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Just getting started

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Bolero
Posted 2010-07-28 12:34 PM (#3084)
Subject: Just getting started
Joined:
July 2010
Posts: 2

Location: Lopez Island, WA		I have wanted to learn to play the guitar for ever. Fortunately I mentioned that to a buddy and he promptly handed me his Ovation 1122-4 and said "have at it". He even include a stand, tuner, pick and chord book.

So I have started working through some online lessons and reading up on guitars while I rest me fingers.

One of my first question is strings. I have read though the forum and the personal nature of strings and will probably through a dart to select between the Adamas, Elixir, D'Addario, Dean Markley etc that have been recommended. But I am a bit puzzled since my buddies Ovation looks to be strung with 3 steel strings and 3 nylon strings. Was this normal back in the day, or some evolution that happen to this particular guitar?

The second question is about action. I measured at the 12th fret and found between 11/64 and 12/64. Is that about right for this guitar?

Any way I just trying to figure some things out as I work by way up the steep part of the learning curve.

Cheers and Thanks,
Bill
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Waskel
Posted 2010-07-28 2:10 PM (#3085 - in reply to #3084)
Subject: Re: Just getting started



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret		Welcome to the OFC, Bill. Congrats on getting to learn on such a nice guitar (and for having such a good "buddy").

If your guitar looks like this:

it's a Classic Balladeer - A nylon string classical-style guitar. What you're perceiving as 'steel' strings are probably the windings on the lower strings. DO NOT put a set of steel strings on this guitar, it's not built for that kind of tension!

The factory sends classicals out with Adamas 4444 on them... might be a good place to start. LaBella also makes a good nylon, and I'm sure others will chime in with their favorites.
As far as string height... not sure on nylon. I just set it where it plays well for me.
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Bolero
Posted 2010-07-28 3:00 PM (#3086 - in reply to #3084)
Subject: Re: Just getting started
Joined:
July 2010
Posts: 2

Location: Lopez Island, WA		Thanks so much for the quick answer and the string guidance. And don't worry, since my knowledge is somewhere between less than nothing and nothing I won't be doing anything until I have checked and recheck.

And yes the guitar looks just like that.



Is this what you meant by the coating on the nylon strings?



And yes it is great to have a bud with a nice guitar lying around. He never took to playing it so it was just decoration in his house. We will have to see how I fair.

Cheers,
Bill
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fillhixx
Posted 2010-08-01 10:29 PM (#3087 - in reply to #3084)
Subject: Re: Just getting started



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4817

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia		Yup, it's a Classical. Be easier on the fingers to start with too.

Your first important lessons will involve learning to string it well so the strings don't slip, which makes it impossible to keep in tune.

Here's a video

If you're more into graphics than video here\'s similar info presented different.
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