another Ovation dilemma...

[Mike Kolb]

Jeesh, March has been 'Ovation Month' for me around here... and here's the latest puzzler.  Arriving into the shop this weekend was an older Ovation "Matrix", model #1132 with some  common problems... the bridge is warped and pulling-up, the nut has been cut too low and ---oh yes-- could I please redress the frets?  And that's where the fun starts.

It seems that the Ovation Matrix has a metal fretboard set into a wood (mahogany?) neck. The fretboard is cast aluminum and... by all appearances... the frets were cast right along with the fretboard when it was made. The request for a fret dress was brought on by small chips in the frets. Those chips appear to be dings in a layer of chrome plating that was applied over the top of the cast aluminum frets.

Regarding cast frets and their chrome plating... are my observations correct?  And, of course, the biggest question... now what?!  If a standard fret dress were performed, the chrome would go bye-bye and the strings would be sitting on frets of defenseless aluminum, right? 

Could a fellow grind-down the frets, mills some slots and then install standard frets in this beast? Or am I really missing something here? Did I mention I'm learning to really dislike Ovations?  This guitar, by the way, has steel strings with fan bracing... and it sounds terrific.  All help appreciated.

[Mike Kolb]

OK, got the neck off (2 bolts, no waiting) and took a few shots.... then took some pictures, too. The plot thickens....it seems that the neck itself is some sort of molded phenolic or resin, which was then bonded to the aluminum slab. Does this company have no shame at all?

To be fair, this was made in 1979 and was a short-lived model. And only fair to reinforce that this really is a great-sounding guitar.... maybe a little neck-heavy, but a good sound, nonetheless.

The neck dots are all gone, showing the aluminum pretty well... as does the finger wear under the paint. Interesting binding, too.... sitting about 1/8" proud of the top. No glue on the fingerboard extension; none needed... and it sat nice & flat to the top with no discernible gap.

Three pictures attached and three more in a minute. If the customer wants to go with my "grind 'n fill" plan, I'll send updates as it unfolds.

[Mike Kolb]

The other three.....

[Pierre-Antoine Roiron]

Thanks for the pictures.
The binding could seem strange, but quite usual considering their rosace : http://www.ovationguitars.com/pics/models/1982B_sm.jpg

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

If you're even considering milling this POS, why not mill the "fingerboard" down, and epoxy a wood fingerboard to it?

The owner should be willing to pay you anything you want for this job, however you want to tackle it. And I'd get at least half, up front, because it reeks of customer "buyer's remorse".

[Alan Cangemi]

Mike,

Strip the Ovation down to it's plastic bowl. Throw out everything except the bowl.....make a nice salad, toss it in the bowl and serve. Forget there was ever a facsimile of a guitar attached to it.....and your new "salad bowl" will be a nice conversation piece for years to come.

AC

[Mike Kolb]

I like the thinking.... but with my luck, the dressing would all run out the output jack hole! There's a chance that (through the board here) a standard-fretboard neck (non-aluminum) can be obtained, if that's the direction the owner wishes to go.

In any event, it's all been a learning experience... and Ovations can always be counted on for their tutorial value, if nothing else.

[Tim Mace]

my condiments exactly.......

[Mike Kolb]

I relish the job, but sometimes it can be a real pickle. Lettuce stop for a moment and consider oil of the options.

Sorry, I'm punned-out and the lawn needs mowing!

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

Have you gotten significant money upfront, for this?

[Mike Kolb]

Nope... not a farthing nor a ha'penny. But this particular customer has given me lots of work over the years and we have an understanding. He buys his guitars on 'shopgoodwill.com' and brings them to me for whatever they need... be it large or small.

I can take my sweet time and he trusts I'll do whatever's needed. I, on the other hand, trust that he'll not grumble and will pay when the works done. So far, we've had a good relationship and he seems happy, so there's no need for boat-rocking.

[mike carne]

Hello?
When this 1st started I thought-new fingerboard-now you've got the neck off I'm thinking new neck.
Am I missing something here?

[Mike Kolb]

No, not missing a thing, Mike.... the neck came off with 2 bolts and no glue whatsoever. The body's in good shape (a new bridge is on the way, but that's the easy part) so it's just simpler to ponder this neck on it's own, without the round bowlback rocking everything back and forth.

No 'new fingerboard' being considered. Since the whole thing is cast aluminum, I'll either be knocking-down the cast frets and replacing them with real ones.... OR... just replace the whole silly neck altogether. There's a fellow on this board who has a neck (with a real honest-to-goodness wood fretboard!) that appears like it'll bolt right on.

In any event, no decision's been made on which way to go. If the replacement neck can be had inexpensively, it's a viable option. If not, the aluminum fretboard gets slotted and away we go. Film at eleven.