|
|
Joined:
November 2014
Posts: 7
| Hi all!
I just obtained a used cc44 (made in China) Celebrity Elite Koa with a OP-4BT Preamp/tuner. The guitar is in mint condition but has an issue with the built in tuner. When I turn it on, the up and down arrows flash as they should, but when I play a string the appropriate note flashes momentarily then the display goes dark. It does this so quickly that there is no time to adjust tuning while the note is displayed. It literally just flashes on then goes dark. I only came across one mention of this exact problem in a different forum and no one could help the poster. Has anyone here come across this? The guitar sounds fine plugged in, so the preamp works (tuner still doesn't work plugged in) and I have tried several different battery brands. I took the preamp out, disconnected and reconnected all removable wires and wiggled all the wires at both ends while trying the tuner. No luck. I contacted Ovation Customer Service here in Canada, but only received an automated response. I have heard that electronics are not covered by warranty, not to mention that I am not the original owner and the guitar was made in China. I have read that the preamp can be purchased for $250 but I'm not willing to pay that just for the tuner. I did look forward to having the convenience of an on-board tuner though and would love to figure this out. Any thoughts? Thank you! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Hiya Bill, First things first, be aware that most members cannot post in the "Welcome" section, so you may have to be a bit patient until a mod comes along to grant you full access. In the meantime, I have to admit that the imports are not my forte, but if everything except the tuner feature is working fine, then I am stumped. However, many years back I had a similar problem that I could not get squared away. My solution was time consuming but worked out in the end. I scoured the internet with some patience until I found a very cheap import that had the same pre-amp. (In this case on eBay.) I verified that the tuner feature worked before committing and bought the instrument. I then swapped tuners and sold the cheap instrument "as-is", being sure to explain about the pre-amp in the ad. As I said, it took a bit of time, but I think I eventually wound up paying out about $20 overall and had the working pre-amp I wanted. Ironically, GAS struck several months later and I upgraded to the USA-made version of my import and wound up selling the guitar for a small profit overall. Weird how things work out sometimes. Good luck! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2014
Posts: 7
| Thanks Patch for the info. I'll keep my eye out for a "parts guitar" or cheap one that has this preamp. I'm sure it's a diode or resistor or some other magical mystery electronic part but I'm brand new to Ovations and have only been playing guitar for a year and a half (started at age 51...late bloomer). I figured this might be a common problem with an easy fix.
I'm sure with Ovation not producing in the US the prices of used domestics will rise considerably so I don't know about upgrading like you did. Besides, at my level this import is still a way better guitar than I am a player! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Welcome Bill. You're now a full member. Feel free to post around the site.
As for your dilemma, I still haven't found an onboard tuner that works like it should. Even though many of my O's have built in tuners, I use my iPhone 99% of the time now. Works much better. If I'm plugged in there's a tuner on my pedalboard.
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2014
Posts: 7
| Thanks Damon. I'll repost elsewhere, but that's good to know about the onboard tuners. If they aren't great anyway then I won't put too much effort into fixing it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Does the preamp work otherwise?
Y'know, does the guitar play through an amp?
Does the volume and EQ work?
If so... And if you like the guitar otherwise... I would just buy a SNARK tuner.
If not... Return the guitar to wherever you bought it from.
I do own a Celebrity with an OP4BT preamp... But I have no idea how to fix your problem. 
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2014
Posts: 7
| Thanks OMA. The preamp does work, and the volume and EQ are fine, so yes, I'm just going to live with it and use my clip on tuner. I just thought maybe I was missing something and one of you kind folks could steer me in the right direction. But I love the guitar and already find myself advancing beyond what I could with my beater guitar (bar chords were beyond me). Just thought it would be nice to have the tuner work. |
|
| |
Tuner Malfunctioning
