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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | I have a 1977 Viper.
1: I'm looking for tuners for it (preferably chrome tuners, one of the originals broke and I don't want to go back with plastic if I don't have to, I don't want to drill so the hole pattern needs to be the same).
2: It has the Ovation bridge. I want to retro fit it with the chrome schaller bridge that was used in the later year models.
3: It has the maple fretboard. I'd like to find an original ovation ebony fretboard for it and swap them out. (I like the look and feel of softer darker woods on fretboards.)
Even if you don't have these parts, if you know of a web site or place where I can find them, please let me know.
Basically, I want to do any mods I can that won't permanently alter the guitar. I want to have the option to return it to original condition if need be. In other words, no drilling or carving, etc. Simple swapouts and whatnot are fine; things that are reversable.
Keeping the previous disclaimer in mind, I'm guessing I could put any mini-humbuckers in it that I want and it would be a simple swapout, right? They should fit w/out any shaving or drilling, correct?
I basically just want to know what mods can be done w/out permanent changes to the guitar.
Thanks in advance for the help everyone.
John |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | John, I was seriously considering a Viper last week that had pickups changed. It had other issues too. I emailed Stephen for advice, and he said one thing that made up my mind... with the new pickups, it wouldn't sound like a Viper. To me, that took the guitar far enough from original to make it a deal breaker. Something you might consider.
It's possible that the only good place to buy parts is from the members of this board, if there are any to be had.
You may have to wait until after this weekend (because of the annual Ovation factory tour) to get a full answer.
Welcome aboard!
Jas |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | Check ebay under electic guitars ovation. There are alot of parts listed from a viper including the tuners. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | Originally posted by OldLiverJones:
Check ebay under electic guitars ovation. There are alot of parts listed from a viper including the tuners. Thanks for the tip. I just got an original ovation/schaller bridge to replace my older version. Hopefully it won't take too much effort to retro-fit it on there. Anyone have experience doing that, and if so, any tips? |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Somebody is offering every kind of Viper part separately on eBay right now. This does not happen often. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Bwah-ha-ha!
I grabbed the body and neck. I have the rest in parts bins. Let's see what comes of it, eh!
A well used Viper can go for $300 let's say. But consider selling the:
neck plate $50?
and bolts
Neck $100?
Body $75?
Pups $100?
Tuners $40
PG $30
Knobs $15
Bridge $$60
S$H mark up $??
It ain't pretty but it happens. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | I snagged the bridge from the same guy that you got the body and neck from. Do you have any experience retro-fitting the schaller bridge onto a viper that originally came with the older style bridge? I don't contemplate there being much to it really, being that it's not a tremolo. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | All you need is the correct posts. Customer Service may have some if you don't! |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | He included the posts with the bridge, so I should be all set. It basically goes in the same way as the old one, you just don't have the bolt in the middle that screws in from the backside, correct? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | And you need to ground the new bridge.... |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | As a note, I used the BIN this a.m. and I have already received a correspondance and I received a UPS tracking number from the Seller. Looks to be a class act! |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | Yes, I received an e-mail for a usps tracking # this morning as well. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 10
Location: Amarillo, Texas | Btw, in your opinion, having used both types of bridges, is the schaller bridge superior to the older one? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I'm guessing that this wasn't addressed to me, but I'll answer anyway.
The Schaller bridge is easier to change strings on and doesn't require a bolt thru the body. Now having said that, changing strings on the older one is a snap with either bridge. It's only on the 12 string that the Schaller bridge really shines. The old bridge is a pain in the tookus to change strings on. Also, the Schaller is adjustable for tone. The old style 12 string bridge isn't. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Sleepy Bones is correct on all counts. The new type is much cleaner looking and less likely to fail or break. You can set individual intonation and height on both with various degrees of frustation.
MWoody |
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LTB parts for a Viper
