Ovation setup

Anyone out there ever lowered the action on an Ovation? The online owner's manual makes it look like a fairly simple operation. There are shims under the saddle and you just pull out the saddle and remove one of the shims. I'm wondering if it's really that simple or if there's something the owner's manual doesn't tell you. (In my experience, there usually is.)

I decided to go ahead and give it a shot, and for the record, it's a very simple process. The saddle pulls out easily to reveal the shims. The manual said 1 to 3 shims under the saddle. There was only one in mine, so I could only drop it 1/64 of an inch, but it made a huge difference. It's much more comfortable to play in this setup. The downside is that lowering the action did seem to alter the sound unplugged. Doesn't seem quite as full as it did with the higher action.

Originally Posted by: spychocyco... Doesn't seem quite as full as it did with the higher action.

I'm glad you were able to make the adjustment yourself. Well done!

The tonal change you noticed is not a function of the action, but rather the amount of pressure the strings apply to the bridge saddle. In lowering it, you have reduced this pressure a bit, changing the transfer of vibration from the strings to the body.

I actually got some of it back by switching to a lighter set of uncoated strings. It came with a set of 12-53 coated strings, which I didn't really like the feel of at all. I went with a set of 11-52 phosphor bronzes. Made it even more comfortable, and I think it sounds better than it did in the original setup. Just kind of keeping an eye on the neck now, hoping it doesn't require an adjustment due to the changes. I don't think I'll try that one myself.