|
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Now that I've settled in with my (I said MY) Pacemaker, I'm thinking about a preamp. I've already cut a hole in the bowl of my LX, but this is a whole nuther animal. Am I gonna have a mess of fiberglass if I cut into this myself and make this a DIY project? Anyone out there done work on these older bowls? John <>{ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cutting a hole in the body is gonna be nothing compared to routing the saddle for the pickup.
Have you considered single-post electronics? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I'll install K&K P/U's. They're 3 small transducers that get superglued to the inderside of the soundboard. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cool. What're you putting in for electronics, then? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Well...I'd like to use an OpPro, but I have my wife breathing over my shoulder with a shotgun. I'm hoping for more favorable conditions soon. I actually like this guitar so much, I've toyed with selling my 6778 LX NEB to pay for this. That would leave me with only the Pacemaker. I have to chew on this for a while. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Make that an OpPro studio. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | But I was asking about cutting fiberglass. I know it's not as sexy to talk about as preamps, but I still need some advice. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Did you see this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Ovation-OP-Pro-Series-Preamp-Guitar-Parts_W... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I did but, as I said, conditions aren't favorable at this time. I should call the Service guys and get an idea what they'd charge for various preamps. The old Op24+C is pretty much the same as the OpPro, and I'll bet if they have one of those sitting on the shelf it would be cheaper. But...what about the fiberglass??? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Whenever I cut plastic or fiberglass, I use a saw. I've never cut into a guitar bowl, but I would imagine you'd start by drilling a few very small holes into the edge of the shape you want to make. Then with a very fine saw, saw out the shape. Then use sand paper or a file, and remove the rough bits. What do you think? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I think you should go for it. Just not on my guitars...... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Awright, I'll jump into the fray. Whatever preamp you use, think in terms of hundreds of an inch, measure four times. Lay out your opening, using masking tape and a sharp pencil. Use a Dremel tool, with a 1" cutoff wheel, and go slow. Slowly file the opening to accomodate the preamp. Drill the holes for the mounting screws.
Now, depending on the type of sensor, you either route out the bridge channel, file down the bottom of the saddle, or stick on the transducers in strategic locations. Plug everything together, install the battery, tune up the critter, and send the whole mess packin' to The MotherShip, after you appreciate the value of competent craftsmanship. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Now that's the kind of talk I like! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | You will want to use a fine-bladed sharp cutting tool. That will minimize flaking and tearing of the glass.
It would be helpful if the Mothership could provide a template for the can. |
|
| |
Installing a preamp myself