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November 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Battle Ground, WA. | Hello All!! I recently purchased a 1968 Josh White, and I could use a little help with some information. It really is in exquisite condition, and I wish to keep it that way. Any recommendations on string usage for storage and minimal play time? It came with nylon strings on it, but the few I have seen have had steel strings on it.(I use D'Addario lights on my LX and I love them) I currently have all my guitars stored in a 50% humidity controlled room, any opinions on that regarding an old Ovation? The wood is not delaminating at all, in fact, the only defect is on the bowl where the 'V' shape from the neck bracing has left a pattern mark. There is a very slight concave shape taking hold under the bridge, I assume from being under tension for 40 years. Any thoughts or opinions will be greatly appreciated. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Welcome. Is this an actual Josh White, or a "josh white type" like an 1114? If you have a model number it would help. If it was made for nylon strings, you really don't want to try to put steel on it or you might end up lifting the top. I've found a lot of people put nylon strings on the steel string models (again, like the 1116 and 1614) because they think it takes nylons as it has a slot head stock. The bridge should tell what type of strings it should take. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | In 1968- there were no classical O's. Not to my knowledge anyway.
The Josh White is a steel string guitar. This guitar should have a smooth or "shiny" non-textured bowl.
This is a great guitar... and put whatever strings you like on it... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | Put some 12 to 53 guage on it and play it. The 50% humidity room should be fine. If it's survived this long strung to concert pitch, it's not going anywhere. We've seen at least one Ovation that had problems because it was stored without strings. I've only got a few that are 30 years old and have never been detuned. |
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November 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Battle Ground, WA. | Hey all,
Thank you for the great replies!! It is a verified Josh white (Verified by Tim @ Ovation guitars.) serial number 2801. No model number on label other than 'Josh White' Typed in. I'll have some pictures soon. I Strung it up this afternoon with D'Addario's, and it plays great! Much cleaner and crisper than my '06 LX. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "Much cleaner and crisper than my '06 LX."
:rolleyes: So much for modern technology!
And Welcome! (we're still waiting for the pics) |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | EMD;
That is a great guitar you have there...I am not surprised about the LX comment at all. I have one and is is the best sounding round-hole Ovation I have ever heard, althoguh there area plenty of O's I have never played.
Yours should have the signature on the headstock as well.
I use D'Addario EXP lights on mine.
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Wayne, did you buy that from Witko? |
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August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Wayne, did you replace the original tuners with the Schallers which are also used on the reissue model? I also changed mine cause it allows better tuning.
Karl |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | "Wayne, did you buy that from Witko?"
No, Paul, I got it from Mike "Fugot".
"did you replace the original tuners?"
Karl, they are not original but I don't know what they are, they were on there when I got the guitar. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Karl;
I was just looking through the pics of your wonederful collection and noticed you have a FD-14. Since it is said to be on of the best sounding Ovation round-hole guitars, how do you compare it to your Josh?
Paul;
Have you ever had a chance to compare your FD-14 to a Josh? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | 68 would be a real Josh
Should sound much different from an LX. just about everything is different. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Sound is significantly different. Spruce v. Cedar is probably the biggest factor. The FD14 top is also a lot more "vibrant". Not sure if it's lighter braced, or just that it lacks the think poly coating. Both stellar guitars, however. Dave |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
( like the 1116...) Typo....I meant to say 1114 :rolleyes: |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I have a 68 Josh, and use Adamas lights (1818). It is very loud and resonant, and really rich. I used it for some recording, and listening to playback I could clearly hear lots of extraneous noise from the guitar rubbing against my body as I played it. The entire guitar is just a giant sound machine. Congrats on finding a great one. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | The FD14 and the Josh White are really 2 different animals. The FD14 has a cedar top and A bracing, the JW a spruce top and X bracing. Both have a loud clear sound. Both are wonderful.
Last night I was playing my FD14 with a buddy who was playing a 1943 OO28. Both sounded great. His smelled a little better than mine (if ya' gotta find something to make the Martin sound nice....) |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | A lot of vintage guitars have a great smell. I remember sticking my nose right in my 1123-4E GC Classic often when I first got it, just to enhale the aroma of that 35-year-old cedar top.
And what could be better than the odour of an old amp with a good set of NOS tubes simmering away! |
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Joined:
November 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Battle Ground, WA. | I'm going to try to post my pictures today, I took sone nice ones. I put XL's on it and it sounds great. according to Tim at Ovation customer service, I have the original tuners, and original case. I wish I knew how many miles wshe had on her! Love to know who has played it. Did anyone see 'The Red Violin'? |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Great movie, thanks for reminding me about it. |
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Josh White
