My Modified Ovation Celebrity....................

[Jeffblue]

I had bought a used Ovation Celebrity and a few issues were discovered that I need to change. The action was too high for my taste and the back and the bottom of the guitar was awkward and slippery. I added Schaller strap locks for my own taste. I took my nut files and slotted my nut deeper and then slotted the bridge saddle for slinkier strings and improved action. I drilled 6 holes in a brass cylindrical piece of brass as a tone enhancer. I feed D'Addario 10s electric strings through the brass before going into the bridge to improve tone and sustain. I then added silicone in lines on the back and bottom of the guitar to prevent sliding and shifting. This guitar plays as smoothly as my Les Paul guitars.

 

[Mincer]

I’ve never heard of the brass trick. I have an Adamas, which I love. I’d think electric strings would make it too plinky, but if it works for you, awesome.

 

[Jeffblue]

I’ve never heard of the brass trick. I have an Adamas, which I love. I’d think electric strings would make it too plinky, but if it works for you, awesome.

Normally electric strings would sound plinky. Acoustic strings normally are brass or bronze wound for deeper tone. The brass at the tail of the guitar compensates for the lack of brass or bronze in the strings.

 

[GuitarStv]

Any mod that makes you play more is a good mod. That silicone thing looks ugly as sin though.

 

[Jeffblue]

Any mod that makes you play more is a good mod. That silicone thing looks ugly as sin though.

I agree about how ugly the silicone is. With more practice I might possibly make it look better, but it sure works beautifully.

 

[DCikes88]

Hey, even the brass pipe isn't really a looker, BUT if it functions, it's an upgrade. I completely support the mods.
And a huge plus - it's all easily undone and brought back to stock.

 

[Jeffblue]

Hey, even the brass pipe isn't really a looker, BUT if it functions, it's an upgrade. I completely support the mods.
And a huge plus - it's all easily undone and brought back to stock.

Not a pipe, it is a solid piece of cylindrical brass.

 

[DCikes88]

Not a pipe, it is a solid piece of cylindrical brass.

Oh no, yeah, I caught that in your original post. I just used pipe because it cracked me up.

 

[JOLLY]

That's pretty smart with the silicone.

 

[solspirit]

I have the same guitar but its my porch plinker and I dont think its worth the work.

 

[Jeffblue]

I have the same guitar but its my porch plinker and I dont think its work the work.

Even a cheap porch plinker can have a tendency to slide off of your lap.

 

[Masta' C]

The silicone thing is interesting and certainly doesn't cost much. If it was mine, I'd probably look into some of the "grip tape" options you can pick up on Amazon. All sorts of textures and widths, from rolls to sheets.

 

[Jeffblue]

The silicone thing is interesting and certainly doesn't cost much. If it was mine, I'd probably look into some of the "grip tape" options you can pick up on Amazon. All sorts of textures and widths, from rolls to sheets.

Yes sir, I get it. The silicon turned out ugly but it works really well. With the grip tape, I suppose I was worried about abrasion damage to my jeans or shirts while playing the guitar.

 

[Securb]

I think the brass is a smart idea. My 73 Ovation solid body has a brass bridge. It makes me wonder if Ovation ever considered brass for their acoustics. For a cleaner look on the back and bottom you might consider a sheet of silicone, then again, it may be too smooth and not fix the sliding problem. Gibson Flying V ribbed rubber leg rest material could also be a cleaner solution.

 

[NegativeEase]

Oh man, all this work so you can play "Wanted....Dead or Alive?" (I kid)

That bridge idea is pretty cool -you should post a sound clip, and I respect any mod that works for the slippage no matter how ugly -as playing an ovation on your lap is a terrible feeling thing.

 

[Jeffblue]

I think the brass is a smart idea. My 73 Ovation solid body has a brass bridge. It makes me wonder if Ovation ever considered brass for their acoustics. For a cleaner look on the back and bottom you might consider a sheet of silicone, then again, it may be too smooth and not fix the sliding problem. Gibson Flying V ribbed rubber leg rest material could also be a cleaner solution.

Pulling off the silicone is now not an option for me. I don't mind the ugly as long as the ugly isn't viewable while playing the guitar. I have custom homemade guitars that have brass tops on them. I love what brass does to a guitar.


This last guitar has a brass trem block and brass saddles. Seymour Duncan pickups (and after this photo was taken) a Bill Lawrence vintage rail tele bridge pickup. Brass is fantastic.

 

[GuitarStv]

The silicone thing is interesting and certainly doesn't cost much. If it was mine, I'd probably look into some of the "grip tape" options you can pick up on Amazon. All sorts of textures and widths, from rolls to sheets.

I was thinking that too . . . something like skateboard tape. But I bet the silicone is way more comfortable.

 

[solspirit]

Even a cheap porch plinker can have a tendency to slide off of your lap.

All the time. Hahaha

Also I was mistaken, you've got the AE, I've got the AA, but they look identical.

 

[solspirit]

Pulling off the silicone is now not an option for me. I don't mind the ugly as long as the ugly isn't viewable while playing the guitar. I have custom homemade guitars that have brass tops on them. I love what brass does to a guitar.


This last guitar has a brass trem block and brass saddles. Seymour Duncan pickups (and after this photo was taken) a Bill Lawrence vintage rail tele bridge pickup. Brass is fantastic.

That bottom guitar is beautiful

 

[Jeffblue]

That's pretty smart with the silicone.

Thank you kind sir.