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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | This poor guitar has had a tough life: FOUR TIMES it's gone to the factory for repairs and/or refurbs and/or re-builds. It's now on its, I kid you not, THIRD TOP!
Still, look at these pictures and tell me it's not worth it. Besides incredible tone, excellent playability, endless sustain, and drop-dead gorgeous aesthetics, it's also provided a thinly veiled excuse to drive to the Ovation factory in New Hartford several times, and that's never a bad thing.
So here it is again, raised from the dead with an inlaid epaulette, solid redwood top, carved/molded trim everywhwere, and most importantly, a suspension ring between the top and the bowl. It really is hard to describe how much this feature impacts the sound. It adds the aforementioned sustain, upgrades the volume, and brings a ringing, brassy tone that none of my other guitars can mimic. And it does all of this with a mid-depth bowl, so it's a very comfy guitar to hold on to.
More pictures can be found here if you like.
Yeah, I'm pleased.
Edited by Patch 2012-12-17 7:47 AM
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Location: SoCal | What happened that it needed a new top? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | nice |
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Location: NJ | very nice not the average redwood but subdued
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Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | immoody - 2012-12-17 8:13 AM
What happened that it needed a new top?
In it's original configuration as a 2001C, it was on the receiving end of a game of music-gear-dominoes at church which knocked it almost ten feet into a faceplant on the ceramic tile. This resulted in numerous cracks like this--
I had it re-built into something much like you see it now. One day, I opened the case and found what you see below. Obviously the top of the case got compressed somehow, though it's doubtful I'll ever figure out what actually happened. It's very strange because I'm quite careful with my instruments, but somehow this one keeps finding trouble. 
Still, it's too nice a guitar to leave broke and buried. 
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | This latest incarnation is the only redwood topped guitar that I really like. How would knocking a half inch off the bowl and adding a quarter inch dept with the mounting ring add to the bass response of the guitar? |
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA | What a beauty, can see why you keep bringing her back to life |
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Location: Central Massachusetts | Stunning, Patch! That's pretty close to my dream wood-top! |
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Location: Utah | What's the story on that carved bridge? I haven't seen that style before. |
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April 2010
Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | Third time's a charm Patch! Ya might wanna hang a rabbit's foot around it though, just to make sure the jinx is gone.  I really like the subtle look of that inlayed epaulette. now maybe... some custom, matching redwood tuner knobs? 
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Location: GA USA | That guitar is lucky to have you as a friend. Mighty pretty. |
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Location: Central Massachusetts | Patch, is it an optical illusion, or is that a satin finish a la the FD14? |
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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | It is satin. John said they couldn't do a gloss with the suspension ring. I'm usually not big on satin finishes, but I gotta say that the finish and the more subdued figure in the grain (what Al mentioned) really lend to the overall aesthetics of the guitar. |
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Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Just for fun, here are three different pictures of the same guitar neck.....
Take 1
Take 2
Take 3 (Final take I hope?)
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Location: Suisun City, Ca | I like take 3!
When you're ready to part with it, let me know. Perfect. There is nothing about that git I don't like. |
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April 2010
Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | hmm... are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?... there's a new product possibility here!... one guitar with interchangeable tops!!!! Call it the Ovation Swap-Top. Just think of how much GAS it could alleviate. I like Take 3 best, subtle elegance. Take 2 was cool, very wild tiger-like. Take 1 makes me think of an artwork frame shop. |
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Location: SoCal | Might as well put red shits on those guitar bodies and beam them down. You know they are gonna die.... |
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April 2010
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Location: sitting at my computer | immoody - 2012-12-17 8:03 PM Might as well put red shits on those guitar.... gosh moody, I sure hope ya meant red shirts! Live long and prosper. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | For once, it was a misspelling......... |
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Location: Colorado | Yeah, but at least it was funny |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Suhweet! The satin is nice and I generally do like gloss better. This guitar looks perfect. |
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RGD; 2001-X Redwood Rebuilt (again.....)