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Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Where can I get specific information on my 81 Legend, model 1117? For example someone asked me if it is a solid spruce top, or a plywood laminated. I assumed it is a solid one-piece spruce, but you know what they say about assuming! Other information would be interesting to know as well.
Norse(just want to get to know her better)man1 |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Dear Norse(Knowledge is All)Man:
I'll pull out a 1980 Ovation catalog later today and scan the pages pertaining to the Legend and email them to you. In the meantime:
Top: AAA Spruce
Top Bracing: Ovation A (in my opionion, the best)
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck: Ovation 5 piece mahogany & maple w/ Kamna Bar in middle
This is a good guitar. That A bracing really makes for a good sound. |
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Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | As long as you're answering questions...
What is 'A' bracing?
What bracing does my Elite 1537 have (1983)?
Thanks
Bradley |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I'm on a roll here. I've got a 1537 and it's the best guitar I've ever owned.
Before A bracing, the bracing pattern ran at angles across the face of the guitar. The A bracing (based upon the Adamas bracing) runs the braces length wise along the top and really improves the sound. The Elite has whats called "Quintad" bracing (I have no idea where they got that name) is is extremely similar to the Adamas bracing. The braces on it also run lengthwise along the guitar, not across it. |
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Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Thanks for the info, lets try a new one.
My Glen Campbell 12 string that I bought in 1974 had a new neck put on in 1980. Ovation sent it back with new tuners (superior to the old ones IMHO) but without the Glen Campbell truss cover. For some reason my dusty brain keeps thinking this guitar was once called a Glen Campbell Deluxe model. Any idea where I got this name from? BTW, it is model 1118-4.
Bradley |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | the 1118 is a GC 12 string. There wasn't a delux GC.
The X brace is Martin and we all know that
The A brace is the Legend series. The main structure in sortof an A pattern
The Elite and Adamas are the same. CHK came up with the quintad name. There are 9 braces in the pattern plus a bridge brace. Of the 9 there are 5 major ones and 4 minor so go with the 5 bigger ones, hence the quint. the tad he just made up.
As a rule all USA made are solid spruce with 2 exceptions
1. the applesause and matrix/medallion with the foam necks
2. The panelmaster collector series and the other closely related variants. (these will always have the elite soundholes)
There were one off exceptions but this will be 99.44% accurate |
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Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Paul, You the man!
Thanks so much for taking the time, and sharing your knowledge. Your a credit to this board!
Norse(this whole Ovation experience just keeps getting better)man1 |
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Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | CWK2;
Were not some of the classicals made with cedar tops? I have a prototype that I know is cedar but I was under the impression there were production cedar tops as well.
By the way, the time you take to participate in this board is much appreciated as well...gas station attendants of your particular ilk can be very busy indeed. :)
Thanks!
Wayne |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You're right the xx13 models had ceder. Sorry to miss that.
It's nice to take a break from pumping jet fuel, although truth be told I've done 1 (as in one) plane since I've been here. The employees are great and won't let me near the aircraft. They tell me I've had improper training. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes some of the classicals have cedar tops (1113), and if I'm not mistaken, the Book guitar also is cedar. Anyone know for sure?
BTW Norse, I think you'll find your Legend is not "one" piece of spruce, but two bookmatched pieces. Some early versions of the deluxe balladeer were three pieces. I have a two piece and a three piece early DB and I swear the 3 piece has a more balanced tone.
Dave |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Book was spruce |
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Location: Scotland | The way the industry, & the prices of quality traditional tonewoods are going, 3 or 4 pieces for a top may become commonplace in the not-too-distant future. Taylor have already done it with their acoustic bass, & that's a far from cheap instrument. It may become the only way to produce an affordable solidwood instrument using traditional materials. This method of construction may not look as nice as a bookmatched 2-piece top, but there's no reason why it shouldn't sound good if it's quality wood.
Paul |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Ovation started with three piece tops. Just way out in front again I guess. Bet we don't get credit for it either (again). |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | There were rumors in the early 70's that the Japanese had bought up most of the guitar quality spruce. Martin and maybe Gibson had stockpiles, mainly because they aged their wood for years, but those who didn't have a stock were sucking the tail end. Think Yamaha, Takamine etc. and try to name a good American factory made solid top for less than $800 to $1500. Plywood became the big American excuse for an acoustic guitar because they went to sleep and let the wood slip away, pre 1940's guitars were made of solid wood, good workmanship, and affordable. I saw Sam and Kirk Magee at the San Diego State Folk Festival and they had Martin D-18's they had bought early in their careers in the '30's and they said that's all the guitar they would ever want or need, and they proved it with their playing. some day we will see 10 piece tops as they scavange the last spruce 2 X 2's.
Bailey |
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