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Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | I'm enjoying this 1124, but I'm wondering, can these be used with steel strings without destroying 'em (since they have a truss rod like a steel string)?
Is the Folklore the same guitar - just with a different bridge (& nut slots) to accomodate the steel strings? (Looks like they could be easily strung through the existing bridge?
(Looking at the Ovation website, it looks like the 1121 Artist has the same VT-8 bracing as the Country Artist nylon string; it just has a different [steel string] bridge.)
Anyone done this? I'll ask this at Ovation Customer Service, too - just wondering if anyone here's done this?
Thanks! |
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Location: Upper Left USA | There are other strings where the same question is asked and the answer is always no.
The Classical was not designed for the stress of the the steel strings and the steel strung will not play the lower mass nylon strings very well. You really need to keep the beasts separate.
Bracing and materials are different for each. |
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Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | Thanks, but what about this (maybe this edit wasn't there when you replied):
(Looking at the Ovation website, it looks like the 1121 Artist has the same VT-8 bracing as the Country Artist nylon string; it just has a different [steel string] bridge.)
Thanks again. Still waiting to hear form Ovation, too. |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | That's a good point regarding the Artist and Country Artist. Let us know what Ovation says.
I'd stillthink it's a bad idea to mix steel and nylon strings. There may be other differences in the guitars of which we aren't aware. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | In converting the 1124 Country Artist to steel string, you'll run into several issues (even assuming the top and bracing are the same). 1) you'll need new tuners. Tuning steel strings on the large diameter drum classical tuners is damn frustrating. This change is not too expensive. 2) New nut. 3) New bridge. This will cost you a tad to get it done right. 4) Fretboard. The 1124 has a flat fretboard, as do all/most nylon strung guitars. It is certainly possible to play steel strings on a flat board, but it will feel unlike any other steel string. This would really bother me. To have the fretboard replaced with a radius'd one would be expensive. All in all you'd be far better off to look for a used 1114 Folklore. The bowl is a little deeper and the neck is a little shorter, but that would be the route that I'd go if I were you. |
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Location: Scotland | The String tension is not an issue. Ovation nylon-string guitars are built so heavily they will not complain about sensible gauge steel strings. In terms of bracing the original JW/Folklore was cross-braced, the CA had one of the VT patterns.
If you are really intent on this the fingerboard could be de-fretted, planed to a radius & them re-fretted rather than replaced, though it would be no cheaper than a new 'board. Other than that.....what Dave said.
There are so many compromises involved here & older steel-string Ovations are available at such great prices, why bother? |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Then again you could just put a 11 electric set on it and not worry about all the rest of this. Or one of the extra lite acoustic sets would be the same, I think they're 10-46. String tension is not a problem, go for it. I think you're right, it was the same brace pattern.
I like flat fretboards with steel strings, of course most of the old Nationals are that way. Easier to play slide. |
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July 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | Thanks for the replies...standingovation makes some excellent points...I really wasn't taking all those things into consideration. Here's the reply I received from Ovation:
"The bracing is quite different. Steel strings will probably destroy the guitar."
Guess I'll just enjoy it as is (which I am!) and wait for my L777 to get here! ;) |
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Location: Warrenton, Virginia | IMHO, recommend you not do it.....braced/built wrong for it |
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Location: Central Florida | From one lefty to another, I'd leave it as is -- especially if you've already got a left handed steel string model headed your way. I feel your pain, though. We southpaws have to resort to some pretty desperate measures sometimes to get what we're looking for.
Jeff |
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Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | Jeff,
If I may ask, do you have any lefty O's, if so, which ones? |
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Location: Central Florida | Hey Rev,
I've got two "factory" left handed Ovations; an '82 Legend Ltd.(1651) and an '89 Elite (1718), but I also have seven other O's that are rightys that I've converted to lefty.
They're all older models that have the volume control located by the neck heel, and all non-cutaways. I've found that these convert over to lefty quite effectively, with very little modification. Basically, all I do is cut a new nut, flip the strings over, give 'em a basic set-up and I'm good to go.
The volume controls don't get in my way (even when playing high up the neck), and, I don't find it any more inconvenient to reach UNDER the neck heel to adjust the volume then it is to have to reach over it. In either case, you have to momentarily stop playing and make a deliberate move to do it. On the other end, the input jack is far enough over when holding the guitar that it doesn't interfere at all with my normal playing posture, even when plugged in. So for me anyway, the inconvenience and/or loss of functionality of flipping a right handed Ovation over are minimal to none.
That's probably more of answer than you were bargaining for, but I hope I've said something helpful.
Jeff ;) |
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Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | Thanks, Jeff, that's what I wanted to know...
...how would you compare your Legend and your Elite in the tone department (since they're both lefties, I assume they're both mid-depth bowl; with cutaway or non?)? |
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Location: Central Florida | Actually, they're both deep bowl, non-cutaway.
As for tone, I prefer the acoustic sound of the Legend Ltd. (slightly) over the Elite. However, the Elite is still my preferred guitar for playing plugged in. Truth is, they both sound awesome, but my absolute favorite guitar is my '81 Custom Legend. For tone and aesthetics, it's as close to perfection as I've seen. I think mine was the one they used as the model for the 30th Anniversary CL. ;)
Jeff |
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Converting an 1124 to steel string...yes? no?
