Bought A Used Ovation And................

[Jeffblue]

Every Ovation that I have ever owned or played had horrible action. I found a used Ovation CC057 Celebrity at my local GC. I had the tech remove the shims before my purchase but the action was still too high. I brought the guitar home, pulled out my nut slotting files and carefully slotted the bridge saddle. I had to get my X-acto wood working tools to gouge out a little piece of the wood behind the saddle for the low E string because the string was touching the bridge causing the saddle not to have full force contact in the saddle slot/piezo pickup.

Now my Ovation is the best playing that I have ever played and the intonation is nearly spot-on perfect. When I play my Ovation, it is hard to put it down. It sounds excellent also. I like it.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Funny- the ones I've played had quite low action. Glad you were able to adjust it, I understand luthiers have an intense dislike of any serious work on them. Enjoy!

 

[Adieu]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Yeah stock they're barely playable

 

[Aceman]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I have one that is pretty shred ready as is.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I understand luthiers have an intense dislike of any serious work on them. Enjoy!

Yes, we pretty much regard them as Tupperware with strings.

My usual response when asked how to fix them is say, "Let me find an anvil to drop on it".

 

[justFred]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Yes, we pretty much regard them as Tupperware with strings.

My usual response when asked how to fix them is say, "Let me find an anvil to drop on it".

Glen Campbell was able to make them work...

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I had a Celebrity series for years. In don’t remember the action being particularly high.
I played the crap out of that guitar for years...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I have an Adamas that had great, low action right from the factory. It is a wonderful sounding instrument, too.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

The neck on mine came unglued (Florida hot). It was fixed with a bolt. Works and sounds great....

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Glen Campbell was able to make them work...

Not the point.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Congrats Jeff. Glad to hear you were able to get it playing and sounding so great. For years I wanted an Ovation, because that's what Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon plays and I always liked the acoustic tone on their albums and live as well. Ovations have a unique sound, but they can sound great.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I had an old Applause with the aluminum fretboard

I dont remember it being special
Frets were gouged
Could replace them without changing the whole board

It moved on

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I had an old Applause with the aluminum fretboard

I sold my brother one when they were new - had the aluminum frets cast into the fretboard. Once he wore out those frets, that was it. Not the best idea from Kaman.

 

[AxlOz]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I've had 2 Ovations, still have 1 of them. I still have a 1975 Ovation Legend. Its showing some signs of ageing but plays nicely. I've never had to adjust the truss rod or action on it - ever.. Had it for nearly 20 years.

The other Ovulation I owned was a 1997(?) Elite Special. Basically the Elite shallow body model, with minimal adornments to the neck and fretboard. It always played nicely and again I never had to adjust it. I'm sure if I wanted to I could have had it playing even better but I was happy with it as it was. Good low action, no buzzes etc.

Newer ones I've played in stores have all felt quite nice!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Yeah, all of the new ones have played very nicely. I think the new owners are doing a great job- some nice designs on the higher end, too.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I have two Ovations and an old Applause that I’ve owned for over 30 years... all are fine instruments with low action that sound and play wonderfully. I’ve played tons of them over the years and simply can’t imagine one that doesn’t play well.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I’ve played tons of them over the years and simply can’t imagine one that doesn’t play well.

Imagine harder.
Believe me - they ARE out there.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Imagine harder.
Believe me - they ARE out there.

I’m sure EVERY guitar manufacturer has a few that get past their QC, but my opinion still stands.

I’m actually kind of surprised to hear you call yourself a luthier, I’d have never guessed it from the things you have to say... or maybe it’s just the rude way that you present your opinions that makes me feel like automatically dismissing them.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

Ovations used to sort of be The Pinnacle for me as far as acoustic guitars- but acoustic has never been my primary instrument (in fact I don't like playing acoustic,) which is likely in part what attracted me to them.

On top of that- A friend had two that played quite well, and my Uncle cherishes his; also as mentioned, I never really experienced one new at a store that didn't at least work well out of the box. At a certain stage my sonic preference shifted away from them, but I still agree with their ergonomics/playability a bit more than most 'conventional' acoustics.

Pretty intrigued by the aluminum fretboard; I feel like I'd grab one for the novelty. Not many casual guitarists actually play the frets down on any guitar anyway, but wonder how aluminum's durability would fare in regular use. Seems meant for a disposable world.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Bought A Used Ovation And................

I used to have an '89 collector's series. It was a fantastic guitar. Great tone plugged in or just acoustic.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk