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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | howdy
well, just got a new K1111 - so far really impresses me, but I can't help wonder about a couple things. So, if you got one, please share your wisdom ---------
1. did everyone elses come with medium (13 guage) stings? did any try using 12s or 11s?
if you did switch, how did that impact volume and tone?
2. what brand are these strings?
3. is the saddle shimmed - my strings are bluegrass high - be nice to lower a bit
4. how durable is the 'shinny' bowl? any clever things I can do to keep it looking 'shinny' and scuff free? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Most Ovations come from the factory with lights (EXP's I think). If your's had mediums, then possibly the dealer put them on.
As to how lights would make it sound, every guitar is different, every player is different. You'll have to try them to find out what's right for you.
There should be a couple of shims under the saddle that you could pull out. Unless you're playing way up the neck (and you might be), then don't try to lower the action too much. Low action is over rated and kills sound.
As to the bowl, it's pretty durable. Just take care of it and don't smack it around and you should be fine.
Enjoy..... |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I got mine used... So it did not have a full set of EXP's on it. I actually had an assortment.
Some gold ball-ends, some colored.
Mine had shims under the saddle, but I don't remember how many.
I did take one out, but now I wish that I didn't. My low-E will hit a fret if I am really 'wailing' on it.
I put EJ16's (12's) on it, but the next time I change the strings I might put EJ17's (13's) on there, which is what I think were on there when I go it... To each their own, huh?
[Uh... We are Still Waiting for Pictures! :p ] |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Mine came with D'Addario 12's. It came new from a dealer. I like 12's for this guitar ... I only use 13s on my box guitars that get played bluegrass style. I haven't needed to change the strings yet so I don't know how many shims, but the action is not uncomfortably high ... about the same as every Ovation comes +/- a tad. You ought to figure there are three in there- in a couple of different thicknessses - that's what's been in every other Ovation I got from the factory. As far as the bowl goes ... stay away from trophy belt buckles and studded shirts and you ought to be just fine. Of course, you can do like a local guitar store does here and make everyone put on an apron before handling any guitars ... ;) |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | What Bobbo said, except I don't have any box guitars. 12s are plenty on this guitar. I might take out a shim when I change strings next. The action is good, but not quite as low as I'd like it and it doesn't take much to power this guitar. |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | The only deep bowl, round hole Ovation I own (rebuilt Legend) sounds better with mediums on it. But it's a personal preference. Try different strings. If you go with uncoated strings then you're only out about $7 per string change. String preferences are like a**h****. Everybody has one and a differnt sizes fit different people. There's no "one size fits all" when it comes to strings.... |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | The only deep bowl, round hole Ovation I own (rebuilt Legend) sounds better with mediums on it. But it's a personal preference. Try different strings. If you go with uncoated strings then you're only out about $7 per string change. String preferences are like a**h****. Everybody has one and differnt sizes fit different people. There's no "one size fits all" when it comes to strings.... |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Of course, you can do like a local guitar store does here and make everyone put on an apron before handling any guitars ... ;) buy my apron is at the cleaners, oh no - I think i've said too much now |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
The only deep bowl, round hole Ovation I own (rebuilt Legend) sounds better with mediums on it. guess might try a set of non coated 11's just to see - but it is nice having one guitar with 13s
donno why, just like having one with 13s ??? |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | ANYBODY have any problems with the shinny bowl - are they all still looking new and shinny???
i'm a little paranoid about this ... dono why, just am |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Well, it will continue to look new and shiny until you scratch it.
Or wipe it off with the wrong cloth.
Or bounce it off the coffee table.
Or spray the wrong crap on it and dull the finish.
So just wipe it with a cotton T-shirt rag and clear water.
And don't drop it. |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I've got a shiny bowl that is now 41+ years old and it's still shiny with very few blemishes. And yes, it has been played and played and played ... |
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May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Well, it will continue to look new and shiny until you scratch it.
Or wipe it off with the wrong cloth.
Or bounce it off the coffee table.
Or spray the wrong crap on it and dull the finish.
So just wipe it with a cotton T-shirt rag and clear water.
And don't drop it. your talkin to a major klutz - unfortunately |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 198
Location: seattle | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
I've got a shiny bowl that is now 41+ years old and it's still shiny with very few blemishes. And yes, it has been played and played and played ... good to know, thanks |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Mine had shims under the saddle, but I don't remember how many.
I did take one out, but now I wish that I didn't. My low-E will hit a fret if I am really 'wailing' on it.
[Uh... We are Still Waiting for Pictures! :p ] BTW- I finally put that shim back in... I still have the same strings on there. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I am not sure you want to use 13s on something that old. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Gee PEZ, the K1111 that I'm talking about (and Ovationluver, and MIB) is the Re-Issue.
It is two years old, or thereabouts... They are 2006 models. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Just to clarify about the finish. Since the bowl is fiberglass, the factory has two options on coloring it. One is to paint it and the other is a finish commonly used on boats called gelcoat. I believe this is a gelcoat finish, although maybe Beal could confirm. Gelcoat is hard, but not indestructible. Actually I believe Hatteras, the yacht company, uses a paint (the name of it escapes me now) which is harder than gelcoat. Anyway, the stuff is pretty durable unless you (as OMA stated) abuse it. Whatever it is, you can use a good quality polymer automotive protectant on it, or good old wax. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR |  
[Actually their website recommends the liquid crap for gel-coat fiberglass boats]
I'll just be careful. :D |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've got a few 40+ year old shiny bowls and I never do anything to the backs. Just dust them off one in a while. Toby |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | What Toby says is true. If it's not sitting in the sun all day, (like a boat) that finish should last forever. A little wax on it will make it easier to dust though. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
...Low action is over rated and kills sound...
That's something that's not said often enough! Most guitarists think it can't be too low - it's like the way you can't be too thin or too rich. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by sycamore:
Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
...Low action is over rated and kills sound...
- it's like the way you can't be too thin or too rich. |
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K1111 upkeep, care and strings - looking for input
