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October 2002
Posts: 61
| I was wondering if anyone had USA models with and without K-BARS in their necks And witch of the two they like more. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | This is all very very subjective, persoanl opinion stuff.
I prefer an Ovation with a K bar, not for the K bar, but because it indicates a guitar built after about 1982, which also means A bracing, which I do prefer. To my ear, it has a more balanced tone with a better deep end than the various x and v bracing patterns used before.
Now, having said that, I know that there are folks here that love their 60's and 70's Ovations. As I said, this is very very subjective. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Like you say Paul, this is all very subjective, and just a personal observation based on my own collection of guitars, but it seems to me that the necks reinforced by the K-bar might age better in terms of staying true. I have an '83 Custom Legend and an '89 Elite with the K-bar and the necks on both are perfectly straight, and the action just as smooth as the day I got'em. On the other hand, the necks on my '68 Deluxe Balladeer and my '71 Glen Campbell seem to have "sunk in" just a bit, and require more effort in the fretting hand. Does this sound at all consistant with other's experience?
Jeff |
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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 61
| my kbar is the only guitar,that at any given time, is the only one that dose'nt need a neck adjustment when I pick it up.It seems that all my other guitars need to be re-straightened before it can be played as intended when new. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | i'm going to make an assumption based on my limited experience. k bar necks are adjusted through the soundhole with a 3/16 allen wrench. the older ones from a beneath a plate on the head with a 3/8 box wrench. for simple access on the fly and for applying penetrating oil to a stubborn nut, or for replacing the nut i prefer the old style. i havent had a problem with that type of neck. i am less comfortable and have had problems with the ones with the internal screw. it is harder to inspect, is harder to turn without a lever added to the short end of an allen wrench, and are difficult to oil. i have a guitar where this is buggered up from improper tool use and one that is frozed or too tight to turn comfortably. i like to see what i'm working on to prevent four letter flurries.
however i guess the head is stronger with the k bar and technically it works better and is probably less expensive to make.
bracing is another thing that in a timeline that improved with the newer style, but that is a whole different subject i know even less about. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I own several Ovations with both types of neck reinforcement, I think the earlier pegheds with the adjustment at the nut look better but are going to be more prone to a break at that point. I haven't had a problem with either type in terms of stability. The k-bar adjustment nut on my '78 Adamas is a bitch to get at, even with the correct wrench.
[ October 20, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | The only complaint I have about my Viper is the simple neck is prone to whipping in the wind, exaggerated because it is 25 inch or whatever, the K bar might help.
Bailey |
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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 170
Location: The Shop | I hope they dont lose the k-bar! |
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any thoughts on K- BAR less O's?