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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | I thought I'd share the progress of my little project here and maybe get some advice and ask a few questions.
Here's my starting point. Ovation Breadwinner I've owned for 20 plus years but haven't used much at all. I'm going to reinstall the original Torriodal Pickups and patch up the body abuse. I'm replacing the pickguard after I've explored the advantages or disadvantages of the already installed by previous owner attempt at (I believe) a phase switch.
Here's added switch wiring. Any comments on what it's function may be are welcomed as I've never been sure and now with the axe torn apart I can't experiment. It seems the previous owner told me it didn't do what he wanted it to so I could just ignore it. But I'm thinking maybe the option of both pickups on in phase might be a nice option to have. I don't remember the switch making any difference in the sound so maybe the preamp circuitry makes this option impossible.
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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | Here's my progress so far. Body patched up and paint patched up. The paint is a combination of a brushed on layer that was too gray and two colors of over spray blended to an "I got lucky" stage.
I didn't really want a complete repaint just a restoration. There is some finish age yellowing and a few chips, but since this will be a player, I'm not worried about it being perfect.
Now, as soon as the parts (pickups and guard) arrive and I learn to move around minus an arm and leg, I'll get on with reassembly. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Great job!
Stay persistant. |
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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | Here's the pickups installed. I haven't replaced the pick guard yet as I am experimenting with a phase switch on the bridge pickup that seems to be working as intended. The only problem I'm having is a great difference in volume between individual pickup selection, either neck or especially bridge, and with both pickups selected the volume is way higher. I can't seem to make a better balance by adjusting the pots. There was no ground wire on the bridge pickup and after unsuccessfully trying to solder one on, I left it off.
Sounds are nice. Of course the neck is great and further fine tuning is necessary. If I leave the phase switch installed, I'll have to find another location or patch up and leave the old slightly hacked up one in place.
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I'm really not sure about that phase switch thingy..
Also, remember that the pickup switch is bridge, neck, both not the common bridge-both-neck.
I would wire it up stock first to make sure everything works. |
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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | Well, here it is completed. Installed new (old-stock) pick guard, removed extraneous wiring and restored to original wiring.
I will install the original nylon bridge saddles at the next string change. It doesn't need the brass ones for tone or sustain. It's plenty bright and the little bit of mellowing from the nylon saddles will probably be perfect.
The phase switch added by previous owner and rewired by me must have been causing confusion in the circuitry. Even tho it was just a simple dpdt for the two bridge pickup leads.
This guitar is a rhythm tone monster. Why anyone would want to swap out the original torroidal pickups is beyond me. I'm getting a really nice variety of tones.
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Nice job
AJ |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana | Yeah Dano... great job. |
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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | Thanks guys.
I am really happy with this guitar. It's always played like a dream, now it has the sounds to match. |
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Breadwinner Restoration