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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4061
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Nick B.:
How does one go about buying replacement electronics? Is that something that can be ordered from a dealer? Provided they are the same form-factor, are they user replaceable? TIA If you have the kidney shaped can in your guitar and want to replace or upgrade the preamp, it is super simple. Say you have an OpPro and want a Studio, or an Op30 and want the iDea. Just call Al and order one. He has very good pricing.
The new preamp will drop right into the same can, with a few exceptions. The two preamps I bought, a Studio and an iDea, both came with a new can as well as the preamp module. Look at the connector in the bottom of the new preamp and see if it matches the old one. The OpPro, VIP, Studio, and iDea are all interchangeable. The OP30 has a different pinout on the connector than the newer ones. You can see the 7 copper tabs vs 8 copper tabs easily to see if the new matches the old.
If it matches, drop the new module into the old can. If it does not match, simply replace the old can. It takes about 2 minutes and is super simple.
The iDea has an additional jack which you can install or can ignore. If you want it, you will have to install the new can that comes with the iDea and then install the additional jack (it's an aux in jack). Some of the preamps will support an XLR, such as the Studio and VIP. The additional hardware comes in the kit with the new preamp. You can install it if you want, or you can ignore it.
Bottom line: New kidney shaped preamps are very simple to install, even if you need to install the new can. Most will drop right into the old can. Al sells 'em. |
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Hey FlySig, thanks very much for the detailed explanation. That's the way I was hoping it would work. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Optima is the BEST Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky....to the point where I wanted to get rid of it. But maybe I just need to take it in and get it looked at. I never really noticed the quackiness til I was replacing the strings, the guitar turned upside down, and everything fell out...saddle and shims. That said, I've never played much plugged in, so I wasn't sure if I was just imagining the quack. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yup. I had OPTIMA in 3 stock Ovations and always thought it was the best. I also had 2 guitars with OP24 that I upgraded to OPTIMA. I didn't think the OPTIMA sounded any different than the OP24 but I liked the notch filter and the tuner. Unfortunately all those guitars have been replaced by other stuff. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1558
Location: Indiana | Originally posted by dark bar:
Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky.... I'd blame that more on the thinline PU than the preamp. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
Originally posted by dark bar:
Dave, you really beleive this? I have one in my '99 Collectors and it sounds a little quacky.... I'd blame that more on the thinline PU than the preamp. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | With respect to the OP Pro Studio preamp, what do the compressor and exciter bring to the table? |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4061
Location: Utah | The compressor tames the dynamics a bit, while the excitor adds a slight woodiness.
Here's a comparison of various preamps in my daughter's 1778T Red Flame. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7109476
This is a comparison of the VIP to the Studio in my 2007BCS. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7137864 |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Is there any difference between the VIP and the OpPro, save for the Fishman licensed imaging? Meaning, if you have the "Image" slider down to 0% on the VIP, is it at that point identical to the OpPro (other than the OpPro's eq on/off button)? |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | I also had 2 guitars with OP24 that I upgraded to OPTIMA. Dave: I have a 1758 twelver with an OP 24 that I love but would like to upgrade the electronics to have a built in tuner and notch filter. Did you upgrade the electronics yourself or send it to the Mother Ship?
Jim |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Did it myself on one.
If you want to do the full monty, it's a bit of a job. You have to cut a rectangle out of the bowl for the battery hatch and you have to drill out the bowl for the XLR jack assembly. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Got it. Thanks. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| I am still very partial to the OP 24+ I alwsy liked the sounds I got from that preamp and the batteries lasted for ever even gigging. Now I have the newer versions and of these I am only familiar with the VIP Studio that is in both of my custom Adamas guitars. This preamp is fantastic for live perfromances and it is easy with any of the ovation eq controls on the guitar to cut the bass freq when playing in the mix of a song with bass guitar and electric guitars running and keys etc. so the acoustic cuts right through and adds that extra element to the sound, and I can just bump the bass back up when I am doing an intro solo and need the full rich acoustic sounds and it gives my soundman more to work with.
The overall stage sound from this VIP Studio can range from a raw acoustic sound to a more effected but classy sound real easy. I notice the three prong cable seems to add just a little more boost and a little more clarity or something to the sound, not sure how to describe it but I am getting used to using this cable more often. I think the battery life my be shorter though but that will take more time to find out exactly.
So for me the VIP Studio is it. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | imho the vip gets a bad rap.
I have played with this preamp over and over and over. and it is pretty good
the main user operator problem is that you cannot put the blend over 50 percent. if you do you will get a sterile sound that is not pleasant to the ears.
use it at about 40 percent blend and you will experience some of the nicest high end sparkle on your ovation that you can experience.
seriously yes there have been some failures with the vip but the preamp is really nice sounding.
yes I understand you need the dummy plug to use it. small price to pay for killer sound |
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Wh ich Ovation model currently has the best electronics?
