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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 3
| Hi,
The FAQ did not seem to answer my issues, so I am sorry if this is an all too frequent type of post.
The bridge is coming up on my old Balladeer. It's at a local Ovation dealer with a repair shop where they promised pretty much nothing as far as the "Limited Life Time Warranty" goes and they warned that the repair often does damage to the cosmetics.
An email from Ovation states that it might be covered under warranty if I send it to them.
Any advice on whether I should trust the local repair shop - an old and respected multi-line music store - or send it to Ovation? I do not distrust this shop, but wonder if the Ovation repair facility would be the best.
I would also like to know if this guitar can be modified with a pickup? I bought a cheap Strat to play along with my electric guitar only friends, but I really like acoustic guitar and I'm thinking I would not be drowned out if I could use it with my amp. I am considering a new guitar purchase, but my wife want's an all wood guitar, thus the idea of modifying this one with pickup vs. getting a new one with it and meeting my wife's wanting "all wood".
Thank you for any advice. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Send it to the Factory.
. . . and as far as the wife wanting "all wood" . . .
. . . there's pills for that . . . |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Wm.L., welcome to the club. Send your guitar to the factory; they do excellent work and nobody on the planet knows more about how to rectify your problem than they do.
I just had my Custom Balladeer repaired there and had them install a preamp and pickup in it. IMHO you won't be sorry.
Dave |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | Originally posted by cliff:
Send it to the Factory.
. . . and as far as the wife wanting "all wood" . . .
. . . there's pills for that . . . Nice control Cliff!
I was expecting some kind of "woody" remark! :) |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Most of the solidbody Ovations are all wood!
Welcome. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Somebody here's gotta be tacky enough to say it, I was counting on Cliff or JeffW. But it look like Brad's intimidated them so.....
Originally posted by Wm. L.:
...but my wife want's an all wood guitar.... Time for a new wife. :D |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 3
| Thanks.
No way on getting a new wife. What are the chances of getting another one who will put up with 18 years of letting me do what I want and buy what I want let alone the chances of getting one as good looking and great in so many ways.
Back to Ovation. Any idea of what the repairs, pickup and pre-amp would cost or their typical turn around? The local shop estimated $175 or less for the repairs and a setup.
Thank you.
WJL |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | We're kind of "dissuaded" to quote prices here on Ovation's behalf.
You best bet is to contact them directly.
I'd venture to say that $175(or less) is not going to garner you an "Ovation" pickup/preamp from the other guy (but I could be wrong).
The plain truth is, nobody knows these guitars better (or stands behind their work more) than the Boys in CT.
YourCall. |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 3
| Thanks. The $175 or less is just the local Ovation dealer's estimate for the bridge repair. I have no idea what the pickup and pre-amp would cost.
This idea of a pickup and pre-amp is digressing or a tangent not related to the bridge problem - a thought to be able to play acoustic guitar with my friends who only play electric guitar and bass without being drowned out. No stage ambitions here.
I buy the logic for shipping it off and will weigh that against the natural tendency to want to instant gratification and save money. I am planning another guitar purchase one way or another so my wife can resume playing - thus the wondering if that purchase should have the pickup or this Ovation.
Thanks again. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | You MIGHT be better off going with an under-saddle pickup with a direct-out & going external on the preamp . . .
Cheap&Quick. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Someone correct me when I'm wrong, But wouldn't a trip to the Factory come with a warranty?
Not to insult you Local Luthier, but (I will anyway) I'd trust the factory better than; "Well, this oughta fix it." |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | If it were me, I'd get the old friend fixed up like new at the factory and then buy my wife a new or used Ovation with a pickup. Then borrow my wife's guitar to play with the electric guys.
About the time I started on this board, I bought a Lawrence soundhole pickup for my "old friend", the Matrix. Although it worked fine, it stays in the box because I now have several others that plug in. I like the old friend just the way it has always been. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | I used a Bill Lawrence soundhole pickup in my 1112-1 for a long time. The OP onboard pickups are so much more superior.
I scored an OP30 on Ebay but there are some risks involved in used.
Factory Upgrades are the way to go. |
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Advice for an old friend (my guitar)?
