NGD: Ovation celebrity

[onlybrowning]

I just traded an amp for a new ovation celebrity. It has a relatively low action, but I would like it to be lower. The neck appears pretty straight. The action is low at the first few frets but gets higher as you go up the neck. I don't think the truss rod needs adjusting. I think the saddle neda to be lower. Can I file it like a nut to get the action lower? More importantly, can I get a replacement if I file too much? I'm pretty ignorant of acoustics, but the action needs to be lower. Thanks for any advice.

[magicguitar]

There are probably shims under the saddle. Remove one or two shims to get lowered action.

[onlybrowning]

Ok great! I'll check it out today and report back.

[SixShooter]

Originally Posted by onlybrowning

I just traded an amp for a new ovation celebrity. It has a relatively low action, but I would like it to be lower. The neck appears pretty straight. The action is low at the first few frets but gets higher as you go up the neck. I don't think the truss rod needs adjusting. I think the saddle neda to be lower. Can I file it like a nut to get the action lower? More importantly, can I get a replacement if I file too much? I'm pretty ignorant of acoustics, but the action needs to be lower. Thanks for any advice.

Yes you can take material off the nut to lower the action. Better than a file is to use a sheet of sandpaper placed on a hard flat surface. Hold the saddle and sand the bottom of it. Take off only a small amount at a time and check it. I gotta believe you could find a replacement but you might want to check.

Originally Posted by magicguitar

There are probably shims under the saddle. Remove one or two shims to get lowered action.

Why do you say that? Is that common for Ovations? Never heard of this being done.

[blue metalflake]

If the action seems OK at the first few frets I'd go easy on attacking the nut.
First thing to do is check the relief properly rather than just sighting along it. If that's OK, then maybe have a look at the bridge.
I've no idea about Ovations specifically, so maybe someone will be able to give more exact help

[tap4154]

Yes, definitely check the relief before altering the nut or saddle (which probably does have shims). Sounds like a relief issue. You may already know... you access the truss by removing the round cover on the back. I have a long 3/16" allen wrench that came with mine, but you may be able to reach it with a small one. I think the Celebrity is 5 mm, and USA-made are 3/16.

[magicguitar]

SixShooter: I say that because I had an Ovation. When I got it the action was extremely high. The instruction manual (LOL one piece of paper) mentioned that there were shims under the saddle. I removed the strings and low and behold there were three shims. I removed two of them and all was well... at least with that guitar anyway.

[JeradP]

I have a Celeb and, yep, a shim. I removed it and it helped a lot. I them did some nut and saddle sanding to make it better.

[onlybrowning]

Update: It did, in fact have shims under the saddle. There were two full shims and a piece of another in there. I took out the two whole shims and it is certainly much, much better. I put on some 11 gauge D'Addario phosphor bronze strings. It is a huge improvement.

So...now I am asking if there is a lower tension set of strings for it. I find it very difficult to go back and forth with my tele while playing with my band. I have found out the hard way that my ring finger especially is a big wuss. Until I get my calluses really built up, is there any low tension alternatives?

[tap4154]

I use EB Earthwood 10-52 (plain G) on mine. In fact I use those on most of my acoustics. Plays like an electric, but still sounds/feels solid enough for an acoustic.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...strings-6-pack

[JeradP]

Originally Posted by tap4154

I use EB Earthwood 10-52 (plain G) on mine. In fact I use those on most of my acoustics. Plays like an electric, but still sounds/feels solid enough for an acoustic.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...strings-6-pack

Do those stay in tune very well?

[SamClemons]

Put 9's on it if you want to.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by JeradP

Do those stay in tune very well?

They stay in tune fine IMO. Of course, it's a bit of a compromise, as you'll be more stable with heavier strings and a wound G. But for me playing guitar is supposed to be fun, and these strings are much more fun to play, in the kind of style I enjoy (blues). If you're a bluegrass heavy strummer, you don't want these.

[magicguitar]

I used 10-46 on mine.

[JeradP]

Originally Posted by tap4154

They stay in tune fine IMO. Of course, it's a bit of a compromise, as you'll be more stable with heavier strings and a wound G. But for me playing guitar is supposed to be fun, and these strings are much more fun to play, in the kind of style I enjoy (blues). If you're a bluegrass heavy strummer, you don't want these.

I think next time I change strings, I'll have to give them a whirl. Thanks for the tip. I have a Jasmine (Takemine's baby company) that's had electric strings and I liked it alright. I didn't know they made a set like that EB one for acoustics.

banned?