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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Got my LX in April....maybe it's me but around the 12th and 14th frets seems a little high off the fretboard...and seems to be a little harder to bar chords.....
As I sight down from the butt of the guitar to the headstock....there seems to be a slight bow
Now I know there is supposed to be a slight bow adjusted into the neck....but the action seems high up the staff...
Would appreciate your opinions and advice. Should I have an ovation tech take a look and adjust the neck......? I like lower action but don't want the frets to begin buzzing.
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Funny you should mention that. I have an LX Legend and noticed the bow and action thing also. In fact, I just adjusted the neck, last week to improve the action. Since it sits on a stand next to my 1619 CL, I notice the differance even more. The CL has better action, and I also like the thinner neck on the CL. But, the LX is brighter and lighter, so I enjoy it more. It may be time to use that allen wrench that came with your LX. It will improve your action at the 12 and 14 frets. Be careful. a slight turn is all you need.
Tommy |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Tommy
Thanks. I've got an Ovation dealer here in Warrenton who is certified to work on them....may take it to him & have him adjust the neck for me.....
I tried adjusting the neck on my balladere one time and really goofed it up....course that was many years ago. I'd probably really goof it up now. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | You guys are right about the LX action. My Legend LX had two shims under the pickup. One was the regular shim, and one was about half as thick as that one. I took the thicker one out leaving only the thin shim under the pickup. I also put the truss rod a little tighter. This helped some, but what really made the guitar play well was having the nut slots cut down some. This really helped the guitars feel when playing chords like an F. I still find the action kind of high at the 12th fret. I have not talked to Kim about it, but this must just be the way the LX guitars are made. |
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April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Paul
thanx. I thought it was just me....but what you say about the shims makes sense. I bet the thicker shim you were talking about was under the bass strings (high) side of the bridge/pickup?? On my LX, it seems higher on the bass strings (A/E) side of the bridge..
If you talk to KIM...please let me know. I'm gonna print this thread and take in with me when I see the Ovation tech....this weekend.....did you cut down the "nut slots your self? |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Sam, I am lucky in that I met this very nice guy here who builds guitars. He does it as a hobby, and builds beautiful Martin style acoustic guitars. He cut the nut slots down for me. He could not get over how high they were. As soon as I played the guitar after he had cut down the slots, it was like a different instrument. I play with a soft touch, so I can get away with a low action. Let me know how yours turns out. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | My $00.02 worth:
- Ovation factory spec string height is a little bit high for my taste. I usually remove a shim to lower it 1/64", or so. I keep my guitars set up at 2/32" measured from the top of the 12th fret to the high E and 5/64" on the low.
- Sometimes neck relief needs to be adjusted, but one must know how to diagnose that as an actual problem needing correction
- Neck adjustment with the truss rod isn't difficult and there are threads on this board with detailed discussion of how to do it properly.
- Filing one's own nuts should be done with extreme caution .... :eek: |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | With a set of slotting files and the right instruction, its pretty easy to get it right after you mess one or two up learning
The idea with nut slot depth: Depress the string between frets 2 and 3 and check the string clearance at fret 1. It ought to be just ever so slightly above the fret. Touching the fret? Too low, oops.
Those slot files cut pretty fast, so it usually only takes a VERY few strokes of the file to cut a decent amount down.
And, be sure you do the "test measurment" above, with the guitar having all strings to correct pitch (or you'll cut too deep!). |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Paul Hebert
Thanks for the insight.....gonna take it in an have this done this weekend....
I play softly as well....due to finger style...have to have it smooth up the staff.
Paul B and Charlie
Thanks for the information as well. I plan to print off this thread and take into the Tech with me. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Agree agree agree. The LX action is a little high. The first approach is remove a shim or 2 (this is a great feature about ovations, Taylors have to have the bridge sadle filed down, ugh). Second: Adjust the truss rod. This is not as difficult as it may seem. Just turn the rod ever so slightly. You don't have to remove or losen the strings, so you get instant results. Third: File at the nut. This is too permanent, so I would not recommend it for the layman.
Tommy |
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LX standard elite high strings around 12 & 14 frets