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December 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Charlottesville, VA | Hi, I'm a new member to this board but have been browsing around for a while. I've read some threads on installing electronics to older model balladeers, and I'm wondering if anybody actually got this done. I know SlipKid mentioned doing it. I emailed Ovation customer service and they said I could "retrofit" an OP-30 installed for $200. I was wondering if installing electronics would greatly affect the acoustics when unplugged? I mainly need it to lead worship at a church I help out at. I have a 1139 model which appears to be a Balladeer Special. I know it's not a top-of-the-line guitar but it has sentimental value and I play it for hours every day. I receive many compliments on its sound, so I'm skeptical of installing electronics. Thanks for your help! |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I got the impression that the factory would do it if I was sure I really really wanted it. Kim alluded that unplugged sound would be affected to some extent. I decided against having the work done. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Do you use a mic on the guitar at church? Other than the convenience of plugging in, the mic should be fine. You can also get a sound hole pickup for much less money and still preserve the integrity of the guitar. I have a Lawrence that I like, but I don't play in public (for which the public should be thankful) and I have found that I rarely plug in anymore. My thought was that buying the sound hole pickup might ease or delay my GAS pains, but it didn't help at all. My recommendation, which is only worth something if you agree with it, is to leave your Balladeer like it has been and get as second, etc. Ovation that already has a preamp. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Dats a good idea. |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | The other alternative is to use an under-bridge pickup or an in-body pickup and an external preamp like a Boulder Notch. I have an Ibanez Bug mounted inside my Balladier with an end pin jack. The only drilling I did was to mount a volume pot. You could get away without the pot by using your preamp volume.
I really didn't notice any change in tone after doing this.
Cc |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Check This Out:
http://tinyurl.com/ceb9f |
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June 2004
Posts: 271
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Cc:
THE LINK AIN'T WORK'IN !!!
Ab |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Contact the factory and then decide what to do. |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Sorry about the link. Try this one. If it doesn't work search for Martin Thinline Gold Plus.
Click here: Martin Thinline GoldPlus Acoustic Preamp/Pickup System - Natural |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Damn.... |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | http://www.activemusician.com/store/product.asp?sku=EM.24CTGP2&nav=... |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Sure, you can put a pickup on anything. An external pre-amp will work if you don't want to modify the body, otherwise, install an "under the bridge" pickup, and turn it up. If you are not crafty, have the job done by a pro. It's not very expensive. Cheers |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | K & K Pickups
This is what I'm going to put in my resurrected 1624. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | A couple of years ago I had an LR Baggs undersaddle p/u put in my 1978 Legend. Works great and even has a volume control just inside the soundhole. Cost was about $200 total. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | A factory installed OP-30 using an under saddle piezo for $200 is hard to beat. It's a very high quality pre-amp with a built in tuner. The acoustic sound should not be effected in any appreciable manner.
For an Ovation guitar, I would only use Ovation electronics. The quality is great, everything you need is on-board and they are built to last. I have an '81 CL and the old FET pre-amp still works great. |
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March 2003
Posts: 195
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Hey Waskel,
Those remind me a little of "Hot Dots" from back in the 70s and 80s. When you get your's mounted up, I'd like to know what you think of them.
Cc |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | The hot dots were all the rage back in the day, and they worked very well. Perhaps they were ahead of their time. |
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Installing Electronics on Old Balladeer?
