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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | I know a lot of members have had he mothership do a lot of work so here is my question.
I've got a chance to buy a 1612/w ovations hsc.
Serial number puts in in the 1878 build range.
Here are the problems. (I've only seen pictures so far)
Someone glued a pic guard on the top. (Ewww)
But that's OK. Top has 2 cracks that run from the bridge tothe bottom binding. so a new top is in order. I want it original, no BLING....
The face of the headstock is pretty well scratched up. Circular scratches around the tuner posts. Looks like someone clipped the string ends too long.
1. Does this guitar warrant the work to bring it back to respectable?
Can anyone ballpark me on the cos for a new top withour shipping it to mother?
Thanks in advance.
Steve |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | First, when they change the top they usually (always) change the bowl.
The headstock might be able to be buffed-out or the wood veneer could be replaced.
My thoughts would be that you might be able to find a primo 1612 for the price of a rebuild.
A few years ago (2007) I sent a 1115 to the MS.
New top/bowl and fret dressing was about $475. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | In order to re-top the guitar they will cut thru the bowl and top to remove the neck, then put the neck on a new bowl and body.
Is the neck that good?
Most 1112/1612's (made in 1978) in great shape can be had for about $400 or less.
Now a hack like me would scrape the top down, repair and refinish just for the fun of it.
The 1112's used the epoxy neck joint and will never separate easily.
Someone jump in if I'm wrong (again) please. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | No, you're not wrong Woody.
I was trying to be polite about saying that by the time Steve buys that guitar, and then gets if fixed, he could just buy a better guitar.
Or, if that guitar is a bargain an sounds good you could just fix it yourself. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | 1. Does this guitar warrant the work to bring it back to respectable? Going an what you have said, IMHO, no.
Tho I commend your desire to save a guitar, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. |
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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | I will defer to the members.
I figures for 100.00 might be worth saving. (hate to see any instrument go to waste)
Guess I just spend more money and time on the solid body project....... |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I just sold a dandy 1612 for 1470 eggs (cash value about $250) but it was to a good friend that has lots of chickens & not much money. They're very good guitars but you can pick up a nice one for $250-$400 if you take some time to look. The one I sold was nearly perfect. I replaced it with a 30th Anniversary CL, no regrets. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | if it still plays ok, don't worry about the cracks and play it. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | "Now a hack like me would scrape the top down, repair and refinish just for the fun of it."
Brother Michael, your humility is charming, but a bit unwarranted. Your demonstrated expertise is well-regarded in this forum. The spirit of the BFLG is evident, to-be-sure.
Now, addressing the issue-at-hand; Steve, my colleagues are probably correct. Not worth the repairs at The MotherShip. Try to get past the cosmetics, and play the critter 'til the frets wear out. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Don't waste your money. Keep looking until you find something that won't cost more to repair than it's worth. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Sounds like you've found the perfect beach/campfire guitar to me ... |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | For 100 dollars, I would buy it. It might just be one of those exceptionally great sounding guitars, and even if it just sounds spectacular like the average Ovation ( ;) ), you can either use it as a beater, or better yet, find some kid who needs a guitar... |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I got my beater 77 CB for my boy whole I was home on leave for $75.
About the best $75 I could have spent.
My boy gets an Ovation as his first guitar and if he doesn't stick with it, I've got a nice sounding and playing beater than doesn't look too bad.
I say if it sounds good, pick it up even if it's ugly.
I would go along with CanterburyStrings and say find a kid or somebody really wanting a decent guitar to start out with and pay it forward.
Somebody gets a nice gift, starts a relationship with O's, and it will definately come back on you in a good way. |
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