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February 2003
Posts: 3
Location: westfield, in | The finish on my ovation model# 1117 is spider web cracked in a few different places. i am wanting to refinish it. i need to find out what kind of laquer or finish was used. i have 3 months to complete the project so shortcuts aren't an option. please help me if you can.
josh :confused: |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I think Ovation use a polyester laquer. It's a nightmare to remove, most commercial solvents won't touch it, so you'll need to sand & scrape it down to bare wood. To get a really good re-finish you'll also need to remove the bridge & have access to professional spraying equipment. Personally I'd live with a few cracks but good luck if you attempt it. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | jnettrecker,
I have recvently inherited a face-long crack in my 1117 (81 model). There is a guy about 90 miles from where I live that apparently does this type of repair. Anyway, if I get a hold of him, I may bring my Legend to him this weekend. If so,I'll write back,and let you know what his plan of attack will be (and approx. cost). As far as living with the cracks, I tried that. It worked for about two-weeks, and then the crack grew four-fold :eek:
Norse(misery doesn't always like company! Good luck!)man1 |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Norse, finish cracks don't affect structural integrity, yours was a crack in the soundboard.
Guys, don't respond to this Sound1960 asshole, let Miles & Al deal with it. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Paul,
I was trhinking the crack was in the finish only. Are you saying you think it probably goes into the wood, or just that it's location on the soundboard makes the crack more critical?
Norse(and thanks for your help with this matter. I wish I could have found a local repair person sooner, the thought of Norseman in the dark with a bottle superglue and his Legend.... :eek: )man1
p.s. No disrespect intended Paul. You gave sound advice, my fault was in not acting soon enough! "I told you so's" are in order, and believe me, I kicked myself in the arse a few times as well :( . |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Norse, without seeing it, it's impossible to diagnose. Your description (not to mention your abject horror that was apparant in your posts) led me to think it was in the soundboard. If it's a finish crack forget about it, a good repair will cost more than you paid for the guitar. If it's a soundboard crack you should be able to see and possibly hear it move if a little pressure is applied. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | I think the crack is in the finish, but it does run vertically through the face, although not directly in the woodgrain. I willhave it looked at to be sure, but I don't hear or feel movement in the wood.
My horror was more due to seeing a guitar with a beautiful and basically flawless finish (other than slight pick scratches) suddenly be cracked.
I just want to keep it from cracking further.
I don'tknow if it mattered, but there was a small "dent" the size of a small nailhead in the finish on the base of the guitar face. When the guitar cracked,it went about three inches just below the "b" string. A week or so later, it ran it's course, meeting up with the small "notch" at the base of the guitar.
Norse(it's still painful to think about)man1 |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I recently had 2 cracks in my son's Legend repaired buy a guy that uses super glue. Although they are still visable, they are now stable and he only charged me $30.00. I realize he gave me a very good price but he said it only takes about 1hr to do the fill and sand out the bump. He actually put 2 hrs in but said he wanted to give a good deal. Seems like super glue works for all kinds of cracks, fingers and guitars!
By the way, It took me longer to make the drive to his shop, 1-1/2hrs each way, than it did for him to do the repair.
Go for it Norse. You'll feel better about it. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Thanks Willard,
I am going to bring my guitar to this fellow a.s.a.p.. At this point,I've only heard about him, and haven't actually had the chance to talk to him. A friend of mine is getting me the number, all I know is he supposed to be good, fairly priced, and located in Grand Rapids Mn..
I'll let you know how it turns out!
Norse(seeking minor surgery)man1
p.s. Hey Willard,I see you're also living in "Cold Country" over there in Madison. I'm just curious to learn if the cracks were weather related, or from other trauma? |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Norse,
The cracks were from the cold but only because I bought the guitar on Ebay and it was shipped UPS on a Friday, spent the weekend in a cold trailer and probably opened too soon. It was packed very well so I'm sure the crack was from the cold. It still sounds VERY nice. In fact, it's a '92 and it sounds better than my '98 Custom Legend.
Since then, I have purchased a humidifier for my music room and keep it filled daily. I don't want to risk any more. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Thanks for the reply!
I hear ya! I keep a humidifier going non-stop in a small room with ALL my guitars now. No more victims of Old Man Winter, my wood stove, NOR my negligence!
Norse(learned the hard way)man1 |
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February 2003
Posts: 3
Location: westfield, in | the crack does not go into the wood just in the laquer. if i took the finish all the way down to wood i would plobably ruin my sunburst wouldn't i. after the super glue fix will a good coat of wax cover it up? also what is this i hear about ovation having a lifetime guarantee. i am new to ovation. i like it alot though.
josh |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 86
Location: ma. | the crack will still be there but filled in with clear glue. it will be less noticable but not invisable. a hairline crack will be alot less obvious than an out of control crevice. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | How well the crack blends is partly affected by how clean the crack is (sweat, dirt, body oils, etc.) Basically the crack lets gunk soak into the wood. So the older the crack the less likely it will blend well. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 93
Location: Canada | I just had my Ovation repaired for a finish crack which ran across the lower half of the body. It cost me about 100 bucks and although the crack is not completely gone it's covered up pretty well. My guitar is a greyburst so it will never be 100% but it's a good 95%. I've had experience with finishing solidbodies with solid paint and although I also know the theory behind fixing such finish cracks, I've never done them myself and I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself if you don't know what you're doing. I brought it to a guy whose been doing it for 30 years and he pulled through so good work! |
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Ovation Finish...... Repair Question.
