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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 4
Location: New Zealand | Hi everyone, I am a new member.
I bought a CC 028 Celeb in November and have been playing it a lot. I have worn out about 6 sets of strings.
It's really nice, I got it second hand and it seems a lot better than the ones which are new in the shop.
It has a really good action-I have adjusted the nut and saddle slightly. The sound is really good and the finish is a wonderful cherry burst.
I thought of upgrading to a better Ovation model, but I really like this one and have been searching for better tuners for it, can't find much info about what is suitable.
Can anyone make a suggestion for me? Also, will a better preamp module fit in this guitar and improve the sound?(OP PRO for example).
Thanks in advance, all tips welcome. |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | aloha from the big island of hawaii, daddykool.
welcome to the OFC, friend. i am sure you will soon hear from some folks who are much more acquainted with your options than i am. it's just that i'm online here to catch your post first.
new zealand is on the top of my list of places i want to visit. |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 4
Location: New Zealand | Oh, by the way would a different pickup sound better? Any suggested replacements? |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Welcome DK--
I'm not a Luthier, so I don't know about the new pick-up.
If I was gonna change the guitar around, I'd just get a 'nother one...
If you are gonna change the tuners and pick-up...
I don't know about shipping/cost/availability in NZ. But by the time you rebuild the guitar you may just get another. JMO
There are alot of shade-tree Luthiers, and a few professionals here, some one can tell you.
Just warn you before it happens, some wisen-hinie with more money than sense will probably tell you to just by a Legend.
The Best Way to upgrade a Celebrity is to buy a USO.
[But I've got three rice junkies, so I don't necessarily feel that way] |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Hello and welcome, cousin from Aotearoa.
About time a Kiwi found this forum.
Daddykool, find a good USA Ovation (USO) on the American eBay, make sure they're willing to ship worldwide and you'll have a guitar that you'll love and keep forever at least 1/3 what you would expect to pay for it down here.
USPS to NZ will probably be a little over US$100 as I don't think you have the same stupid size restrictions we're stuck with on this side of the Tasman. |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 672
Location: New South Wales, Australia | G'day and welcome daddykool. Many of our fine members are away and enjoying the factory tour so you'll get plenty of knowledgeable responses when they return.
Sounds like you're enjoying the Celeb. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Welcome to the OFC daddykool. I'm happy to see that you're enjoying your Ovation Celebrity ... hope that you'll have more wonderful partnership with it indefinitely.
As previously mentioned by fellow members, the best upgrade is to acquire a USA-made Ovation. For some unknown reason or another, I must painfully admit that Ovations [e.g. Celebrity, Applause] that are mass produced in the Far East are usually ignored and not talked about much. I still believe that there will always be that diamond in the rough. The one that stands out and sings, despite not having the advantages and privileges of its USA-made cousins, and I think what you have is one of them.
As per your guitar, depending on the slot where the current preamp is, that will determine which preamp upgrade might be suitable for it. Post a photograph of your guitar revealing the side where the preamp sits, and perhaps fellow members here can steer you in the right direction?
I just got back from the OFC tour, and the preamps are not cheap. The OP Pro preamp alone costs a little over $200 and the guys at the factory will be more than happy to install it for you.
Again welcome to the OFC, good luck with your upgrade quest(s), and enjoy your guitar! :) |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I will be restoring an old 1617 pretty soon, & I'll keep you in mind. It is a deep-bowl, 6-string, with (I think) a coveted "volume-only" single-knob preamp.
Actually, my OFC Brothers are giving you pretty good advice. Keep scanning Ebay for a USA-made Ovation, in good condition, and pay the freight, which is considerable these days. But, you're looking at $300.00 USD for a good instrument, anyway. I just sent a nice 1621 Artist-bowl guitar to a new member last week for "real cheap" (privacy issues, you understand).
Otherwise, stay in touch, & post often!
I'm with Lanaki on the visiting thing- I REALLY want to visit your scenery. I have had great contacts with everyone from your baliwick. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I agree. Don't bother with the tuners. All the ones used by Ovation work fine. For the price of a new preamp you could get a used USA Ovation.
Keep the Celebrity and get a USO with a difference, like different bowl depth 12 fret neck, wider fretboard, cedar or solid spruce top or the Elite style soundholes. Lots of options out there that sound better than trying to make upgrades to yours. Then keep yours for your take anywhere, don't have to worry about, but sounds great guitar. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Is it going out tune easily?
Are slipping?
Usually it takes years & years to wear them out.
You might want to email Ovation to get prices
on replacement tuners.
In terms of the pre -amp its too expensive to change it with not much advantage.
The Celebs are excellent amature grade/student guitars, but thats what they are.
You would be better off saving your money toward a USA Ovation.
Its not unusual for used guitars to sound a bit better than brand new ones.
It takes 3 to 6 monthes of playing for the top to open up and settle in. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | A USA model would be your best choice.
I like the looks of 1778T only in Black not the Lusty Red. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Michigan | Daddycool, If you are having tuning problems, then replace the tuners. I wouldnt worry about replacing them with Ovation tuners, as you can get a good set of grovers for around $50 US.
as for the pickup, it REALLY depends on what you are using up for an amp and if you have a processor hooked up. you can get a decent acoustic processer for around $30 to $50 US. so for around $100 bucks US you can address the problems you mentioned without buying another guitar or modifying your guitar too much.
Dont bother buying another guitar unless a situation warrants it. If a guitar has a pleasing sound to you, tunes well & plays well, it is NOT a beginner instrument. An accomplished guitarist can play a well set up $150 guitar and move people just as well as a $3000 guitar.
* note: if a guitar does NOT tune, play or sound good, it is not a beginner instrument either, it's worthless no matter how much it cost or where it was made. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | My 2 cents (or whatever monetary value you have in N.Z.), Get an old affordable USA Ovation. Period. I used to have a Super Shallow bowl Celebrity (an upper end model no less), that just didn't hold a candle to the '83 Collecor I got to replace it (both Super Shallow, both cutaway, both 2 knob pre-amp, and both similar color). Playability, fit and finish, high quality solid spruce top vs. plywood, etc., the USA is great. The neck on the Celeb hurt my hand to play it. I paid about 400 USD for the 83C. Just recently I bought a 1612 Cusom Balladeer from '77 on ebay for 250 USD, as a "beater" to keep at work, to not have to worry about theft, and I love it. Soon it may be a "Keeper" rather than a beater. The ease of action is great, and the sound with the deep bowl is great. The old 1 and 2 knob pre amps on these guitars sound great, don't underestimate them. If you look a little while, you can get a deal like this, and if its about 100 bucks to ship, thats still 350 for a great sounding and playing guitar. Then you can sell your Celebrity, and subtract that from the purchase price. I'll never own another non-USA Ovation again. Pix of these in the gallery if ineterested. |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 4
Location: New Zealand | Hi guys and thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Anyone that wants to visit NZ is welcome.
I live near the film set for Hobbiton in LOTR.
I found that the tuners are ok now, after tightening the screws when I restrung. I am happy with the guitar otherwise. I am fitting a tube power amp into my acoustic amp to sweeten the sound even more. |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 4
Location: New Zealand | I just improved the sound of my Ovation. I noticed before that the lead from the preamp was longer than needed and looked cheap (molded plug). When the strings were off a couple of days ago, I replaced it with some good quality OFC interconnect cable. This made quite a difference, releasing a more full-bodied sound. I also discovered during this process that the output socket is balanced, so I am using a TRS-XLR lead.
It is now a very nice instrument to listen to. |
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Celebrity upgrade
