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March 2008
Posts: 4
| Hi Folks, I picked up a Custom Legend 1719 (SN 349732) w/ OHSC at a garage sale today for $300. The guitar has a beautiful sunburst finish which is in pretty good shape, save for two or three dings. The guitar plays and sounds great, even before new strings, setting up etc. The neck feels great to me and I'd like to make this guitar my main player. A quick inspection reveals a minor bulge in the fret board where the neck meets the body, a very slight crack in the binding at that spot, the bridge pulling away from the body on the high string side (very slight and hard to notice, may be original), and very minor warping of the sound board behind the bridge.
My tech ability is limited to changing strings, and I'm not inclined to touch a truss rod. Should I ship this off to the factory for a full refurb, have it adjusted and set up by a local guy, or just play it as is? Given the issues described above, did I over-pay? Any thoughts appreciated! |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | depends on how bad the top is and the bridge is...pictures would be verry verry helpfull jas |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Send it on to see Dr John & Dr Kim |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Hi Ed, and welcome to the board. That's a fine guitar you picked up, at a reasonable price. Without seeing pictures, I'd say the issues you describe, with the exception of the bridge (possibly) pulling up, aren't serious. You say it plays well, even without expert setup, so it's likely not a problem.
These older O's often "telegraph" the bracing pattern to the surface of the top, often looking like wavy lines of slight bulges and depressions. Unless the top is seriously bowed or cave in it's not a problem and often disappears with proper humidification.
You can contact John Budny or Kim Keller at Ovation Customer Service to talk about potential repairs/refurbishment. Probably for about what you paid for it you'd get back an essentially brand new high quality guitar with an aged (opened-up) top and custom setup.
Best of luck with it and stick around, this is a great site. |
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March 2008
Posts: 4
| Thanks - I've attempted to post some photos. The warping behind the bridge is tough to pick up with the camera and you really have to run your finger over it to feel it. The bulge where the neck meets the body is apparent but hopefully treatable without a neck reset. In any case this guitar has a great vibe and I'll probably ship it in for the full treatment. Thanks again for your thoughts.
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March 2008
Posts: 4
| A few more photos, sorry about the size...
 " target="_blank" title="http://home.comcast.net/~joseph.oloughlin/Photos/Guitar%203.jpg">">http://home.comcast.net/~joseph.oloughlin/Photos/Guitar%203.jpg[/IM...
http://home.comcast.net/~joseph.oloughlin/Photos/Guitar%204.jpg "> |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | It doesn't look too bad. How's it play? If it play good for you with decent action, just play the heck out of it. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | my folklore was worse than that and it was one of the finest wood tops i ever owned. if it be mine id play the hell out of it till the bridge pulls then send it to john or kim...just my advice |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Jason, welcome back. I just noticed a typo in my post above, but your spelling always makes mine look good. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Play and enjoy it!
BTW, I'm surprised the SFAP (String Ferrule Alignment Police) haven't shown up yet... 
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
BTW, I'm surprised the SFAP (String Ferrule Alignment Police) haven't shown up yet... Thought about it...didn't want to scare him off. But now that you mention it...
You! Yes you! Line up those ferule ends on those strings so they're all horizontal and fit into the rabbet cut for them in the bridge! Do it! Now! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by g8r:
You! Yes you! Line up those ferule ends on those strings so they're all horizontal and fit into the rabbet cut for them in the bridge! Do it! Now! 
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March 2008
Posts: 4
| Folks,
First, thanks for the warm welcome and advice. I'll let you know how I make out with the guitar.
Second, I request a pardon on the string ferrules. The strings were installed by the previous owner, and the photo was taken as soon as I got the guitar home. After I put away the camera, I immediately changed the strings and properly seated the ferrules, so everyone can rest easy. I'm glad I didn't post photos of the sloppy work I found on the tuning peg posts - half a revolution on the low E, 8 turns on the high E!
Lastly, again, thanks for the advice - I've always wanted to own this particular guitar and I couldn't be happier with the buy. Looking forward to getting it fixed and putting in some serious time in the woodshed. |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Ed - don't take us seriously. We're all a bunch of arseholes. Just think of us as older brothers and imagine all the good-natured ribbing that involves. :D |
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Thoughts on 86 Custom Legend?
