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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | What is with the Ovation necks? Everybody talks about them, and their playability. They really ARE that good. What is it about them, and why hasn't every manufacturer copied them? Surely they aren't "patented", yet they seem to be very unique. Why????????????????? |
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Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | Why?????????????????
hmmm, because they're crafted out of enchanted woods, harvested from the Elven forests of Middle-earth??? |
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Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Well... to back up a bit, there are MANY different styles of Ovation neck, even for a straight-ahead six-string. My refurbished 1117 '74 Legend has a tree-log (hefty!) neck; a small hand simply can't cope with it. On the other end of the spectrum is my so-called RI-47 prototype that feels as thin and narrow as a Stratocaster. My current go-to guitar, the Adamas 1581, offers a sweet compromise. The Al Dimeola is a close competitor in the "sweet neck" category. My point: the necks on these axes are VERY different and I'm sure every player on the OFC has their preference(s): finished, unfinished? narrow, wide? v-shaped or normal radius? thin fret, wide frets? etc. Then there is the cosmetic aspect: binding, one -piece, five-piece, inlays, fingerboard wood etc. So... Bob, what is YOUR favorite neck, what axe and why? |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Yeah, I guess I could have been more specific....
The "normal" Elite 5 piece C shape, that has that Tele/Strat feel and playability. I like em "unfinished", 'cos a finished neck sometimes is a little grabby. I'm sure most of us first put that in our hands and initially wondered, "Damn, why is this thing so easy to play"??? I suppose if the first O you tried was the wide Folklore neck, you may have been underwhelmed. The Adamas models I have played had similarly great necks.
One thing I was trying to say was, MOST acoustic makers don't seem to put fast necks on their models. I am not impressed with the Gibson, Martin or Guild necks. Taylor's (like em or hate em) have some pretty decent necks, but not quite the caliber of Ovation's best necks. In fact, I have played a LOT of guitars in my 40+ years of playing, and have yet to play a neck as good as the best Ovation necks... |
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Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Ovation had a neck profile philosophy: modified V shape. For most players they are easier to grip and require less effort to play. Your hand isn't stretching around a big hunk of wood to get at the strings.
The mod V affords great relief and allows the thumb to gain good leverage with ease.
The last thing desired was a thick, clubby neck...as dobro describes his 74 Legend. Sorry to hear that.
By 'clubby' I mean it really does feel like a big old hunk of wood more suitable for clubbing someone than part of a musical instrument.
One can only guess that other manufacturers may look at a modified V shape as inappropriate for their acoustics and it's just not part of how they do things.
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Posts: 79
| BobG
Nice to see you again, we've missed you and your constructive posts very much, is everything okay with you? The Martin "X" necks have a very nice feel if you keep them clean but they are heavy. The carbon fiber is likely to keep them straight for a long time. What other Martins did you find unpleasant to play on and what exactly about them didn't suit you?
Edited by gmaslin 2013-10-28 11:45 AM
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Location: Flahdaw | George Frey - 2013-10-28 8:56 AM
One can only guess that other manufacturers may look at a modified V shape as inappropriate for their acoustics and it's just not part of how they do things.
So I guess it's the mod-V, not a C (although I've never felt the angle of a V much..). I wonder if Taylor uses a similar mod V shaped neck, 'cos they are similarly playable, in my opinion? |
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Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | I have some Ovation profile gauges from back in the day someplace. If I can find them I'll post a pic. There were 3 sections to check; AA by the headstock, BB center and CC by the heel.
I'm not sure if the term 'modified V' was written down anywhere but that's what Don Johnson wanted. He sat me down and explained their 'neck philosophy' - this was nearly 30 years ago now, which I can hardly believe. Seems like yesterday..... |
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Posts: 349
Location: Denver, CO | The "normal" Elite 5 piece C shape, that has that Tele/Strat feel and playability. That's my answer, and my strat man agrees. |
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Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Buried somewhere in the Engineering data you should find the different material characteristics such as density and strength of the woods used. It's not as simple as just picking a certian type of wood but involves the exact species, where it was grown, how it was dried to figure out what can be used on a thinner neck and what cannot be used.
In the Pacific Rim the Mahogany is not even Mahogany anymore... Not every Maple is good for guitars.
Ovation builders knew what they were doing and it was the same professionals that designed and measured aerospace parts that were building the guitars.
Next time you look at a Deacon or Magnum Bass from the 80's ask yourself what it would cost today to find the same grade of wood.
Those $800.00 Magnums would have to start at around $3500.00... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | I would say SOBeach has the correct answer.
I can play things on my UKII that I can't play well on any other guitar. I bought my first O acoustic (1778LX) because of how easy it was to play. It had very little to do with the sound.
My favorite acoustic neck is probably the profile from the 90s, the unfinished ones, but for playability, the necks on the old Legends prior to the K-bar are SUPER FAST and very much like an electric. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Wanna talk necks?
Latch on to an old Breadwinner.
Compared to a Les Paul it's like you're playing a popsicle stick. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | I love the necks on all my Ovations. I agree they are the most comfortable and easy playing acoustic necks anywhere.
Also agree with Brad the Breadwinner/Deacon necks are awesome. |
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September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | 1) Neck profile gauges circa 1993. At this point the hand carving was transitioning to the new CMS machine. The profile remained the same as before.
2) My rolling neck rack loaded with 80 necks ready to be carved circa 1991. There are 12 string deep and shallow bowl, Legends, Balladeers, Elites and classics visible. About two days worth of carving.
https://plus.google.com/photos/105567705311232066629/albums/59412977... |
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Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | Geo...
Thanks for sharing the pics and sharing your experience at O.
In 91, how many were employed carving necks? Was this the slowest part of the guitar production process?
thanks
jay |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | George, you are a real asset to have on this forum. Thanks for your contributions... |
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September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Thanks Bob, now Jay I think at that time there were around 4 people carving. We did about 240-300 necks/wk and Ovation did the rest in house. I can't say if it was the 'slowest' part of production but it was definetly hands on and labor intensive. |
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Necks...?
