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OptiMax Preamp
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Forums Archive -> The Vault: 2002-2003 | Message format |
Bob Mintus |
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Joined: November 2003 Posts: 100 Location: Warren, OH | I'm looking at a guitar with the OptiMax Preamp. Couldn't find any info on it on the Ovation site. Any Info/Comments? | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | I believe the Optimax was made in conjunction with Telex, and combined an onboard miniature condenser mic with the bridge piezo. It has a blend control for mixing the mic and pickup signals according to taste. I have only seen this preamp on the 1995 Collectors', and figured there was probably a good reason why Ovation offered it only once. But it does offer a crisp condenser sound which might be great for recording. The feedback potential is self-evident when using the mic in high sound pressure level environments. With the preamp cranked to the mic side, waving the guitar over a loud monitor is a really bad idea..... That it is basically a good idea is evidenced by the success of Fishman's Blender preamp, which seems pretty much the same thing. | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | .... i.e., the PREAMP is a good idea, not waving your guitar over the monitor. :eek: | ||
Paul Templeman |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750 Location: Scotland | I had the Telex bridge mike installed on my custom order guitar, but I did not want the Optimax, mostly for the reasons PB stated. Having both the mike & piezo on the same output is asking for trouble. On mine the piezo goes via an Op50 and the mike goes straight out with no onboard controls. Because they go to independant channels on the console I can blend in a little of the mike with the piezo in the main PA, but keep the mike out of the monitor mix. Also they can have independant EQ & reverb. Given a good sound system in a good room it works very well. | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | Paul T: interesting concept! Do you run a stereo cable out of the guitar, or two separate outputs? | ||
Paul Templeman |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750 Location: Scotland | The Piezo has the standard Op50 balanced & unbalanced outs, the mike has an independant XLR out, so I use 2 separate balanced cables. | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | That would seem a versatile setup, tho a back looking like a rounded tummy with a couple too many navels. | ||
willard |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1300 Location: Madison, Wisconsin | That '95 Collectors's sure is a pretty guitar. Does anyone know how thay sound. | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | Interesting question, but difficult to answer with precision. It is a well made USA Ovation guitar, and can be expected to sound good. But as CWK has pointed out on this forum, they just won't all sound the same. I don't particularly like the OptiMax preamp, and it seems Ovation didn't either. New preamps have often made their debut on Collectors' guitars before becoming stock on other USA models. But as best I know, the OptiMax only got used on the '95 Collectors and the Mandocello. The TS preamp on the '97 Collectors' also seems to have had very limited application, and the HexFex preamp from the '96 wasn't around long, either. | ||
Bob Mintus |
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Joined: November 2003 Posts: 100 Location: Warren, OH | Thanks for the feedback, guys. I was looking at a 95 Collector's Edition on e-bay. The guitar appeared to be in nice shape, but I was kind of wary of the OptiMax. It ended up going for about $380. Maybe I should take that as a sign... | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | I bid on that guitar and followed that auction. FWIW, I would be happy to buy that guitar for $380. I think it is more of a sign that the eBay market is unpredictable. A lot of it has to do with how the guitar is presented and the credentials of the seller. I think if Al or I listed that guitar that the bidding would have gone higher. To the point: if you can get that guitar for anything close to $380 it is a really good buy. It is a USA made Ovation with a primo top and a good, if quirky, preamp. That is a fine price for a guitar with its features one buys to play. My wariness is that of a reseller, not a player. If you can get it for $380, I recommend going for it and begging for a deal on the shipping. :D | ||
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