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July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: MA | I am hoping someone has advise on getting a brighter sound out of my O. It's an american made balladeer 1771lx (purchased new 2 years ago) that just never really opened up with time.I had lowered the action and favor light guage strings. I have tried heavier string gauges and have returned the action to the factory setting with only marginal effect. Is there anything else that might help? I realize it may not be a top of the line O, but I thought the balladeers were a decent ovation. Plays great, feels great, just sounds a little flat. Any ideas would be appreciated. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Have you tried different strings? Like 80/20 vs. phosphor bronze? Experiment and see what happens. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Bobbo's right. Try a light gauge 80/20 phospher string. Heavier srings will sound less bright but give you more tone.
Also, you want the saddle at a medium height so there's a decent string break angle over it. This puts plenty of pressure on the saddle and gives you tone and brightnes. A lot of electric players immediately lower the saddle as far as possible and sacrifice that tone...... |
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Joined:
July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: MA | Thanks for the sugestions, yes I use martin 80/20 phosphor bronze strings. I did try out various other brands and gauges.I do like the way the O plays with low action and did initially lower the action to much, but have since returned most of the shims. I know there is a difference in sound between models and of course no 2 guitars (same model) will sound exactly alike. I have a Takamine naturals (EAN10c)that I have been gravitating to. The cedar/mahogany gives it a warm midrange sound. With my Ovation's spruce top I was hoping for a guitar with a crisper sound. I do get the spruce sound only somwhat flat. I knew they were going to start the Balladeer production overseas so I purchased one of the last USA made models. Has anyone heard of quality control issues towards the end of this models US run? I must say It does look like its put together well.
Thanks again. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Is this an acoustic brightness you're looking for? You might ask somebody else to play it for you, then stand back maybe five feet and listen to what it sounds like straight on. What we hear behind the guitar is not what others hear from the front. Or are you plugged in? I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to dial in whatever level of brightness you're looking for. What gear is included in your signal chain? |
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July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: MA | I currently have no plans for amplification. After a lengthy break from playing I resumed playing a few years ago. I no longer have electic guitars or amps. Just a little acoustic playing for relaxation. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | 80/20 and phosphor bronze are two different formulations. 80/20 are brighter, at least to my ear (and also the chart on the back of the GHS packaging, :) ). There's others you can try too, included Pyramids with the silver plating. Maybe have a local luthier take a look at the nut and see if maybe that's your issue. Of course, it could also be that you just got a dud - it's been known to happen. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I just replaced the D'Addario EJ16s I had on the 04 Custom Legend with some Martin 80/20s. I can't remember if they are phosphor bronze or not. I noticed less crispness, even though the D'Adds were old and looked grungy. |
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July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: MA | Thanks for all the input. I will try changing the strings and talking to local luthier. Hopefully it not a "dud". |
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April 2008
Posts: 19
| You're not using a flat pick, are you? |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | How old are the strings on it?
What are they? |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Is this an acoustic brightness you're looking for? You might ask somebody else to play it for you, then stand back maybe five feet and listen to what it sounds like straight on. If you have a picture window or a patio door, stand in front of it and play.
The sound will bounce off of the glass. (Flat solid wall would work too)
Ovations do sound totally different from the front.
When I first read your post I grabbed my 1771LX, mine sounds okay but it needs to open-up too.
Mine was a display model, so it didn't get played enough to open-up, just enough to get Scratched-up.
I am guilty of not playing it often enough... I play my T's mostly.
But I was gonna recommend different strings... But you say you've tried that.
As they say, changing strings is the cheapest way to change your guitar. |
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Joined:
September 2010
Posts: 36
Location: Denver, CO | Changing the strings will give you the easiest and quickest tone change. Try 3 or four different string sets. Do an 80/20, do a Phos. Bronze, do a coated Elixer, try a set of Martin Marquis and Martin SP's. You'll need to try lights and mediums. If you're looking for a brighter sound though I would try a set of Elixer Nanowebs. Enjoy the experimenting. |
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Joined:
July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: MA | I was using martin 80/20 light gauge strings. I tried medium gauge as well. I have tried elixer strings and others as well. I usually change my strings every 4 to 5 weeks ocasionally sooner. I just put on a set of martin sp phosphor bronze strings with no significant change. I am starting to think its the guitar. It's a sharp looking guitar and plays great, but what good is that if it has a dead sound. I grew up watching alot of my musical influences playing Ovations and always wanted one in my collection. I am not saying Ovations are not for me, but...... its a shame my first purchase ended up like this. I have played a couple of Ovations over the years that did sound great. Maybe that sweet cedar/mahogany combo Tak of mine has just spoiled me. Thank you all for your sage advice! |
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Flat Sound Help