Posted 2016-06-16 6:23 PM (#526036 - in reply to #526012) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: February 2014 Posts: 704
Location: moline,illinois
DanSavage - 2016-06-16 11:04 AM
I should add that I'm even more convinced of the value of using torrefied wood for guitars. I will never use anything but that for the guitars I rebuild.
Another gorgeous guitar Dan,love the top!!!
Have you seen where Ibanez has a new line of "thermo-aged" guitars coming out,basically there name for torrefaction,maybe you should PM BillX and offer to help Ovation design a new line of vintage "torrefied" guitars they can call them the "Savage"
Posted 2016-06-16 6:53 PM (#526037 - in reply to #524970) Subject: RE: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: June 2012 Posts: 2316
Location: Pueblo West, CO
Thanks for the info, Kevin.
I've got an Ibanez. (A300E VV Ambience) It's a laminated guitar, so it doesn't sound all that great acoustic, but when plugged in, it sounds fantastic and it's got the easiest neck I've ever played --even easier than Ovation's.
I seem to recall reading something about Ibanez releasing a torrefied-top guitar. I found a YouTube video they put out that highlights the features of this series of guitars. (Artwood)
The video shows that they are using torrefied wood for the top and braces and one model (AV10) has torrefied solid mahogany sides and back. The back uses torrefied braces. I'm not real keen on the 'any finish you want as long as it's brown sunburst' of this guitar, but if it sounds good enough I'm sure I could overlook it. (LOL!) Interestingly, my Ibanez also has a vintage violin finish, like the AVD10.
It'll be interesting to see how much they're going to charge for these guitars.
Yes, I'm sure that Ovation will probably release a torrefied top guitar eventually. Most of the players in the guitar game are doing so and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Ovation jumps in, too.
Posted 2016-06-17 12:32 PM (#526058 - in reply to #524970) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: March 2002 Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal
Picked up the guitar last night (Dan lives about 4 miles away). First impression is that it's beautiful. Dan said there were some minor flaws. I haven't found them. The new top looks like an old top 40-50 years old (because it's torrified which darkens it) and it's stunning. Dan did nothing to the neck, but the neck was in almost pristine shape as we got it. In all, it's a brand new 1981 1113 except the top is very old.
How does it sound? It's a huge loud sound. Hit the bass E string and it will sustain a good 10 seconds before going quiet. This guitar has balls! Big and loud. It's what I've been looking for since I sold my 1763 because the high action couldn't be corrected.
We didn't put a pickup in it (thought about an OP Pro) because I can count on one hand the number of times I've wanted to plug in a nylon string over the last 15 years. It's light and responsive!
Oh, and lasts thought. When Dan got the wood, he wasn't happy because the guitar was going to have a skunk stripe from the bridge to the end. I love that stripe. It identifies that guitar as MY guitar and it looks beautiful.
Posted 2016-06-17 11:23 PM (#526070 - in reply to #524970) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: October 2012 Posts: 1034
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Congratulations moody, p.i.! Thanks for the awesome review! Sure would love to hear what she sounds like! Bows to the Luthier Meister, Dan! You know the Mothership is all busy with the 40th and 50th anniversary, they might be callin' ya for some west coast back up! ...and I've gotta try a torrefied top, man-O-man, how can they be so inexpensive in the State! Goin' to school at the BFLG...
Posted 2016-06-19 4:55 PM (#526107 - in reply to #526070) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: June 2012 Posts: 2316
Location: Pueblo West, CO
Thanks, Ken. Ha ha! Well, I won't be holding my breath waiting for that phone call.
It wasn't so long ago that torrefied wood was pure unobtainium, even here in the states. I wanted to try it for a long time, but none of the wood suppliers had any. In fact, I wanted to use it on my 1619, but I couldn't buy it anywhere, so I 'settled' for the bear claw Sitka spruce from Stewmac.
The first one who I knew of that had some for sale was Blues Creek Guitars. All they had was Adirondack spruce and I ordered a set on the spot, for a cool $275.
Right after that was when I saw that Stewmac was selling torrefied Sitka spruce for $57 per set. That was at the time when I was rebuilding Jay's 1967 Balladeer, so we took the plunge to buy it and use it on his guitar.
Now, a lot of suppliers are selling it in almost all varieties of spruce, including regular and bear claw Sitka, Adirondack, Englemann, Carpathian and Lutz spruces. None of these are as cheap as Stewmac's torrefied Sitka spruce, but they are available, which is IMO wonderful.
Posted 2016-06-19 6:26 PM (#526111 - in reply to #524970) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: June 2012 Posts: 2316
Location: Pueblo West, CO
That sounds funny, but before torrefied tone wood became available from the luthier suppliers I actually was in the market for an autoclave large enough to fit top wood halves. Unfortunately, the cost of such a beastie was way out of my reach.
I made a visit to a local 3D printing company for a tour and spied an autoclave sitting in a corner of their shop that was large enough to do the job, and talked to them a little bit about it's capabilities (temperature, pressure) but when I was ready to approach them about putting wood in it I found they had moved their office about 90 miles away.
Now, I can buy quality wood that's cheap enough to make the idea of buying my own autoclave a moot point.
Posted 2016-06-22 12:50 PM (#526217 - in reply to #524970) Subject: Re: 1981 1113 Classic...
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1555
Location: Indiana
Sorry for the slight detour Dan.
Don't know whether you've seen this, PM. Apart from being an awesome Certified Guitar Player, Thom is also a talented and creative videographer Fortunately for us, he captured many of our heroes in rare casual moments.
1981 1113 Classic...
