Ovation Kit

[sscovill]

I know some people don't like Ovation guitars, and some people just freakin' hate them, but I've always thought it would be fun to build one, or at least something similar.

I've never built an acoustic guitar and don't even know what is available as a "kit" out there. I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me and point me in the right direction.

Any help is appreciated.

Scovizzle

[duo2]

You can find acoustic guitar kits all over the internet but Im pretty sure you can't find an Ovation kit. Ovation guitars have a "roundback," and I haven't seen a single kit with a roundback. You would probably have to make one from scratch. And if you do decide to build one keep us posted.

[jer7440]

Stew-mac and martin both have accoustic guitar kits, but both are for traditional acoustic guitars. I haven't ever seen an ovation style kit before.

[mledbetter]

LMII is another kit soruce.. They have 2 types.. "serviced" and "unserviced" the serviced ones have a lot of stuff done for you.. he unserviced ones are pretty much a box of pre-dimensioned wood and parts. I have no clue about an ovation. But you'll get a much better sounding guitar if you get a kit and build it, as opposed to trying to find a plastic boat back, or salvaging on off an older ovation.

[crafty]

It'd be kinda cool to build an Ovation-style acoustic from scratch. I suppose if you were fairly handy with fiberglass and carved a mold for the bowl you could do it. I think you could probably find bracing patterns for the top on the web, too.

[mledbetter]

if you do that.. alter the curve that sits on your knee so the guitar doesn't want to shoot off your lap like an ovation

[selmac]

you could do a wooden bowl back, it would probably be easier than fiberglass or atleast more possible

something like these:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/bowlback.html

[sscovill]

Yeah, the only problem is that I'm a new "builder" and don't have the skills, knowledge or tools to build a bowl back myself. That's why I was hoping for a kit.

Thanks to all for the replies...

[Shamrock]

Just a thought but you may be able to do the back out of fiberglass mesh and resin. (the kind used for auto body repairs) If you could find a cheap pawn shop bowl back to use as the mold it shouldn't be that difficult.

I've never tried it but you never know. The most you would be out would be the cost of the pawn shop guitar and a few bucks at the auto parts store.

Just be sure to cover the guitar body with something if you plan to ever use it for anything again.

Again, I stress, I have never attempted this so it is just an opinion.