Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?

Subject: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 03:05 PM

My Ovation guitar has been coming apart for years. I was able to hold it together with hot glue, duct tape and some kind of putty for several years but it gets worse and worse. Can someone walk me through the process of repairing it or maybe direct me to someone who can do a good job of repairing it? I'm between Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL but can send it to anyone I trust. I'm not too concerned about it's appearance; I just want to be able to play in tune which has not been possible for a long time now due to the uplifting of the top and consequent string-shortening. This has been my only guitar for the past 21 years but I'd be willing to trade it for something else just to have a playable instrument.

Steve Sedberry

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 05:13 PM

I admit that I'm not a fan of Ovation guitars. Having said that I can't help but think that for the money you spend repairing your present guitar you could get something new. Unless you have an emotional attachment I'd say get rid of it and get a new one. IF you were looking for a new guitar what would your budget be ?

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 05:20 PM

I'm not a fan of broken Ovation guitars but I am a fan of saving money and repairing what is broken. Let's stick with the simple question 'how can this be repaired.' This guitar sounds fine when it is in working condition.

Steve Sedberry

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 05:32 PM

If that's the case have you contacted Ovation? I would think that they could connect you with the best qualified repairperson in your area of Georgia or give you advise on how to fix it yourself.

Also - have you ever been to the 13th fret website ? There are a lot of luthiers who hang out there that are very qualified to give advise on how to fix it. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 06:43 PM

Don't know about the 13th fret website. Thanks for the tip. I do believe that I'll go back to duct tape. It sure beats throwing this thing away or selling it for a song. It's actually a wonderful guitar.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Sep 02 - 07:46 PM

Throw that piece of plastic dog-doo away and get yourself a real guitar!

Ovations... hmpffh!

;-) Michael

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 12:20 PM

Try ARALDITE - or any other epoxy resin glue - should mend a poxy guitar !

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: 53
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 01:00 PM

To bad the back is not broke, then all you would have to do was lose weight.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 01:39 PM

By any chance is there a large removable plate (for the electronics) on the back?

Need some more info.......Is this an Adamas style top or does it have a soundhole? Is it coming off in more than one spot? Give me a few more details and I think I can walk you through it if it's what I suspect.......PM me if you like so we can avoid some of the usual Ovation bashing (:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 07:15 PM

Bind tightly with raffia after gluing and screwing, my husband said it worked for him!

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: CraigS
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 07:43 PM

It depends where and what is coming apart as to what advice you need. Spaw will not give you bad advice. If you need to feel reassured about his advice, send me a PM

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 08:55 PM

Thanks for your responses!!!

This Ovation was made in about 1979 and is a flat top with a big round hole. Serial # 157922. It has a continuous fiberglass back with no cutaway or access hole. The detachment of the sunburst finished wooden top from the fiberglass back started slowly with the edge binding coming off (and breaking into pieces) little by little. Not knowing the exact names of the guitar parts my description might not much convey. The broad end top or face of the guitar (farthest from the neck) is no longer connected to the bowl almost all the way around the lower half of the top. Also the wooden part of the guitar has just started separating from the thin part that glues onto the top edge (closest to rim) of the bowl or back.

PS I have nothing against fine all wooden guitars, nothing at all, but my expenses are greater than my income and so it's doubtful I'll be able to buy anything soon. I just got burned for $60. trying to buy a used Hohner on ebay. The seller took the money order and ran. I bought this Ovation used at a good price in 1981 when I really needed to replace my other guitar and had some income.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 10:04 PM

O.K., here. Take off the strings, leaving them and the pins in place on the guitar. Coil em up so they won't get in the way... all as one coil, and stuffem in the soundhole. Locate all the points where the top is comming loose from the back, and make a note of them.

Buy some epoxy.

Since epoxy is the binding substance in most fiberglass, epoxy is THE stuff for you.

Now. you have to figure a way to get epoxy into the cracks, and all covered on both sides quickly. Epoxy stays 'wet' for ten to twenty munutes, and you have to get it all... though you can do one crack at a time...

Now. Don't do ANY gluing until you've figured out how to clamp or press the crack closed after you've glued it. Clamps, lotsa books, big rocks all can work, but ya gotta try'em before you glue to find out what's gonna work for EACH crack. no two will require the same force. I've had exceptional luck with long semi-flexible sticks wedged between your instrument and the roof. try it!

You have to wait until it's all the way dry... undoubtedly the hardest part for a diehard player like yourself, but just do it. Wait Wait Wait Wait and Wait.

It is for this waiting that I try to glue it all in one application. Otherwise, you have to wait over and over...

Be quick, be thorough, and plan it all out in advance. Epoxy is REALY HARD.

PM me if you like!ttr

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Memphis Mud
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 09:28 AM

I bought my Ovation Back in '81 when it was an affordable "cutting edge" decent sounding instrument. Heck, you'd see them played by Ms. Wilson (of Heart) and Mr. McCartney (of Wings) and others. Plus you could plug her in. Nowadays there are maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany pluggable options. But my still O plays nicely.

Have you contacted the Ovation customer service people? Sounds like your problem falls under "Workmanship and Material" unless you've been using it as a Canoe Paddle. They are a good company. You might be surprised and they'll fix it free if you send it to them. Won't happen if you don't ask.

That being said, I've played some sweet, rich sounding guitars lately that sell for around $200. Memphis is experiencing a price war right now. You're close enough.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Larkin
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 09:47 AM

There's some real snobs around when it comes to guitars, I have a C2 Martin and probably the best old Yamaha I have ever come across and I still miss my Balladeer - It was a great stage guitar- great sound and action. I was also a restorer for 25 years and the the Raffia or string idea used to work well - It's a good idea to have some small wedges of wood to jam between the string and top to get that extra bit of pressure where the top is actually loose.Use something quite soft like lime or poplar so's you don't mark the top. To get araldite into the crack get a really fine artists palette knife and that should open the crack without doing more damage. Araldite works much quicker when it's warm and is much thinner and so easier to get in the cracks. Clean off the residue with some sort of solvent- I used to use Xylene but I think it's pretty dangerous stuff so don't get it on your hands. Good luck and don't listen to the Ovation Knockers!!!

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 12:33 PM

First, clean off all the old glue from previous repair attempts.

I would use polyester resin rather than epoxy.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 02:18 PM

Good point bert, I forgot to mention the crutial part... Cleaning the surfaces to be glued is important! I think I would try the glue on some semi hidden part of the guitar (the fiberglass or synthetic part) because the glue you chose MUST have an affinity for this material... the wood is generally accepting...ttr

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 08:36 AM

Now you've got some proper advice I can afford to be flippant. It's a pity you're in the States, over here (UK) we have a festival on November 5th ideally suited for a Ovation. It could have pride of place on my bonfire any day

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 10:07 AM

I've got a GRP cabin cruiser and I have to endure comments such as "If god had intended us to build fibreglass boats he would have created fibreglass trees" from traditional wooden boat owners. Why shouldn't I make the same sort of remark about guitars !

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Memphis Mud
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 11:51 AM

CHECKED WWW.OVATIONGUITARS.COM on their FAQ

What if my guitar is not repairable?

Kaman Music will replace the item with another one of equal value. In the case of a discontinued model, Kaman Music will replace the item with another of equal or more value.

Is my warranty transferable?

No, all Kaman Music warranty policies are valid only to the original purchaser with a warranty card on file or a copy of the original sales receipt as proof of purchase.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Tiger
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 12:24 PM

I don't know why more emphasis hasn't made of this - Get thee to a luthier, sed!

This job has to be a piece of cake for someone who knows what he's doing.

Of course, if Kaman will replace it, that's the choice. Doubtful they'll do anything if you've already tried the do-it-yourself epoxy route, though.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Bert
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 02:56 PM

Of course 'taking it to a luthier' is the PROPER way of doing it Tiger. But we're talking here about a guy who is a do it yourself type and he doesn't hesitate to take a hot glue gun to his guitar.

I'm sure he's quite capable of fixing it himself as soon as he can find a suitable adhesive.

Subject: RE: Help: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 04:56 PM

So many things have been happening in my life that I've been slow peddling on this project..... you friends, advisors and goaders are all appreciated for the roles you've assumed.

I plan to make it playable when I get all the skills and equipment together....

your strumming, singing, dreaming companion on this long road to (or is it from?) somewhere....

steve sedberry

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,greg
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 10:23 PM

I have an applause ae48 it's made by ovation... I had the same problem... my top came apart from the plastic. so I sent it back to ovatoin( i belive i had a five year warenty though i never paid for one) It has been a lot of trouble they might not wnat to deal with it because of the low cost of the guitar but still i'v only had it for a month. I want it back but they havn't sent it back and its been a long time posibly a month or longer. I keep having to tlak to different people saying we will give you a new one or we will fix it... I was soposed to get it back last week and its not here yet so I dono ... is the top breaking a common problem?

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 06:03 AM

Stop knocking Ovation Guitars - bought mine in 1982 with my redundancy money and it is still a fine instrument which has kept its value. It is used daily and seldom loses its tune even when using a capo.
Hold on to your damaged guitar and get it repaired - its probably a lot better than you could buy. Best of luck

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Midchuck
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 07:48 AM

The question should be, reattach the top?

As is is, you have a nice salad bowl and some well-seasoned stove wood. Quit while you're ahead, and buy a guitar.

Peter. (And I don't say this because I'm a snob about guitars made out of synthetic materials - I've got a CA that I'm quite fond of. It's just the sound of Ovations in particular. Besides, they are impossible to play if you have a...prosperous...figure. The two convex surfaces slide away from one another.)

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Midchuck
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 07:50 AM

Interesting screw-up there. I tried to type Why reattach the top with why formatted for underlining, and it went away instead. So maybe the gods smile on Ovations in spite of me.

P.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: erinmaidin
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 10:35 AM

I'd use a sledge hammer....hit it exactly right and maybe...just maybe...it will bond?

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Cluin
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 11:19 AM

I've got an Applause MAE-148 mandolin. The top hasn't come loose but the finish on the top has a nice deep crack from the end of the fretboard to the bridge. It happened due to the temperature change one winter from the cold car to the warm house. No ill effects from it structurally that I can find.

However, last year the bridge blew apart. The culprit was those holes drilled across it for the strings to go through. It is a common technique used on Ovation & Applause guitars too. Not too wise, IMO, since it creates a very weak spot waiting to split, especially on a small-bridged mando with eight strings running through it. Took it out of the case at one practice and was horrified to see the bridge split apart and the strings dangling every which way. Cost me about 45 bucks to have a local repairman put a new bridge (ordered from Kaman) on it. Plays just as good as new now.

Also, this spring, I had to do a bit of refurbishing work on the thing. Had to replace the tuners with some new ones ordered from Stew-Mac because one had a split knob that wouldn't hold together when it was reglued. The newer tuners are better and the things holds tune better with them. Also, the neck was pulling forward and away from the body at the heel. So I took off the strings, bored a small hole through the neck heel into the hollow body and put a bolt through it, squirted in some epoxy and bolted the neck heel down tight to the body of the mando. Problem solved. Added a strap button to the neck heel too.

It's not a real easy mandolin to play (the unison strings are too far apart and too close to the adjacent strings for good picking, it seems to be more of a strummer), but the pickup/preamp/on-board EQ in it is just great and is pretty well balanced with my guitar, so I use it a lot. I don't much care how it looks; it's a gigging machine. As long as it holds together and makes a joyful sound, I'm happy.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Terry K
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 01:36 PM

"As I've got older I found my Ovation getting further and further away from me so I removed the back and refitted it the other way around. Now its a perfect fit and I can reach again. Sounds like shit of course, but really no worse than before".

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 04:40 PM

Hi being a Connecticut resident I know Ovation is over in New Hartford Ct . Information told me the main # is 1/860/379/7575 .. I think the person to call is at that ### They should be able to stear you in the right direction .Good luck with your repair .Ive known lots of great people who have worked for them over the years. All the best , Guy Wolff

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 10:07 PM

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 10:15 PM

I picked up an Ovation that was a basket case bridge ripped off top all cracked.Someone had put steel strings in it [it was a classical] brought it to Ovation in New Hartford and in 3 weeks it was better than new. all for $110 It plays and sounds better than my 2 Martins.   The service is great. Phone them and see what they have to say.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 05:06 PM

I got a very nice phone call from the service department over in New Hartford today and i asked if they might look into this thread to add any help . He told me they do have a repair department... All the best

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From:
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 01:18 PM

I have a 1974 Ovation Legend that I absolutley love. The volume control know is causing me a problem. Does anyone know where I can get it repaired or where I can buy the part and replace it myself?

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: sed
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 01:17 PM

I've been away from mudcat a long time but have been thinking about it lately. The Ovation mentioned mucho months back still needs a repair job. Also the first position frets need replacing and the fretboard is gouged from so many D, A, C, A minor and G chords, I'd guess. The electric pickup never worked. The strap button near the neck came off years ago and my friend Fred Norrell helped me replace it with a large nut and bolt!!!! (industrial quality, of course). The factory replaced the plastic inlay around the round hole on the soundboard when I was traveling around the country many years back. I met some good folks at the factory. It used to be a shoe factory right next to a river. They must have had a water wheel for power back in the 1800's? Maybe someday I'll just send the guitar the 1100 miles 'nawth' to the folks who know best.... But my Hohner import is playable and so I tickle the strings on that little fellow rather frequently until the Ovation is magically repaired by the cobblers elves. (remember that classic tale? The poor old craftman and his devoted wife prospered after all!)

I hope everyone is well and enjoying something about life enough to keep on keeping on. I am, thankfully! Praise God!

Steve 'Sed' Sedberry
down in Georgia, USA

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Mike uk
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 05:42 PM

Top separation is a common problem on earlier 0vations. The back and sides are quite rigid whilst the top is more flexible and subject to temperature and moisture variations. An epoxy repair will work for a while but if separation has happened, expect it to return

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 12 Jun 09 - 11:07 PM

A friend got a new top for his Ovation

I told him, "Nice trade."

He's learning how to spin it real good from what his wife tells me!

Art

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 05:27 PM

I need a whole new top for my Ovation 1867 Legend, does anyone have any clue how much this might cost me???

- Dan in Nebraska

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

Sed here is a 800 number for Stewart MacDonald 800-848-2273 from 9AM until 6PM EST weekdays and they have one of the finest repairman in the business. They also have a free catalogue that is filled with everything a person would ever need to repair any instrument He sends out repair tips on the internet at least twice a month with all the instruction Their web is stewmac.comI don't know theperson's name but they will give it to you if you contact them. Louie

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 09:37 PM

Noticed, at a community sing last week, that the top of a friend' guitar was splitting pretty bad. Looked to see what it was when I had a chance. Ovation.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: banjoman
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 06:33 AM

I am surprised at the problems that people seem to be having with ovations. I bought my Folklore back in 1982 and it has mellowed beautifully over the years and has seen service in the band and travelled widely. Never had a problem apart from replacing the Tone/Volume control which Ovation themselves were very helpful about.
I would suggest that the sort of repairs mentioned would be best refereed to the original makers

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Slim Chasteen
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 06:05 PM

If you relocate the instrument you may have cracking issues especially if it is to someplace bone dry like Colorado. I often see other Ovation lovers, [i like em too] sayng they have never had a problem. Then I find out they are in a location with a reasonably humid climate or they have not been in an arid climate for long. Or they have not relocated across the country.

About 6 months after moving to CO I got the first crack in mine and it now has 3 more even though I have taken every precaution to keep it well humidified since that first crack. None of my all wood instruments cracked but I keep them humidified well too! Whe I bought my guitar in teh 70s Ovation did not mention any potential issue but NOIW they take precautions to mention it quite firmly in ther manual.

It is VERY WELL DOCUMENTED in CO that your Ovation with a real wood top will crack or loosen up if you leave it out of the case and/or do not make strong efforts to keep it humidified.

2 cents
Slim

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:01 PM

I had an Applause guitar where the top came up from the bowl. I used Epoxy (with a 30 minute setting time) from Home Depot to re-attach it, and it worked great. First I inserted a few kitchen butter knives between the guitar bowl and top to keep them separated while I applied the epoxy into the crack using a thin piece of plastic for an applicator. Then after all the epoxy was in place, I used 2" wide paper masking tape strips (around 12" long) to hold the top down to the bowl. I taped these strips all around the location which was glued. The tape worked great at pulling the top down onto the bowl, and keeping it in place while the epoxy dried. Then after 24 hours, I removed the tape (came up easily) and the top was reattached and looked great, almost as good as new. The epoxy feels solid, and I doubt it will ever come off.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:19 PM

Continued from my above post ...

When you use the masking tape to attach the top to the bowl, tape half of the strip to the guitar top first, then firmly pull the other half of the strip in a downward direction before taping it to the side of the bowl. This will help join the two parts together as close as possible. The paper masking tape works just as good as clamps. Be sure to use enough strips to completely surround the area being repaired.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

I have an Ovation 1112 Baladeer that I'm putting a new top on. I need to see a picture of the x bracing to get everything put together correctly. Anyone help me??

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 10:39 AM

Mentioned above about a mando bridge: However, last year the bridge blew apart.

Mandolin bridges seem to be under much higher stress than one might expect. A few years back the bridge on mine cracked in the middle of an extended festival, and there seemed to be no place within 200 miles that had a replacement. The only piece of really hard wood I could find was half of a spring-style clothespin (which is really tough to whittle with a pocket knife) but my "handmade" replacement lasted for about three years before I found a shop back home that had a "real" bridge to replace it. (And I carried the new bridge around for a few months before the clothespin split and I had to put the new one on.)

John

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 02:10 AM

I have two ovations, live in Arizona where its hot, and both have seperated at neck. Both i had to glue back on. One seperated already.

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,pastor ray
Date: 26 Apr 17 - 10:56 PM

I don't even know if everyone is still alive here. But my Ovation Pinnacle which was a special gift and turned out to be just an incredible guitar, and I just had my hands on Martin, Takamine and a couple others today, they all felt like toys compared to the neck on my guitar, anyway, the guitar has always had a thing about letting go of the strap at the bottom,   and the guitar quickly pendulums down, btu I always had my foot there. Two weeks ago the guitar swung loose and smacked hard, and about 12 inches of the rounded bottom area you know diagonal to the high E string, that area is separated, cannot string it or play it. This guitar is my only family left, everyone else is gone. I need it but my ministry is not one that brings money in as I help addicts etc and they really are not tithers. can I simply glue it? but it has to be held up and down together side to side you know all that . Please advise
thank you

Subject: RE: Ovation Guitar: how to reattach top?
From: GUEST,pastor ray
Date: 26 Apr 17 - 10:59 PM

was I supposed to leave my email? I didn't so [e-mail] thank you