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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 10
| Has anyone heard or know if Ovation can put a stock pickup (OP 30 or higher) in my Custom Legend 1119-4. I've had it since it was new and was thinking about giving it a chance on an amp. Haven't really seen any over the counter pickup I like and if Ovation can't do it, will probably leave it alone. If I keep it acoustic will try to pick up used custom balladeer (satin w/OP24) or older Adamas. Any ideas on those two would be appreciated. (Ovation closed until July 26th so they can't help me til then). |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome.
It sounds like all of those choices are good ones. I have seen that they can update the electronics no problem.
You might want to pick up a couple more O's and an Adamas anyway :D |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Send it back to the factory. They put an OP 40 in my 1118 (GC 12 string). |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 10
| Thanks to both of your responses, I really appreciate them. I think I'll send the Custom back to Ovation and get the pick up added. In the mean time I'll pick up the used Balladeer to hold me over til I get the Legend back. Thanks again. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Hi Tom:
One more possibility you may want to consider. It's easy to put a Thinline piezo pick-up under the saddle and then connect to an external pre-amp/equalizer. It may not be as convenient as having the controls on the guitar but there are advantages. First, you won't alter the acoustic sound of the guitar. Putting the electonics in the guitar will effect the acoustic sound. Second, Ovation gets about $400 for the work. An under the saddle P/U with a small, battery powered, high quality Fishman pre-amp will be under $200. Third, it takes under an hour to put in the under the saddle P/U and it can be done by any good luthier or even yourself. Therefore, you won't be without a guitar to have the work done. Please keep in mind that even with the Ovation factory set-up, the actual P/U will still be an under the saddle unit. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 10
| Thanks Mitchrx,
I had thought about modifying the way you discussed and thought it might detract from the sound and look of the guitar. But I'm still open to the idea. The last thing I want to chance is messing with the sound of this guitar because over the years it has really mellowed. The other thing is since the guitar, though almost 30 yrs old doesn't have a scratch or nick on it, I don't want to mess up it's appearance, since it looks the way I bought it in 1978. I m curious about how much tone I'll lose if Ovation cuts into the bowl to place the control unit for the amp. This has become quite a dilemma for me to figure out. But I appreciate all your imput. Thanks, Tom |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 95
Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | I put a Fishman Rare Earth humbucking pickup in my Seagull, because I didn't want to cut into it either. It doesn't have any EQ or volume control so I need to EQ at my Ecoustic 112 or at the PA sound board. It does have a nice sound and a lot of output. It clamps in the sound hole with screws and used a combo end pin jack.
It cost me $150 installed.
It might be an option if you are not plugging on a regular basis or for a trial before the big surgical procedure.
It can also be run through the Fishman EQ box that clips on your belt.
Just some more options to ponder.
One of my favorite things to do, ponder. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Tom,
I have a number of Custom Legends; used to have an acoustic 1658 slothead 12. Not a lot of CL's out there that old and in the condition you said...I would leave it alone and treasure it. Or, sell it to me and get an a/e
;) ;)
Sure, a lot depends on how and where you play it. If you only need it a/e for recording, consider a Markley centerhole p/u - use it then take it out. Others such as Paul T. or Miles may dispute what I am saying but I have heard the results of a Markley and a microphone near the nut create great results. When I played in church, my Cl could easily outproject the other 4 or 5 other brand guitars. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 10
| Thanks for all the imput, I really appreciate it. For now I plan to keep the old custom legend the way it is. I've picked up a Balledeer S861, near mint condition ser # indicates made in 1999, for $350. Decent sound, nice feel. But the plot thickens, the same store, one I've dealt with a bunch of times, just traded for an Adamas CVT W597-4G, built in 2000 will sell to me for about $650. It's pretty dirty, but sounds and looks ok. Now do I take the S861 back (only have had 2 days) and try for full refund to buy the Adamas, or if less that full refund,(75%),suck it and pay full price for the Adamas. It was easier to decide on buying houses, cars, than this guitar. Thanks for any help. Tom |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 10
| Whoops sorry meant to say "suck it in" and pay full price for the guitar. Sorry ........ |
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Pickup for 1976 Custom Legend
