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May 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Georgia | Sorry if this is the wrong place, guys - I read the rules and this place looks about right. I've been looking all over for this info, but can't find it anywhere.
Anyway, I just got my hands on an Ovation Deacon. It plays so sweetly, I may just make it my only electric guitar. Two issues:
1. Electronics are fried, so I'll need new ones.
2. (the one I need help on) There's a small crack on the neck, up near the headstock. It seems to go beyond just the finish though.
So, my question is this: did all the old solidbodies use the same necks? I've some experience with Vipers, Preachers, and UKIIs, and I know the necks are made of different materials, but are they all interchangable? I don't think I'll need a new one ATM, but it'll be nice to have the information beforehand, not to mention that it'll be a lot easier to find any old Ovation neck than a Deacon/Breadwinner neck specifically.
EDIT: Oh yeah, one other thing. I've heard there are some particular bridges out there that are better. Viper IIIs, I think, are supposed to be superior? I'd appreciate any info about that too. Thanks, anyone who answers. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | All the necks are interchangeable, and it would appear to be enough leeway on the intonation adjustment to swap between the 24.75" scale used on the Deacon/Preacher/UK11 and the 25.5" on the Vipers. A couple of people have put 24.75 scale necks on Viper bodies.
There were at least 4 bridges. The original Ovation bridge with nylon saddles, the updated version with bronze saddles, a later version of this one where each saddle had a securing bolt through the base of the bridge, and a completely different design manufactured by Schaller. All three Ovation bridges are interchangable. The Schaller bridge wil work on any Ovation solid as long as you have the correct mounting posts, which are different to the Ovation type. As for which are superior, I personaly hate the Schaller bridge. Some peope claim they can detect a difference between the nylon saddles and the bronze version. |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Welcome, Mr. Couch. Where in GA do you butter your grits? |
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October 2005
Posts: 4043
Location: Utah | Welcome aboard, Couch. One good place to try for the electronics is the For Sale section. Post a "Wanted to Buy" thread there and you may get lucky.
Miles, one of the owners here, runs an eBay business selling all kinds of Ovation parts. He'd be a good place to try for a neck or the electronics.
Perhaps your electronics are repairable? |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1118
Location: NW Washington State | Are the original electronics still there? If so, how are they "fried"?
I like the third version of the Ovation bridge- black plastic surround, brass saddles, and the securing screws into each saddle. The backplate of the bridge is slotted for the securing screws. It usually has a bolt that goes through the body that adjusts from the back. This lets you adjust the angle and further secures the bridge.
The later chrome or gold Schaller bridge looks cool, but it will rock back and forth on its posts and you can't adjust the angle. It's heavy but not mounted as well as the third generation Ovation bridge.
-Steve W. |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | But if you rock the chrome bridge, you can make it whammy. Seriously. |
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May 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Georgia | Originally posted by Captain_Lovehandles:
Welcome, Mr. Couch. Where in GA do you butter your grits? I'm in a place called Powder Springs, which is a particularly boring suburb of Atlanta. But it's an alright place. Originally posted by numbfingers:
Are the original electronics still there? If so, how are they "fried"? Oh, they're there. But honestly? Don't know, don't care. Even if they weren't busted, I'd still be replacing them with passives. I'm not into this thing for it's collector's value, nor am I into actives, so I've no issues with hot-rodding into something more to my liking.
Originally posted by numbfingers:
I like the third version of the Ovation bridge- black plastic surround, brass saddles, and the securing screws into each saddle. The backplate of the bridge is slotted for the securing screws. It usually has a bolt that goes through the body that adjusts from the back. This lets you adjust the angle and further secures the bridge. Yeah, I think this is what's on my Preacher. I've just never been motivated to take the Preacher or Viper, or my dad's UKII apart like I have with this one. I might just take the one off the Preacher, as it never gets played.
Thanks for the info, guys. I'm taking it to a tech friend of mine Sunday to get it looked at. A set-up wouldn't hurt right now. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1118
Location: NW Washington State | Originally posted by Flying Couch:
Oh, they're there. But honestly? Don't know, don't care. Even if they weren't busted, I'd still be replacing them with passives. I'm not into this thing for it's collector's value, nor am I into actives, so I've no issues with hot-rodding into something more to my liking.
Yikes. But if you've just gotta put in a passive setup, you might consider removing the intact pickguard assembly with the original pickups, knobs, and electronics. Save it so that the guitar can be returned to its original state in the future. MWoody here on the forum can make you a nice replacement pickguard to fit the pickups and electronics of your choice.
-Steve W. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1118
Location: NW Washington State | Originally posted by Captain_Lovehandles:
But if you rock the chrome bridge, you can make it whammy. Seriously. I know. Is this a good thing? :) |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Countermanding the original design of an Ovation Solidbody guitar by modifying the appearance or function is totally sacreligous and forbidden...
But it can be done and a lot of extra fun and flavor can be shaken out of it!!!!
Sometimes the Mothership does it
And sometimes you just have to do it yourself...
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Basically two scale lengths for the solid necks.
The decorations are Viper, Breadwinner, Deacon, Preacher, Preacher deluxe and UKII Bowtie.
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Georgia | Originally posted by MWoody:
Countermanding the original design of an Ovation Solidbody guitar by modifying the appearance or function is totally sacreligous and forbidden... Well, I'm perfectly happy to be a filthy heathen in that case! :D
Originally posted by FlySig:
Miles, one of the owners here, runs an eBay business selling all kinds of Ovation parts. He'd be a good place to try for a neck or the electronics. Could I get a link to this? I did some searching earlier, but couldn't find such a store. :confused: Originally posted by MWoody:
Basically two scale lengths for the solid necks.
The decorations are Viper, Breadwinner, Deacon, Preacher, Preacher deluxe and UKII Bowtie. Hm. And any of these will work should I need a replacement? Originally posted by numbfingers:
Yikes. But if you've just gotta put in a passive setup, you might consider removing the intact pickguard assembly with the original pickups, knobs, and electronics. Save it so that the guitar can be returned to its original state in the future. MWoody here on the forum can make you a nice replacement pickguard to fit the pickups and electronics of your choice.
-Steve W. Well, seeing as he just popped into this thread: how much d'ya charge, sir? What are you willing to make? Or should I take these questions to PM/another forum?
Thanks again, guys. Y'all are much more helpful than I was expecting to find. I'm taking the guitar to a luthier/technician friend on Sunday to see about getting it intonated/set up and such, and if we can get its playability back to the way it was when it came to my family, I'll get on acquiring new pickups and such for it. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Flying Couch:
FlySig:
Miles, one of the owners here, runs an eBay business selling all kinds of Ovation parts. He'd be a good place to try for a neck or the electronics. Could I get a link to this? I did some searching earlier, but couldn't find such a store. :confused:
But here is a link to the current Ovation stuff.... |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | G'day Couch
If you want to sell the original preamp, fried or otherwise let me know.
AJ |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | "how much d'ya charge, sir?"
Name calling will get you nowhere young man! :rolleyes:
I'm in it for the art and the fellowship... which is why I keep my day job. Look around at as many of the galleries you can - especially the links I have below, and set a course for what you want. Shredder, Jazz, Texas Blues? What is the vibe you want?
Look through the Seymour Duncan pickups on their site and go for a theme, the rest is just assembly! |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 8
Location: Georgia | So, I took it to my friend today - turns out I don't need a new neck, not for the time being at least. Set up and intonated, and it plays very nice, just as it did before.Just gotta get the pickups and it's good. :) Originally posted by MWoody:
"how much d'ya charge, sir?"
Name calling will get you nowhere young man! :rolleyes: Charging nothing, then? :eek: Sweet.
I would like the vibe to be much the same as the original black one - cosmetically, it's fine the way it is. I was thinking, though, that the switch closer to the outer edge of the guitar - the one closer to the floor when held standing/playing position, that is - would be removed, as I can't think of a use for it. Spaced for two standard-sized humbuckers. You are just making the pickguard itself, presumably? |
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Just got a Deacon...
