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Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Philadelphia | I just purchased an older model of ovation 1866 12 string. I think it's 1996 edition.
The gap between the strings and the neck is bigger than I expected and it makes it really hard to play. Does anyone know whether I can use the key to tighten inside the body to make this gap smaller? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Before you do that, try taking a shim or 2 out from under the saddle. Truss rod adjustments should really only be done to correct neck relief issues (too much cup or bow), not action. If the saddle already sits low in its bridge slot, that would indicate a neck angle problem, possibly needing a neck re-set. |
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Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Philadelphia | may need to reset looks like there are no shims, original setup. I hope the body/neck is not a uni-body and can be adjusted. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| In that that case, you can try tweaking the truss rod (turning right tightens it, increasing the amount of bow and effectively lowering the strings). But beware of intonation issues, and don't turn it more than 1/4 turn before letting it settle overnight.
Re-set is no problem on these, other than expense. I had an 1869 from about that same time frame that needed a neck re-set. KK and JB took care of it easily. |
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April 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Philadelphia | sorry, not sure what KK or JB are, music stores? |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Customer service managers the at Ovation factory. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | if the neck needs a reset they take care of it for ya. |
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Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 9
Location: Philadelphia | thank you guys |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Some years ago, I purchased an 1866 new and discovered the same thing, that from the factory, the action was uncomfortably high. I can handle high action on a six string, but not a 12 string. I suspect it may have sat with the retailer for a long while. A couple of twists on the truss rod and removal of a shim took care of it. It was like night and day, and has been a joy to play since then. |
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Ovation 1866 12 string question