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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay... I've got a 1115-4 that I think needs a neck reset. I tried the truss rod, but the string height is beyond that. I haven't taken all the strings off yet, but the saddle looks like it has no shims under it. In fact, the saddle may have been shaved, cuz it looks pretty low in the bridge.
This thing is pretty beat up, but it is over 30 years old. And looks about like I did when I was thirty. Pretty beat-up. (see gallery)
Would it be more economical to take it to a shop? (Maybe 12th Fret, for you Portland-ites) Can a shop that doesn't specialize in O's fix one? Or do I need to send it to CT
[Or do I need to put another guitar on the Luthier eBay Page]
Once again... Education Please :confused: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Send it to Ovation and it probably won't be cheap. I think you have to consider what the guitar is worth to you because market wise, even in pristine shape, it's probably only worth 400.00 or so. I would take it to a local shop and see what they think. Even to get the factory to estimate it, you will spend about 70.00 in shipping (two ways) and thats before any parts and labor. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Kinda figured that! Being as I have never taken a guitar to a shop. (Period!) I have no Idea what a neck reset costs. Other comments welcome---
I will take all the strings off tonight, since I just got strings, and see what I've got. Maybe lighter strings would help, cuz I don't know what is on there now... I got some Adamas 1212's, I don't know if those are any lighter.
[Right when I typed that, I dug-out my other twelve, and the strings on the 1115 do look heavier]
Anyway, I'll take it apart this evening to survey the damage, and assess my options.
I'm really looking forward to changing all them strings :rolleyes: |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think you're probably right on that fence - is the repair going to cost you more than the guitar is worth? Tough call.
Dave |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Well gee... 12th Fret Portland's website sez that:
"Reset Neck--$300-$400+Refret+Finish Touch Up" :eek: ...
So Yes, that is more than I paid for the geetar!
I'm gonna pull the strings off now, and see what I've got...
We'll see if different strings help, Plus, whoever put the strings on last time had never strung a slothead!
I haven't either, but I bet I can do a better job! |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | I went to the other extreme; I sent my '69
1115-4 in for a new 6 string neck. It will never be worth what I'll have in it, but it will be special guitar to me. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Randy22:
I went to the other extreme; I sent my '69
1115-4 in for a new 6 string neck. It will never be worth what I'll have in it, but it will be special guitar to me. Randy, did you change it into a 6 string? Wouldn't the extra bracing from the 12 body kill the sound for a 6? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I just wanna know... Couldn't you have just strung it with six?
Sorry! Just being smart...
[hey, I oughta do that! Cure that string height problem!?!] |
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Location: South of most, North of few | He might have wanted a narrower neck.... |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Hey Arthur, try stringing it with extra lights, (10-47). Thats what I used on my 1115, and it sounded fine, plus, you don't have as much tension as you would with mediums, lowering the action. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Sounds Good TJ. I've got Adamas 1212's
.009 to .046 (and .024 on the octave)
Got 'em for the Stellar 12, cuz they are $8 all day everyday on eBaaa.
I'm just spoilt... I ain't never gonna play barre chords way up there on the neck.
But I want perfection outta my $300 guitar!
I did discover that one of the finish cracks finished itself all the way through! Right where the two pieces of wood meet in the middle.
Elmer's Wood Glue time, after I string it up,
Also a coupla cracks in the Rosette, and this thing needs a bath... Bad.
[I guess that is why people list "Non-smoking House" on their eSales]
Oh well, everybody needs a Hobby. |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Moo-ah-ha-ha! The BFLG could do a "bowl-bend" on your critter, and it would play like a Strat-on-steroids! |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yeah Right! :o |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | I've sent numerous guitars to the factory to have the neck reset. Figure on a bit over $200 total, shipping included, to have it done. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Arthur, I had an 1118 GC12 that was in similar straits, saddle down as far as it could go, action borderline high, truss rod adjusted to the max, and using .010"-.047" strings. I couldn't see an ultimate remedy beyond a neck reset. I had a local luthier look at it and he agreed with me.
If $200 is the Mothership tab for a neck reset, that sounds good to me......if it is worth it to you.
Roger |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | Have you had the guitar for a long time? are you emotionally attached? If so and it were me, I'd send it to Ovation and have them do what they think is needed. You can't get them to make a 1115 for you any more, but they'll make your's good as new. I'll bet their approach would be to replace everything but the neck. It would be expensive, but to me it would be a sneaky way of getting a new Pacemaker. Then in a year or so you can break the neck and send it in to have IT replaced!
If it were an easily replacable guitar that would be another story. |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | The heat gun is plugged in, and the ropes are ready.........Do you have "The True Faith"?! |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
Have you had the guitar for a long time? are you emotionally attached?.....If it were an easily replacable guitar that would be another story. Gee, I've had it a week! But it cost most of a week's paycheck!
(which for me ain't much, but that's another story)
It is not like this think is in primo condition. I got it cuz it was a old 1115 Slothead. I figure that I could live with the finish cracks. Now I discovered that one crack goes allaway through, and I can live with that too!
But the string height problem takes the fun outta playing this thing.
I've adjusted this thing about as far as my talent will take me.
I mean, I can still play open chords at the top, which is about all I'm gonna do on a 12 string anyway... But! I've got the Stellar Pluto 002, and it has perfect action allaway down the neck.
So my major problem is "Frustrated Disappointment" I guess. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hey! I missed my 1234th post!
Continuing... The neck is held on with a screw (slotted bolt?). I assume that it is glued also? If not, can I just loosen the bolt alittle and slide a shim in there?
[I got a hair-dryer if it is glued]
Also, I guess that if I sent this to the MotherShip, they would wanna replace the top and the rosette cuz of cracks. If this would only cost $270-300 it might be worth it... Tell 'em to leave the top alone.
Who would I email about this?
[y'all need an icon for thinking way, way too hard :confused: ]
I'm creeping toward the sell-it and git-another option.
:( Another problem waiting to happen? NOT HAPPENIN\'! |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | Yes, I wanted the narrower neck. I already have an 1114 (from Trader Jim) and the neck is a little too wide for my short, fat fingers. And I have a good O' 12, so I thought a nice 40 year old aged top with a new custom neck would be something special. Not everyone's cup of tea; I'll let you know how I like it in 4 to 6 weeks.
Contact John Budny at Ovation about your options. You could definately do the neck reset without doing any other fixes. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Hey Randy, how you like'n the 1114. I found a 1614 after that and stupidly sold it too. This gas thing is getting to me!
Arthur, sounds like seesquare really wants to get his hands on that guitar of yours. I think I'd keep it away from him for now....at least till he puts the ropes and chains away.... :D |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Anybody got John Budny's email address? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | john.budny@kaman.com
It is ingrained in my memory.... :D |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Thanx. Now he's gonna hate me too. :rolleyes: |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Actually, John is a real decent, fair & generous guy. The "official" response is like to be replacement of the top & bowl, to the tune of $450.00.
Its what I did with "SixOhSix"- the 1115-1 I sent to The Mothership. Just ask Jeff W how good the reconstruction was- he's the current owner.
And, don't fret over the "ropes & chains"- I use plenty of anesthesia, i.e., single malt, during the procedure. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Six-Oh-Six? :confused: Mi No Comprende! |
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| If Paul B is correct at just over $200 shipping included this is a very very good deal indeed. Depending on the neck/body attachment practice. I suppose this can be a very time consuming fix. THis is also assuming they do not need to remove the fretbaord to straighten the neck or something else serious like this. At this price your getting the BMW mechanics at the BMW "factory" to work on your BMW for real cheap.
If you love the guitar go for it.
Randy |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Northcountry:
If you love the guitar go for it.
Randy Boy, does that one have a new meaning now, right Randy? ;) |
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| I'm in so much trouble...........
Randy |
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Location: SoCal | The least expensive thing you can do is email John or Kim.
Second least expensive is to either take it to someone they recommend in the Portland area or send it back for evaluation.
There is a lot they can do that is inexpensive. I have always been amazed at how much they do for so little $'s. As to the cracks, no one does it better than the factory...cost may have gone up a little but it has been described as "$1.50 plus the ride" for a seal and buff.
My sincere advice is to always look to the factory for the repair first. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I emailed John Budny with model and serial number and a short explanation. I'm hoping to hear back, eventually.
I'll hope for the best... |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Arthur, he is usually very prompt in returning emails. Usually first thing in the morning (like 7am), although he will probably just tell you to send it in for them to evaluate and give you a return auth. #. I'll have to go with Tony on this, these people are very good to deal with! |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | FWIW, replacing the top includes a neck reset so you get two proverbial birds with one stone. But there is a caveat: it won't sound the same. If you like the sound of it now, you'll do better to have the crack sealed and just deal with the neck problem.
A bonus of the neck reset is that the frets will be dressed, too. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Master Budny emailed me to request model, serial, and my address. Something about a Return Authorization Number. (gotta ask what that is, and how to use it) So I emailed him the info. I guess that I will go for it. I will probably just let them seal the one crack that goes through and fix the neck.
I'm hoping that they will feel sorry for me, or at least the guitar, once they see it.
Fix it up nice for me.
I got a Non-O A/E 12, but I don't play it much.
But I got this, and even with it's problems I like it much better than the other 12. I keep it out, handy.
That is why it's problems are so frustrating! Cuz it's a nice guitar...
I just wanna make it Well! :) |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Then you're sending it to the best healthcare provider! |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | BTW, the return authorization # is for The MotherShip to recognize the shipment. It is expected, essentially. I think you put that # at the bottom of the shipping label, addressed to New Hartford, CT. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Arthur, I think you will find that they will do a couple of things you wouldn't expect for free, that is included in the estimate they give you. I've had that happen on the last two I've sent in. You couldn't find better people to deal with than John and Kim. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Everything I have ever sent back for repair required a Return Authorization number that includes that info. Standard protocol. |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | Jim,
I just saw your question to me. I like the 1114 well enough, but I'm not sure I like the wide neck. If you hear of someone hankerin' for a Folklore, give them my address. |
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| Originally posted by Randy22:
Jim,
I just saw your question to me. I like the 1114 well enough, but I'm not sure I like the wide neck. If you hear of someone hankerin' for a Folklore, give them my address. PM sent.
Glenn |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Arthur,
I have never had better, more professional guitar service than from John and co. at the mothership...wonderful attention to detail and always going above and beyond what is simply needed for the repair...my '89 T-Bolt Snakeskin TS-01-5 is a very rare instrument; it needed a ton of work as it had a very hard life before I got it...I sent it in a month prior to the tour and picked it up the day of the tour...It was like getting a new guitar back...and did it ever sound and play good as evidenced later that evening at the lodge jam...it still does and I am amazed ever time I take it out of the case to show someone...it is basically a new guitar...and I'm talking bowl separation; epi separation, peg head finish mess...etc. I left my 90 1758-1 to have a few things fixed on it...same story...beyond my expectations. I have a few other things I am going to have them address in the future with several of my other guitars and I am not in the least apprehensive about sending them to John B and co. I am sure you'll find the same thing...
Blessings... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Good News/Bad News--
Good News; I had fun at the PNW Get-together...
Bad News; When I decided to bring the 1115 to the shindig, I discovered that the truss-rod adjustment that I had done to it MIGHT have been in vain. Or my short-term memory says that it had been more successful than it really was :(
But the general consensus from those with more experience was that the truss-rod is trying to push-out through the five-piece neck. Which is not good.
The folks at the Mother-Ship are on vacation until the 30th. I could send it, but they might want $450 for a new neck. I could get a new top while I am at it, and have a whole new guitar for a grand :mad: (or maybe only six-o-six)
Or I could just keep it and play open chords on it...
Or I could offer it up as a Luthiery Project and look for another...
I said all that to say that I don't know what I am gonna do ;)
Decisions Decisions Decisions... My Head Hurts! |
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Should I send this to Mother(ship)? Will they fix it?