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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 27
Location: Williston Park, NY | Hi all,
I understand the factory repair shop will retro fit current electonics in older models, starting at $200. I have an '82 Custom Legend and an '82 Legend 12-String and am interested in having this done.
I'm wondering if anyone has tried this with their older O's and if it was a success. I'm also curious if the bowl would need to be replaced. The Custom has concentric volume/tone knobs and the 12 just has a single volume knob on the upper bout. I'd hate to leave useless knobs on there once the new electronics are installed, or worse yet, holes where the knobs and the big screw holding the battery compartment are!
I tired emailing Ovation with these questions, but was told to call to "get the ball rolling".
Any ideas, folks?
Thanks in advance,
Tom |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Hello Tom.
Welcome to the club!
This Monday or Tuesday I'm sending my '70 Balladeer back to the factory to have the neck reset. Once it gets there Kim Keller, (Ovation Service Manager) is going to give it a look over and we are going to talk about my options for electronics. I don't think it would require a bowl change. They will just open up any holes they need.
There has been some talk here that installing a pre-amp changes the acoustic sound by displacing air volume in the body. That issue is still up for debate.
My options will be to have a recent model pre-amp w/tuner installed, or a thinline pick-up with just a volume knob, or... a Fishmann style mic / pickup system and just install it myself.
I am open to suggestions. I'll have to make a choice soon.
edit.... I re-read your post...I guess your talking about upgrading your electronics to something current. In that case my comments are pretty useless. |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 27
Location: Williston Park, NY | Thanks Brad.
I don't mind cutting into the current bowls so much (they are deep bowls and sound great); my real concern is what is done with the existing holes that do not line up with the current electronics. maybe they plug 'em in some way?
Tom |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I've been told, but haven't had the work done so I haven't seen it first hand, that Ovation refinishes the bowl (at least in the case of small holes). If you have something like a rectangular OP24, you can't put in a modern OP PRO.
I would guess that small holes can be plugged as well if the money can't be spent on patching the bowl.
Brad, on your old Balladeer, unless you really need controls on the body, I'd opt for the preamp they used in the FD14. Straight out thru the endpin and no controls on the body at all. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I agree with Moody. I've got the FD14 electronics on two guitars and like it very much. Dave |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Tom, I'm considering having the same thing done with my 1978-vintage 1617 Legend. The pickup does not currently work in it, so I was thinking about sending it back to have that repaired/replaced, and an OP40 or OP50 installed, plus some bowl work(which would necessitate a bowl refinish anyway). I'm also concerned if they could/would patch the hole where the stacked knobs are.
I'm sure the FD-14 electronics package works fine, it's just that I want the tuner with the electronics, plus a handy volume control. I also very much want rid of the ugly and difficult to service battery holder in the bowl.
Roger |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 27
Location: Williston Park, NY | Roger, Moody -
Those are some of the reasons I want to do the refit as well. There are currently no controls at all on there is except concentric volume/tone on the Legend and volume on the 12 string, so fitting the OP Pro package (or some other) isn't a problem. And the battery holder is just a nightmare. I can certainly live with the factory patching the holes and refinishing. |
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Retro-fitting current electronics