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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I'm about to put an OpPro in this old 12 string. It's my main guitar and came from ebay with it's share of problems which have since been fixed. One of the troubles was a distorted top/turning bridge.
As I take a close look inside I see that there are 6 fan braces. The outer 2 are solid spruce, but the 4 braces in the center are made of 3/16" PLYWOOD! They're about 1/2" high. Can this be a good idea? From what I've heard over the years, these tops struggling to keep their shape seems to be a common problem. This looks like it was a bad design experiment. Any of you noticed this before?
John <>{ |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Hi John,
Not having had much experience with Ovation acoustics I can't really comment on your guitar.
However coming from an engineering background I can definitely say that some plywoods are a lot stronger than solid timbers.
There are others on here with a lot more experience that may care to comment.
Cheers AJ |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I would doubt it ever left the factory like that. Sounds like someone has tried to fix a
top problem with a half-assed DIY repair |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I don't know, Temp. These little plywood braces seem very well integrated into the cross-braces and bridgeplate, and there are no glue marks from old work. I say these things a little tongue-in-cheek because, as is the case with Ovations, the bracework leaves a lot to be desired...strictly functional, rough wood, braces cut around the bridgeplate with plenty of space between the two instead of accurately cut and fit. But anyway, I'd be interested to hear from 1115 owners to find out what they see inside their guitars. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3599
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Never seen plywood for braces, & I've owned 3, so far. Understand the concept, but would argue with the practice.
Is it possible the top was replaced? How good is the binding job on the top, and does it appear "original"? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13983
Location: Upper Left USA | It sounds like you have one that had some careful repairs with questionable materials. If it works - use it! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3599
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | .....what he said. "If it ain' broke....." |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by seesquare:
.....what he said. "If it ain' broke....." ...You're not trying!
RG |
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My '79 1115: yukkie discovery
