A question if I may...
Oddball
Posted 2011-10-23 8:09 PM (#347727)
Subject: A question if I may...


Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 843

Location: CA
I have a CV68, which as you know is the cheaper, foreign-built version of the US-built EA68. It is a beautiful guitar that sat virtually used in a closet for years. I got it cheap because "the pickup didn't work" according to the seller.

Well, it wasn't the pickup, it was the electronic package in the side of the guitar. Apparently someone put the 9-v battery in wrong (or something) and fried the electronics. I waited patiently until I found a replacement on eBay and bought the whole pickup assembly — all brand new components — for $40. Such a deal.

Here's the question: On the CV, the bridge saddle — the white plastic thing that the strings go over — is symmetrical. In other words, all the saddles are the same, and the string lengths are therefore the same. However, the 'new' kit I got, which was advertised as being for an EA68, has I guess what's called a 'compensated' bridge. On this white plastic thing, the 'B' string is staggered a bit to one side, which would make the B string on that guitar slightly longer.

Why would the CV and EA have different string lengths since they are, at least outwardly, identical? The CV seemed to tune up fine with its stock bridge, but of course I thought I'd "improve" things by putting the EA bridge on there, so I did. Now I think it intonates improperly on the B. Easy enough to change back, I'm just curious why Ovation would do this.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
nikon4004
Posted 2011-10-23 8:33 PM (#347728 - in reply to #347727)
Subject: Re: A question if I may...


Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 1281

Location: Ohio
That is a compensated saddle. Adjusts the string elngth for intonation
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jonmark Stone
Posted 2011-10-23 8:57 PM (#347729 - in reply to #347727)
Subject: Re: A question if I may...


Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565

Location: Indiana
First, the CV has the Celebrity thinline PU installed, the EA has the wider Ovation original patented PU.

The CV thinline was shipped with a straight saddle. Ovation eventually developed a compensated saddle for the Celeb thinline series PU. It shortens the B string for improved intonation. If you ask the mothership nicely, they might send you one. It's a direct replacement and an easy switch for the original. I did it to one of mine.

There are other significant differences between the two models as well. The CV lacks the string through body bridge and has a much different neck profile... just to name a couple.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jonmark Stone
Posted 2011-10-23 9:12 PM (#347730 - in reply to #347727)
Subject: Re: A question if I may...


Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565

Location: Indiana
Sorry... I see now you already have the replacement.
You just carefully pull the old saddle away from the PU assembly and snap the new one in it's place. It's worth doing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page