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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
| Hey, everyone - I'm thankful that I found this place cuz I need some help/advice. I just purchased an Ovation 1624-4 (1977). My cousin (many years ago) had a Ovation Country Artist and I fell in love with it. He had nylon strings on his and the action was perfect. You could play that thing all day and never wear your fingers out. I'm not sure what model he had (1124, 1164, etc.) but I've been wanting one ever since. When I came across this on ebay I just had to get it. But, when it arrived it came with metal strings on it instead of nylon. Can this model use nylon strings? If I remember correctly, metal strings put more tension on the neck than nylon. The action does need to be adjusted but I doubt that it will ever be a good as my cousin's from years back. Did I purchase the wrong model for nylon? Thanks for your help and allowing me to be long winded! Merry Christmas to one and all! |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by jdcamc1:
I just purchased an Ovation 1624-4 (1977)....
But, when it arrived it came with metal strings on it instead of nylon...
Did I purchase the wrong model for nylon? A 1624 is a Nylon string guitar.
If the bridge is "block" shaped like this one, it is for nylon.
Remove the metal strings, say a little prayer,
and maybe the action will return to normal once it has had nylon strings on it for a while.
1624 on Ovation homepage...
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | If you have the model number correct, it should have nylon strings. 1624 is the Country Artist with a shallower bowl and nylon strings with 14 frets to the body. The steel string version at that time was the 1614 Folklore with a cedar top, deep bowl and 12 frets to the body.
You should also have a rectangular bridge on yours. As far as I know all the steel string models had bridges with a curved bottom. The notches in the nut would also be wider for the nylon models. The tuning pegs were the same in 1977 for both the Country Artist and Folklore.
Put some nylons on that sucker and play it. The action for nylon strings is meant to be higher than for steel. Look in the manuals on the Ovation or the Ovation Tribute sites and you should find the measurements for the standard string heights. Then when you have the strings off, push up on the wire coming down underthe saddle and see if there are any shims under the saddle. Taking shims out is the way to lower the action.
Edit: Arthur beat me as usual. |
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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
| Thank you!! Just what I wanted to hear! Being that I'm about 30 years behind since I played, the only strings I remember my cousin used back then were Ernie Ball. Are they still around and are they any good or do you have any recommendation for a somewhat returning beginner? Also, can't the neck be adjusted by the tension bar? |
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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
| OK, I'll remove the metal ASAP. Again, thanks, guy! I also just looked at Ernie Ball website and I think my cousin used Earthwood Acoustical - but I noticed that they range from .20 to .56. Being a novice I'm guessing that the range is referring to the thickness (???) What would be a good starting ground? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I use D'Addarios, but if you do a search there are many different opinions here. I can't remember the string thickness, but try some light tension and go for heavier strings if those are too light for you.
Don't try to adjust the string height with the truss rod. It's for correcting a warp or bow in the neck. You might have issues with that, too, but you should check the shims first. There are plenty of resources on the internet, including the manuals on the two sites I mentioned above. I can never remember how to adjust the truss rod without consulting one of them. |
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Ovation 1624-4
