Electric Acoustic Preamp Issue

[JCO]

I'm new to this Forum and fairly new to Guitars.
My guitar model number is: AE61-4
Pre-Amp Model: Don't Know (have not removed)

I acquired an Ovation Electric Acoustic guitar from a friend. The preamp is
bad. I'm sure the original preamp would cost more to have someone put on
than the guitar is worth. I can buy other types of preamps and recut the
hole myself but I want to understand the type of preamp to purchase first.

Some simply have a mic and some another type had direct contact on the
strings to detect vibration. Is this true. I've seen some called Piezo on
eBay that are cheap, but not sure which type it refers to (second on I
believe).

Can anyone give me some advice on how to fix this myself to keep cost down
and what I need to know?
Thanks

[don hindenach]

On Sat, 16 Apr 2016 12:08:41 -0500

Post by JCO
I'm new to this Forum and fairly new to Guitars.
My guitar model number is: AE61-4
Pre-Amp Model: Don't Know (have not removed)
I acquired an Ovation Electric Acoustic guitar from a friend. The preamp is
bad. I'm sure the original preamp would cost more to have someone put on
than the guitar is worth. I can buy other types of preamps and recut the
hole myself but I want to understand the type of preamp to purchase first.
Some simply have a mic and some another type had direct contact on the
strings to detect vibration. Is this true. I've seen some called Piezo on
eBay that are cheap, but not sure which type it refers to (second on I
believe).
Can anyone give me some advice on how to fix this myself to keep cost down
and what I need to know?
Thanks

Short answer: K&K PWM w/ a RedEye external pre
then you choose whether to leave a hole or fill it where the barn-door is

Long answer upon request (I am amidst a Working Weekend . . . . )

[David L. Martel]

JCO,

Ovations are easy to work on. The rectangular, cut out, preamps are cheap
on ebay ($12). Go on EBay and look for your preamp or something that will
fit in the hole.
Don't spend a lot. These are not "high-end"
guitars. You'll get a preamp and an undersaddle pickup. Most likely the
pickup is ok, so just replace the preamp.
But first, did you check/replace the battery?

Dave M.

[JCO]

"David L. Martel" wrote in message news:nf0739$cl9$***@dont-email.me...

JCO,

Ovations are easy to work on. The rectangular, cut out, preamps are cheap
on ebay ($12). Go on EBay and look for your preamp or something that will
fit in the hole.
Don't spend a lot. These are not "high-end"
guitars. You'll get a preamp and an undersaddle pickup. Most likely the
pickup is ok, so just replace the preamp.
But first, did you check/replace the battery?

Dave M.

Thanks for the great information. To summarize, the part that detects the
string vibration, if on my guitar does not have to come out (not likely to
go bad), but the preamp is usually what goes wrong (which is what I figured.
Yes I've seen the eBay ones that are cheap I just did not want to buy one
that uses the undersaddle pickup if that is not what mine takes (which is
why I'm asking the ng).

My only issue is the size. Non on eBay gives me the dimensions which means
I will have to buy a bigger one and cut the hole larger. That’s okay, I
think I can handle that.

Interesting about the battery!!! I don't know how to check the battery. I
can't get the case off so I suspect the screws went in from the inside
(which would be odd). There must be some way to get it a part. Wish I
could send a photo.

Any other advise (I'm also reviewing the website; the the other response to
this thread)
JCO

[David L. Martel]

JCO,

Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh, you haven't checked the battery. E-mail Ovation and
find out how to do this. It's probably really easy.
Why do you think anything is wrong with the preamp?

Ovations use piezo transducers which are located under the saddle in the
bridge. There's a wire which ends in a small plug running from the
transducer and going to the preamp. There's also a wire from the preamp
which goes to the output plug. That's it. really easy. Some have fancy stuff
but yours is pretty basic. Take the strings off and you can reach everything
inside.

If, after the new battery, it's still dead, then you may think about
replacing the preamp. Honestly, these never fail.
You can ask the ebay seller what size hole you need for any specific
preamp. I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you this.

Dave M.

[Steve Hawkins]

Post by David L. Martel
JCO,
Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh, you haven't checked the battery. E-mail Ovation and
find out how to do this. It's probably really easy.
Why do you think anything is wrong with the preamp?
Ovations use piezo transducers which are located under the saddle in the
bridge. There's a wire which ends in a small plug running from the
transducer and going to the preamp. There's also a wire from the
preamp which goes to the output plug. That's it. really easy. Some
have fancy stuff but yours is pretty basic. Take the strings off and
you can reach everything inside.
If, after the new battery, it's still dead, then you may think about
replacing the preamp. Honestly, these never fail.
You can ask the ebay seller what size hole you need for any
specific
preamp. I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you this.
Dave M.

Based on what I've read so far, he should take it to a Music Store and
let them replace the battery and check things out. They can teach him
how to replace it the next it dies. If he doesn't have any experience
messing around with electronics its better to learn from someone who
does.

Those OP-24 preamps are pretty good sounding units, the under saddle
element was okay, but it's still got that old piezo plastic snap tone,
which was the dominant tone of Pop Music for over a decade.

Btw, googling "Ovation OP-24" will bring up a ton of info.

Steve Hawkins

[RichL]

Post by David L. Martel
JCO,
Ovations are easy to work on. The rectangular, cut out, preamps are cheap
on ebay ($12). Go on EBay and look for your preamp or something that will
fit in the hole.
Don't spend a lot. These are not "high-end"
guitars. You'll get a preamp and an undersaddle pickup. Most likely the
pickup is ok, so just replace the preamp.
But first, did you check/replace the battery?
Dave M.
Thanks for the great information. To summarize, the part that detects the
string vibration, if on my guitar does not have to come out (not likely to
go bad), but the preamp is usually what goes wrong (which is what I
figured. Yes I've seen the eBay ones that are cheap I just did not want to
buy one that uses the undersaddle pickup if that is not what mine takes
(which is why I'm asking the ng).
My only issue is the size. Non on eBay gives me the dimensions which
means I will have to buy a bigger one and cut the hole larger. That’s
okay, I think I can handle that.
Interesting about the battery!!! I don't know how to check the battery.
I can't get the case off so I suspect the screws went in from the inside
(which would be odd). There must be some way to get it a part. Wish I
could send a photo.
Any other advise (I'm also reviewing the website; the the other response
to this thread)
JCO

If that model Ovation is anything like my Legend, the battery compartment is
right there next to the preamp controls. It's a sliding door; you may need
to apply a bit of force to pop it open. When you do, the battery pops
part-way out (it's spring loaded).

Here's a picture that may help you see what's going on. The battery door is
to the left of the preamp controls in the pic.

<Loading Image...>