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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Buffalo, NY | OK I'm hooked. Since my friend sold me his Balladeer 1611 I've been absolutely blown away by these guitars. I've also recently acquired two other models: an 1111-6 "whiteface" which is in incredible condition especially for it's age and a backup Ovation Ultra 1511 for live shows.
My question though is about the Ultra - specifically adjusting the intonation. It is a USA made model with a Urelite (aluminum?) neck. The action's fine but she's about 1/4 step sharp at the 12th fret. Any thoughts on how to correct this? It doesn't seem like I'd be able to adjust the neck at all, so I'm kind of at a loss. Any help is greatly appreciated.
So what are some favorite models out there? I'm still new so I'm getting ramped up. I played a 1651 Balladeer that I really liked, wish I could find one out there for me...:-) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I don't know how to fix the problem but welcome to the board :)
Nils |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Welcome to the board!
Like Nils, I cannot help you with your question. A lot of the members who might have an answer have gone to the OFC factory tour and will be out of touch with the board for a few days, so be patient.
noel |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | This might be a job for Kim at Ovation to advise on... They might have some compensated saddles to offer. The thing is, I can envision, in O's way of doing things, they might offer bass side, treble side and total compensation, and in either direction.
However - if you're running strings that differ from the factory norm by more than a little, or if the action is set outside factory spec... could be the root cause of the problem there too.
And, look close at the saddle - has it been altered in an attempt to change the action? That would perhaps change its compensation at the same time - so maybe you might need a replacement "original" rather than compensated saddle.
Lots of variables... thats why it might be better to ask Kim what the best thing is. If you called Ovation (after the tour) it might be nice to have the the string gauge, amount each string was off, which direction it was off, and have the strings removed with the saddle able to be looked at - a magnifier might help too if he asks you to look at things up close.
Unless they need to custom file a saddle for you, I dont think you'd have to send the guitar back. But, if you did, by all accounts it'll come back very playable, and looking as showroom as they can get it (they like to fix minor cosmetic damage for ya at the same time). |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Glad you love the new toys!... You're one of the very few people (other than me..teh..hee) that has one of the 1111-6 white face beauties!... I love mine and now I'm looking for a different "office" guitar... I've had my old original guitar at the office but after getting my 1976 1111-6 and playing it at the house so much I want an Ovation for the office to let all the people who come thru see and hear the greatness of the O's. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Welcome to the board!! Feeling a bit GASsy yet? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 9
Location: Indianapolis , Indiana | Welcome, It's been a while since I've been here myself. Looks like a lot of people have joined since the last time I was here. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Marcnorth,
Member #11 and only three posts? wow.
Brad |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Try all the stuff CharlieB said for intonation. Another way is for it to go back to the factory and have the saddle slot plugged and rerouted. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | They do that? I'm impressed! |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Buffalo, NY | Hey folks - thanks for the warm welcome...and all the suggestions! Hadn't thought about the strings but makes sense to me. Once I got the guitar I put Elixir mediums on it. I think the mediums run a bit on the heavy side so that would account some extra tension - and throwing the intonation off.
Regrettably I won't make the tour this year - but next year I'll have something to look forward to! |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 119
Location: Georgia USA | I'm kinda in there with you, csquier. Now that I've been ordained (that's a joke... Deacon... ordained... never mind) on the 'lectric side, it's just a matter of time until I upgrade my acoustic to Ovation. Only problem is, I dreamed last night that I was playing an Ovation acoustic, and it was a horrible guitar. I'd better get over to the guitar store and try one out to put the kabosh on that kind of stinkin' thinkin'.
Actually, I hve played a friend's O before, and the narrow neck turned me off, but I reckon there's one out there for me.
Anyway, even though I'm new too... welcome.
Jas |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Jas, get you an old wide neck Adamas slothead. ;) Also, the Folklore models, both old and new have wider necks and are great guitars. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 119
Location: Georgia USA | Thanks, Goob. That's the kind of advice I was needing. Hope supper was good. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Jas...maybe in your dream you were playing a Celebrity. :eek: Be sure to look for USA Ovations. There are some nice offshore Ovations around but you can get some bad ones too. |
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New Ovation addict !- 1st post