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| I recently decided to expand my guitar collection and after lots of trials and tribulations i've finally got two new ovations (one used and one brand new). I now have an ovation 1778T (used american made) and a brand new C2079LX (american made). Just received the C2079 an hour ago and it is a beauty! Received the 1778T on Friday and after a cleanup it looks and plays beautifully. Looks like I won't be needing a new acoustic for a while (but a new electric is possible lol).
Question: Should I get both/either of the guitars setup by a professional? All I did was set the action, check intonation, check neck/fretboard and check for buzzes on the used 1778. Everything seems fine but i'm not sure if that is enough since i'm no guitar tech. |
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February 2012
Posts: 32
| Couple of pics of new additions.
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | jmuriel - 2012-04-02 2:16 PM Question: Should I get both/either of the guitars setup by a professional? All I did was set the action, check intonation, check neck/fretboard and check for buzzes on the used 1778. Everything seems fine but i'm not sure if that is enough since i'm no guitar tech. Congratulations on the guitars. If you like the way they play, and there are no obvious problems, I wouldn't mess with it. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Congrats: Very nice...play 'em and enjoy 'em! |
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Location: Utah | Yeah, don't mess with them if you are happy with the setup as is. Those are a couple of great guitars you've got!
There is a ton of information on the web and youtube for doing a setup yourself. I like to check things by ear, eye, and touch rather than going by numbers. At least for my own guitars. The truss rod can be checked by holding the 6th string down at the first fret and the 13th fret, and then seeing how much space is there at the 6th fret. It should be just a little bit. Enough that if you carefully tap the string onto the 6th fret you can feel the tap. Visually there should only be a tiny gap. Do the same check on the 1st string, and with any luck it will be the same as the 6th string. If you strum hard and you hear fret buzz when playing cowboy chords, raise the action just a bit. Basically just get it set to where the action is as low as you can get it without getting undesirable fret buzz for the way that you play.
When that is set, play single notes at the 12th fret and higher. By removing shims under the saddle you can lower the action in this part of the neck. Again, you are looking to get it as low as it can be without fret buzz for the way you play. If you get buzzing, add a shim. There are regular shims and half-thickness shims, or you can make your own shims. Lowering the saddle can make the whole guitar play better regardless of other adjustments.
Make 1/4 turn adjustments max on the truss rod, then measure again. Up to 1/2 turn in a day max adjustment is a good rule of thumb. I've gone more, but not a huge amount more. Maybe 3/4 turn total in a day. The neck needs time to settle into the new position.
The nut slots seem to frequently benefit from lowering. The intonation will probably improve in the first 4 frets or so, too. But if you cut it too deep you will have to replace the nut. So it isn't a job for a total beginner. You also need to be careful not to scratch the front of the headstock or the fretboard with the nut file. Cover it with a rag and be very careful. I encourage people to tackle the nut as long as you are willing to pay a pro to replace it if you screw it up! (Been there done that myself).
Your Ovations' frets were probably properly installed at the factory and shouldn't need to be leveled. Leveling frets is last on my list of adjustments. I've carefully filed down a high fret here and there. But not something to take on for the casual owner because if you goof it up you may be paying the pro to refret your guitar.
Saddle shims and truss rod are something every Ovation owner should feel comfortable tweaking.
Edited by FlySig 2012-04-03 12:51 PM
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | jmuriel - 2012-04-03 9:48 AM
Couple of pics of new additions.
Very Nice!
One for the High-Brow folks and one for the Punk Rock crowd? |
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December 2003
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Location: Upper Left USA | I am a cheap SoB so I have learned how to set up my own.
I support finding and supporting a local Tech or Luthier and let them provide maintenance if you are not incined to tool up yourself.
It may result in early detection of any issues and God knows they need the money!
PM or Email me if you are interested in some Ovation or Nearly-Ovation electrics!!! |
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Location: Jet City | Nice expansion, congrats! |
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February 2012
Posts: 32
| Flysig thanks for the advice and help. I'll take a look at the truss rod now for sure. I did remove a shim after restringing both guitars, the action was a little high for my tastes.
OMA: I was thinking more along the lines of owning one of each (shallow, mid-depth, and contour bowl).
Mwoody: +1 for the tech since I don't know if i'd tool up and practice on my own guitars lol.
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Location: California | Congratulations |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | jmuriel - OMA: I was thinking more along the lines of owning one of each (shallow, mid-depth, and contour bowl). Don't forget the deep bowl which imho sounds the best. |
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| stephent28: I actually preferred the contour bowl over the deep bowl, but I definitely wouldn't be opposed to owning one. |
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Expanded my collection
