I have recently inherited what I think is an Ovation Celebrity Elite -there are no markings on the guitar itself other than a Gear 4 music branded headstock but otherwise all the details seem consistent with this model of guitar. The guitar is currently in a bit of a sorry state and I would like to refurbish it. At present it seems to need the following parts - tuning machine dust cover for a machine head on the EAD string side, a new saddle bridge and what I think is a missing combined battery box /line out jack (at the base of the guitar -other wise all parts seem to be intact -I will post pictures in the next day or so. Does anyone know where I can source either original or compatible parts for this guitar?
Comments
The machineheads are probably Schaller M6 lookalikes by Ping Well or Jin-Ho. Easily sourced, singly or as a set.
The missing bridge saddle and control module are worrying. If the piezo transducer strip is still at the bottom of the bridge saddle slot, it may have been damaged. It would be a drag to do a bunch of saddle shaping work only to find that the transducer is farked.
In your position, I would take the opportunity to upgrade. Ditch the piezo. Choose another sort of pickup and/or transducer system. Install the appropriate control electronics.
I might have a battery box/line out jack assembly somewhere... I'll have a look. If you can post a pic of the hole in the guitar, that would be useful.
I would agree with Funkfingers that ditching the piezo system would be an upgrade, but I also can't help thinking that - if it works, anyway - it's actually part of the 'character' of these guitars and I'd probably keep it for what it is!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The G4M website currently illustrates a conventional looking bowlback copy with none of the Adamas cosmetics. I do not know whether GEWA sued or supplies simply dried up due to COVID.
New compensated bridge saddle, £10.
Sanding block and sheets, £?
Strings, £7 (or more!)
You are already more than half way to a brand new G4M electro-acoustic guitar.
As for the value of the guitar -that was not really a concern as this was just an exploratory project to see if I can restore it to a usable/ playable state. I am however somewhat surprised that the inlay details and headstock design so completely copy the Ovation designs as I had always thought these elements were copyright protected.
I do actually have a spare Belcat battery box/jack unit, but... so close but yet so far - mine is a larger unit with a XLR jack as well as the 1/4" one, and the push connector has 6 pins instead of what looks like probably 4 on yours from the size of it. It doesn't look like it could be adapted either, from the shape of it it's designed to fit cross-wise on the curved side of a conventional body.
You're probably better off buying a complete new system if it's as cheap as Funkfingers has found - the preamp units on these can be unreliable too, so it's not actually a bad thing to get both parts before you start.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein