know is why women, when they pass 40 just get better and better, and men just get old? |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Ah, come on Paul - we're in the prime of our lives. Yes guitars do age and some more gracefully than others. Forget the cosmetics, it's the sound that counts. Ask Willie Nelson.
As far as aging men go, I always kind of admired George Burns. Just something about enjoying your golden years with beautiful hanging all over you. It wasn't old George's money or his viagra induced romance they were after. Rumor has it that George had a secret collection of vintage guitars.
Dave |
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March 2002
Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | Probably Ovations. He was a very classy guy.... |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 4
Location: WI | Thanks to all who replied. I sincerely appreciate your input.
As a matter of clarity, my post was not concerned with finish checking, but rather the top actually cracking rendering the guitar rather seriously compromised.
I am not trying to keep my acoustics like new over their entire lifetime, but rather trying to make sure that I can still play them years down the road as functioning acoustic guitars. That's all.
Again, thanks for the responses. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | My brother, with any car he's owned over the years, maintains them extrememly well. Better than anybody I know. But even he has a philosophy that "if your car looks and runs like it's brand new, then you're probably spending too much damned time and money on your car".
Guitars are meant to be played. Take care of them, but don't stress about their aging. I knew a guy once (true story) who's father, when he was in high school, gave him a D-28. And now, 15 years later, he could point to every ding and mark on it and it told a story about his travels or his kids, or a gig. The guitar was structurally fine. It just told stories. And this guy loved remembering and telling every story on his guitar. A great attitude. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Hey all, I was going to post a new message but given the thread this seems like the right place ...
I've fallen in love with the redhead all over again. My very first post on this board was trying to find out how to replace the very bowed urelite neck on my trusty old mahogany-topped USA Ultra. Over a year later, I have finally completed the holy grail. I ebay'd a used neck off a 1312 (two piece mahogany), and thanks to some timely advice from P Templeman and Bailey I was able to complete the "neck reset" myself. I needed to make a couple of minor, minor mods, but it fits like a charm. Last night I did some truss rod adjustments and the action is good, intonation is on, and it's great to hear her deep bowl voice again.
The redhead was my first true love, and for the past 20 years has always been by my side. I know somewhere there are more refined, more turned out beauties, but none will ever match the charm and character of this one. She has lasted through 5 children, all of whom at one point of another dragged her around, knocked her over, spit up on her, hit her with something solid, or just sat on her. She's been camping at the ocean, camping in the high desert, lived on the SF Bay, been to Europe, lived in a California valley, and accompanied the children at church recitals, school talent shows, and been the bright light at too many parties to count.
She's accomplished this with nary a mark to show on her. Well, yes, there are a few small scratches and age lines, a few dimples on her face now, but she's never cracked, her curvaceous body is completely intact, and has mellowed into a comfortable, sultry goddess ... with whom I'm looking forward to spending another 20 years with.
And oh, yeah, all of the above applies to my lovely wife, as well. Except, as evidenced by the fact I'm sitting here without bullet holes or large legal bills, she was never put on the sideline while I played with newer models over the years. |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | What a nice post, stonebobo, you have stated in a few paragraphs what we all feel about our instruments and loved ones as years go by. That is the "problem" with pickers, we love too many things and they all need our attention.
Bailey |
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contruction and longevity
