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old v new preamp controls

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schroeder
Posted 2005-05-01 2:08 PM (#152506)
Subject: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

In the last week I've been watching dvds of the original guitar trio in concert from 1979 and Al Di Meola in concert from a couple years back.

Both Larry Coryell and adm adjust their eqs while playing and it seems obvious when watching that the stackked knobs on the shoulder are a lot easier to use than the the sliders under the armpit.

I've never played an O with the stacked knobs - any thoughts? (I really find my sliders and tiny volume knob annoying)
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alpep
Posted 2005-05-01 2:56 PM (#152507 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ
the op 24 is a killer pre amp. the stack knobs don't do it for me but they work.
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noah
Posted 2005-05-01 3:00 PM (#152508 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673

Location: SoCal
I am with you on this one Schroeder.
The current location seems to be a trade off.
I would rather have a better ergonomic control positioning.
“The can of electronics inside” affecting the guitar’s acoustic performance has been a topic of discussion before.
Maybe that would mean splitting the controls from the electronics.
Integrating the electronics into the hatch cover and having a separate board for the controls might afford the means to integrate the system without affecting the guitar’s acoustic performance.
Yes an added cost, but on a high-end state-of-the-art instrument, why not.
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xnoel
Posted 2005-05-01 4:54 PM (#152509 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782

Location: Waurika OK
Schroeder, I am with you.
I have two O's with stacked knobs and two with "armpit" controls. I much prefer the stacked knobs.
Not being a professional musican, I can't tell any difference in the quality of the various preamps and don't do that much changing of the eq., etc. I also use a volume pedal.
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Standingovation
Posted 2005-05-01 5:49 PM (#152510 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202

Location: Phoenix AZ
The thing that's nice about Ovation is being able to see the tuner easily, but having to reach into the guitars waist for controls is not the best. I think the layout of Takamine preamps is just right. With in easy reach yet still out of the way on the upper bout.
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schroeder
Posted 2005-05-01 7:19 PM (#152511 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

"I think the layout of Takamine preamps is just right."

Me too - it's always seemed the most sensible place. I was just curious about the pluses and minuses of the 2 Ovation variations. Personally I'm not a fan of sliders on anything, from hi-fi to air conditioning.
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Jeff W.
Posted 2005-05-01 9:48 PM (#152512 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039

Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub
Must...RE..SIST.."STACKED...KNOBS"
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2005-05-01 10:10 PM (#152513 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682

Location: SoCal
One of the reasons for the OP Pro's big volume knob is to make it easy to find.

I find (for that rare time) that I don't have a strong opinion on this issue. I'me very used to the Ovation waist controls. I don't tend to look at them too much. By feel, I tend to set the volume at about 7-8, which give me a little head room if needed. Once the sliders are set on the guitars with those features, they don't get messed with much.

I've got a 1983 Country Artist, with the stacked volume tone controls in the waist and I hate it but for an odd reason. Those knobs stick me in the ribs. When I've got some extra cash, I'm going to ship it to Ovation and have an OP Pro put in. I want the tuner, but I also want the comfort.

Lastly, lately it seems that no matter where the preamp controls are located, they're not in a good focal range for me. Middle age sucks.
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stephent28
Posted 2005-05-01 10:13 PM (#152514 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Middle age or middle age spread ;)
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Waskel
Posted 2005-05-02 9:35 AM (#152515 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
There's a difference?
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Stevechapman
Posted 2005-05-02 11:14 AM (#152516 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503

Location: Fayetteville, NC
I've played Ovations with the Stacked Volume/Tone control and the sound never really bothered me. Though i do love the Op40 pre-amp in my Elite 12 String. Ovation has made improvements in the pre-amp department over the years, But the old ones never bothered me.
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schroeder
Posted 2005-05-02 1:35 PM (#152517 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

I'm sure that the modern preamps are better - what electronics aren't after 20 years? It was just the location of the controls that had me wondering.

I don't think the tuner is that wonderful frankly. The "Green" always seems very generous to me. My Seiko is a lot more accurate.
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cliff
Posted 2005-05-02 1:50 PM (#152518 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
I agree on the on-board tuners . . .
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schroeder
Posted 2005-05-02 2:04 PM (#152519 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413

And it's already been established that you are always right, so for once so am I. :D
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TWA
Posted 2005-05-02 3:24 PM (#152520 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 349

Location: Snellville, GA
I have an Op30 and the g and b strings are alway tuned too sharp.
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Waskel
Posted 2005-05-02 3:46 PM (#152521 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by cliff:
RealMen don't need on-board tuners . . . .

;)
Right again, Cliff!
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TWA
Posted 2005-05-02 3:51 PM (#152522 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 349

Location: Snellville, GA
That's how I know the 2 strings are sharp...or maybe the other strings are flat? :confused: :rolleyes:
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Waskel
Posted 2005-05-02 3:54 PM (#152523 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
The OPpro seems to be the closest on-board I've used.
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cliff
Posted 2005-05-02 4:25 PM (#152524 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842

Location: NJ
It had BETTER be . . .
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Stevechapman
Posted 2005-05-02 5:11 PM (#152525 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls


Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503

Location: Fayetteville, NC
Ditto!Since it's the newest, It better be close.
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Waskel
Posted 2005-05-03 7:04 AM (#152526 - in reply to #152506)
Subject: Re: old v new preamp controls



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by Stevechapman:
Ditto!Since it's the newest, It better be close.
Sure it should, Steve & Cliff!
I only said that because there have been earlier postings infering that the OPpro was unreliable for tuning. I meant that for ME, it has been pretty much right on.
Uh, I mean for my friends, like when they try my guitar. You know, cause RMDNOBT.
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