|
|
Joined:
July 2015
Posts: 190
Location: SW Mintsoda | I know a few of you have guitars currently getting work done on them - I'm wondering how much of this work the folks at hq want to take on right now as they crank up the 50th Anniversary (and any other new) models...?
But I'm wondering if anyone here can give me a ballpark estimate of what some fretwork would cost at the Mothership? I suspect my 1157 needs at least a few new frets and then they need to be leveled, crowned and polished. I know someone else can do this, too, but I thought if I sent this baby "home," they could also suggest whether any other neck set or finish work (like around the headstock) is needed and worth my $$ ?
Thanks for any info anyone can share on this. This guitar has a nice tone, but it's impossible to play enjoyably right now with the awful, squared-off frets and the sharp edges just waiting to rip the flesh off my fingers! Yes, it's THAT bad! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4049
Location: Utah | I would expect they'd charge about the same as a good local luthier for fretwork. When it comes to more major work, the Mothership seems to have lower prices than I'd expect locally. You'll have to pay for shipping in 2 directions, so there is some added cost there.
Honestly I would not risk shipping your baby for just fretwork. There will be some very qualified luthiers near enough to you who can do frets just fine. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | The process is... send it in, they check it all out and give an estimate. I have never yet been disappointed with the quote.
There were quite a few guitars in there for repair work, but I doubt the turn around time is quick. It was a good 3 months for my last fret job and that was prior to the factory reopening... about a year ago now I think. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2015
Posts: 190
Location: SW Mintsoda | Thanks for the replies, guys.
I agree that if I just want fretwork, it can be done locally. At this point that's probably all the guitar NEEDS. My thoughts about sending it in were for them to check everything out and give me an evaluation and estimate (e.g., does the neck need to be reset, etc.?).
I'm also aware that the turnaround time could get very long right now.
Me thinks I'll take it in locally and have it evaluated/estimated here first...
Again - thanks for the good advice, which confirms some of my thinking on this. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2015
Posts: 190
Location: SW Mintsoda | Took my 1157 to the local tech and had him look at the frets/nut/saddle/action. Asked him if he could bring it all up to par for under $200 and he said, "Sure."
So I'm looking forward to having this gorgeous old guitar be playable! It's so light compared to the '92 L717 (with K-bar neck?). But I love them both for what they are and for their unique tones (even though both are A-braced from what I can tell).
Told him to take his time, but I know he wants to get it done soon, because he's going to get hit with the Christmas rush soon!
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2015
Posts: 70
Location: Western Sonoma County | I've found that the luthiers in my immediate area are a little spooked by Ovations. Not really sure why. So I stick with Mr Budny and the rest of the New Hartford gang.
Recently sent my '74 1117-4 to the factory for a refret and some other minor cosmetic remedial work. The price was more than reasonable and the work impeccable. Feels and plays like new. Took two and a half months including the back and forth from California. Entirely worth the wait. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Before I gave an 83 Collector to my daughter for her birthday, I took it in to a local guitar store and had a local luthier look at it. The store, since closed, was owned by a guy who was not an Ovation fan. The guitar had some serious fret wear up by the nut. The luthier said he could fix it without replacing the frets for less than $100. He did and it looks and plays like a new one. Even though he wasn't an Ovation fan, he gushed over the workmanship and playability of the guitar. I don't care if it was sales hype. It seemed sincere.
Anyway, if I can find a good source for minor work locally, most other towns of similar size or larger should also have good luthiers, for anything more significant than that, I'd send it to the factory. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 849
Location: Canada | Would a good local luthier be able to do a decent neck reset on an Ovation (LX)? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2015
Posts: 190
Location: SW Mintsoda | If I was looking at a neck reset, I'd send it back to Ovation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I've had fret work done at the mothership, then later I had two other guitars reworked. They do fantastic work! My advice... if you REALLY like your guitar and are considering sending it in... Spend the money and have it totally gone over. It's definitely worth the investment.
... Oh my... I've been looking over old posts and didn't realize I''ve gone this far back 
Edited by bvince 2015-12-26 8:47 PM
|
|
| |
Estimates of cost for repairs at the Mothership?
