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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | It's back! It's finally back!
Last spring, my 2001 Ovation Collector's guitar was badly damaged in an accident. It was my wife's and daughter's favorite, and frankly held in high esteem by myself, so of course I sent it to the Ovation factory in New Hartford, CT for repairs and upgrades. As usual, they did a stellar job!
The neck is original but glossed instead of hand-rubbed urethane. I had that done before the accident as I prefer the glossed necks. But ironically, this instrument was determined to have something with a satin finish after all.
The greatest difference involves the installation of the suspension ring-mount system usually reserved for Adamas guitars. Redwood is my favorite topwood, and the ring allows even greater movement than normal. However, due to the mechanics of adding the ring, they were unable to finish the top in gloss, hence the top has a very thin satin finish which bumps the flexibility yet another notch! The difference in tone is notable; the guitar still has the warm, brassy tone that redwood is renowned for, but it also has a bump in volume and resonance the original guitar did not have. Playing this instrument with a flat pick definitely can raise some eyebrows, but the finger-picked tone of this guitar is pleasure itself! Still, as nice as the tone is, the difference in sustain is unbelievable! It goes on and on and on! I honestly don't believe I own another guitar with this kind of staying power. As far as I'm concerned, upgrading to the suspension ring is worth it if only for this characteristic.
I also had them add a carved, ebony bridge and an inlaid epaulette. The single, bass-side epaulette adds a little bottom end which balances out the sustain of the mids and trebles nicely. Finally, they replaced the original pre-amp with an Op-Pro Studio, my favorite.
Overall, and in my humble opinion, this guitar is easily one of the best guitars I have had the pleasure of playing. Here are the specs in a nutshell.....bullet list......whatever.....
Body Type: Mid-Depth Cutaway
Top: Solid Figured Redwood, satin finish
Bracing: Ovation Quintad
Scale Length: 251/4"
Nutwidth: 1 11/16"
Fretboard: Ebony
Fret Inlay: 2001-issue 12th Fret Decorative Inlay
Bridge: Ebony
Rosette: Multi Soundhole 5-Piece Epaulet (bass side)
Machines: Gold
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | An inlaid Outy!
Superb! |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | SAHWEEET!
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | I have a feeling the pictures, as nice as they are, don't show how beautiful that guitar really is. You've gotta be so proud. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | I've only one word: BEAUTIFUL !!
Congrats, Patch.
Bernie |
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Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | That's an awesome guitar. The satin finish gives the guitar a classic look that I really like and goes well with the single epaulette and the other adornments. Congratulations. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Really nice, Patch. Post a finger picked recording using it...maybe vs. another model. That would be fun to hear. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | very, very cool. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | MWoody wrote:
An inlaid Outy!
Superb!
Heh!
That was a detail I neglected to specify. I presumed there would be two eppies like the original guitar and they would both be innies, again like the original.
I'm not complaining though. It looks too good and sounds too nice. |
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Joined:
January 2012
Posts: 5
Location: Granite City, IL - 15 min. form down town STL | Very nice it's a Beauty |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Love that flush inlaid Epi. You sure have some nice gear, Patrick. |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Seacoast NH | While the sound I'm sure is amazing, that thing belongs in a modern art museum. What a work of art! |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Someone expressed interest elsewhere, so I thought I might as well show it here as well:
Here's how the guitar originally looked.....
Thanks for the compliments everyone! :cool: |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It's better now |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thanks Beal, I 've gotta agree.
What's weird is I seem to be developing GAS pains for a stock model too. Is that stupid or what! |
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Re-built and Reclaimed! New Hartford does it again