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Location: South of most, North of few | but not HERE. It left Jacksonville last night at 8pm, so it's here in Ft. Myers now, but since it is the weekend, and not just any weekend but a 3 day-er, I'll have to wait till Tues to see it. I have the number to the local UPS depot (don't ask how I got it) and called, but they can't do anything for me. "it's on a trailer with about 200 other packages". Probably sitting outside through the weekend. Sorry, just had to rant.. :rolleyes: |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Probably the biggest one on the trailer, go have a look. This is how you need to look at it, since you won't get the guitar till Tuesday, you won't have to buy one till well into next week. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | UPS Sucks.
I've said it a hundred times and I will continue to say it.
Got one coming to me now (in a trade) that is either pay their ridiculous 3 day rates or let in sit in a truck over the weekend and probably have a refrigerator fall on it!
UPS Sucks |
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Location: out there | But how do you really feel about UPS? |
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Location: Cincinnati | I shipped a banjo to Florida on Thursday. It too sitting until Tuesday. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
"it's on a trailer with about 200 other packages". "Well then, put down the phone, get off your fat azz, turn off the ball game and go out and get it!!! I'll be there in 10 minutes."
Yeah, that's what I would have told 'em...
Jim,
You're not the only one. We've got two members in Europe suffering the same malaise.
Hang in there guys! |
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Location: Cincinnati | Hey, Jim, how about some pictures of the trailer to hold us over? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Lightfoot:
But how do you really feel about UPS? They suck! |
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Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | TJ, you have to look at the positive side. On Tuesday it will be unloaded by someone hung over and really hating life. Then it will be given to the loading dock guy, also hung over and hating life. The driver....you guessed it, hating life like the rest, will slow down only enough for an accurate pitch in to your drive way, but damn, you'll have it on Tuesday! Cheers! :D |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I knew I could count on you guys to cheer me up. :rolleyes:
BTW...UPS Sucks! (thanks for reminding me Stephen)
Gary, I like your location. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Jack, it only catches fire after it hits the Fl. line...
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I knew I could count on you guys to cheer me up. :rolleyes:
BTW...UPS Sucks! (thanks for reminding me Stephen)
Gary, I like your location. BTW- Fed Ex is starting to suck too... Read This! Read the whole page of updated rules.
Especially this... "Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$500:"...."13. Guitars and other musical instruments that are more than 20 years old, and customized or personalized musical instruments."
I won't even go into how they told me that I had no proof the my 1121 wasn't broken before they got their greasy mitts on it. :mad: |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by kotadawg:
Hey, Jim, how about some pictures of the trailer to hold us over? 
Jim,
Aren't you guys supposed to get another hurricane Tuesday? :D |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Ya gotta love this group!!!!!
Trailer Pic's: how funny!
And I bet there is a familiar palm tree in all of them...(just like my familiar Alberta Spruce) |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by MusicMishka:
And I bet there is a familiar palm tree in all of them... Yepper! Right here:
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Location: ms | If they don`t get it to him pretty quick he will just trade the trailer and all. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | OMA,
I was suprised to see FedEx specifically listed Ostrich and Emu eggs! |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I just looked back at the list to find something to make a joke about... But this ain't funny!
Once you read the list, they basically say that they aren't responsible for ANYTHING valuable!
1. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector's items. (Like that old shiny-bowl Ovation.)
4. Antiques, or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include, but are not limited to, furniture, tableware and glassware. (no old Woodstock or Grateful Dead Tie-Dyes!)
6. Plasma screens. (So, I cannot trust you not to break my TV?)
8. Furs, including, but not limited to, fur clothing, fur-trimmed clothing and fur pelts.
and, of course- 11. Ostrich and emu eggs. (Unborn Livestock?)
So, I guess that means they aren't responsible for Anything of Value!
And we here at the OFC have been telling everybody to use Fed Ex cuz they are sooo much better than UPS! :mad: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I think you'd be safe shipping a bowling ball. (if it's a cheap bowling ball) |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Capo Guy:
Originally posted by kotadawg:
Hey, Jim, how about some pictures of the trailer to hold us over?
Jim,
Aren't you guys supposed to get another hurricane Tuesday? :D |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Originally posted by MusicMishka:
And I bet there is a familiar palm tree in all of them... Yepper! Right here:
You need to mow your lawn. :D |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I have delegated that task to the wife. |
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Location: East Tennessee | OK, It's Tuesday. Have you got the infamous "Out For Delivery" yet? |
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Location: Tennessee | Hello, Is this Mr Trader?
Well, yes, this is UPS. I'm afraid the delivery of your package has been delayed.
Thank you for your patience and patronage. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | That just ain't right! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Well, the site still says it left Jacksonville on Friday at 8pm. I called the local depot (don't ask how I got their number) and they offered to check with the driver to see if it was on the truck. They actually called me back and said it IS on the truck, it must have missed a scan at the depot, and will be delivered sometime between 5 and 7pm. So, lets see.....a guitar with a crack in the top arrived in Ft. Myers Sat morning somewhere around 2am, been sitting outside in a trailer till Tuesday morning, then loaded on a truck to bounce around all day in 100 degree heat till 5 to 7pm..humm... I wonder how it will look when I finally get it. This will either be a disaster, or a tribute to Ovation's durability. Full report soon. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I'd vote for the second |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Let see... With the time difference it oughta be there right about NOW! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | yep....maybe TJ passed out from the sight of it and we have to wait until he revives.......... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | They probably didn't need to scan it because they just automatically deliver any guitar box to his house. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Uhhh, UPS came here today to pick up a package: only problem is that I didn't schedule a PU...why am I not surprised...TJ: if they have me as a regular shipper/receiver, how much more do they have you bookmarked...lol |
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Location: South of most, North of few | OK, had soccer practice for my boy, but now I'm home. Gave the box a chance to cool down in the house. Opened it up, and it's all in one piece. (yay) The crack in the top (lower bass bout between the bridge and the binding) is definitely through the top, as I can see it on the inside. It looks like someone tried to do a fill/repair on the top side, maybe with super glue, and really didn't know what they were doing. The eppies are curled up in places, but intact without missing pieces. The good news is it sounds great with no buzz or vibration noise, virtually no fret wear and the neck is in great shape, plays very well, and the electronics work.
Now for the question for the experts:
Should I;
A. Try to cleat it myself and maybe use some cya remover to clean up the top, or will that bother the finish?
B. Send it to the factory and have them just do what they can without replacing the top.
C. Leave it alone and just play it.
What you guys think? |
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Location: East Tennessee | Jim,
I vote for B.
Make sure they don't replace the top.
That's where the MOJO is. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Jim,
I'm with CC. I guess it depends (a la cliff) if you're happy with it as it is. If not, let her visit the MS. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I just don't want it to fold up if I do nothing. And i need all the MOJO I can get. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Plan B |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
....And i need all the MOJO I can get. Don't we all. :( |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jim, going with "B" will allow you to sell it easier :D
Plan "C" would be the way to go if you actually planned to keep it and play it for more than 3 months! :p |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Oh no Stephen. I plan on keeping this one forever. ;) |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Was it Rhonda Vincent who said "Forever ain't that long anymore" |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
Was it Rhonda Vincent who said "Forever ain't that long anymore" Her and those of us that have adopted TJ's 'keepers'! ;) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
"Forever ain't that long anymore" the man is a song lyric writing machine! :cool: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Just talked with John B, and am going to send it in for a possible top refinish. ;) |
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| Nice get, TJ. Think you'll have it back in time for the Smokeys Jam? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | don't think so, but I should have the Adamas, if UPS can ever get it past the hurricane area. Right now it's on "exception" due to natural emergencies. No idea when it will move out of Houston TX. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Have I mentioned how I hate UPS........ |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Go for the crack repair and fill like I did on Debanjo's 1537 proto. Takes about two weeks and you don't have to refin the top. Unless the finish is really bad I'd leave it, 25 years of aging are hard to replace. |
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| Originally posted by stephent28:
Have I mentioned how I hate UPS........ once or twice... |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Gertrude's top has a split from the saddle right down to the purfling--the sides of the split were stepped when it first happened, just to the right of the center. The local luthier did a "temporary" repair that lasted quite awhile, and then I toted her up to Mom a few years back. When she came home, you could hardly see it. The "Repair Wizards" are just that--they'll fix it so good, why, you'll be proud of that beauty mark!
--Karen |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Just talked with John B, and am going to send it in for a possible top refinish. ;) I've sent two guitars to the factory for top repairs. One was a Custom Legend with a thru-the-top crack that sounds similar to your 1537. The factory did an exemplary job. The other was my 1537 that the bridge popped off from and took some wood off with it. That repair required replacement of the top and another exemplary fix by the factory. I now have the equivalent of a "new" 1537.
My sole reservation about sending your 1537 for a refinished top is that the guitar might not sound the same after the fix. Neither of mine did, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Refinishing the top will require replacement of the bridge and epaulets. The mojo will be effected. Since you only have the guitar a few days, I'd recommend playing it for a few months. A full refinished top is not cheap ($400). I think that it is better to wait and see if your really want to potentially lose/change the existing mojo.
The crack in the top will still be visible after the fix. As good as the factory is they can't make the crack disappear, however they will fully seal and stabiize it.
The acoustic tone of an original 1537 is a unique thing. I had no choice, but you do. Take some time and think about it fully before you spend the money for a fix that could effect the acoustic tone. It won't sound worse, just different. Your choice will come down to maintaining the guitar with the flaw(s) or fixing it and having a perfect looking guitar with altered mojo. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks for the info. I'm going to let John take a look at it and make a recommendation. One of the eppies is pretty messed up, so I can't see replacing just one as they will look different. Damon suggested I get the new eppies inlaid (ala LX) but I'm not too sure about that. |
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Location: big island | on the other hand, the 1537 i bought from glenn with the new top and bowl, remains the best sounding ovation i have ever played. moody had a top replaced on one of his guitars about the same time. we suspect our tops are from the same tree. at any rate, we both couldn't be happier about how great each guitar sounds. so jim, mojo is a good thing but i'd opt for sound over mojo any day. if john suggests a new top replacement as the best option, i wouldn't hesitate. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Inlaid epaulets cannot be done with the top in place. A crack in the top won't require a new top. My CL had a really nasty crack. A refinish requires new epaulets and a new bridge. Perhaps that won't effect the acoustic tone all that much, but it did change the tone of my CL. Not better, not worse, just different. I think that ANY change to the acoustic tone of an original 1537 is something to seriously consider before spending that much money for essentially a cosmetic fix.
I'll repeat this: Original 1537's have a unique acoustic tone. I know, I had one and have played many. I love my "new" 1537. My CL is my absolute favorite guitar. That said, I'd still think long and hard before giving the OK for an esthestic fix of a classic, incredibly unique sounding Ovation. |
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Location: SoCal | As a general rule, I'd say fix, don't replace the top of a 1537 or other equally unique Ovation. But having said that, I did just the opposite with my 87C when an accident caused the top to split open. And as Randy said, we think he and I ended up with tops from the same log and they are spectacular sounding. But I think we were both lucky and I wouldn't count on lighting striking twice.
Refinishing the top, tho', can be a good thing. The new finish used is thinner than the old finish, which should let the wood vibrate more easily. And the color of the top can go from a dark yellow to a honey colored...... |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks Mitch, I really don't know just what to do with it yet. I'm trying to convince myself that a crack won't bother me much, but am not having much luck doing that. Paul, I thought of that, as they usually don't lay it on as thick now, and that could be a good thing. I figure if they don't replace the top, it's still the same seasoned wood. It may look a little different, but sound the same. If the one eppie wasn't messed up so bad, I'd just fix the crack and let it go.
From a distance, it doesn't look too bad...(yeah, I know, the infamous palm tree)
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Location: Jet City | What a sexy beast! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Yeah, it is a nice tree. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Now that I've looked at the photos I'd still advise you to wait. If I recall, this was a "bottom feeder" eBay find at a really attractive price. There's no way that top will need to be replaced, just refinished. I had my CL refinished from dark tobacco burst to a beautiful New England burst. If you look close you can see see the crack in the wood even though the finish is completely smooth. Therefore, keep in mind that a refinished top will still show the crack unless you have it done in black or another solid color.
I had my CL for two years before I sent it for the fix. I had the factory upgrade the pre-amp to an OP-Pro also. My CL is now one-of-a kind which was re-labeled by the factory as a 1719 (from 1619) and I couldn't be happier. Your 1537 is a different matter. I doubt that you want to change the original design. The "two knobbers" are special and you can upgrade to the newer FET but that's an additional $200 or so and still not the best pre-amp for plugged in sound.
I still say to wait. Play the guitar, live with it, enjoy it. See if the crack remains stabile. You can send it to factory later one and see what options they have to make it look better.
The folks here are great, sincere and helpful, but it's your money and guitar Jim. Give the guitar some time to grow on you before you make any changes that will effect that unique tone. A simple sealing of the crack won't harm the guitar or the tone and could be a DIY if you have the ability to do it carefully.
BTW, Moody, the new top on my 1537 is spectacular. Perhaps it's from the same tree as your '87C and lanaki's 1537. ;) :D |
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Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Just talked with John B, and am going to send it in for a possible top refinish. ;) OH...Brother, what happened to the guy that said to me...." I think I'm too hung up on the way they look,and not the way they sound"? Remember the 1614. :( |
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Location: Cincinnati | Jim, knowing how much you value my opinion :rolleyes: I'd try to glue down the edges of the eppie and live with the guitar for a while. You might find you can live with the cracks if it has the right sound.
How much for the tree? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I wouldn't touch it. Dave |
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Location: SoCal | When you press on the crack, can you feel the wood moving around? If not, live with it for a while.
Mitch, take a look at Randy's pictures and you'll see the wood on his 1537. It's beautiful and distinctive with the silking. My 87C is the exact same way. Mitch, if your 1537 top is from the same log, then you're a lucky man..... |
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Location: NJ | ". . When you press on the crack, can you feel the wood moving around? If not, live with it for a while . ."
If ONLY you had a nickle for every time you had t'tell Jerri THAT . . . |
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Location: East Tennessee | Jim,
Repair the crack.
DO NOT Refinsh the top, (That MOJO thing).
Replace the eppies maybe. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | repair, not replace
but I've said that already. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Yes, you can feel the wood move around when you press around the crack. I'm not considering a replacement of the top as an option. I've been down that road before and it completely changed the guitar into something I didn't want anymore. Thanks for all the opinions, I'll keep you all posted. |
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Location: Maine | What a nice looking guitar.. they new it back then when they made it too..
I prefer the older style epaulettes that are more cedar/brown toned, don't have the pronounced red colored wood as a lot of the new ones seem to have..
If it was mine.. I'd have the crack sealed and keep it as is..
Talbot
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Well, the 1537 is here...