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#1
11-09-2015, 11:24 AM
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What is the cost of replacing an Ovation top?
Looked at a Ovation 1617-7 today...was hoping it wasn't as far gone as it was. The top was very warped and had several long deep cracks.
What is the cost of replacing a top/would it be worth it?
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special 
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#3
11-09-2015, 12:05 PM
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All top cracks are "deep", as in they go all the way through. Some are not separated and might appear to a "surface crack" but put some naphtha on it and you'll see wetting on the underside of the top. That said, they can likely be repaired if low cost and utility are the goals.
Making, bracing, installing, and finishing a new top would have to cost $1,000 or more, so monetarily, it would be a losing proposition. If you can do the work yourself and want the project as a learning experience. Or if you want to try some special bracing and money spent vs. resale value is unimportant, then it could be an interesting but costly project.
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#4
11-09-2015, 12:14 PM
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Quote:
I wouldn't bother unless the guitar means A LOT to you for whatever reason. I wonder if anyone ever "re-bowl'ed" an Ovation? 
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#5
11-10-2015, 09:46 PM
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You should ask your (or a local) luthier. What it would cost one place could be half as much or twice as much as another location/luthier. As intimated, it won't be cheap so the guitar should be one you really want repaired - or a really good Ovation that needs to be brought back. Getting it as is for a great deal would be the best start.
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#8
11-11-2015, 07:43 AM
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Ovation is back up and running in New Hartford, you should probably contact them and see if replacing the top is feasible.
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#9
11-11-2015, 07:59 AM
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It begs the question - why would you want to? Can the bowl and the neck be so wonderful as to warrant such an operation? Much of the sound quality is going to come from the top, anyway, so it would appear to make more sense to buy a new guitar with a new top and new everything else.
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#10
11-11-2015, 08:08 AM
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I don't think that would be a cost effective move. Those guitars aren't of the quality that would warrant such a costly repair, unless this particular guitar has other intrinsic value to you.
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McCollum Grand Auditorum Euro Spruce/Brazilian PRS Hollowbody Spruce PRS SC58 Giffin Vikta Gibson Custom Shop ES 335 '59 Historic RI ‘91 Les Paul Standard ‘52 AVRI Tele - Richie Baxt build Fender American Deluxe Tele Fender Fat Strat
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#11
11-11-2015, 08:19 AM
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Quote:
-Soupy
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I have bought and sold more guitars in my day, than frogs eat flies; Yamaha, Taylor, Washburn, Gibson, Martin, Ovation, Epiphone....you name it! One thing I've learned over the years however...........I ain't gonna be worth JACK, if I don't PRACTICE!!
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#12
11-11-2015, 08:39 AM
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I know from your other post that this one was for sale for only $50--so if you like to play it and it sounds good, use it as a roughing-it guitar. If you would never play it, save the $50.
Both my nylon guitars have repaired cracks, and both sound fine. Plus, there is great freedom in having guitars that are already cracked! The whole thing about used Ovations is that they don't cost that much. Go buy one already in a condition that you like.
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2010 Allison D (German spruce/Honduran mahogany) 2014 Sage Rock "0" (sitka spruce/Honduran mahogany) 2016 Martin CEO-7 (Adi spruce/sipo) 1976 Ovation 1613-4 nylon--spruce top 1963 Guild Mark II nylon--spruce top
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#14
11-11-2015, 11:20 AM
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Mucho misinformed speculation being tossed around as valid inofrmation. A top repair at the Ovation factory is not going to cost $1000 for example. I will suggest what others have suggested, contact John Budny at Ovation. In fact, send him the pictures and see what he says. You will not find a friendlier person anywhere on the planet. FWIW, it is often easier to replace the entire top and bowl assembly than to put a new top on the original bowl. I've done this many times, and the only times it exceeded a grand involved serious customizations.
Send the pictures here: [email protected] I wish I could be more specific with prices, but the factory just re-opened 2 weeks ago with DW Drums as the new owners. I have no idea what they may or may not have done to the pricing structures for repairs. I will tell you one thing though: If you have them do this, you will get a guitar back that looks brand, spanking new. The craftsman there are very, VERY good at what they do. Here is what the last one I sent in with a cracked top looks like now. I flat-out defy anyone to find a better guitar for the price you will invest.   
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Well, it looks like one of those desiderata days..... MY OVATIONS Spruce: Patriot #76, 1768-7LTD, 1122, 6774, 1779 USA, 1657-Adi Redwood: 2001-X, 1537-X, 1713-X, FD14-X, Dan Savage 5743-X Koa: 2078LXF, 1768-X, 1997-X 12-string: 1755, 1615-X Walnut Exotic tops: 1768-XWF (Bubinga), 1987-M (Mahogany), Adamas 1681-X (Q. Maple) Others: MM-68-7LTD Mandolin, MM-868-X Mandocello
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#15
11-11-2015, 03:14 PM
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What did you pay for the last one you sent? (I know it will be different for every different case) Did they just fix the top or replace the top and bowl? Was the burst a customization?
Looks amazing! That is why I am considering doing it. The 1617-7 is beautiful, so I feel if I can get it fixed for under $500 it is entirely worth it.
__________________
---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special
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