|
|
Joined:
March 2012
Posts: 17
Location: South Central Louisiana--cajun country!! | Just wondering...I am looking at this guitar but the neck is not the trademark 5 piece laminate. I did read where solid walnuts were used sometime but not sure if the Balladeer 6751 1999 12 string was one of those.
Does anyone know if any of those models were made differently from the laminate?
Thanks
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Not all USA Ovations have the 5-piece neck... Especially if they have a Kaman bar.
 
No Truss-Rod Cover.
These are two-piece, split lengthwise with the wood grain going in opposite directions.
(Celebrity necks are three-piece, headstock/shaft/heel)
-edit- I left out a word
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2012-03-13 9:20 PM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2012
Posts: 17
Location: South Central Louisiana--cajun country!! | Arthur,
That must be what this guitar has...I went back & checked the photos and it indeed has 2 pieces glued lengthwise.
What is the Kaman bar? So there is no truss adjustment in them? How have they held up in general?
I have been trying to read about the history of ovation models...so if you can point me to some references I may not need to ask so many questions (;-)
Thanks
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | A Kaman-bar is a type of Truss-Rod. It is adjustable from inside the body.
This is a Kaman Bar
Also this...
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2012
Posts: 17
Location: South Central Louisiana--cajun country!! | Thanks for the help
much appreciated!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Regarding USA acoustics:
The Kaman bar is a die cast aluminum extrusion that serves to stiffen the neck. A 3/16 dia. steel tension rod, 10/32 thread one end and a 180 degree hook formed on the other, sits in the extrusion that allows for neck adjustment via the brass adjustment nut inside the bowl.
This system replaced the original design in the late 70's (except for classics, no change). The first 12 years or so all Ovation necks had just the 3/16 tension rod with the brass adjustment nut under the tension rod cover. The early guitar necks are thus a bit lighter. All the early guitars had a TRC and some still install them on guitars with the K-bar, just for the look, even though the actual adjustment point was moved to inside the bowl.
In the late 90's or so a 'new and improved' system for adjusting the neck was implemented using a couple of graphite strips and hardware. The K-bar was retired for good.
So we have 3 types of adjustment systems for USA Ovation necks. I love the light, early models and never had a problem with them warping. But some guys, especially those who travel, love the K-bar set up for the rigors of the road. They're tough. I've even heard guys swear they produce a different resonance but here we get into mojo territory...hard to define sometimes. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Seacoast NH | CG, I told you the guys around here have some ridiculous Ovation knowledge, ask and you shall receive!
Good luck on your ongoing hunt!
- Mark |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2012
Posts: 17
Location: South Central Louisiana--cajun country!! | Ha! Lol
Mark you were certainly right about that!
I did purchase it by the way. Will try to post a pic later
Edited by cajunguitar 2012-03-14 2:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Seacoast NH | That's awesome Man, congratulations! Did you save enough on this model that you can add an Adamas as well?  Start buttering the wife up now so you can gradually wear away at her refusal...I find there's at least a 3 month lead time to this process... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 400
Location: Northwest Arkansas | They know everything I've ever asked. That's why I come here so much. I have 3 O's and 1 Adamas now and at the end of April, I'll have one more Ovation. I take a lotta crap from O haters. I tell 'em I'm just getting started. I've got a few more I want. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 852
Location: Canada | 6751 has two-piece mahoganny neck with opposing grain. |
|
| |
Balladeer 6751 12 string 1999