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| This is my first post in this forum, so hello all. I traded my Ovation Tangent (Korean) + some cash for a US-made Custom Legend at the weekend, at a guitar show with only a cursory glance (silly me) at what I was getting because of the racket going on around. Get it home and the new one -- it's from 2000 -- is definitely cosmetically much prettier and has a more solid-feeling neck. However, even though it has the round soundhole it doesn't have the volume unplugged that the Tangent had. Also, the top E tends to slip off the fretboard higher up the scale - it may even be a bit low on the action. With an eye to a fix, especially as regards the sound, I was thinking about changing the nut and the saddle for new bone ones. Is that doable? Has anyone else done it? What was the result? And about what did it cost and where do you get the parts? Is there anywhere anyone can point me to to find out more about this on the web?
Or is it that all Custom Legends are kind of quiet acoustically and there's little to be done about it?? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | If it's an A/E, getting a bone saddle will involve having one custom-made (do-able, but expen$ive).
My initial advice:
Put a new set of strings on, and while you have the old ones off, put a shim (or two) under the saddle . . . |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Can you verify that it's actually a Custom Legend (as in a label inside the bowl)? And what's the model#? |
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Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Welcome!
It's not a shallow-bowl, is it? If not...probably just needs a proper setup. Set neck relief correctly, then adjust the action with shims. Heavier strings to get the top moving?
The factory nut and saddle are Tusq. Doubt you'd hear any difference if you changed the nut to bone. I'd leave the saddle/pickup assembly alone. Piezo pickups respond better to Tusq than to bone.
You asked about parts. One of the best things about owning a USA Ovation is our relationship with the people at the Factory and,in particular, the Service Dept. They're like friends to us and will willingly help you out with problems/parts. I don't think you can find the likes of it with any other guitar maker.
Try this: kkeller-kmc@kaman.com. Ask Kim about the high-E problem and anything else that isn't easily addressed by us idiots on the board. John <>{ |
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Posts: 6
| Thanks for the help folks. Off the top of my head (cos I'm at work), it's a 1759. There's a label in the bowl saying Custom Legend and giving the number. I'll check the number this evening, though. It doesn't feel like a shallow body and it's certainly a LOT less shallow than the Tangent was. Even so, the Tangent was easily the louder, better-projecting instrument. |
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Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | 1759? Is your guitar a 12-string? |
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August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | That could explain the projection problem. Try putting strings on those spare tuning pegs.
Always trying to help :D |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | My 1759 certainly has no projection problems. In fact, I get the look if I use a pick in anything living room sized or smaller. |
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Posts: 234
Location: Phoenix, AZ | FWIW, bletch posted this problem yesterday in another forum and I suggested he come here for advice. (I'm still shocked that someone actually paid attention to something I posted!) Welcome bletch.
In his original post he included a link to picture of a guitar that was exactly like his, but a different color. The picture was of a shallow bowl custom legend. So, I assumed his lack of loudness (i.e., projection) was due to the shallow bowl. If his custom legend really is a shallow bowl, this may be the source of his lack of loudness. We'll wait for him to tell us the depth of the bowl. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | AAA spruce, A brace, deep bowl 12-string should blow out anything else that is played acoustic.
Maybe strings...rusted or strings for an electric? |
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June 2006
Posts: 6
| OK, it's a 1779 Custom Legend...not a 12 string minus 6 strings. The serial number has 6 digits and begins with 54. The strings (Martin 11 / 52 I think) are new. And it slips off the fretboard. |
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Posts: 6
| Btw, thanks for the advice everyone. Really nice of you. |
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June 2006
Posts: 6
| Ah yes, I just measured the thing from the soundboard at the hole straight down -- 12.5 cms. That's not the deepest point. It's probably 13 cms from the soundboard to the bottom of the deepest point. FWIW. |
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Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | So it's a 1999/2000 with a ~5 inch bowl depth (mid?).
At this point I'm out.
Maybe remove the old T shirt that's been stuffed inside for the last 5 years :eek: |
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June 2006
Posts: 6
| Took the T-shirt out...main thing is that the top E slips off the fretboard. Anyone got any ideas on how to tackle that, other than by changing the saddle (and if that will work, someone tell me and I'll do it). |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Have you tried the "shim-thing"?? |
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June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | I broke my pinkie finger 10 yrs ago giving it an odd outward angle. Gives me a better reach and I never pull the high E off the fret board since then. PM me and I'll show you where to break it.
:eek: :D
Alright... wise ass comment aside, I'm with the "Shim-crowd". But play it awhile... you may get used to it and stop pulling. You're probably not used to the nice action.
And your mid-depth bowl will cost you some sound. My custom legend is a SuperShallow and is quite limp next to the deep bowl until you plug it in. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Sounds like this guitar needs some neck work. Get to a pro and have the neck checked out/reset and give it a professional set-up. |
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Advice on Custom Legend mods needed
