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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Hi gang. Been away from the forum for a long time, nice to be back seeing all the usual suspects slanging each other...
I've now finally got both my 2005ES (FRG) and the 1768 Elite here in Oztralia after a nightmare finding a suitable shipping option. Ended up costing more than one of the guitars. Still cheaper than buying them down here.
Anyway, I bought the 1768 on thebay, and it arrived in showroom condition, not a mark on it and the action was as close as you could hope for and the neck is so straight you could do drafting with it. Unbeleivably good condition for an 11 year old guitar! It was heaven to play and sounded... well, you all know it sounds great, so I won't rant. I originally intended to sell the 1768 to pay for the postage on the 2005ES, but it played so well, I decided to keep it. The problems with the '05 probably helped in that decision.
Well! I was soooooooo looking forward to getting the 2005, and when it finally arrived, I must admit to being a little disappointed. (Understatement!) I just can't get the neck straight. When I get the action close to where the 1768 is, it buzzes up around the hgher frets. And when I look along the neck it just aint straight.
It sounds fantastic acoustically or plugged in, feels great against my body (not in the left hand thought), looks gorgeous, but doesn't play like I expect an Ovation to play. If I lift the strings up a bit, it sounds out of tune when playing bar chords up the neck, or using a capo.
I'm always playing the 1768 now as it feels so good. I really need that close action.
So has anyone else had similar experiences with their '05? (Or any O for that matter?) Or is it just that I don't have the expertise to get it just right and I should get a pro to set it up?
Or should I just sell it and try another one?
Could the neck problem be the reason for the FRG tag? |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Welcome back. In theory the neck on the '05 should be easier to adust than your older elite. That's one of the advantages of the dual action truss rod. It probably just takes a little "technique" to get it right. Plus you may have some fret leveling issues that need to be touched up a bit. I would definately not get rid of the guitar over a simple thing like this. and I'm very sure the FRG status has nothing to do with a bum neck. By all means take it to a pro and get it set up properly. It's a wonderful guitar. Dave |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Thanks for your reply Dave. It was probably your strong recommendation that convinced me to buy it all those months back.
I hope that I can sort it out, cause it's a drop dead gorgeous guitar in an understated sort of way.
You've had a zillion O's and I value your opinion. What do you think of the 1768? A good friend of mine commented that he thought my '05 was much clearer and louder than my 1768. He's convinced that it's the multi hole's fault. I can't say, as I haven't heard the 1768 played properly from an 'audience' standpoint. I've heard the '05 plugged in to a full PA and it sounded FAN bloody TASTIC. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I agree with your friend.
I am not a fan of the multihole wood topped guitars (elites), but part of that is that I just don't like the way they look. But looks aside I would have to say that the '05 to ME sounds beter than just about any multihole I've ever heard, maybe with the exception of the 1537. My only one on one comparison is my own '05 and 1768. To my ears it was not even close.
Dave |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | muzza, my 2005-ES (not a FRG) has had no neck problems. I did have to remove a shim from beneath the saddle to get the action within spec with .012"-.053" strings.
I'm with Dave, it sounds like there is work that can be done yet before giving up on yours.
My personal preference is for round-sound-hole Os, but the multi-holes have their good points....they seem to me to have a little more bass.
Roger |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Hey, Dave. I just had a look at your excellent website and noticed that your 1768 is the 'book elite' - which is the mid depth bowl.
Mine is the full depth model from the previous year. Have you any experience with that particular model?
You said that the dual truss should make it easy to adjust the neck, but there's only one allen key in the headstock. How does the dual truss work? (Sorry, no time for a forum search)
Hi Roger, I tried taking the thick shim out, then the thin one. No luck. I even tried taking both out, but the strings were then resting on the frets. I put them both back in in preparation for selling it on.
Question to both Dave and Roger. Should I take the 2005 to any decent luthier for a setup, or should I find someone with an understanding and love of Ovations? |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Book elite is a deep bowl. I fixed the mistake on my website. I would take it to a good repair shop and have them look at it. Preferably an authorized Ovation repair shop, but I realize that might not be easy. Dave |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Since the 05 is an LX based neck perhaps the neck alone could be shipped to CT for evaluation/repair?
They unbolt don't they? |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by MWoody:
Since the 05 is an LX based neck perhaps the neck alone could be shipped to CT for evaluation/repair? I wouldn't do that. I think the whole setup needs checking. I'm not an expert, but I have a sneaky feeling the issue is a few frets that need touching up a bit.
Dave |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I wouldn't ship the neck w/o the guitar. The neck and guitar are set up together and whenever possible should stay together. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Yes, it's a "system" problem. Just the neck by itself may not tell anything. I would leave them together.
I'd think a truss rod adjustment at the headstock would be in order next. I looked at the owner's manual that came with my 2005-ES, and it is the "generic" owner's manual, nothing unique in it for the LX truss rods. So I can't advise you as to which direction the adjustment needs to be made. What it appears though, from your description, is that the neck is bowed. The truss rod needs to be adjusted to straighten the neck.
I'd put back shims under the saddle as necessary to set the action as you like it for "up-the-neck"(set it CLOSE, as the strings will be higher when the neck is straighter), and then either adjust the truss rod yourself, or find a good experienced, preferably Ovation-experienced, luthier to do it. Best of luck.
Roger |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Just had another go at setting the neck. There's definitely something weird going on.
Could someone tell me how to add photos/images to the post. It may help me to explain better.
The '05 sounds great and if I could sort it out, it would be my only guitar - the 1768 would be eBay bound.
At this rate, the '05 won't be staying around.
I've emailed the Australian importers for a recommendation for someone to look at it. I wonder how the warranty works if I bought it in the US? I don't even think the '05 is available in Oz. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I got an email back from Kaman USA within 2 days. (great customer care!)They've told me that, to get the warranty honored, I have to return it to the store where I bought it. (a well known Ovation seller in the US - not Al) The suggested I take it to the Australian importer, but they may charge for any repairs.
Still haven't got a reply from the Australian importers after a week. (Poor customer care)
So if I've gotta pay anyway, should I take it to just ANY luthier, or should it be an Ovation specialist?
From the information in the above posts, I take it that the '05 has a bolt-on neck?
eBay still sounds like the easiest option.
I was jumping out of my skin with anticipation waiting for the '05 to arrive but the whole experience has been so so so disappointing. (It was also my first ever NEW Ovation)
Woe is me. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Find an Ovation experienced repair person if possible. A non Ovation repair person is likely to look at and say "of course it's fucked up, it's an Ovation what do you expect."
Easiest thing might be if you can retutn it to the dealer where you bought it and get your money back and start over.
Dave |
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2005ES FRG neck problems
