It’s funny, players either love Ovations or they hate them. I love their sound. In 1984, I bought a 12-string Ovation - no electronics and the short headstock. Many years later, it still plays great. No problems with the bridge pulling away, which was a common complaint. What is surprising to me is that the wood and the fiberglass/composite back have not separated at all. That in itself defies nature. As you know, Ovation 12-string guitars sound like no other 12-strings…
I have a early 80s 12 ovation looks like yours buzzes at the high e at 13th fret has one double volume/tone knob. Love that guitar looks like pearl grover style tuning pegs. You do have to take the strings off to change the internal battery what a pain in the ass. Just a little extra info in the late 70s i had a tobacco sunburst viper solid body ovation 12 string i was young and didn't know what i had . I traded it for a Nashville made gibson sg which i still have, but i miss that viper and have never seen another one like it. 😕
Ovation electrics weren’t cool at the time. They had features way more advanced than every other guitar of the time. I traded in a Breadwinner for a Jazzmaster. I regretted it within a couple of weeks.
Although I am much, much younger than you (2 whole years) I feel everything you say. Have always loved Ovations ever since there was no way I could afford them. My first Ovation was a 12-string Glen Campbell, pretty much like the guitar you are showing here, back in 1981. Fantastic instrument, legendary imho. Finest 12-strings ever made, and completely indestructible.
Hi Greg, I’ve had a 12 string ovation for years but alway played it with 6 strings and with nylon strings,gave me a different tone to the classical ovation…..used it mainly for flamenco style…….I do however want to use it as originally intended ,I haven’t got the details of the guitar with me but I’ll look at them when I get back home in a few days…..and get back to you for some advice……I’ve checked some of you other videos and find them very useful……thanks!
Hi Greg, I just bought my first ovation applause. Found it at a pawn shop. It seems to be very clean. My first experience with ovation guitars was back in the 70's I listened to a guy playing one. I've liked them ever since but always seemed out of my price range. So I'm glad I found this one. My question is, this applause has the thinline saddle. I'll be getting new strings to put on and I'm wondering if the thinline saddles also have shims sitting underneath. I feel the strings should be lowered a little. Intonation is high on each string at the 12th fret, almost equally. I think I'm going to like this guitar, it seems to have great sustain. Thanks Greg
I’m not sure about the Applause line. The American-made Ovations with the thinline (no pickup) bridge saddles have the shims. When you take off the strings, pull up the saddle and take a look.
The Ovation pickups are way different than the standard under-saddle pickups like Fishman. First, there are six elements that feed into the pre-amp, which balances the output. It would take a luthier to modify the guitar or fabricate a kind of insert to hold the pickup. The saddle slot on Ovations are really wide, compared to other guitars. Piezo elements are pressure-sensitive. You’d have to get the piezo elements perfectly aligned. Of course, the downbearing of each gauge of string will vary. I wouldn’t even try replacing an Ovation pickup with something not made by Ovation. You can find vintage Ovation parts in EBay. The other alternative would be to use a soundboard-mounted pickup like a K&K.
I just bought a 12 string ovation,tightened the truss as far as it woud go but goin down the neck,the action was still too high,glad to find out about the shims,i gotta try that,other than that,i love the guitar,and really love the tone it has,it,s different than the other 12 string fender i use to own years ago,cant explain it,must be from the round back,and the sound holes are up toward ,s the neck.
Glad the info was useful. Ovation 12-strings definitely have their own sound. I wanted one for decades until I finally got mine. I love the feel of the necks, too.
Is the 1118-4 Glen Campbell a great player 70’s era? How do they compare to the Martin D12-28’s? Do they have the shims as well? Were they electric or not?
The Glen Campbell models had a shallower bowl, which made them more comfortable to hold, but cut some,low end. Most of them were electric-acoustic with pickups. They had a higher-quality spruce top and more fancy abalone inlays.
Because of the age of the instrument, I wanted to go really light. I put D’Addario EJ-41 Extra Lights on it (.009-.045). It tuned up to standard pitch just fine with those.
You found an Ovation Pacemaker 12-string? Congrats. $600 US would be a good price for one. In good shape they are usually around $700 US. They are excellent 12-strings. They have solid spruce tops, ebony fingerboards, a very comfortable neck radius, and of course, the round back that gives it incredible projection.
The Glen Campbell models had a higher grade spruce (either AAAA or AAA), gold Schaller tuners, a celluloid bound neck, and fancier abalone inlays in the fingerboard. I think they still had the same bracing design. Of course, the Glen Campbell name on it ups the price.
Congratulations and thanks for the tips!
You bet!
It’s funny, players either love Ovations or they hate them. I love their sound.
In 1984, I bought a 12-string Ovation - no electronics and the short headstock. Many years later, it still plays great. No problems with the bridge pulling away, which was a common complaint.
What is surprising to me is that the wood and the fiberglass/composite back have not separated at all. That in itself defies nature.
As you know, Ovation 12-string guitars sound like no other 12-strings…
Excelente tus consejos!!
I have a early 80s 12 ovation looks like yours buzzes at the high e at 13th fret has one double volume/tone knob. Love that guitar looks like pearl grover style tuning pegs. You do have to take the strings off to change the internal battery what a pain in the ass. Just a little extra info in the late 70s i had a tobacco sunburst viper solid body ovation 12 string i was young and didn't know what i had . I traded it for a Nashville made gibson sg which i still have, but i miss that viper and have never seen another one like it. 😕
Ovation electrics weren’t cool at the time. They had features way more advanced than every other guitar of the time. I traded in a Breadwinner for a Jazzmaster. I regretted it within a couple of weeks.
Although I am much, much younger than you (2 whole years) I feel everything you say. Have always loved Ovations ever since there was no way I could afford them. My first Ovation was a 12-string Glen Campbell, pretty much like the guitar you are showing here, back in 1981. Fantastic instrument, legendary imho. Finest 12-strings ever made, and completely indestructible.
The Glen Campbell 12s rank up there with the best 12-strings ever built.
Hi Greg, I’ve had a 12 string ovation for years but alway played it with 6 strings and with nylon strings,gave me a different tone to the classical ovation…..used it mainly for flamenco style…….I do however want to use it as originally intended ,I haven’t got the details of the guitar with me but I’ll look at them when I get back home in a few days…..and get back to you for some advice……I’ve checked some of you other videos and find them very useful……thanks!
Thanks for watching. If you have questions, they can become videos!
Hi Greg, I just bought my first ovation applause. Found it at a pawn shop. It seems to be very clean. My first experience with ovation guitars was back in the 70's I listened to a guy playing one. I've liked them ever since but always seemed out of my price range. So I'm glad I found this one. My question is, this applause has the thinline saddle. I'll be getting new strings to put on and I'm wondering if the thinline saddles also have shims sitting underneath. I feel the strings should be lowered a little. Intonation is high on each string at the 12th fret, almost equally. I think I'm going to like this guitar, it seems to have great sustain. Thanks Greg
I’m not sure about the Applause line. The American-made Ovations with the thinline (no pickup) bridge saddles have the shims. When you take off the strings, pull up the saddle and take a look.
My 1st was an Ovation Deacon....traded it for a Ovation Legend in 80...wish I had it back.....
I had a Breadwinner back around 1975. My first nice electric. They have really gone up in price!
I've heard so many people say they can't get all the individual strings to sound out when amplified after replacing the pick up
The Ovation pickups are way different than the standard under-saddle pickups like Fishman. First, there are six elements that feed into the pre-amp, which balances the output. It would take a luthier to modify the guitar or fabricate a kind of insert to hold the pickup. The saddle slot on Ovations are really wide, compared to other guitars. Piezo elements are pressure-sensitive. You’d have to get the piezo elements perfectly aligned. Of course, the downbearing of each gauge of string will vary. I wouldn’t even try replacing an Ovation pickup with something not made by Ovation. You can find vintage Ovation parts in EBay. The other alternative would be to use a soundboard-mounted pickup like a K&K.
I just bought a 12 string ovation,tightened the truss as far as it woud go but goin down the neck,the action was still too high,glad to find out about the shims,i gotta try that,other than that,i love the guitar,and really love the tone it has,it,s different than the other 12 string fender i use to own years ago,cant explain it,must be from the round back,and the sound holes are up toward ,s the neck.
Glad the info was useful. Ovation 12-strings definitely have their own sound. I wanted one for decades until I finally got mine. I love the feel of the necks, too.
Is the 1118-4 Glen Campbell a great player 70’s era? How do they compare to the Martin D12-28’s? Do they have the shims as well? Were they electric or not?
The Glen Campbell models had a shallower bowl, which made them more comfortable to hold, but cut some,low end. Most of them were electric-acoustic with pickups. They had a higher-quality spruce top and more fancy abalone inlays.
Thank you for this video! I just bought an Ovation 12 string 1973. Question: what brand strings did you put on yours?
Because of the age of the instrument, I wanted to go really light. I put D’Addario EJ-41 Extra Lights on it (.009-.045). It tuned up to standard pitch just fine with those.
Hi! I found this guitar for 600 dollars and I cannot find much information about it. Its good guitar?
You found an Ovation Pacemaker 12-string? Congrats. $600 US would be a good price for one. In good shape they are usually around $700 US. They are excellent 12-strings. They have solid spruce tops, ebony fingerboards, a very comfortable neck radius, and of course, the round back that gives it incredible projection.
And it looks in great shape too... Soo, you say its g ood sounding guitar? I always wanted a 12 string
Hi what is the difference between a 1615 and -1618 GC in your view?
The Glen Campbell models had a higher grade spruce (either AAAA or AAA), gold Schaller tuners, a celluloid bound neck, and fancier abalone inlays in the fingerboard. I think they still had the same bracing design. Of course, the Glen Campbell name on it ups the price.
usually the easiest 12 strings to play