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I have a young man bringing in a 82 Ovation Balladeer to have a bar fight crack repaired. Does anyone know what type of finish Ovation used in the 80's. I would suspect it to be nitro. I have not seen it yet but will be at the shop this evening. I don't believe they were using polyester finishs in the 80's but I don't know for sure.MichaelP38426.5922337963

They've used both nitro and poly finishes. They are pretty easy to tell apart. Generally, the nitro shrinks into the grain lines and the poly doesn't. The poly also looks thicker. If you are unsure, you can test the finish with a little super glue remover (or acetone)on a Q-tip. Wet the Q-tip and run it across the finish in an area you can rub out or in the damaged area where it won’t matter. Then quickly wipe the area with a dry paper towel. The solvent will leave marks on the nitro, but it won’t even touch the poly.

Thanks Neil. He just brought it by. That surprises me that they were using poly in 80's. I new I could confirm if it was nitro.

There are two cracks both with the grain. One about 1.5" from the lower bout edge running from side intersection to side intersection. The other one right on the centerline from lower bout to just short of the bridge. The one near the edge has risen about 1/16 equally both sides of the crack. The one on the centerline is pretty much level. No real gaping in either. I haven't put the inspection mirror in side yet but I don't think this repair will be difficult. It looks to me that they have been there a while. It has affected intonation. It is playing flat past the 7th fret. It is in need of a fret job as well. I swore i was going to get out of the proper work..........Ho well
MichaelP38426.6889236111

Tell him to use the mike stand next time...they work better and cost less to replace.

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

The story I was told was that a fight broke out and the guitar was knocked off the stand and fell off stage on to the back of a chair. but I was told that It happened a couple months ago. After looking the guitar over I think it has been in this condition for quite some time. The bridge and top are very slightly starting to belly in towards the sound hole The guitar is play out of tune past 7th fret, the action very low.