Ovation Restoration Page

Ovations Being Rescued

This page will document my work on my Ovations as I bring them back to life. Keep checking in from time to time to see how it is going. If anyone has any tips or hints, feel free to E-mail me at ovationrestoration@overacker.com

January 27, 2003


Ovation 1986 Collector #1 This 1986 Ovation Collector Edition was dropped. The guitar is in okay shape, but a look at the picture to the right shows the top damage.	Ovation 1986 Collector #1 Here is the damage to the top at the waist. Nice spider crack there. I seriously doubt that it cracked the top, but there is another problem.

Ovation 1986 Collector #1 This is a crack in the bowl on the Ovation. I really do not have a clue on how to fix this, but I will give it a shot. I was really hoping not to take the top off of this guitar, but it is starting to look like I might because...	Ovation 1986 Collector #1 ... The bridge is starting to pull away from the top, and there is deformation in the top that will need to be addressed. I might be better of just sending this one to the artful hands at Ovation. Stay Tuned.

Ovation 1986 Collector #2 This is the headstock of the second 1986 Collector. If you think that is nice, check out the next picture.	Ovation 1986 Collector #2 Ouch. But the bowl is intact. This guitar is in many pieces, but much of the disassembly is already done, so all I have to do is put it together. I will be updating the photos as work is done.

January 28, 2003


Ovation 1986 Collector #2 The 1986 Ovation Collector Edition headstock was glued back together, and finish will applied to the break and polished.	Ovation 1986 Collector #2 Here is the top after being reassembled. The support braces for the breaks will be cut and applied, then shaved down to minimize inpact on the soundboard, yet still allow the top to resonate.

January 30, 2003

Ovation 1984 Collector
I just received this 1984 Collector Edition and it will be undergoing restoration with the two 1986 Collector Ovations. This guitar is in much better shape than the '86s, but there are some nasty pick scratches on the soundboard. I should be able to sand and buff down some of them, but a couple look like they may have to be filled. I have not decided on the fill material, but possibly superglue
Ovation 1984 Collector
Here is the damage to the headstock. Nice dent in the finish and wood. I will steam the compressed wood in the dent to expand it to original levels. Then some spot finishing and this will be taken care of.

Ovation 1984 Collector
This is chips in the finish along the binding on the base of the soundboard. A small fence along the bowl and some finish along the fence and then it will be ready to buff.
Ovation 1984 Collector
I just finished repairing the scratches in the soundboard, but now the repaired area looks better than the rest of the top, but it will have to stay that way for a while. Hope to work on the headstock this evening.

Ovation 1984 Collector
Here is the damage to the headstock, but now moisture and heat has been applied and the crushed wood is returned to its normal shape. There is no dent anymore. The wood is flush across the headstock. The only thing to do now is apply some matching color and clear.
Ovation 1986 Collector #2
The 1986 Ovation Collector Edition headstock was glued back together. The missing Mahogany wood was filled with Mahogany Wood filler. The filled area will be shaved down and prepped for finish.

Ovation 1986 Collector #2
The 1986 Ovation Collector Edition headstock was glued back together. This is the back of the headstock, and the filler is evident now, but will not be noticeable after the finish is applied.

This page was last updated on January 30, 2003

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Ovation 1984 Collector I just received this 1984 Collector Edition and it will be undergoing restoration with the two 1986 Collector Ovations. This guitar is in much better shape than the '86s, but there are some nasty pick scratches on the soundboard. I should be able to sand and buff down some of them, but a couple look like they may have to be filled. I have not decided on the fill material, but possibly superglue	Ovation 1984 Collector Here is the damage to the headstock. Nice dent in the finish and wood. I will steam the compressed wood in the dent to expand it to original levels. Then some spot finishing and this will be taken care of.

Ovation 1984 Collector This is chips in the finish along the binding on the base of the soundboard. A small fence along the bowl and some finish along the fence and then it will be ready to buff.	Ovation 1984 Collector I just finished repairing the scratches in the soundboard, but now the repaired area looks better than the rest of the top, but it will have to stay that way for a while. Hope to work on the headstock this evening.

Ovation 1984 Collector Here is the damage to the headstock, but now moisture and heat has been applied and the crushed wood is returned to its normal shape. There is no dent anymore. The wood is flush across the headstock. The only thing to do now is apply some matching color and clear.	Ovation 1986 Collector #2 The 1986 Ovation Collector Edition headstock was glued back together. The missing Mahogany wood was filled with Mahogany Wood filler. The filled area will be shaved down and prepped for finish.

Ovation 1986 Collector #2 The 1986 Ovation Collector Edition headstock was glued back together. This is the back of the headstock, and the filler is evident now, but will not be noticeable after the finish is applied.