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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Texas | I wanted to take a quick survey on everyone's opinions and experiences with Ovations.
I have a Custom Balladeer 1112 I bought brand new in the late 80's and love this guitar. Unfortunately, the strap came undone at a church youth event last year and I have 2 hairline cracks in the top. It still plays but I can tell it's not the same.
Based on your experiences with Ovation factory repairs, would you replace the guitar with a similar or newer model (For example, GC in Ft Worth has a Ovation Elite T USA for $499) or would you get the top replaced at Ovation knowing all that would be left from the original is the neck, as they replace the bowl and top during the repair?
I am curious what others experiences have been and what they did and/or what they wish they had done.
Thanks for sharing! |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | If it was me, I'd have the top cracks fixed and carry on. I'll bet there's a lot of mojo in that guitar that you ought to hang onto. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | +1 on what Bobbo said.... and buy the Elite T too! |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4049
Location: Utah | Ditto. All the choices are good one, really.
The factory can probably repair the cracks. That is what I would do. If you don't like the sound afterwards, you can sell the guitar and get something else. But I think you'll find the results quite satisfactory. Plus, the factory will give the guitar a refreshing. If you have any other specific work, have them do it. Refretting, for example. The guitar will come back better than you expect.
My daughter's Adamas needed repair when the top started to delaminate under the bridge. The top, bowl, and epaulettes were replaced. Same neck, bridge, electronics, and misc hardware. The love they put into the work is very impressive, the guitar is better than new. If you do have the top/bowl replaced you will get back a guitar you will love. I don't think it sounds like you need a total top replacement, but if you do it will be done right. |
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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 28
Location: Northern Minnesota | bafoofa -- I had a similar experience as you are having -- I have a nice 1981 Ovation Custom Legend 1658 12 string that I bought new. It also has several hairline cracks, not in the wood, but she sounds good yet. I contacted Ovation to have it retopped and the rep said it would cost $700 and if I wanted $250 for new electronics, but would take 3-4 months to do. Since I play it every day and play at church practices every week and for Mass twice a month, so I could not send it off. So, I bought another Ovation (2001 Melissa Etheridge 1598 MERB 12 string) so I could 'carry on'.. but, what happened, is that the tone and punch of the newer ME model blew me away.. now I am reconsidering retopping a guitar that doesn't have nearly the punch or tone of the ME. I kept switching guitars, back and forth, and was completely overwelmed by the ME. Now, I'm thinking of just restringing my older Ovation to the 'double Nashville' and try that for certain songs. What the heck. Good luck to you on your decision..  |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 849
Location: Canada | If you are the orignal owner, would there not be a partial warranty coverage? |
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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Texas | I am the original owner but I no longer have the receipt etc. I bought the guitar right before college after mowing yards all summer to get it out of layaway. The music store went out of business a year after I bought it.
I am leaning towards getting it repaired. I just wanted to get an idea of how satisfied others have been with that or if they felt the money was better spent on replacing. |
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Joined:
August 2011
Posts: 887
Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | I like what mnboy said. You need to have more than one Ovation anyway!! Plus you would have a better basis for comparison. Most of us here have never been sorry for diversifying our collection! |
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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 11
Location: Texas | nerdydave, I like your thinking. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Fix it |
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Survey - Replace vs. Retop?