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June 2004
Posts: 6
| After finding out which one to use for this guitar, I purchased a 3/16" hex key (standard, not ball end). The key is the Long version and is 4.5" length x 1" width (the bottom of the L-shape). The key seems to "lock" into the tension rod adjustment nut, but moving it in either direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) seems to be very difficult. How much pressure is generally required to make this adjustment on the Ovation 1869? I haven't been able to get the hex key to turn whatsoever. I'm reluctant to apply any more pressure than I already am. I've adjusted truss rods on all my other guitars before, and I've never had to use any more than a firm grip on the wrench.
The problem I'm having is that the 16th frets on the 3rd and 4th strings have a very audible buzz. None of the other frets on the guitar have this problem. I've taken the guitar to my local Ovation dealer, and the tech there said that a slight neck adjustment might be worth a try.
Raising the action or upgrading the string gauge (the guitar has Elixir .10s on it now) might solve the buzzing issue, but a tension rod adjustment will likely be necessary in the future regardless. I just received the guitar two days ago after winning it in an Ebay auction. The serial # is 533852 and was made in 1998 according to the Ovation web site.
The guitar has one shim removed, from what I can tell (there was only one shim in the case when I received the guitar, but I haven't removed the saddle to check). How much of a downward angle over the bridge is optimal? The action at the 12th fret is 3/32" bass and just under 2/32" treble. |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Did you loosen the strings first? If you're trying to get rid of a buzz you should be loosening the truss rod nut & that should be relatively easy with the strings loose, although the little wrench you're using may make it difficult. The factory wrench I got with my 1858 is about 4 inches by 10 inches. You may be able to slip a box end wrench over the small allen wrench to gain leverage. I would order a factory wrench asap, they really work great, especially on the round hole models. Btw, a small adjustment makes a lot of difference. I'd go an eighth turn at a time. I would also check & make certain that the frets haven't popped up a tad during shipping. My Pacemaker had some very rough treatment en route & the 13th fret had popped up a tad on the bass side & made a buzz when I got to the 12th fret big E. I supported the back of the neck & used a large piece of dowel & small hammer to bop it back down & re-seat it. It's been fine ever since. Best damned FREE guitar I ever had! :)
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June 2004
Posts: 6
| Would you happen to know which factory wrench to order for the 1869? I asked the same question in an email to Ovation, and they simply said:
"It's a 3/16" hex key, available at any tool store or most Sears stores." |
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June 2004
Posts: 6
| Wow, the 17th fret was a little out of its slot. I've virtually eliminated the buzz at the 16th fret. Thanks a lot. :) I could probably still improve tone and resonance with some more tweaking, but this makes me happy for now. |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Glad I could help. Guitars get some rough handling during shipment. I would venture to guess that Alpep could fix you up with an Ovation factory wrench if you ask him. My 2003 1858 12 string came with one in a special holder built into the case. Tony Calman sent me an Ovation factory wrench for the truss rods that adjust at the other end (quarter inch nut on that end) so I'm set to adjust any *USA* Ovation with 'gen-u-ine' Ovation wrenches.
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by Nils:
Did you loosen the strings first? If you're trying to get rid of a buzz you should be loosening the truss rod nut & that should be relatively easy with the strings loose,
2 points. Firstly, all neck-rod adjustments should be made with the strings up to pitch or the rod has no point of reference. Secondly, problems above about the 7th or 8th fret can not be corrected by a neck-rod adjustment |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Thanks Paul, I'll remember that. It will make adjustments a lot faster if I don't have to loosen the strings, especially on my 12's.
When my 1612 arrived with the truss rod nut bouncing around loose in the case I was forced to try to figure it all out for myself. I've been using the "screw around with it until it works" method ever since.
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Peculiar, that I have always loosened the string tension before tightening the truss rod tension, then tuned the guitar to pitch, then slowly released the truss rod tension to gradually eliminate any fret buzz; works fine every time..
steve |
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Ovation Custom Legend 1869 Truss Rod adjustment
