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Joined:
November 2015
Posts: 20
| I'm helping my hospitalized brother -- trying to get his 12 string Model 1115-4, Serial No. 002131 (1972) Pacemaker back in playable condition. I'm working with a friend who's a very knowledgeable stringed-instrument person (unlike me).
Anyway, my friend says that it is common to tune 12 string guitars "2 frets down". He does not know if that would be the case with the Ovation.
So, what's the common wisdom? Should we shoot for standard tuning or head down 2 frets?
Thanks for your time! Jim in Maine |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hi Jim. What your friend means is to tune the guitar "a step down" a whole step being one note (usually).
That would mean to tune it to D-G-C-F-A-D.
Whether you should do this depends on the condition of the guitar.
Ovations are designed to be tuned to full "Concert Tuning" EADGBE.
But if your guitar is not in the best condition, you could tune it to DGCFAD and bring a capo.
If you brother feels that is in correct he could tune it up a note.
So bring a capo and a tuner.
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November 2015
Posts: 20
| Hey OMArt! Thank you for the reply and info. I am a little suspicious about the Pacemaker's condition. The owner of Buckdancer's Choice in Portland (that would be the other Portland — the one here in Maine LOL) noticed there's a low spot in the body between the bridge and sound hole. He looked inside with light and mirror and thought the brace(s) in there on the underside of the spruce top were okay. My brother said he'd been having trouble keeping the guitar in tune; maybe the less-tensioned tuning will help with that. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Those low spots are fairly common, and not necessarily a problem. As OMA says, if you're unsure, tune it down a step and see how it goes. If all seems fine after a week or so, tune it up another half step (one fret) and see how it goes. If that's fine, tune it to concert pitch. If you need to change the strings, stick your hand inside and physically give each brace a tug - none of them should move. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | A slothead 12?
Wear these when you change strings... 
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Joined:
November 2015
Posts: 20
| Damon67 - 2015-11-17 3:25 PM A slothead 12? Wear these when you change strings... Yes, a slothead. It's interesting that the laminated "stripe" does not show through to the top side 
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That is because there is a facing layer of wood veneer on the front of the headstock.
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Tuning A Vintage 12 string Pacemaker
