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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | There is at least one complete OP 50 Preamp up on the bay.
Generally a Factory upgrade with the Oval Preamps will run around $350. Here is a chance to pick up the kit for under $100.
I recently grabbed an OP10, OP30 and OP40. There are at least 2 Sellers offering a string of nice repair and upgrade parts so keep watching.
Great chance to upgrade frugally! |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Woody - that same seller is also selling those pearl tuners that keep popping up. Ya think they keep reusing the same picture? |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | They use the same pictures. I received something from them.
There is another Seller that has pinched pics and advertised in 4 languages as well. Related? Hmmm |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I wonder how that OP50 would look in my '87. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | You'll never know as it won't fit. |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | By the way, I've got an OP40 w/ saddle that I'd be willing to let go for $80 plus shipping...... |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | John,
Remember your last wiring project...
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | My three favorite Preamps:
OP Pro
Optima
OP 50 |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Michael, you're not that far off. Looks like my office.
Paul, I realize the cans are different. But the OP50 requires a larger opening than the OP24, doesn't it? |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | One is oval shaped and the other rectangular. All I know John is that the factory won't do a retro fit. If they would, I'd probably have an OP Pro put in my 87C. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ok. If they said no to you I won't bother asking. There must be some corners from the '24 hole that aren't covered by the newer footprint. Bummer.
Hmmm. Wonder if the Optima would do it. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Optima would be a nice move.
I didn't know they won't take the Rectangle to the Oval. Is it a strength issue"?
Should be able to epoxy the rectangle and do the oval. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Hmmm... Where'd I leave that Dremel....
What I'd really like to do is put an Optima in the '87 and put the 24 from that in my 1624. It has the single knob FET in it, but I bypassed it when I put the K&K pickup in it. Waaaay to bassy. Perhaps the OP24 could tone it down a bit. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Why not use an off board eq box? |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I've seen a 90-something collectors recently with an Op-Pro. It was a DIY job and not too shabby. So it's possible to patch the oblong hole and re-cut for the latest preamps, but I can see that it's a major pain in the ass. I'm not surprised the factory wont do it. |
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August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
One is oval shaped and the other rectangular. All I know John is that the factory won't do a retro fit. If they would, I'd probably have an OP Pro put in my 87C. Not wishing to stir things up here, but....
I have a factory converted early 80's 1619 CL that I bought from a member here in the last few months. That was fitted with an Op-Pro at the factory. I also have it's 12 string twin (80s generation 1658 slot top) there right now that John Budny is doing the same conversion on. OP-24 out - OP-Pro in (plus a conversion from -1 sunburst to -5 Black with Ebony bridge conversion from walnut). Currently John is estimating it will be done end of Feb.
As John put it, I will no longer have a 1982 vintage 1658, but I will have an awesome slothead custom legend with a 25 yr old top and with the latest and greatest electronics fitted. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Stuart, those are going to be great guitars. But I would guess that neither had an OP24 to start with, but rather had stacked volume tone controls. Those can be replaced.
Let us know how the guitars sound when you get them back. |
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Posts: 27
Location: Williston Park, NY | Stuart -
I can confirm that 1619 had the stacked knobs, not an OP24.
Didn't realize you were doing a refin on the 1658. The twins will look awesome together!!
Tom |
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August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Sorry Moody, you are right about the 1658. As I had it shipped straight from the Ebay seller to the factory I never saw the original configuration and in the pictures I have it does have a stacked knob configuration.
With regard to the 1619 I will ask the original owner but it doesnt seem to have a repair/hole filled where the stack would be so I assumed that it was an OP24, but with it's age you might be right. |
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Posts: 27
Location: Williston Park, NY | Wow - Talk about timing! Our previous posts just crossed a minute apart.
Yup, the factory did a great job filling the hole where the stack was, and where the second stereo input was, as well.
Those guys do incredible work. I recently had the honor of playing mitchrx's refurbed and refinished 1619 (redone in New England burst) and I couldn't believe my eyes/ears. Fantastic!
Tom |
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Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Originally posted by tlc125:
I recently had the honor of playing mitchrx's refurbed and refinished 1619 (redone in New England burst) and I couldn't believe my eyes/ears. Fantastic!
I agree!! I was blown away by Mitchrx's guitar that I didn't even think twice, when I finally got the opportunity to upgrade from a SSB 1869 to a deep bowl 1719.
dang! I did it again ... kindly delete the post above please? |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 430
Location: Lebanon, TN | Originally posted by tlc125:
Stuart -
I can confirm that 1619 had the stacked knobs, not an OP24.
Didn't realize you were doing a refin on the 1658. The twins will look awesome together!!
Tom When I won the 12 string it was what pushed me over the edge to buy yours :-) Love the CL's and this was just too good an opportunity to miss. Now to try and get a matching pair of Adamas 1 slotheads and then Adamas CVT's...Drools |
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OP 50 et al on Ebay
