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Location: Pennsylvania | Well, I had a big post written up, and my computer crashed.
Now, I'm just going to rewrite the basics.
My custom balladeer is arriving any day, and
I got to thinking and came up with a couple of questions. The guitar has the big big tusq saddle (what's the deal on that anyway? it's featured on the custom legends and elites, so it must be good, so why doesnt adamas use it? ...anyway...) Is there some sort of plastic shim under the saddle? If so, I want to replace it with a wood shim. I think that would help the sound a great deal. Any thoughts on that?
Also, what kind of pickup does it have in it?
I think that was the basic jist of what I typed before my computer crashed. Thanks for your input.
here's the link to the guitar if you want to take a look:
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-8095.htm
it's not up on the site anymore, but the page can still be linked to
[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: Scotland | Tom, that saddle is the original Ovation pickup which was used on all guitars since the early 70's until the introduction of the CP100 Thinline and the Tru-Balance. I can't figure out any kind of logic to which guitars get which pickup. Early SMT's & a few Collectors have had the CP100, most of the higher-end guitars seem to have the Tru-balance, the rest use the original design.
The original Ovaton pickup was a groudbreaking design which still takes some beating 30-odd years later. It is second to none in terms of resistance to feedback & string to string balance, but I personally prefer the sound of the later pickups, especialy the Tru-Balance. Also the original pickup is bulky, is full of silicone rubber and sits in a metal channel which is good for electrical shielding, but that has to hurt the acoustic sound.
Unless the action has already been adjusted as low as it will go you should find a couple of shims under the pickup. Any hard, dense material such as bone, or a hardwood such as ebony or rosewood will make good replacements, avoid card or soft plastics.
Paul |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Thanks, Paul.
That's interesting...the large saddle is due to a large pickup... I figured it the other way around. So is there any benefit to having a large saddle. (at least, I like the massive look of it, and like the fact that its tusq.)
I'm not sure if I'll end up "acousticizing" it or not. I wouldn't mind keeping the ability to plug in for certain times playing live, but a "bulky, full of silicone rubber" pickup sitting in a metal channel does scare me a bit. I guess I'll be able to better decide once I hear it.
I definately intend to make a wooden shim for it. Once I can get some good rosewood or ebony or spruce, I shouldn't have much trouble making one myself as I have a woodshop of tools. I'll just want to make sure I make it very flat and of a good thickness (I think .060", in order to replace both plasitc shims). Thanks much for the help!
[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The factory uses .030 phenolic shims (or they used to, the brownish ones) The important thing is that it is perfectly flat and even. The second thing you want is hard so it will vibrate well and not absorb any of the vibration. Good, hard sheet plastic will probably sound better than a softer wood. It doesn't fit the love story but unfortunately it's true. |
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Location: NJ | I'd rather wake up with hard plastic than soft wood any day! |
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Location: Pennsylvania | HAA! :D Cliff, you kill me! :D
*Whew...gotta take a moment to recover from that one!*
Dubyatoo, you're probably right. Hard sheet plastic would probably be much more consistant than wood. In addition, it may be difficult to find the perfect peice of good hard wood, and then cut it perfectly down to size, exactly flat.
The hard plastic thing seems to make sense. I think I'll try it.
But where could I going to find .030" thick sheet plastic? Well, they generally use two of the .030" shims dont they? In that case, I need .060" of hard, thick sheet plastic... Any ideas?
[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | superglue two together.
Hardware store? how about an autosupply store? Cliff, any idea where to commercially get sheet plastic? Needs to be harder than ABS.
You could always call Budney and have him put some in the mail. |
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Location: NJ | I could do some research on some lexan or polycarbonate, but to get something of THAT specific of a thickness, would require ordering a large amount. I've got some clear polycarbonate sheeting that cuts relatively easily (you can cut it with an x-acto, a metal straightedge and a bit of "leaning into it") that I can send you, but it's probably not as dense and stiff as you might need.
My suggestion:
Wait till you GET and see if it even NEEDS any modification. I've been using my CB with the same original shim in it for over a quarter of a century (egad!) and have been very pleased with the sound. |
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Location: Pensacola,FL | Tom,
One possibility for .060" plastic is binding material. It is a uniform thickness and is easily cut/shaped. It comes in other than ABS
and can be acquired at StewMac (only they have a minimum order of $30.00). If you would like a piece of "tortoise" to mess with, send me an e-mail with your address and I'll send you some :D . Oldan |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Cliff--
Yeah, I'm not sure if it'll be that necessary (considering its a deep, no c/a), but I just want to be prepared ahead of time, just in case. The guitar is sceduled for arrival friday. Definately cant wait!
Oldan--I'll send you an e-mail w/ my address. I'd love to get a peice of tortoise to mess with.
[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: Scotland | Cliff, in this context is "egad" an exclamation, or do you need to learn a few more chords?
Paul
[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Location: NJ | LOL!!!!
(brit-prick!) |
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Location: Central Texas | ...wooden shims, on the water, very free... |
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saddles, wooden shims, etc....
