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Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | Hello, I looked at this guitar (in VGC) today and loved it. I may sell off all my 14 frets. No cracks anywhere, and the Burst Finish is awesome. Only needs the top Vol Knob, a Truss Rod Tweak and Strings. I am new here but an old fan of Ovations. Never seen a "Brown Bowl" before. May see if I can talk the dude down because of the missing top knob. Is this a Glen Campbell because of the 7 (4th) digit? Saw that on the Tribute Link decoder link I think. Guess this is a good deal regardless? Thanks! Matt |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | It's a deep bowl acoustic electric Legend. The Glen Campbell acoustic electric would be 1627...... |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Also, you say it is a sunburst, but a -4 indicates a natural top. Either the label is wrong or it has been refinished. Maybe someone sent it back to the factory for a new top and they decided to go with a sunburst? |
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Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | You are right, it is a 1617-1 - my bad. It looks like a Glen Campbell. My folklore is a -4...... I can get the knobs from John Budny though, so that helps.
Two concerns though:
Neck wave. Looking down the neck, there is a sight (gradual) downward curve from the body joint going down to the soundhole, and a slight cup from the 14th fret coming up to the nut. The neck/body/top joint looks clean and tight though, and the neck/bridge plane geometry look fine. I don't think the neck has shifted up in the pocket, as the action should be great with a wee truss rod tightening. I have seen dry guitars with wavy necks corrected with humidification. Neck resets seem rarely needed on Ovations.
The preamp is a bit loose in the bowl, but it works nicely plugged in. With the missing top (vol) knob installed and a tightening up of everything, that should do the trick - I think.
Any help would be great y'all. These "A" braced guitars seem to have some nice rich tone & "Mojo". This is a nice guitar, and I am "All Gassed Up". Kind thanks. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | A-braced Legends are one of my favorite Ovation sounds.
Many of the older ones' fretboards tend to slope down a touch going towards the soundhole. It's never been much of an issue for me since they're not cutaway. I'm not usually doing much work that high up the neck when playing a 1617.
some slight tweaking on the rod should fix the other side. |
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Posts: 349
Location: Denver, CO | Matt12Fret - 2013-01-23 9:12 AM
Neck wave. Looking down the neck, there is a sight (gradual) downward curve from the body joint going down to the soundhole, and a slight cup from the 14th fret coming up to the nut. The neck/body/top joint looks clean and tight though, and the neck/bridge plane geometry look fine..
My K1111 has a little bit of the same thing. Like a little bulge, right at the body joint. One wood-box specialist saw it and totally freaked out, but an Ovation guy looked at it and said it's not a problem. Anyway, I'm like you, I never try to reach past the 14th on this guitar anyway. That's why I bought the cutaway Elite. |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Ah, the old 14th fret hump. Lots of guitars have this, and unless it is really pronounced, it shouldn't be a problem. But even if it is, you could have the neck reset. |
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April 2012
Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | I'm relieved to hear this. Likely an Ovation Phenom. It doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, but is noticable sighting down the neck. With the other side's bow flattened, it may be hard to see. I can see a wood box luthier freaking out.
Any reason for the Brown Bowls? I like the look. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I just discovered it in the LAV Koa, except it's a 12 fretter, so the hump is at the 12th. From the 12th fret up to about 14, all the notes are the same on the high E string. It could be a dryness problem, since my humidifier can't keep up with the low temperatures and all the dry heat being pumped in. Tweeking the truss rod didn't help, so I'm going to add a shim. I think it only has one in there.
My 87 Collector had the same problem at the 14th. On that one I suspected a blow to the neck, because there was a finish crack right next to the high E side. I could get rid of it for awhile by tapping the 14th fret, but it would come back. It's my daughter's problem now. |
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October 2012
Posts: 349
Location: Denver, CO | I never even noticed it until it was pointed out to me. Doesn't effect playability at all as far as I can tell. |
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April 2012
Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | My Folklore is dead flat, but when I got it I think there was a tiny bit of "hump fall off" to the soundhole. Last winter I put a built in Skuttle Humidifier in the furnace duct. Damn the Dampits. Inexpensive and simple - uses a jet nozzle that is adjusted with an indoor humidistat. I am able to keep humidity at 45 - 50%. I just think the hump is a dryness issue. |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | No Matt, it is NOT just Ovations that have this. Take a stroll into a music store or pawn shop and you will see this same problem on lots of different brands. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Mark in Boise - 2013-01-23 11:34 AM
I just discovered it in the LAV Koa, except it's a 12 fretter, so the hump is at the 12th. From the 12th fret up to about 14, all the notes are the same on the high E string.
Mark, if that is a problem (if you actually play way up there) the 14th Fret is probably too high.
If it is only on the high E, use you thumb over the treble side and press down firmly on the 14th fret.
Place a dime on the fret to give your thumb better "pushing power".
The 14th Fret is still over the neck block so there is support under where you will be pushing.
If you have a small dead-blow hammer (soft face) that will work too.
If you don't play way up there, it is no problem.  |
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April 2012
Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | Well I rescued the Guitar. Gonna set it up and humidify this 35 YO Living Legend. It is dry, and if the top moisturizes the hump may go away. Can't believe there are no cracks. Everyone's help sincerely appreciated. I will post pix. |
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Posts: 349
Location: Denver, CO | Let us know if the hump relieves itself after humidifying. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Mark in Boise - 2013-01-23 2:34 PM
I just discovered it in the LAV Koa, except it's a 12 fretter, so the hump is at the 12th. From the 12th fret up to about 14, all the notes are the same on the high E string. It could be a dryness problem, since my humidifier can't keep up with the low temperatures and all the dry heat being pumped in. Tweeking the truss rod didn't help, so I'm going to add a shim. I think it only has one in there.
My 87 Collector had the same problem at the 14th. On that one I suspected a blow to the neck, because there was a finish crack right next to the high E side. I could get rid of it for awhile by tapping the 14th fret, but it would come back. It's my daughter's problem now.
Mark, I'm had the exact same issue here, and I know it played fine a couple of months ago. I'm certain it's the humidity as I'm struggling to keep my office (where I keep the guitars) in the recommended range with the forced heat. Added a shim and it's all good. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | dwg preacher - 2013-01-24 7:41 AM Let us know if the hump relieves itself after humidifying. When I absorb more moisture than normal I've gotta relieve myself too! |
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April 2012
Posts: 37
Location: Raleigh, NC | Good one Muzza! Somehow though, when I am really dry, I sure don't need no tension. We are talkin Fosters, right Mate?
On the guitar front, she's getting some humidity. Had to go to WW Graingers and pick up a extra long 1/4" Nut Driver with a 6" shaft to tweak tension on her truss rod. Needing that was a big surprise on my first date with the younger 35 YO Legend. A regular length driver wouldn't work because her golden tuner posts were in the way of the handle. Figure this is an issue on all the older Ovations except slot heads. The 14th fret "hump" does not look so bad now that the neck bow is gone. Anyway, if I'm ever trying to finger pick up there - cover your ears. |
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1617-4 Brown Bowl - Foil Label 78 S/N $400 w/case
