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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | hey there,
one of my O's is an acoustic classic model 1113-4, serial number 154777.
Could someone versed in Ovation history tell me if the top is cedar or another material?
I thought i read somewhere that ovation made some early classics with tops other than cedar....i'm thinking spanish pine or spruce, could that be right? I also have a newer 1763-4 that is definitely cedar. I think my 1113 is different.
thanks as always for the help
ernie |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | The 1113-4 Ovation has a spanish pine top. It also has the Ovation double fan bracing pattern. I love old Ovation catalogs. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | from the Ovation website:
Excerpt from 1982 Ovation Catalog:
The Ovation Classic is a nylon string guitar created for the serious musician. Our roundback design offers a new dimension in acoustic sound for the classic performer. Expanding the possibilities over an ordinary classic guitar, the Ovation Classic acoustic electric model lends itself to ensemble and amplified classical performance.
Our combination of a Spanish pine top and unique double fan bracing pattern Spanish Pine AAA lets the Classic "sing" through even the most intricate pieces with a full-range sound and clarity. The neck is two inches wide at the nut and the fingerboard features a 26 3/16" long scale with a full 19 frets. A beautiful sustain and full resonance make the Classic our best nylon string and the top choice by our professional endorsees who play nylon string guitars. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Thanks for the quick response guys!...I figured it was different, had more of an amber color in the wood....
Now, request / question #2....Can someone give me some insight on the differences in tonal characteristics between the Spanish Pine and Cedar, ie one is warmer, has better sustain, better base, etc.
which one would you rather have?
thanks again..
Ernie |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | If it looks like cedar, and smells like cedar, and tastes like cedar, and sounds like cedar.... |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| The early Ovation Classics with the three-piece tops were made with Sitka Spruce tops just like the Steel string guitars, then they went to Spanish Pine. I believe there were also some late 1960's two-piece top Classics with Sitka Spruce before the transition to Spanish Pine.
Throughout the 1970's the Classics maintained the Spanish Pine tops until an undetermined date in the early 1980's when the Classic top was changed to Cedar. The serial number of the guitar is question should place it as an approximate 1978 date of manufacture, therefore the top should be Spanish Pine. However, my experience with Ovation history has led me to believe that anything is possible.
Even if the catalog says it is Spanish Pine, if the top looks like Cedar and smells like Cedar, then it is probably Cedar. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | On a related topic - What about the braces? On a cedar top, are the braecs cedar as well, and pine braces on a pine top guitar? Or are the braces always spruce. I never stopped to think about it before. Would it make a difference? |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Nice 1123 on eBay (about 8 hrs to go):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3732222490&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT
Called them...they said top looks perfect with no finish cracks. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 38
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Originally posted by Tony Calman:
Nice 1123 on eBay (about 8 hrs to go):
....
Tony, I wish you hadn't done that!!
Paul V. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The braces are Oak, sweedish white oak and we only used the north side of the tree. But these were only used on the Spanish cedar tops. All the rest have spruce braces. |
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1113-4 top wood?
