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#1 2011-06-02 14:06:20

rcwalto
Junior Member
Registered: 2011-06-02
Posts: 4

Ovation

I would like to know what strings other Ovation players have used and how they liked them.
I have an Ovation Elite and do not use a pick, right now I have some coated strings and they
seem to give off a vibration.

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#2 2011-06-02 14:35:24

JustinG
Junior Member
From: Essex
Registered: 2010-09-19
Posts: 10

Re: Ovation

Hello rcwalto,

I tend to use Martins light gauge bronze strings.
I cannot comment on the vibration mentioned as I am a pick player, However, that aside the strings sound magnificent and make for a warm and spritely sound.

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#3 2011-06-02 23:18:04

Doug_Smith
Senior Member
From: Western Oregon,US
Registered: 2008-07-22
Posts: 876

Re: Ovation

Greetings and Welcome to Chordie!!

Another Ovation player here and for the most part rarely use a pick.  I've been using D'Addario Bluegrass strings with good result, heavy bottoms light tops.  Mostly because my Celebrity is the shallow body A/E and needs a little more bass because of the smaller capacity.  Recently changed to Thomastik Infeld and am really pleased with them.  Flat wound and polished smoother than the coated strings without paying too much more.  No squeak on slides and after a month holding tone & tune very well.  I think I'm going to stick with them for awhile.

As for the vibration???  are we talking fret buzz, or ??? try to describe the sound/effect you are experiencing and perhaps we can help guide you to a cure.  I've used Elixer strings and have had nothing of the sort to report, so a little more info would be good.  What brand, weight etc.

Thanks & Take Care;
Doug


"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare

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#4 2011-06-03 02:42:18

tandm3
Senior Member
From: Florida Panhandle
Registered: 2006-03-04
Posts: 421

Re: Ovation

Balladeer player here.  I use Martin SP phosphor bronze 92/8 blend. Took me years to settle on these.


Now available in 5G !

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#5 2011-06-03 05:04:59

tubatooter1940
Retired Beach Bar Entertainer
From: Alabama Gulf Coast
Registered: 2008-06-24
Posts: 1765
Website

Re: Ovation

Martin or D'Addario light gauge on an Applause Ovation copy.
Not very loud. Doesn't fit my portly body shape.
I like the neck. It holds a tune well. Pretty sound.
toots


We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

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#6 2013-03-18 15:59:02

rcwalto
Junior Member
Registered: 2011-06-02
Posts: 4

Re: Ovation

Thank you for your input, I think I will go back to the D'Addario strings. I did use them but went away from them for I don't know why. But I did not have the vibration that I recall when using them.

Cheers,
Ron

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#7 2013-03-18 18:58:44

cj-5
Senior Member
Registered: 2011-01-03
Posts: 106

Re: Ovation

I have an Ovation Celebrity and I'm experiencing the same kind of problem. I tried D'Addario's light .012/.053 Phosphor Bronze and absolutely hated them on my Ovation. They sounded bad. I wouldn't even play the thing. I then changed to Martin Lifespan SP .013/.056 Medium Phosphor Bronze. (probably should have tried a light set). Though they sound OK they squeak terribly loud. Your not going to get away from a little squeak but these are ridiculously annoying. I'm using elixir's on my Fender. I really like them. They sound wonderful and have an enjoyable little squeak to them. I'm going to try them on my Ovation. When I do it will be the fourth set of different strings I've had on this guitar. Hopefully the elixir's will do the trick. I would just like it to sound they way it did when I got it. I don't know what strings it had, but I thought they were D'Addario's. With the Martin's I find my Ovation doesn't sound that great when playing some types of songs, however my Fender seems to do OK with any song I'm capable of playing. So I'm going with Elixirs for my next purchase. If they don't work I'll explore some of the recommendations talked about in this post.

As soon as I find what works I'm NEVER going to change from that brand/type. Needless to say it's been a frustrating endeavor thus far. My Ovation seems to be finicky. If my wife hadn't bought it for me I would trade it in. If I can get it to sound like it use to, It'll be a happy day because I really do like playing it.

Just a note: I've had it checked out and there's nothing wrong with my Ovation.  Just need to find the right strings.

cj-5

Last edited by cj-5 (2013-03-18 19:05:44)

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#8 2013-03-19 13:41:59

henryb
Senior Member
From: Lhanbryde
Registered: 2006-03-04
Posts: 204

Re: Ovation

Elixir Bronze on my Custom balladeer , 12-53 .

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#9 2013-03-19 22:05:05

beamer
Senior Member
From: Texas
Registered: 2006-07-30
Posts: 823

Re: Ovation

I cant remember what is on my Pacemaker 12 string, but the next try is Martin silk and steel.  You might try them out for your 6er.


Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
Jayne Cobb: "The Shepard used to say "If you cant do something smart, Do something right."
Jayne's Math: 10% of nuthin is... Let me do the math here...It's "Nuthin into nuthin, carry the nuthin",

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