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Location: Miami | I'm looking at the Custom Elite and Custom Legend modelsd with interest. I notice that the Al di Meola is not the OP-pro studio pickup. Is this a disadvantage? Also, from an electronics viewpoint, are the standard models of the Elite and Custom just as good? |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | VXT when I read the title of this thread, but after reading your post....I see you mean of the Acoustic Electrics based on the examples..
Others are better suited to answer questions on those. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | 1537 - 1617 - 1618 - amps., ..have worked well fer a good three decades , are still goin` strong ..
Vic
.. just change batteries twice a year .. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Please define what you mean by "best" |
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Location: chicago | My current set up is the ADII with the idea eq mp3 and I am now happy with this set up. The last guitars of fire gig was one of the best and the adii was the reason...oh that and brain spirit mood and the room.Jeff |
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Location: Miami | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Please define what you mean by "best" I'm sorry, I would have thought that was obvious; the one you like the best. |
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Location: closely held secret | Obvious would have been, "Which of the Current Ovation Preamps is your favorite", "Which current Ovation Model has the electronics you like best". |
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Location: Miami | Originally posted by PsychoBunny:
Obvious would have been, "Which of the Ovation Preamps is your favorite".
Optima.
Don't be so pedantic; clearly "best" means best in our opinion. I wasn't expecting a divine proclamation. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | My perception is that the VIP is the most technically advanced and expensive preamp in the current acoustic/electric model line, but not everyone is universally sold on its features. The next step down, I believe, is the OP Pro Studio, which may actually be preferred by more players than the VIP. Except for the OP-30, I believe I have an example of every A/E preamp made by Ovation, and, IMHO, there's not a dud among them. I pre-set the eq, if there is one, to a moderately downward curve, the volume and/or gain to just a little above half, then plug and play, and never mess with the guitar controls again. Any other adjustment required between gigs or songs is accomplished via the pedal board. One thing I've been able to depend on over the years is the consistently good quality (dependability, tone, ease of use, battery life) of Ovation's preamps, regardless of the model. Arguably, there may now be better preamps on the market (Takamine's come to mind), but I've never found a reason not to appreciate the offerings from Ovation. Of course, YMMV. |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Timolin:
Don't be so pedantic Don't be so vague. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Optima is the BEST |
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Location: closely held secret | Yep. I need to get one to replace the OP24 on my '87 one of these days. |
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Location: south east Michigan | pedantic...
Isn't that a scale? |
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Location: closely held secret | Close. |
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| nope...it's the lost mode |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | It's a cool word. Comes up on occasion in crosswords. I'd forgotten all about it.
Thanks Timolin! ;) |
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Location: Miami | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
My perception is that the VIP is the most technically advanced and expensive preamp in the current acoustic/electric model line, but not everyone is universally sold on its features. The next step down, I believe, is the OP Pro Studio, which may actually be preferred by more players than the VIP. Except for the OP-30, I believe I have an example of every A/E preamp made by Ovation, and, IMHO, there's not a dud among them. I pre-set the eq, if there is one, to a moderately downward curve, the volume and/or gain to just a little above half, then plug and play, and never mess with the guitar controls again. Any other adjustment required between gigs or songs is accomplished via the pedal board. One thing I've been able to depend on over the years is the consistently good quality (dependability, tone, ease of use, battery life) of Ovation's preamps, regardless of the model. Arguably, there may now be better preamps on the market (Takamine's come to mind), but I've never found a reason not to appreciate the offerings from Ovation. Of course, YMMV. Thanks for your detailed and informative response, Professor. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Timolin:
Thanks for your detailed and informative response, Professor.
Hang around long enough and you'll find that if you're patient, the answer you're looking will come.
Around here half the fun is just getting there. |
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Location: Utah | Tim, it depends on the guitar. I've played several of the OpPro series preamps in a variety of LX guitars and an Adamas 2080.
In the 1778T the Op30 sounds fine. The Studio adds a lot to that guitar. The VIP is interesting but I haven't played with it enough in that guitar to know if I like it there.
In the 6778LX the OpPro is standard and sounds fine. The Studio was a nice upgrade. The VIP didn't sound very good.
In the '07 Collector the VIP was standard and I don't like it. The Studio is a huge improvement. The standard OpPro sounds just fine, but the Studio is it for the '07C.
In the Adamas 2080 the VIP is standard and it is outstanding. The Studio is fine but it doesn't add anything over the regular OpPro in that guitar. The VIP is killer in this Adamas.
In the 1778LX the OpPro is standard and sounds superb. I haven't tried the Studio or VIP in it since it isn't my guitar.
The iDea, in my opinion, is not as good sounding for plugged in live performance as the other OpPro series preamps we have. It's unique features are excellent for practice, jamming, learning, and goofing off. I don't think it stands up with the others for live performance, at least in the 1778T or in the '07 Collector. It is possible that if I spent more time with the iDea I could eq it better and get it to sound as good as the OpPro.
So, the 'best' preamp is guitar particular. I would say that the regular OpPro is a fine preamp and suitable for live performance or recording. The Studio adds a lot for live performance with the compressor and excitor in some guitars. For recording it is also nice, though depending on how much monkeying around you do with processing the signal it may or may not add a lot to the final sound. The VIP in the Adamas is simply amazing, live or recorded, but in the wood topped Ovations it really doesn't float my boat one bit.
Basically, for a wood topped Ovation you will find the OpPro to be very capable. The Studio may be worth buying as an upgrade from the VIP, which I did for my '07C and am quite happy. But for a Legend I don't believe you would find the standard OpPro to be deficient in any way. I would not choose to buy a VIP for the Al DiMeola or any other wood topped Ovation.
The Al DiMeola comes with a version of the OpPro that has a volume boost for solos, IIRC. |
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Location: Miami | Some great info, Flysig - thanks a lot! |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by FlySig:
The VIP in the Adamas is simply amazing, live or recorded, but in the wood topped Ovations it really doesn't float my boat one bit. Fly, that's exactly how I feel about it. |
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Location: SoCal | In my Adamas 12, the OP24 seems to work great. No desire for a change.
Didn't care the for OP24 in my 87C and when it needed a new body, I didn't hesitate to put in an OP Pro. Works great. No problems.
In my 1773LX, I've never felt that I've gotten a real good sound out of the OP Pro. Still haven't figured out why.
In the Glen Campbell reissue I've got the stacked volume/tone controls. To be honest, it's a killer preamp. Pumps out tons of power and adjusts easy. For somebody's serious stage work, it probably wouldn't be a first choice because it is limited. But I love the power and tone.... |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | This is great conversation about electronics, especially for someone who has been out of touch with Ovations for many years. How does one go about buying replacement electronics? Is that something that can be ordered from a dealer? Provided they are the same form-factor, are they user replaceable? TIA |
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Location: Omaha, NE | I have/had two Ovations with electronics.
One was an Adamas with the Optima pre-amp and the thinline pickup.
The other is the LAV-Koa with the OPP and VIP.
The plugged in sound of the LAV-Koa is head and shoulders above that of the Adamas, but I have no idea if that's because of the pre-amp or the pup. My hunch (based largely on the generally positive comments from others re the Optima), is that it more about the pup. My Adamas always sounded tinny and brittle to me. The LAV-Koa sounds very rich and warm. |
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Location: Utah | Originally posted by Nick B.:
How does one go about buying replacement electronics? Is that something that can be ordered from a dealer? Provided they are the same form-factor, are they user replaceable? TIA If you have the kidney shaped can in your guitar and want to replace or upgrade the preamp, it is super simple. Say you have an OpPro and want a Studio, or an Op30 and want the iDea. Just call Al and order one. He has very good pricing.
The new preamp will drop right into the same can, with a few exceptions. The two preamps I bought, a Studio and an iDea, both came with a new can as well as the preamp module. Look at the connector in the bottom of the new preamp and see if it matches the old one. The OpPro, VIP, Studio, and iDea are all interchangeable. The OP30 has a different pinout on the connector than the newer ones. You can see the 7 copper tabs vs 8 copper tabs easily to see if the new matches the old.
If it matches, drop the new module into the old can. If it does not match, simply replace the old can. It takes about 2 minutes and is super simple.
The iDea has an additional jack which you can install or can ignore. If you want it, you will have to install the new can that comes with the iDea and then install the additional jack (it's an aux in jack). Some of the preamps will support an XLR, such as the Studio and VIP. The additional hardware comes in the kit with the new preamp. You can install it if you want, or you can ignore it.
Bottom line: New kidney shaped preamps are very simple to install, even if you need to install the new can. Most will drop right into the old can. Al sells 'em. |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Hey FlySig, thanks very much for the detailed explanation. That's the way I was hoping it would work. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Optima is the BEST Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky....to the point where I wanted to get rid of it. But maybe I just need to take it in and get it looked at. I never really noticed the quackiness til I was replacing the strings, the guitar turned upside down, and everything fell out...saddle and shims. That said, I've never played much plugged in, so I wasn't sure if I was just imagining the quack. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Yup. I had OPTIMA in 3 stock Ovations and always thought it was the best. I also had 2 guitars with OP24 that I upgraded to OPTIMA. I didn't think the OPTIMA sounded any different than the OP24 but I liked the notch filter and the tuner. Unfortunately all those guitars have been replaced by other stuff. |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by dark bar:
Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky.... I'd blame that more on the thinline PU than the preamp. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
Originally posted by dark bar:
Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky.... I'd blame that more on the thinline PU than the preamp. |
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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | With respect to the OP Pro Studio preamp, what do the compressor and exciter bring to the table? |
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Location: Utah | The compressor tames the dynamics a bit, while the excitor adds a slight woodiness.
Here's a comparison of various preamps in my daughter's 1778T Red Flame. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7109476
This is a comparison of the VIP to the Studio in my 2007BCS. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7137864 |
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Location: Omaha, NE | Is there any difference between the VIP and the OpPro, save for the Fishman licensed imaging? Meaning, if you have the "Image" slider down to 0% on the VIP, is it at that point identical to the OpPro (other than the OpPro's eq on/off button)? |
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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | I also had 2 guitars with OP24 that I upgraded to OPTIMA. Dave: I have a 1758 twelver with an OP 24 that I love but would like to upgrade the electronics to have a built in tuner and notch filter. Did you upgrade the electronics yourself or send it to the Mother Ship?
Jim |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Did it myself on one.
If you want to do the full monty, it's a bit of a job. You have to cut a rectangle out of the bowl for the battery hatch and you have to drill out the bowl for the XLR jack assembly. |
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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Got it. Thanks. |
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| I am still very partial to the OP 24+ I alwsy liked the sounds I got from that preamp and the batteries lasted for ever even gigging. Now I have the newer versions and of these I am only familiar with the VIP Studio that is in both of my custom Adamas guitars. This preamp is fantastic for live perfromances and it is easy with any of the ovation eq controls on the guitar to cut the bass freq when playing in the mix of a song with bass guitar and electric guitars running and keys etc. so the acoustic cuts right through and adds that extra element to the sound, and I can just bump the bass back up when I am doing an intro solo and need the full rich acoustic sounds and it gives my soundman more to work with.
The overall stage sound from this VIP Studio can range from a raw acoustic sound to a more effected but classy sound real easy. I notice the three prong cable seems to add just a little more boost and a little more clarity or something to the sound, not sure how to describe it but I am getting used to using this cable more often. I think the battery life my be shorter though but that will take more time to find out exactly.
So for me the VIP Studio is it. |
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Location: NJ | imho the vip gets a bad rap.
I have played with this preamp over and over and over. and it is pretty good
the main user operator problem is that you cannot put the blend over 50 percent. if you do you will get a sterile sound that is not pleasant to the ears.
use it at about 40 percent blend and you will experience some of the nicest high end sparkle on your ovation that you can experience.
seriously yes there have been some failures with the vip but the preamp is really nice sounding.
yes I understand you need the dummy plug to use it. small price to pay for killer sound |
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Wh ich Ovation model currently has the best electronics?