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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Florida | Hello again to the O.F.C.,
I've added some pictures of the inside of my "Czar Guitar" at http://ovationfanclub.ning.com/profile/nibblegribitz
I wasn't sure if it was solid or laminate, but you can see the burl through whatever kind of support mesh they use.
To me that would suggest it's a solid top.
I got this on eBay about a year ago. It came with a soft skin outer case for the hard case. No caviar. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Way cool. Unless they wasted laminate by putting it on both faces of the top (doubtful) then that's solid. That is some amazing figure! How does it sound? Better yet, bring it to Southern Samba so we can see/hear/play it! |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Love the walnut! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I'm pretty certain that the walnut guitars were laminated. Easiest way to tell is to sand away a little of the dye in one of the soundholes, that will expose the plies.
It's very common practice in instrument construction to use the same material for the outer plies. It's only when a ply is used for a soundboard that 1 side is difficult to see. Which is not the case with backs and rims, which usually have the inner and outer plies a reasonably close match. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by G8r:
Way cool. Unless they wasted laminate by putting it on both faces of the top (doubtful) then that's solid. I asked John Budny the same question about the bubinga top on my Custom Elite. He replied that it was indeed a veneer; specifically, birch sandwiched between two thin layers of bubinga. (Which is actually a good idea as bubinga is incredibly hard and heavy, hence a top of solid bubinga would probably have very little flexibility yielding very thin tone.) I like to it's in a similar vein to Adamas tops construction-wise.
As I understand it, most figured tops don't have the strength to handle string tension anyway, so lamination is the only structurally safe way to go. (I'm given to understand that some of the 01 Collector's illustrated this tendency.)
I'm thinking the walnut's a laminate/veneer as well. But MAN it's nice looking. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.  |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I stand corrected. As a woodworker I know how fragile extensive figure can be. From a structural standpoint it makes much more sense to veneer the figured wood over a solid core. I didn't know they'd veneer both faces, though. Just assumed for cost savings they wouldn't. That top demands a strap made from "rich Corinthian leather" at the least, if not some expensive hide like alligator, croc, snake or stingray. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | nib,
Check your PM... |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Florida | Thanks for all the info.
Yeah it makes sense to "sandwich" the wood.
Even with that info this deep bowl beauty is pretty hefty, especially compared to my '73 1617.
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Iffy,
Thanks for the PM.
Can't make to the Cross-Hemisphere OFC Gathering.
I've got a "club date" on the 17th and my wife and I are going to a "Fab Faux" concert in Ft. Lauderdale on the 18th.
Nibblegribitz
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For all those who might be interested, The Fab Faux is the best Beatle tribute band.
Comprised of bassist Will Lee, from the Paul Shaffer band on David Letterman Show, guitarist Jimmy Vivino of the Max Weinberg band on the Conan O'Brian Tonight Show, and New York musicians Rich Pagano, Frank Agnello and Jack Petruzzelli. They rarely get out of the New York area. http://www.thefabfaux.com/ |
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Ltd. Russian Walnut "Czar Guitar"
