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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Reading, Pa. | I have a 1511 and the top is covered with cracks. I was told that an older guitar like this used a brittle laquer and it is actually the finish cracking not the wood. Does this sound accurate? |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Photos always help... But that sounds about right. Many of my guitars have strange cracks...
I'm not Positive, but I am pretty sure all old Ultras have laminate (plywood) tops...
Since plywood is plywood, the wood usually won't crack like a solid top will.
So you are probably OK...
On a side note... It is frequently said that "Ovations are famous for finish cracks..."
My buddy, Tom has a nice old Gibson B-25 just covered with cracks...
I've seen old 335's covered with cracks...
Only when it happens to other guitars, it is called "crazing" and it is cool on an old guitar...
When it happens to O's it's a finish crack, and it is bad... :confused: |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't think any Ovations used lacquer. They used a polymer finish that was quite thick on the old ones. If the cracks don't follow the grain they are generally just in the finish. I have a 76 and 77 with no cracks and I've seen new Martins with cracks that looked like they went into the wood, so it's not an Ovation problem. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Reading, Pa. | I don't really know what finish Ovation used but I think back in the day many guitar companies used similar finishes which were prone to check and crack because of the hardness of the finish. I think you are right that an old Gibson full of checks and cracks , is labeled as character but O's don't seem to get the same kind of respect except from the owners themselves. I find the same deal with Takamine but I love mine!! |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Jamsion, PA | You are not alone. I've got a 1511 as well and it has it's fair share of finish cracking too - all going with the grain. Same goes for my sister-in-law's O. I guess I just have to hold onto it long enough for it to be cool! |
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Joined:
December 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Midwest | Just a thought. I've not done this so don't rag me if it doesn't work. If seen in print that by running extra thin super glue down a plastic toothpick into the crack and then buffing it out you can almost completely restore it. Anyone out there done this? |
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1511 Ultra
