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| I purchased this guitar cheaply but after purchase discovered it had been strung with steel strings and it is meant for nylon. Due to this error there appear to be some cracks in the neck about 2 inches below the headstock. So, I have a few questions. Can I replace the neck and if so where does one buy one? While I am replacing the neck can I make it so it DOES accept steel strings? Maybe, the better asked question to the experts here is "What should I do with this elderly prize ? Thank you in advance for any assistance or a point in the right direction. |
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Location: Lake Forest, CA | There's no inherent difference in the Ovation neck construction for guitars meant for nylon strings vs. steel strings. So, it's doubtful steel strings caused this.
FWIW, steel strings have a combined pull of ~180 lbs. vs. nylon with ~140 lbs.
Cracks appear in the back of the neck due to over-tightening the truss rod or when the guitar falls backwards onto the neck.
Not sure about the 1124, but my 1624 and another I worked one were unusual. They have SMC bowls, which are designed for a bolt-on neck. But in these guitars, the necks are glued into place.
You can tell if your neck is bolt-on or glued by looking in the sound hole at the neck heel area. If you see hex-shaped bolt heads, it's a bolt-on. No bolts means a glued neck.
You can replace a glued neck, but it's not a procedure for the faint of heart.
To find a replacement neck, you'll need to search the used parts markets on Reverb, eBay, etc.
Without seeing photos of the cracks, it's impossible to assess, but as I say, these are most likely just cracks in the finish and not structural.
Do you want the guitar strung with steel strings or nylon?
Edited by DanSavage 2021-06-07 6:39 PM
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| Dan, thank you so much for the response. I figure at just into my 61st year I may be the world's oldest guitar rookie and have been playing for just a year. I don't know much but all I have played have had steel strings. I think I would prefer that but, not having owned or played a nylon stringed guitar I don't really know. The reason why I have gravitated toward the Ovation brand is that when I was in grade school there was this lady music teacher that played an Ovation and sang and I remember it being extraordinary.....time stood still for that young man in those moments as I recall. So, when all is said and done, I would just like it to play again. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | First.... Try putting Nylon strings on it. Then see how the action is.
Also, there are some pretty stiff Nylon strings out there. If you prefer heavier strings.
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Location: 6 String Ranch | OR, try the GHS Gypsy strings. Figure out how to make that one work. Get the neck fixed, not replaced. And get a second guitar, at 61 you need several |
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Location: Lake Forest, CA | Copper Cliff - 2021-06-07 4:51 PM
Dan, thank you so much for the response. I figure at just into my 61st year I may be the world's oldest guitar rookie and have been playing for just a year. I don't know much but all I have played have had steel strings. I think I would prefer that but, not having owned or played a nylon stringed guitar I don't really know. The reason why I have gravitated toward the Ovation brand is that when I was in grade school there was this lady music teacher that played an Ovation and sang and I remember it being extraordinary.....time stood still for that young man in those moments as I recall. So, when all is said and done, I would just like it to play again.
YVW.
Of the nylon Ovation guitars I've played, the 1624 is my favorite.
I agree with @Beal. Unless the neck is a wreck, I'd repair it rather than replace it.
As a beginner, the best piece of advice I have is to take the guitar to a luthier/guitar tech and have a set-up performed.
Basically, a set-up entails adjusting the height of the strings at the first fret and the twelfth fret so the guitar is easy to play.
One of the the things that discourages new players is guitars with high actions. When the strings are too high off the fret board, it makes the strings harder to fret, which makes it more uncomfortable for new players.
Your luthier/guitar tech should be able to adjust the action to make the guitar reasonably comfortable to play.
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Dan knows everything. And enjoy your time with your guitar. Something special in that period when it is all new and fresh to you!! But also something special when it becomes a trusted and familiar friend! May the world fall away as you immerse yourself in your new avocation! |
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| Again, I thank everyone for their input of knowledge. I have been told that nylon strung guitars are not right for my "style" because ever since I have started learning I have just been "chording" and nylon strung guitars are more for picking. Being a very raw rookie I have no idea. I started with the cowboy chords and now have finally gotten to the point where I can actually play a few bar chords at "real time". (F still messes with me but, practice , practice, practice.). The guitar is now at a local luthier so I will know more in a little while but would like to be for armed as the inevitable questions from him will come. (Like what do you want from me?) I guess I just lay out to him the same story I laid out here.....
Thanks again to any and all that have posted.
I will keep you up to date as things progress....
Oh and yes, the inevitable pictures which will be requested. |
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Location: Phoenix | Never heard that nylon strings are just for picking not chords. Willie Nelson’s Trigger has nylon strings and he certainly plays his share of chords though of course he picks well too. |
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| Hey Bill. Thanks for the response. I don't know enough about guitars or strings to comment. Was just passing on something that one of the unwashed masses had said to me. The Willie comment makes a lot of sense. Thanks again for your input!
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Never trust the unwashed masses! There is a reason they are unwashed. Not that unwashed is worse than washed but all depends on your epoch and your culture! In the meantime keep a bar of soap around to cover all exigencies!! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I have a very nice Folklore that I got cheap because some "expert" told the prior owner that it was a nylon string guitar. The PO gave up trying to fit the nylon strings on it and put it on ebay with only 3 strings. Great fingerpicker with steel strings. I play it lots more than I do the nylon-string Classic hanging next to it. I never really bonded with my 1624 and sold it. Every player and every guitar has a different style. Keep practicing and figure out what works for you. |
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Location: NJ | nylon strings just for chords?
tell that to maestro segovia
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Location: NW Washington State | alpep - 2021-06-10 4:31 PM
nylon strings just for chords?
tell that to maestro segovia
Al, I think he heard that nylon strings are just for picking. I saw Segovia a couple of times and he was pretty good at both chords and picking with nylon strings.
Copper Cliff, are you learning chords and playing with a flat pick? Nylon strings are usually played with thumb and fingers, AKA finger picking. What kind of music do you want to play? By the way, the 1624 mentioned here is the same as your 1124, just adds a pickup to connect to an amplifier.
Dan, I wonder if an 1124 could stand up to the tension of silk and steel strings. Maybe change change the saddle and the barrels on the tuners? I've thought about doing this to my 1624.
-Steve W.
Edited by numbfingers 2021-06-10 8:33 PM
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Although I did play silk and steel with a flatpick for many years till I got my first Ovation. Welcome to another world!! |
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Location: Denmark | Welcome Copper Cliff. And congrats with the acquirement and good luck in recreating the sounds of you memory. A photo of your guitar? |
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| Hi folks! Again, I thank ALL for their comments and suggestions and welcome them! Yes, since starting I have only used a flat pick. I am looking forward to getting my guitar back from a "guitar guy" after he completes what he thinks needs to be done. As soon as it returns I will take pics and post them. Again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts. |
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| Numbfingers....yes, I am learning chords and play with a flat picks. Music I am learning is Blue Rodeo, James Taylor, Firefall, Valdy.....folky rocky old fat guy kinda stuff...Yes, I would be interested in the DanSavage reponse to your questions regarding adjustments. |
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Location: Lake Forest, CA | numbfingers - 2021-06-10 6:29 PM
Dan, I wonder if an 1124 could stand up to the tension of silk and steel strings. Maybe change change the saddle and the barrels on the tuners? I've thought about doing this to my 1624.
-Steve W.
Hi Steve,
Hard (high) tension nylon strings have a pull of ~90 lbs.
The S&S strings have a combined tension of ~126 lbs.
Extra Light steel strings have a tension of ~130 lbs. Lights pull ~156 lbs. Mediums, ~180 lbs.
The 1124/1624 uses the Ovation VT-8 braces, which are the same braces as the 1970s Artist Balladeer, which is a steel-string guitar.
I don't think there would be any problems putting S&S strings on this guitar.
Since S&S strings have such low tension, I don't even think a change to saddle is necessary, unless it's gotten notched.
I also don't think it'd be necessary to remove the barrels on the tuners.
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Location: NW Washington State | Dan-
I was looking at the saddle of my 1624 and thinking about the compensation for the unwound vs. wound G. On second thought, I suppose the 1124 has a straight uncompensated saddle.
I have a vague, unsubstantiated idea about steel strings chewing up the plastic tuner barrels. But the OP's guitar has already had steel strings on it, so it doesn't matter.
So forget everything I posted about that. I won't even suggest changing the nut. 
A good way to change it into a steel string would be to make a trade with another Ovation owner.
-Steve W.
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| Hey Steve! Great idea! Do you know any (who want to trade!?) *laughing* I guess the best is to just get the guitar back from the shop and see how I like it. One step at a time I suppose.
Terry |
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| As promised.....Photos.
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| My 1624 is my favorite guitar of all, Ovations and non-Ovations. And it's fun to tell people that's why I play just like Glen Campbell. 
When I bought mine, it had one steel bass string and I've always wondered if that had caused any problems. It's nice to know that it probably didn't. |
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Cracked neck on vintage 1124-4
