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Posts: 108
| Hi Ovation enthusiasts:
Cool forum you guys got here. I guess I'm an Ovation enthusiast too cause I've used A 1615-1 12 string for about 10 yrs on stage. I do an acoustic single and the guitar has served me well. Picked it up in a pawn shop for $400, and I'm quite attached to the sound.
So last week it had an accident, some one handed me the guitar and it hit the floor. I thought it was just out of tune but later discovered a crack on the top of the neck. That night I glued it and clamped it and it seems to be repaired, But I'm a little worried about it.
As it turns out I found a model 1115-4 for sale ($400) and am considering buying it and putting in electronics from my old guitar. The 1115-1 is 2 hours away so I'm doing some research. This model appears to be the same as the 1615-1 without electronics. Are these the same guitar? , and can I have a luthier transfer the pick-up easily?
I have some pics but don't see how to attach them
Really interested in what you guys think. Thanks in advance, Murph |
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Posts: 108
| I've added a couple pics in mu gallery |
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Posts: 325
Location: Texas | Welcome Murph to the infamous message board for ovation fanatics. I am not familar with either model but there will be others that do - a number of people on not on tonight because of the holiday but never fear - you will get replies and many opinions. Sorry about that guitar!!!
Welcome again |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Welcome murph! Yes, they are the same guitar. I had an 1115 that I put an OP24+C in. It was relatively easy. Since the saddle is a thinline on the 1115 as opposed to the standard wider pickup type on the 1615, you can pickup (pun) or get a thinline pickup from the factory that will fit right in to the slot on the 1115 (after drilling a small hole for the wire to go through) and then cut the opening in the bowl to accept the preamp. Add a hole to mount the battery holder, and you're on your way. One tip, I would locate the jack up by the strap button rather than the location of the 1615. It's much easier to plug in there. I'm sure it would be a simple job for a trained professional (heck, I did it myself) and the pickup, if I remember, was under 50 bucks. Much easier than routing out the bridge for the wider saddle. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "This model appears to be the same as the 1615-1 without electronics. Are these the same guitar? , and can I have a luthier transfer the pick-up easily?"
Drill four holes, transfer the stuff, How Hard Can It Be?
Actually, you need to wait for someone who knows what they are doing to answer that
But Really, How Hard Can It Be? :rolleyes:
And Welcome :cool: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | pretty much it Arthur, except for the difference in the saddle width, It's rather simple. The only other issue is positioning the hole for the preamp as the face of it is contoured to fit the curve on the waist of the body. |
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Posts: 108
| Thanks for all the help guys. I'm going to check out the guitar this week and if its as reported,I'll buy it. The $400 seems like a competitive price.
Rather than use a router to install my old pick up, I'll likely shop for a "thin Line" as Jim suggests. Besides my old guitar still works, I'm just worried that my repair won't last.
I've notice the D-Tar 18 volt pick-ups are now standard in new Guilds. http://www.d-tar.com/pickups.shtml
Any one with any experience with these. |
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Posts: 108
| Heres the pick-up Guild is using now.
http://www.d-tar.com/load_n_lock.shtml |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
pretty much it Arthur, except for the difference in the saddle width, It's rather simple. The only other issue is positioning the hole for the preamp as the face of it is contoured to fit the curve on the waist of the body. I was just being a wise-ass...
But to show how much I think ahead, I was just thinking of getting a single knobber and putting it up near the neck, like on my 1621. But I don't know if you can get those pre-amps anymore.
I also like the idea of putting the jack someplace besides in the back... Alittle off to the side.
I've seen those jacks in the strap-button, but never in person, so I still ain't sure about that.
And Murph! If you do this yourself, you have to photo-document the exercise and share it!
Them's the Rules! :p |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | You can get the stacked knob preamp from the factory. I think it's the same one thats in the GC RI. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I thought those were hard to get. Do they still have them at the factory Randy? |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | The older preamps used to be impossible to get until Ovation started their re-issue models. Since you seem to be hooked on this model (I have a 1115 and it's my main guitar), you may want to consider a more up-to-date setup than the old electronics from your 1615. Explore the options before you modify your "new" guitar to retro the old electronics.
I installed a B-Band A2 preamp w/under-saddle P/U in my 1115. It's fine except for a noticable "hiss" when I turn up the volume. If I had it to do over again, I'd spring for an OpPro. It would have cost more $, but I would have forgotten about that by now and I'd be a lot happier EVERY time I plug in. John <>{ |
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Posts: 108
| I really am sold on the sound of the Pacemaker, although I haven't tried others on stage. I was told the shorter 12 fret neck gives it the real punchy sound. Re the electronics, I do admit to having to really work at getting the sound I want compared to my Takemine, with newer electronics.
John, you refer to the OpPro, tell me more, like where I can get one,( I'm in London Ontario) if this is what you recommend, I want the best, this is my profession.
As it stands I'll be seeing the guitar this week and deciding. Near as I can tell $400 is a good price for "excellent condition".
I gigged with my repair job last night and all was well, so its not like its an emergency, but maybe I should take this opportunity get a better conditioned guitar with newer pickup, ( my old baby has got some miles on it, but I did redo the frets recently, so it still plays great. |
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Posts: 108
| An Update.. Guitar went back to mothership today and John is hooking me up with an Op Pro Studio. Why take chances, get it done right, thats what I say! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Murph, you won't regret sending it back. Are they doing a refurb on the whole guitar or just installing a preamp? |
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Posts: 108
| They're mainly doing the pre amp, but I asked for the standard bridge pick-up not the thin line so it'll likely need a new saddle.
The frets are good, I don't think the guitar was played more than a few dozen times by the looks of it.
And as suggested, I want a GC truss rod cover, the original was missing.
My fiance said I can't even track the package on fed -ex. Apparantly I have a problem with excitability until things arrive. For a while she banned me from Ebay, cause it was too much for her.
So I try to forget till it arrives in Gods' time!....Who am I kidding? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | good luck with it, you made the right choice. |
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1615-1 v 1115-4