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Posts: 81
Location: Canada | I knew you were kidding, no worries. |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Yeah, I figured you would but you never know - the innernets are funny like that..lol
As for the scratches, I've had mine since 75 and pretty much always used pick plus played it pretty hard. No scratches really noticeable - could be that it's a natural finish and maybe doesn't show them up that much but even looking closely there's nothing there. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Unless your guitar starts to look like this, I wouldn't worry about it.
If your guitar DOES start to look like this, you're probably more of a songwriter than a player.....
oh, and welcome aboard. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4043
Location: Utah | For a less bright sound, you might try a coated string. The Cleartone is a very good string with a slightly less bright tone. They sound very good on my mid-bowl LX. The Elixir Nano is on my deep contour bowl '07 Collector. The Nano is a slipperier string than the Cleartone and is a bit brighter, so you might want to try the Cleartone first.
The 80/20 is a bit less bright than Phos/Bronze if you want to try a non-coated string. DR Sunbeam Phos Bronze seems to be a slightly mellower string than average, and they are a lower tension string.
BTW, the Studio is a super preamp for live performance or recording. |
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November 2009
Posts: 81
Location: Canada | thanks |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | change your technique so you never scrape the top or never take the guitar out of the case. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | "Changes" - David Bowie |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | At 12:13 am, please understand that what I am going to say isn't sarcastic...
If you have a follow-through that should be used for bowling or on the golf course, Al has offered to provide instructions on picking.
Whether you finger pick or use thumb/finger picks (as I do for 12-strings), you should never have problems with the finish. It is catalyzed polyester and is so durable you can sand it (2,500-12,000 grit) to take out finish cracks.
There is a section in the FAQ's on how to repair. As to your concern, maybe there is some wax on it but I can't believe it is scratches in the finish if you play as described (Taylor yes, Ovation no).
However you play, a product as someone already mentioned or StewMac Swirl Remover will buff out any scratches unless you use a screwdriver for a pick (just kiddin')
As I read what I said, it is all true but as I am obviously grumpy, time for bed.
Opps, and WELCOME to a great group. Couple of more posts to remove the "New Member" tag. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | What a group...what more could you want or expect? The picture of Willie's guitar is scary...not so much the guitar but looks like Willie needs some hand creme...ouch
How old is he now...110? lol
Sorry, no offense meant...neck is killing me with all this rain...got to laugh at something and that pic made me smile...
Scratches are going to happen...it's just "TI": "time in"... |
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Joined:
November 2009
Posts: 81
Location: Canada | some of you guys don't seem to understand what I was saying. Swirlies are not scratches. I realise my subject does indeed say scratches, but I was thinking about down the road, over time, how to prevent them like wax does for a car.
the only thing on my guitar right now are swirls. These are going to happen on any guitar, I know this, but I am surprised at how easy the finish on this ovation does swirl. Now, I'm sure some of your aren't sitting underneath pot lights as I usually do since my house has them, but it does enhance or makes little imperfections more obvious.
I have not scratched the guitar in any way.
I do not use a pick
I finger pick, and I usually rest my hand above the guitar and not on it.
That being said I got some good advice here, and more via PM's from some good fella's. Thanks to all. |
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December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | Newf,
As previously stated, the finish is pretty hard on current Ovations, the finish itself is certainly not something that could be "swirled," scratched maybe, but not swirled. You could get micro-scratches in the actual finish if you have been wiping it down with anything other than a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, but even then you'd have to be relatively agressive and also use a cirular motion to get visible swirls.
It seems to me that the "swirls" are probably only in whatever is on TOP of the finish, maybe you have some oily residue or something on there, it could be sweat or just natural oils from your hands, or something else that was on there when you got it, it's hard to say. It could also be from cigarette smoke, if that's a factor.
If it is some substance on top of the finish, polishes, etc. might make it appear worse, you'd just be rubbing the gunk around. I think you need to gently but thoroughly clean the top to remove whatever's on there. Start with warm water, but with only a very slightly damp cloth, see if that results in any visible residue on the cloth, at least you might see evidence of what you are fighting. If that doesn't work, Erlewein's book recommends Naptha (lighter fluid) but I find that leaves a sort of residue itself, so you have to use it sparingly and be very meticulous in cleaning it all back off the guitar.
All that said, you have a beautiful guitar that happens to have a high-gloss finish with relatively solid colors underneath. Compared to a natural wood-grain finish which might hide "swirls" better, that combination will inevitably show minor smears more easily. I think a few smudges are a good trade-off in return for such a beautiful looking, playing and sounding guitar.
So just clean it often and play it more.
That's my 2¢…
Good Luck, |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Believe it or not, we used to use rubbing alcohol to clean the tops, then hit them with some furniture polish. |
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November 2009
Posts: 81
Location: Canada | meguiars scratch x was suggested too |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | That would work on scratches (if you go cafefully), but if you are trying to clean off any film or wax that might be the cause of the swirls, use the alcohol first. |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
That would work on scratches (if you go cafefully), but if you are trying to clean off any film or wax that might be the cause of the swirls, use the alcohol first. Newf:
That was my point also, I think you may have a thin film of on top of the finish, and you need to remove that substance completely before applying any polish, swirl remover or any other products, if not you will just smear the gunk around with the polish and get more "swirls." |
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preventing scratches/cleaning
