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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Is there an updated preamp that will retrofit into this guitar to update the electronics? Not interested in cutting any larger holes and can't afford to send it to the MS. I haven't even gotten it yet and heard the existing setup, which the current owner says he plays thru an amp all the time. But curious about bringing it a little farther up the chain when I get it early next week. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | I am anticipating this guitars arrival with more adrenalin than I've felt since my first live female sighting of ...well, let's just say I'm anxious for it to get here. If anybody has owned (or owns) a cedar topped O they play fingerstyle, could I ask what strings you've settled on that please you the most? I would like to have them on hand when this arrives to string it up before I play it. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Seriously, I'd settle for advice on strings you like if you play an Ovation Elite fingerstyle. Doesn't have to specifically be cedar top model that I am getting. I'd like to avoid my usual string change every three days or so in search of the sound I like and start right off with a recommendation from a fingerstyle player who is happy with a particular brand on their Elite. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | You really do realize how subjective that string question is, Right?
D'Addario EJ16 or EXP16,
or maybe EJ11 or EXP11.
"11" is not the string gauge... Those a still 12's but they are 80/20.
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Location: Denver, CO | Dave, as you well know I don't play fingerstyle but I have a pretty good idea what sound you are looking for, and my suggestion would be the EXP16s. I think the 80/20 strings will be too bright for your taste, plus your Elite with the cedar top is going to have a lot subtler bass responses than what you are used to... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The second best answer to the great string debate a few years ago was "cheap ones." I think the best answer was free ones. At the time I was buying guitars and seemed to get an extra set with each one. I finally used up those and a bunch of Adamas strings. I think they're the same as the D'Addario Phosphor Bronze 12 pack I've got about half used. What dwg says makes sense, but if you change after a few days and can tell the difference, you have better ears than I have. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Cat gut....from a recently run over cat. Freshness matters. Grey tabby is better than calico, but a Maine Coon is particularly warm sounding. |
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Location: SoCal | dwg preacher - 2013-01-19 3:14 PM
Dave, as you well know I don't play fingerstyle but I have a pretty good idea what sound you are looking for, and my suggestion would be the EXP16s. I think the 80/20 strings will be too bright for your taste, plus your Elite with the cedar top is going to have a lot subtler bass responses than what you are used to...
I have found on my 1537 and 87C, that I need the brightness of 80/20's. Phospher bronze just sound too dull.
Different strokes for different folks. The only way to know what works for you is to try different strings and make your own decision...... |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | immoody - 2013-01-19 7:17 PM
dwg preacher - 2013-01-19 3:14 PM
Dave, as you well know I don't play fingerstyle but I have a pretty good idea what sound you are looking for, and my suggestion would be the EXP16s. I think the 80/20 strings will be too bright for your taste, plus your Elite with the cedar top is going to have a lot subtler bass responses than what you are used to...
I have found on my 1537 and 87C, that I need the brightness of 80/20's. Phospher bronze just sound too dull.
Different strokes for different folks. The only way to know what works for you is to try different strings and make your own decision......
I pretty well knew I wanted 80/20's all along. I don't know why dwgpreacher is of the opinion my cedar topped O is going to have a subtler bass response than I am accustomed to. With the right string I am expecting it to have a bass response I'll need to adjust my fingerpicking style to control from booming too loud on the bass end of the sound. I too hate the string questions, but in my defense, I did begin by asking for replies from owners of cedar top O's they play fingerstyle. Since that didn't pan out, guess I'll just have a few sets on hand and go thru my usual quest for the optimum sound. |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | immoody - 2013-01-19 5:17 PM
I have found on my 1537 and 87C, that I need the brightness of 80/20's. Phospher bronze just sound too dull.
Paul,
I've done some experimentation on my Ovations and on the SSB of my daughter's boyfriend and I came to the same conclusion as you. On deep-bowl models the PBs sound 'dull', or subdued. 80/20s give a better, more balanced response. On shallow- and medium-depth models PBs are more balanced because the 80/20s give too much bass. It didn't really matter whether these are Elite or center-hole models.
Edited by DanSavage 2013-01-20 7:59 AM
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Now that the string issue is settled, I am still interested in knowing if there is an updated preamp that will retrofit into the existing hole? Even tho the seller said it plays just fine thru an amp now, it is 80's technology and I feel there might be some wisdom in updating it? One other question, what is the circular access plate on the back of the bowl for if the battery compartment is the square opening next to the preamp? God I am so glad to be finally an O model I've always wanted, with a cedar top to boot for fingerstyle! I believe firmly Ovations were a massive step in the evolution of acoustic guitar. I envy all you guys who personally knew the genius behind this incredible innovation. That's some participation in guitar history to justifiably be proud of.
BTW, I have a Crate CA125D Acoustic Amplifier lined up to purchase for $125 right after the guitar gets here. I'll get to try it out at the guy's house with the O first, but have seen pics of it already from every angle and it looks basically brand new. He said it was rarely used. I like the fact that it has a channel for a mic as well. My singing days are mostly over with all the damage done to my lungs from scarring after massive fluid buildups following 18 major surgeries, but hey, Louie Armstrong got his singing voice after having his throat slit on a Chicago street so I may still have something to offer in that regard. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Your disagreement with dwg's description of the difference between cedar and spruce just points out how hard it is to describe sound in words. Cedar sounds different from spruce, just like tonewoods all have differences and different varieties of spruce sound diffferent from each other. I know that cedar seems to be preferred for the Ovation Classics with nylon strings. Finding what sounds "best" is so subjective that you may as well search for the holy grail.
I have the Crate CA125D also. I thought I got a great price at $150, so you are doing well. They have an annoying hiss through the tweeter that could be bothersome. Mine also has a short in the guitar jack that is definitely an issue that I tried to fix once, unsuccessfully. The effects are interesting, but I haven't had any need to use them because it's never left my basement. Another minor annoyance is that it can be tilted back, but doesn't really tilt back enough to stay there. The slightest pull on the guitar chord will bring it back forward. Overall, it's a good amp and you're getting a good price. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Plus they are heavy. I love my Fishman Loudbox mini 'cos it sounds great, no hiss, and weighs nothing. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | DaveKell - 2013-01-20 8:29 AM
One other question, what is the circular access plate on the back of the bowl for if the battery compartment is the square opening next to the preamp?
That is for "access" to the innards.
If your Elite does not have a Truss-Rod-Cover, that is where the Truss Rod adjustment is... inside the bowl.
Also it is handy to check/fix loose braces and such.
And if you need access to work-on your wiring, or change your preamp like you mentioned.
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Location: Tennessee | DaveKell - 2013-01-20 8:29 AM Now that the string issue is settled, I am still interested in knowing if there is an updated preamp that will retrofit into the existing hole? Even tho the seller said it plays just fine thru an amp now, it is 80's technology and I feel there might be some wisdom in updating it? Which preamp is in there now? |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | stonebobbo - 2013-01-20 4:30 PM
DaveKell - 2013-01-20 8:29 AM Now that the string issue is settled, I am still interested in knowing if there is an updated preamp that will retrofit into the existing hole? Even tho the seller said it plays just fine thru an amp now, it is 80's technology and I feel there might be some wisdom in updating it? Which preamp is in there now?
I couldn't see anything on it in the pic he sent me of it and won't have the guitar until early next week. If I take that access cover off the back will I be able to see a model number on it from inside? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I will probably say what kind of preamp it is right on the front.
Or you can just find the photo that matches HERE
Oh... I just wanted to add that I have an Adamas 1685 that has an old OP-24 preamp on it...
I have also had Balladeers and Elites with the OP-24 in them.
This is a Very Old model preamp.
It only has volume and 3-band EQ. No tuna, pre-shape, notch or anything fancy.
It is a Great preamp and the battery will last for a year.
I have also had single knob and stacked-knob preamps that worked Fantastic.
Just cuz they preamp isn't "modern" doesn't mean that it needs to be replaced.
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2013-01-20 8:03 PM
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | arthurseery - 2013-01-20 7:51 PM
I will probably say what kind of preamp it is right on the front.
Or you can just find the photo that matches HERE
Oh... I just wanted to add that I have an Adamas 1685 that has an old OP-24 preamp on it...
I have also had Balladeers and Elites with the OP-24 in them.
This is a Very Old model preamp.
It only has volume and 3-band EQ. No tuna, pre-shape, notch or anything fancy.
It is a Great preamp and the battery will last for a year.
I have also had single knob and stacked-knob preamps that worked Fantastic.
Just cuz they preamp isn't "modern" doesn't mean that it needs to be replaced.
The OP24 pic matches. I greatly appreciate this response. Someone made a comment in a thread awhile back that "80's electronics are dicey at best". The only two previous O's I've had were acoustic only. Glad to know I won't need to upgrade this, and by the way, the last owner said the battery in it 2 years old and still works!
Edited by DaveKell 2013-01-20 8:46 PM
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | DaveKell - 2013-01-20 6:45 PM
Someone made a comment in a thread awhile back that "80's electronics are dicey at best".
Here is something to think about...
Often, Older is Simpler. Not as much crap to break.
Probably just a capacitor, a transistor and volume and tone pots.
Also, I have never had any problem with old electronics.... Anybody wanna comment?
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Glad you are so excited. Let us know when you get your new guitar. I enjoyed the discussion on the strings. Think I need to try some 80/20s on my newly acquired 1537. That's what nerds do. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | arthurseery - 2013-01-20 9:08 PM
DaveKell - 2013-01-20 6:45 PM
Someone made a comment in a thread awhile back that "80's electronics are dicey at best".
Here is something to think about...
Often, Older is Simpler. Not as much crap to break.
Probably just a capacitor, a transistor and volume and tone pots.
Also, I have never had any problem with old electronics.... Anybody wanna comment?
I have a 32gig iPod, but also a collection of about 30 transistor radios from the 60's. I like to lay in bed at night on nights with high cloud cover and listen thru my single ear phone to obscure am broadcasts instead of everything I could do with the iPod. I heard an old rockabilly program awhile back featuring acts from the 50's, especially a guy called Groovy Joe Poovy. Groovy has been around a lot longer than I would have thought. I like old things. I'm very certain that in the 80's the O electronics would have been American made? I can't see China in the picture yet. The amp I'm getting will provide all the extra effects I could want, and I long ago learned to tune by ear. I'm certain this O is going to be all I'm expecting and more. I feel lucky to have found it and in the process helped out a fellow musician who is down on his luck. Plus, I had the added benefit of being involved with someone paying it forward who supplied me a fourth of the purchase price from this forum. I can't wait til my wife and I live in a class A motor home after selling our house and I get to go meet the guy in person. Count me as very fond of old electronics. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Okay, one last question and I'll shut my mouth! According to UPS tracking, the guitar arrived this morning in a Texas town 20 miles from here. I doubt they'll get it here today though unless my driver returns for a reload later in the day. So no later than tomorrow for sure.
The question: My Balladeer 40th annive reissue had bass guitar style tuners. By that I mean they were slotted instead of a string pass thru hole. You stuck the string down into a hole at the top of it and and bent it out the side thru the slot. Made for super fast string changes. I'm curious as to whether these tuners exist somewhere I can buy them and replace the stock ones on my soon to be home with daddy Elite? Are you beginning to perceive my OCD that requires me to be always changing something up?
Edited by DaveKell 2013-01-21 8:08 AM
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Location: Texas | Dave, The reason your 40th had those, is because those Kluson's existed on the 67's. It didn't take Ovation long to kick those to the curb. Your RI also had RI Klusons... At one time, you could get them from the MS...but I am not for sure if your guitar has inline or individual, and fit may be a problem. Kluson is still in business, but there are also knock offs that offer the same style. Retro and Ruh Roh sometimes go hand in hand. As far as "always changing something up", the only guitar(s) I have owned that used that method are the 67's and the RI. Your Elite is going to have, what I would consider, a normal type tuner. Congrats on your "new" guitar. |
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Location: Tennessee | The OP-24 is a great preamp. There is nothing better that would be a direct swap. Perhaps you could Jerry-rig an Optima if you can find a way to make it work with the existing battery configuration. But I don't think Optimas can be found anymore unless its been cannabalized. See if your guitar has genuine Schallers on it. Many guitars of that vintage came with them. Personally, I like those.
Edited by stonebobbo 2013-01-21 11:22 PM
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | Well, none of my questions mattered as it turns out. I opened the box to find the top split from the end bout to the bridge, something that wasn't in date stamped pics I received of it. UPS said an adjuster will be out to my house within 3-5 days to try and deny the claim (the words of my UPS store I use to ship stuff). Since the seller packed it himself they said the best the adjuster will do is offer me a partial reimbursement based on his opinion of the packing job. I have received three guitars shipped now and this one was packed the best. Too bad too because otherwise this thing is beautiful. I'm sick. I wouldn't even keep it if the top could be repaired, which I'm sure it can be, except that it runs under the bridge. It is what it is. At least I can still play it until this is resolved. |
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1768 C Elite
