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Acoustic intonation headaches


hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
03/09/2005 6:54 pm
Howdy, I have a 1971 Ovation (ballader??) and the intonation is just horrible. I tried tuning from different positions, different gauge strings, neck it adjusted well. Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance

Howard
# 1
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
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Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
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Posts: 5,021
03/09/2005 7:04 pm
Have you tried a acoustic intonator ?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Bridges/Intonator.html
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
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# 2
Lordathestrings
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Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
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03/09/2005 7:43 pm
Originally Posted by: Dr_simonHave you tried a acoustic intonator ?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Bridges/Intonator.html
[font=trebuchet ms]Jeez, if you're gonna spend $70 on a jig, you might as well open your own shop!

Ovations have piezo pickup elements under the bridge saddles, which makes this issue rather complicated to deal with. I think you need to find a competent luthier to clear this up.[/font]
Lordathestrings
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# 3
HDJ
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Joined: 05/10/04
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HDJ
Explanation: Southerner
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Posts: 1,445
03/09/2005 7:53 pm
Originally Posted by: Lordathestrings[font=trebuchet ms]Ovations have piezo pickup elements under the bridge saddles, which makes this issue rather complicated to deal with. I think you need to find a competent luthier to clear this up.[/font]


Did they have piezo pickup's in 1971? I thought that was a recent invention.....
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# 4
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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03/09/2005 8:02 pm
[font=trebuchet ms]1971 is recent, isn't it?

Right??[/font] :p
Lordathestrings
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# 5
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
03/09/2005 10:01 pm
Its a 71, no electronics, im kinda stuck, its a cool guitar, i just want it for practice, trying to write some music for my wedding. While it has sentimental value it sounds horrible, so I really dont want to invest too much in, I can pick up a cheapie through my wholesale place that plays nice for under 75, so i will probably just do that, but I appreciate the responces !!! Anyone want an old Ovation cheap, just kidding, :D I will prob just hang it on a wall, it was a present from my mom............
# 6
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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03/09/2005 10:26 pm
[font=trebuchet ms]Long shot...

Does the bridge have a 1-piece saddle that goes the full width, or individual saddles for each string? I'm wondering if the saddle(s) may have gotten turned around backwards at some time. Maybe while changing the strings?[/font]
Lordathestrings
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# 7
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
03/09/2005 10:30 pm
Sadly its just one straight piece of plastic :-(
# 8
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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03/09/2005 10:35 pm
Originally Posted by: hbkolbSadly its just one straight piece of plastic :-(
[font=trebuchet ms]If there are no slopes filed into the saddle (to intonate by adjusting the string contact point), then it looks like you're stuck with it.

So sorry.[/font]
Lordathestrings
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# 9
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
hbkolb
Whats an Yngwie??
Joined: 02/17/05
Posts: 184
03/10/2005 1:53 am
Its the full width, straight across unfortunetly :-(
# 10

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