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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Here goes, happy reading:
In my haste to source a 97C I picked up one for $250, was in pretty bad shape, no case, damaged tuner and as it turned out the top needs replacing (who am I to argue with Kim?).
Since then I have bought a mint wide 97C so I've been wondering what to do with the damaged one. First I thought f*** it just forget it and put it down as dealers blues then Patch got me thinking that this could be an ideal chance to do something crazy with it, like put a epaulet Koa top on it :)
For some time I've been wanting to get a Roland VG88 (and once I heard that Adrian Legg uses one these days that's confirmed by desire) and so my latest cunning plan is to send the Roland GK3 pickup (needed for the VG88) to the Mothership and have them replace the top and have the pickup mounted professionally and seemlessly. The first first "Roland ready Ovation"!.
I wouldn't use the guitar accoustically or using the piezo pickup so now I wonder whether I need any epaulets at all. Perhaps a SOLID top? I'll ask Kim his thoughts but wondering if anyone here had any cool ideas. As the top would just be decorative it could be made of any wood, i.e. a wood that has crappo acoustic properties.
Perhaps I'm loosing it! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Yes, you are |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Maybe a palm tree cutout like the uke's they made. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | The thing is as the top is not going to affect the sound (and I'm going drill a several holes in it I'm thinking not some EXPENSIVE EXOTIC wood but something a little more basic.
TJ: Why do you think this is a bad idea? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | I didn't say it was a bad idea, I just agreed, you're loosing it. :D
Actually, I think a Koa top with the palm tree cutout, maybe even where the center soundhole would be, is a cool idea. Since you're going to do something, you might as well use good wood and mock it up full size on paper to make sure you'll like it. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | TJ you should know better!!!
We love pics!  |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Somebody has one of those ukes with the two palm tree cutouts. I can't find a pic of one since my work system blocks out most picture sites. (and video, streaming audio, etc....) |
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Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Somebody has one of those ukes with the two palm tree cutouts. I can't find a pic of one since my work system blocks out most picture sites. (and video, streaming audio, etc....) I bet that puts a real damper on Trader Jim Enterprises operations. |
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| Palm tree cutouts. Not a uke, full-size 12-fret slothead roundback resonator:
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Location: Phoenix AZ | 
Actually I'm not sure if I still have this one or not. Tony's got the matching palm tree parlor guitar. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Sorry guys, don't like it. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | 1/4" plywood with some of those bullet hole decals and drill out the holes? (: |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by bvince:
1/4" plywood with some of those bullet hole decals and drill out the holes? (: :D |
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Location: NJ | ". . The first first "Roland ready Ovation" . . "
. . . AFTER DiMeola's. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | 
OK so the second? Still good enough for Al and Adrian... |
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Location: closely held secret | Ovation did offer at least one roland-ready model back in the 90's. The '98 catalog (thanks, Jerome!!!) says this:
"Select Ovation acoustic/electric models can be ordered with a factory installed Roland GK-2 synthesizer interface as an option. It includes the magnetic hex pickup, synth/guitar mix controls and controller output jack."
Here\'s a video of what's referred to as a 'roland-ready viper' - can't confirm if it was factory installed or after market. Pretty cool. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I thought Ovation made a model (for a very short time) that was midi ready????
I think it is a cool idea but if I was doing it I would still make it a standard top. You never know when you MIGHT want to play it acoustically. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Why not flip the guitar on its back. Put a rosewood top, or maybe even a striped ebony top? It would have the acoustics of a brick, but since it's pick-up only, who cares? |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by dweezil:
The first first "Roland ready Ovation"!.
There have been others including a short run factory option.
I've been into this for many years and my suggestion would not be the Roland GR pickup. Instead, I'd go with the RMC pickup system installed on Godin's. It is by far the most accurate and speedy pitch to midi PU I've used and sounds great piezo-electrically too.
It also fits into a standard 1/8th inch saddle slot.
www.rmcpickup.com
Best of luck... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Thanks Jon. I thought I remembered a short run from the factory.
I have to 2nd the RMC system. I have it in a couple electrics and it works great with the VG88 |
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Location: Indiana | Here's a pic of the factory setup.
By pure chance, I actually found two GR O's on opposite coasts, for sale in shops... late 80's, early 90's.
They were both round holes, though. Legends I think.
I converted a celebrity Viper with a GR system.
I want to do another one like it but use the RMC system this time. Solid Epi's would be cool.
Stay tuned.
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Location: closely held secret | Doesn't anyone read my posts? :rolleyes:
Jonmark, is that you (and the Viper pictured above) in this video?
If so, nice job! |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Hi Jon,
interesting!!! So which of the MANY RMC ones would you recommend?
I guess this means that it would not detract from the look, i.e. is concealed under the saddle etc? Neat! |
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Location: Indiana | Not me but it is the same guitar. It has changed hands a few times.
I put a lot of hours into that project. Striped and refinished the body and neck.
I do have a clip of what it sounded like plugged in:
YouTube Link
I built it specifically for Midi work though, and it just wasn't fast enough. I'd like to do the RMC Viper project this year. We'll see. |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by dweezil:
Hi Jon,
interesting!!! So which of the MANY RMC ones would you recommend?
I guess this means that it would not detract from the look, i.e. is concealed under the saddle etc? Neat! I think the 'Acoustic Gold Standard' is the way I'm going to go.
And understand it's not an under saddle PU. It IS the saddle. Each string adjustable fore and aft as well as height. Really cool.
Just like what you'd find on a Godin Multi. |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
Not me but it is the same guitar. It has changed hands a few times.
Sorry Wabbit... that post was meant for you. I'm heavily Nyquilled. I had not seen that video. Great to see someone putting the guitar to good use.
And sorry for not seeing your earlier post on the factory option. I'll plead Nyquil on that one too. |
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Location: closely held secret | Fair enough. ;) But you did the upgrade? | |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Doesn't anyone read my posts? :rolleyes:
Phssst....you just hit return a few seconds before I did. | |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Fair enough. ;) But you did the upgrade? Yes.
Scroll down past the USA Viper on This Page to see the conversion. | |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Doesn't anyone read my posts? :rolleyes:
What posts? | |
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Location: closely held secret | Nice work, Jonmark!!! | |
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Location: SoCal | Hey Jonmark, I've got some home repair projects that I could use a hand with...... | |
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Radical 1997 Collector makeover!