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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Hi all, I'm new to the site. I have a 1983 1311 (which is a USA Ultra) with a neck that needs replacing. The tuning pegs are awesome (Made in W. Germany), but the plastic(?) neck is bowed and there is no truss rod to adjust. Plus, what appears to be a hairline crack is developing between the E tuners. The neck appears to simply bolt-on from inside the bowl.
Anyone know how easy a job this might be? Should I buy a new neck from Ovation, or would I be better picking up a well preserved Balladeer or Legend off Ebay and cannibalize the neck? Will that even work?
The guitar is a real sweetheart ... brown bowl and mahogany finish with no cracks in the wood or finish (although more slight dings and dents than deserved). Has the original Ovation preamp and pickup with single volume knob only.
I also have a 2000 Collectors, Custom Legend 12 string, 70's Viper electric (an a 3/4 size celebrity deluxe for my kids to drag around), but this one's got a tone the others can't match (something about nearly 20 years of aging the wood) and great projection. Not to mention a soft spot in my heart. But it's just too darn hard to play up the neck.
Any suggestions? And thanks ... this board is a GREAT find. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | My first impluse, when I started to read your posting, was to say junk the guitar and move up to a better one. Reading further, you have moved up and your Ultra is strictly a sentimental choice (I'm not putting down the tone). Just understand that putting a new neck on your guitar will probably cost more than the guitar is worth. It's like an old sports car. You are never going to come out ahead, moneywise. You come out ahead on love of that car, or in this case, guitar.
Having said all that, contact Ovation and see what they can do for you. On something like this, they are going to be your best resouce. Good luck. And let us know what happens. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Paul's right, don't even think about pulling apart a guitar to fix yours. Keep an eye on ebay, Ovation necks crop up regularly. Earlier necks used a modified dovetail joint without bolts, so fitting a new neck may not be so easy unles you have the right one. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Thanks for the advice, Paul. And I do have old sports cars, too! :D |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Stonebobbo:
You're our kinda people. I predict you'll like it here in OFC-land. And please do post what you end up doing with your guitar.
Now I'm off to put the new front brakes on the old sports car.... |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Here's an Ultra 1312 on ebay for a $150 buy it now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=899852386 |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Hi folks,
I communicated with the Ovation factory and they advised it had to come to them and replacing the neck si going to cost me at least $500. :eek:
Does anyone know a good luthier in Northern California (or even SoCal) who could give me a second opinion? I love the guitar, but five hundred bucks ... that's a lot of semtimental value. (Maybe someone here can validate if this seems reasonable ... I remember reading a post that included all kinds of repair work for this kind of money).
Thanks, and I appreciate whatever condolences and/or advice you all can offer.
//0~0\\ |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | This guy is an authorized Ovation repair guy.
Paul Stebner
Guitar Remedy
Tustin CA
714/544-8350
Call Paul. He can give you a realistic quote. He's worked on my guitars and he's good and honest. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 33
Location: Farmington, MO. 63640 | Hey Stonebobbo
There is a neck on ebay that closes tomorrow, at $9.99 with no reserve
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=901604057
Good luck and let us know how it goes
Jayroc |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Thanks for the heads up, Jayroc. Unfortunately, I was traveling and wasn't able to check in until now so I missed the auction.
I'm talking with a couple of authorized repair shops to get a bead on what to do. Seems my old Ultra is somewhat unusual ... the top is apparently mahogany and is crafted with a piece that goes down the middle of the soundboard (designed to look like a neck-through) with wings on both sides. I was also told that having only a single volume control is unusual (apparently they have only seen them with stacked volume/tone controls). There was another label atop the one that's there now that peeled up many years ago ... oh how I wish I had kept it (or could even remember what it said).
If anyone can shed any light on this it would be most appreciated. Still trying to justify (rationalize?) putting the new neck on ...
//0~0\\ |
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Replacement Neck?