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Joined:
July 2022
Posts: 13
| Thank you for having this forum. I probably should have started here.
My brother gave me a 1651 Legend that has the top caved in; fretboard extension falls off. It has A-bracing. The Stereo pickup only worked on one channel.
I bought a Collector's Series Ovation new in the past, but my ex-wife got it in a divorce. Always wanted another Ovation... a Legend, so when David gave me this one, I took it. (My original was based on a Custom Balladeer)
The action is still great!
I play praise and worship in a couple church bands. My goal is to get it capable of using it in this capacity.
I watched a video on how to repair the top. The guy said it was caused of drying out.
I put it in a trash bag with a wet rag inside it for a couple weeks.
Took the electronics out of it, (available, if someone wants parts), and got a Fishman Power-tap sound hole pickup for it.
I installed a bridge doctor on the bridge. (doesn't do enough... don't want to push my luck with too much pressure).
The video showed gently stretching the top/bracing back into place and adding additional bracing over the original bracing to give it more strength. I did that.
Top started to cave in again when strings were re-applied
I had re-attached the aluminum braces inside with epoxy on my first repair with the bridge doctor. This time, I added some wood epoxy at the joint where the aluminum mesh is, but still caves in under standard tuning.
The finish is pretty good, not the standard cracking I normally see on old Ovations. It sounds pretty amazing unplugged, (and I have some really good guitars to compare it to).
Please direct me to insight.
Thank you. | |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hey Joe. Only a few members may respond in the "Welcome Center".
So I have "upgraded" you to a full member. You may now post in other sections.
I would recommend posting this in "General Posting" or "About My Guitar".
Or the "Bottom Feeding Luthiery Guild".
Good Luck in you search. And Welcome. 
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Joined:
July 2022
Posts: 13
| Thank you.
Will dp | |
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Joined:
July 2022
Posts: 13
| I should add that I gradually, over a week of applying pressure with a block on the back of the top braces, have gotten the top back into correct position before installing braces over the top of the original braces. After that, I put strings back on it. (And then it caved in again).
Here is what I am thinking.
The joint where the aluminum mesh is the weak spot.
I left on vacation this week, but before going, I put the top under reverse pressure to have it into correct position upon return. (flat --> slightly arched).
make small braces to go over the joint and glue into place. The problem is getting my hand in there to create/fit braces.
If it was not too difficult to remove the back, that would be much better. Anybody ever do it?
Any insight?? experience?
Additionally, I will apply more pressure to bridge doctor | |
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Top repair - caved in 1981 model 1651.