What's with these Ovation bridges?
ovie26
Posted 2019-02-23 11:23 PM (#547131)
Subject: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 162

Location: Pittsburgh
This happened to my 1985 Legend a couple of years ago. Got it fixed. I didn't expect it to happen to my 2003? FD-14. This is my favorite guitar and it has been babied. I opened the case tonight to find the bridge lifted. I'll get it fixed, but I don't understand why it happened.



(Fd14 bridge lifted 20190223.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Fd14 bridge lifted 20190223.jpg (33KB - 1 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Man Arthur
Posted 2019-02-24 5:00 AM (#547133 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
Whoa... That totally sucks.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Standingovation
Posted 2019-02-24 7:48 AM (#547135 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6191

Location: Phoenix AZ
Same thing happened to me. Was told that it is more prevalent on cedar top guitars because the cedar swells and contracts laterally far more than the ebony bridge. So on each side of the glue face you have the cedar swelling/contracting and the ebony not ... and eventually the glue joint pops.

I now detune all my cedar top guitars when not being played. Yeah it stinks having to retune every time you pick up the guitar to play, but I think its a small price to pay vs popping another bridge.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
DanSavage
Posted 2019-02-24 11:23 AM (#547138 - in reply to #547135)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 2303

Location: Lake Forest, CA
What gauge strings were you using on the FD14?

Since my 50th AE CL has a cedar top, I only use extra light strings on it.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ovie26
Posted 2019-02-24 6:44 PM (#547148 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 162

Location: Pittsburgh
Thanks OMA. Interesting point StandingO. i have had other cedar-topped guitars that didn't display this characteristic, though none were as "old" as my FD-14. I play it 3-4 times a week. I'd dislike having to re-tune it every time I play, but will if I must. I have always used 11's on it, Dan. Thanks for the tips, guys!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
moody, p.i.
Posted 2019-02-25 8:13 AM (#547150 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15651

Location: SoCal
I had a FD14 for about 8 years. Always put mediums on it (.13-.56) and never had a problem.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ovie26
Posted 2019-03-16 1:41 PM (#547392 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 162

Location: Pittsburgh
Turns out the bridge did not pull off the cedar. The cedar tore. Mannella Guitars http://www.mannellaguitars.com/Home.html fixed it good as new! They have done great repairs on everything my sons and i have taken to them for the last 10 years. Good guys who know what they're doing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Love O Fair
Posted 2019-03-16 9:20 PM (#547394 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1768

Location: When??
I don't understand why more Ovation models didn't employ the screw & nut application to hold bridges down.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
leonardmccoy
Posted 2019-03-17 4:56 PM (#547399 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: RE: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
December 2015
Posts: 287

Location: Katmandu

Screwing the bridge down would only exacerbate the problem ripping the top apart.

Normal bridges have pin holes where the strings go down through, in perpendicular fashion, clinging to a bridge plate right underneath the bridge. The force of the strings pulling the bridge forward isn't that strong there, if the saddle sits tight within the saddle slot.

However, with Ovation bridges, the string holes go right through the back of the bridge pulling the bridge forward with great force. If it then so happens that the bridge isn't perfectly glued to the top, with bad glue coverage, and a badly scraped area where the bridge is supposed to sit, the bridge will slowly pull forward. Screwing the bridge down would only exacerbate the problem ripping your top apart. Because if the bridge decides to come loose lifting off, and it's only the screws holding it in place, the top will rip apart.

It's a lot more convenient, of course, to change strings on an Ovation bridge (same with a Les Paul electric) than with a normal one (or Strat), but it does come at a price if not done right or if your climate conditions are ever-a-changing provoking the bridge to lift off sooner.



Edited by leonardmccoy 2019-03-17 4:57 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alpep
Posted 2019-03-17 8:20 PM (#547401 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581

Location: NJ
humidify!!!!

any cedar or redwood topped guitars I would absolutely recommend not keeping at concert pitch in severe weather
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Love O Fair
Posted 2019-03-17 10:43 PM (#547402 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1768

Location: When??
@leonardmccouy ->>>Screwing the bridge down would only exacerbate the problem ripping the top apart.<<<

Damn.. just when I thought my factory glued & screwed Custom Balladeer was immune. Now ya got me laying awake fearing the dreaded 'pop & rip' sounds in the night.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
alpep
Posted 2019-03-18 3:51 PM (#547409 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581

Location: NJ
Ive seen that happen....unfortunately.

humidify!!!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
jay
Posted 2019-03-18 5:29 PM (#547411 - in reply to #547131)
Subject: Re: What's with these Ovation bridges?



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249

Location: Texas
Ovation isn't the only one to use pinless bridge. I would think that there is a very small percentage that have lifted, of all the Ovations sold. Al has given solid advice. In fact, I wonder what the % of bridges pop off during the winter months. Sad that your FD bridge popped. Hopefully you have a top-notch luthier that will fix it properly. If you feel it is ruined forever, I will pay the shipping and dispose of it for you.

Top of the page Bottom of the page