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November 2004
Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | I have a somewhat new LX 12-string (6756 Legend). I really like this guitar, but have one problem. I find the spacing between the string pairs to be a little wider than other 12-strings I own (an Ibanez AEF1812 and a Tak EF381C).
I find that my fingers feel cramped on the Ovation, while the other guitars seem to have more space between courses. All have 1 7/8 inch nut width.
Just wondering if anyone else has some thoughts on this. I made some calls to my local stores and found one that has a luthier that will do work for them. I am thinking about getting a new nut cut, that would make the pairs 1 - 2 mm closer together. Any other suggestions would be welcome. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Jim, have you measured the spacing and definitely found it to be wider? I haven't experienced the problems you state(I have a 2001-vintage 1598 Adamas Melissa Etheridge and a 1981-vintage 1118 Glen Campbell slothead).
I have also played an Elite LX 12-string and hadn't noticed it....I thought it played very nicely.
Roger |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | On my 1598GC I have "pinched" the strings a little closer at the bridge to allow some fingerstyle. I think the overall width is less important than how the individual pairs work with you. |
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Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | I agree with mwoody on this one...pinch the strings a little on the saddles next time you re-string to bring them a little closer....worked for me on my 1758...
good luck....Ernie |
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November 2004
Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | I did measure the difference in the string spacing between the pairs and found about 1.5 millimeter difference. Please keep in mind my limited ability to make these types of measurements. I can FEEL the difference
I will try the pinching technique mentioned. Just to be clear, I DO think the LX 12-string plays very nice. I guess the the issue for me is when I switch between instruments, I notice the difference.
Thanks for the suggestions. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Don't just feel the strings, BE the strings!
You will feel a difference between a 12 and 6. This is a must. It also helps me to be a better six string player when you aware of the difference.
Going from the Adamas 12 to the Deacon 12 can be a lesson in sensitivity too. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Pinch it at the bridge. I doubt there is much difference at the nut. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | For the uninitiated....how do you pinch it at the bridge? :confused: |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I've pinched it in a lot of places, but never by a bridge. Dave |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I generally use my fingers. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | By moving the two strings of a pair (same or octaves) closer together. |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I've had my LX 12 for about a week now, and one of the reasons I bought this guitar is the ease of playing. 12 strings in general require more finger preasure, and Ovations seem to have most other acoustics beat in playing action and neck feel. Are the strings on your other guitars identical? Also pinching at the bridge, without a slight groove, doesn't last, as the strings move back when strummed.
Tommy |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That's what I was curious about....if you had to groove the bridge for the strings to stay in place. I guess placing them closer together (pinching) would make it very similiar to the way the Rich Bich 10 stringers were setup. |
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August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I have found that if my string alignment is not perfectly straight over the bridge (with no pinching), the strings will quickly break from the stress.
I often tend to percussively hit my strings with the heal of my hand while strumming, and sometimes a bit hard. String grooves are easily and quickly created this way on the bridge.
Works out nicely for restringing too to have the guide. |
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August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | also...
I find Ovation 12's to be generally pretty easy to play as far as left hand comfort, and for overall comfort. I do find that when I play standing up it is more of a challenge for that hand, not because of the guitar, but because of the angle at which my hand approaches the neck. It's harder to reach my fingers fully around the neck with enough strength on certain chords with the guitar hanging lower, as it does when I stand. Sometimes, if I haven't "practiced" standing up while playing a few days before a gig, my hands will cramp a bit as a result during a performance. I can relieve this by shortening my strap (thus bringing the neck higher, closer to the angle at which my hand approaches the neck while sitting) if it's really killing me. God knows it does take considerable more strength to hold down all those strings.
Before permanently changing your guitar I would consdier living with it for a while and see if you don't just get used to it. Perhaps your hand stregth will quickly accomodate if you're new to the guitar. Or if you play standing up, perhaps your strap needs to be adjusted differently to find a more comfortable angle for your hand to approach the neck.
Just a thought. I've played an LX Legend in a store recently and loved it...those are really gorgeous, play well, and sound fantastic. Enjoy!
Be well! |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | "I guess placing them closer together (pinching) would make it very similiar to the way the Rich Bich 10 stringers were setup"
Okay, Just what does that does mean?
Tommy |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The Rich Bich 10 stringers had the top four strings like a 12 stringer and the bottom 2 strings as singles. However, they were placed so close together that it felt like you were playing a single string but sounded like a 12. |
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November 2004
Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | An update on my post: I re-strung with a set of Webstings extra light (same as a D'Addario light set) phosphor bronze stings, and removed the shims. The action is really nice, and for a 12-string, it plays really easy. I would need to have my head examined if I trade or sell this instrument. I am also re-thinking my like for coated strings. I had this LX 12-string set up with Elixir Nanos. Nice strings but a lille bright with them being 80/20. I like the idea of not having to re-sting too often, but the tone on the uncoated strings is really nice. |
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March 2003
Posts: 127
Location: Corvallis, OR | Hi
At risk of stating what is already known to many people, the neck width on an Ovation 12 string is the *same* as the width on the Ovation Folklore and Folk Artist 6 string models.
I suspect that the necks are not the same otherwise, that is, the contour and bracing are greater on the 12 string, perhpas someone can say for sure. |
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12-String Ovation Players; a question.