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Joined:
January 2013
Posts: 2
| Hi all! So glad I found this cite! My dad gave me a new 1127-4 when I was 12. It's been sitting in its case for years. According to everything I've read in your forums, I'm guessing it was produced around 1970? I remember it looked like Glen Campbell was playing the same model on his show (textured bowl, regular bridge, plain rectangular white paper label, New Hartford, Conn, model 1127-4, serial 5329, Made in the USA on bottom of label, plain black/grey typing of model & serial number)
Anyway, I don't know anything about guitars except that I used to play. It fell over more than a few times, and I knew the top of the head was pretty dinged up. But I opened it up today and was disturbed to find that it appears the wood is actually cracking pretty badly from front to back, from the bottom of the lowest tuning knob almost all the way around the back, behind the nut where the neck bends into the head. Can this happen for no apparent reason? (Is this a common or normal occurance in old ovations?)
The guitar still sounds good and the head feels solid, but I'm worried it will get worse if I don't do something about it. The wood has actually splintered and you can feel it with your fingers (the finish is not smooth anymore, and the splintered wood feels raised, as if the pressure from the strings is pulling the head forward).
So my question is, can this be repaired? Can it be glued and refinished - or is it beyond hope? Should I loosen the strings? I don't want to spend a lot of money sending it back to the factory if you experts out there tell me it's really beyond hope of repair (or it will cost too much and it won't be worth it).
Your advice please?
Thank you very much!!! |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7220
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hello and welcome.
Pictures would help but the short answer is that it sounds repairable. As far as "Can this happen for no apparent reason?" no, not for no apparent reason, but it sounds like it was given most every reason. The point where the headstock meets the neck is the most vulnerable part of the guitar. It's the more narrow point and receives a large amount of stress just having strings on it. Add the weight of the tuners and " It fell over more than a few times, and I knew the top of the head was pretty dinged up. " is asking a bit much. You also asked if you should loosen the strings and while they shouldn't be "loose" as that has other affects, detuning a step or two if a guitar is going to be stored for a long period of time keeps some pressure on the neck to keep it straight, but not as much as being tuned to normal pitch. The idea is that during temperature and humidity changes if the strings tighten, they won't over-tighten if it's detuned a little. I usually detune around one step..
Your best bet is to contact ovation customer service. Their prices are reasonable/competitive and they truly are the only ones that really know how to fix it properly. I had a similar situation with a 12-String that was dropped. Unless you look at it very closely, the repair is hard to see, certainly not noticeable. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | And if "The wood has actually splintered and you can feel it with your fingers (the finish is not smooth anymore, and the splintered wood feels raised, as if the pressure from the strings is pulling the head forward)" you probably should loosen the strings a note or two NOW.
Go to... http://www.ovationguitars.com/support/customer_service and get the phone number and call them on Tuesday. (Monday is MLK Day and they might be closed)
And I would recommend calling them instead of just emailing them.
And if your Dad gave you the guitar it is worth saving.  |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | Just sitting in the case for a long period the guitar is still subject to humidity and temperature changes. These can have a negative effect and cause issues, and since we don't notice for a long time the issues can compound.
The wood and the finish can expand/contract at different rates with temp and humidity.
Loosen the strings and get a qualified assessment.
There is nobody more qualified than Customer Service at Ovation and they can provide the most economical results.
My guess would be for a full recovery. |
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Joined:
January 2013
Posts: 2
| Thanks so much guys for taking the time to respond & for your advice. I REALLY appreciate it! feels good to have some hope it can be repaired. I will follow your advice & call tomorrow. |
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HELP! 1127 questions - need your expert advice!
