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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | A merry christmas to all of you guys.
I wanted to share some good news. My parents got me an Ovation 12 string for christmas. I belive its a Balladeer from the 80s, although I'll confirm that tomarrow ( or i guess its later today...).
This thing plays so well its ridiculous. It manges to have the lowest action on any auostic guitar I've ever seen, even though its a 12 string. It is very playable, the only gripe I have is the sound is just a bit too jangly with not enough meat to it. I'll probably get some thicker gauge strings on it when I get the chance.
I just wanted to share the joy with people I knew would know where I'm coming from. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Congratulations! and Emjoy it! |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Congratulations! |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | I got coal and a can of nuts. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | More than you probably deserve |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | Merry Christmas.........I got switches and rocks in my socks.........to each his own.
Oh yeah.........I did get the latest Victoria Secrets catalog in the day before. Great reading there my friends!
:D |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays! I got some very nice presents, materially speaking, but the very best one was that my wife actually cheered up today. I was afraid it was going to be a tough day, but so far so good.
Second best is that I think I've gotten the boss to approve some GAS relief...so, Al, get me those pics and specs. :) |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 47
Location: Seattle Tacoma Washington | Merry Christmas to all. I wouldn't even ask the wife for more guitars this year. But she did manage to find a very nice treat for me.
John Lennon: Acoustic
Has a couple of very nice Ovation photos front and back. After listening to it I'd say the recordings are mostly done on the guitar pictured. Very nice. Love to see two of my favorites come together (Ovation and Lennon). Best wishes for the new year. Any news of another mothership visit?
God Bless! Play on, Pray for Peace!!!!
:) :) Glenn |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | So its a custom balladeer. I haven't had tiem to place the exact date yet but I belive it's early 80s.
I have the guitar in standard tuning but I was wondering you guys knew of any fun tunings for a 12 string that I could play around with.
It is a beauty of a guitar, and it plays so amazingly well. I have a Celeb and an Elite( on loan) and this one plays better than both, and has a lower action. It's amazing.
I can't wait to show the Taylor players at my church tomarrow. "Beat that guys!"
:D |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Fun tunings???
Open G: DGDGBD
Scale is 002010, 004030, 005050, 007070, 009080, 00 10 0 10 0, 00 12 0 12 0
DADGAD is cool and there are a lot of helpful sites on the internet! |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Advice....check the neck for twist before getting carried away with heavier strings...12-strings have a tendency for that(I have an early 80s 1118 Glen Campbell 12-string that has a neck twist, which will require an eventual neck reset). Good action indicates it is in decent adjustment now, though.
12-strings DO tend to be jangly, even with heavier strings.
Cool guitar, though, and I hope you enjoy it! :)
Roger |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | It seems pretty straight to me. I was thinking of mabye just going up to mediums, assuming the ones on it already are lights. They feel light, at least.
I'll see about getting some pictures up. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Becareful with mediums on a 12 string. That's a lot of tension. When you put them on, watch the top to make certain that it doesn't pull up too much behind the bridge. With mediums, you might consider tuning down one note. |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | I'd be worried except that right now the action is verrrry low, as in lower than the Elite I have on loan.
So if the action is that low that implies that there isn't very much tension, is'nt that right? So going up a gauge shouldnt be a problem? |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Action is a distance measurement from string to fret. Tension isn't directly part of the equation except that the lower the tension the easier it may be to "bend" the string as you press on it. Medium gauge strings and 12-strings don't mix well. Most players who like to use mediums, drop the tuning by 1-2 half steps to keep the tension lower (closer to the tension of light gauge strings). |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | How should I tell if there is too much tension on the guitar if action has nothing to do with it? I'd like to try mediums ( i usually use heavy but I figure I'll just go to medium for the 12 string) at standard tuning, but if it is too much tension, then I will lower it. I'm just wondering how to tell. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | You can certainly try mediums. Just keep a close eye on the bridge and neck. If the bridge starts to come up, or the neck angle or straightness changes then you could abandon ship. It may work fine. It's just my observation that the few people I know who use mediums tune down 1-2 half steps. Also, so manufacturers (not ovation) actually stamp right inside the guitar "use light gauge strings only". You may want to try using mediums but tune down 2 half steps and see how it is, then move it up a half step and check again, and finally if all seems OK tune it up to normal pitch. But keep checking it, don't just tune it to normal pitch and put it away in a case. You may come back a few weeks later and have a big surprise when you open the case. Also try the search function on this site. I know quite some time ago someone did the calculations of tension for mediums vs. light gauge strings. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | When I first got my Adamas 12 (Big Blue), almost 9 years ago, I figured that I put mediums on everything else, might as well put them on the 12. The guitar held them, but the belly bulge was very pronounced. I took them off pretty quickly.
I'd go with Dave's reccomendation and tune down from an E to a D. |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | hmmmmmm.... |
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Merry Christmas!