Ovation USA LX User manual

Ovation Instruments
Division of Kaman Music Corporation
37 Greenwoods Rd., New Hartford, CT 06057
Printed in U.S.A.
990157-L 8/04
OWNER'S MANUAL
Ovation guitars are played
by countless musicians
around the world including:
Joan Armatrading
Dj Ashba
Charlie Benante - Anthrax
Chad Benekos - HED(PE)
Glen Campbell
Julian Coryell
Kevin Cronin - REO Speedwagon
Al Di Meola
Melissa Etheridge
Robert Fripp
Nick Hexum - 311
J’Anna Jacoby
Davey Johnstone - Elton John
Patrick Kennison - Union Underground
Kittie
Lenny Kravitz
Cyndi Lauper
Adrian Legg
Steve Lukather
Yngwie J. Malmsteen
Preston Reed
Ruben Ruiz
Shakira
Matt Smith
Aaron Tippin
Shania Twain
OvationGuitars.com

Care And Maintenance
Like all fine instruments, Ovation RoundbackTM guitars require
periodic care and maintenance. Your instrument will perform
best if it is kept clean. A routine cleaning of the instrument using
a clean lint-free cloth and a light coat of a quality guitar polish
will keep your Roundback looking and performing at its peak.
Gold-plated parts especially should be wiped clean after each
playing to prevent corrosion from body acids.
We strongly recommend the purchase and use of an Ovation
RoundbackTM molded guitar case. Specially designed to
accommodate Roundback Ovation guitars, it offers the best
possible protection against damage. The inside of the case
is plush-lined and form-fitted to hold the guitar snugly and
securely. An inside case pocket allows storage of strings and
small accessories.
The guitar is held firmly in the case by a pad in the lid which
presses lightly against the top of the guitar when the lid is
closed. The pad can sometimes absorb polish from the guitar,
leaving a dull area on it. This can quickly be restored to a
high gloss finish with a quality guitar polish. Any marks on
the bowl where it has been in contact with the lining of the
case can be removed in the same way.
Always store the instrument at room temperature, avoiding
any excessively hot, cold, damp or dry conditions. The delicate
woods used in instrument construction are greatly affected
by changes in humidity and temperature. A neck warp or top
crack can render any fine guitar unplayable. You may wish to
purchase a humidity/moisture packet that can be carried in
your case to compensate for any changes in these climatic
conditions. Check with your Ovation dealer for availability.
Keep your instrument tuned to concert pitch under normal
playing and storage situations. However, if the instrument
is to be stored for a long period of time, reduce the string
tension slightly; one or two turns of each tuning machine will
be adequate.
2
Congratulations on buying an Ovation RoundbackTM Guitar.
Since its introduction in 1966, the Ovation RoundbackTM has
been acclaimed the world over for its dramatic technical
advances and musical refinements that literally changed the
shape of music.
This owner's manual has been prepared to acquaint you with
details of the special features found on your Roundback,
and to provide you with the facts and tips you will need to
maintain your guitar. More detailed information concerning
the design, manufacture, and materials used in the making of
your Ovation RoundbackTM can be found in Ovation literature
available from your Authorized Ovation Dealer or by writing
to us here at Ovation.
/ /
Kaman Music Corporation
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to maintaining a
position of industry leadership by offering
a wide range of music products and the
highest quality service to our customers.
Address service correspondence to-
Ovation Instruments
37 Greenwoods Road, New Hartford, CT 06057
1-800-552-4681
For your records, we suggest you make a note of Model,
Serial Number, and the date you purchased your Ovation
guitar:
Date of
Model# __________Serial# _________ Purchase _______
1

Custom Legend
• Our best center soundhole guitar, with abalone
ornamentation
• OP-50 preamp
• Ovation high output pickup
• Abalone rosette, position markers, purfling
• Ebony fingerboard
• AAA sitka spruce top
Elite
• Adamas multi-soundhole design with a solid spruce top
• OP-40 preamp
• AA solid sitka spruce top
• Ebony fingerboard
• Mahogany & maple 5-piece neck
• Multi-soundhole design with exotic wood epaulets
Custom Elite
• Adamas multi-soundhole design with a solid spruce top
• OP-50 preamp
• AAA solid sitka spruce top
• Ebony fingerboard
• Mahogany & maple 5-piece neck
• Multi-soundhole design with exotic wood epaulets
Adamas
• Our best professional 6 and 12 string guitars
• OP-50 preamp
• Carbon graphite top
• Multi-soundhole and center soundhole design
• Woven and straight grain carbon fiber
There are a few simple precautions that you can take while
transporting your Ovation guitar that will minimize the chances
of damage. When transporting the guitar in a car, always keep
the case on the floor so that it will not move around inside the
car in case of a sudden stop. Also, avoid storing the guitar
in the trunk of a car, where it will be exposed to extremes of
heat and cold. Always avoid freezing temperatures, as this
can result in the top finish cracking.
When travelling by air, always loosen the strings slightly before
checking the guitar as baggage. The airlines will not be liable
for instruments damaged as a result of their being tuned to
full concert pitch.
The Ovation family grows ....
The original Roundback guitar was developed in the mid
1960's. Since then, the family of instruments bearing the
Ovation name has grown significantly. Rapid new electronic
developments have given you, the buyer many options. This
owners manual covers general maintenance and set-up. For
specificinformationregardingeachpreampforyourinstrument
you will need to reference the accompanying preamp-specific,
owners manual.
The families of Ovation include . . .
Standard Balladeer . . .Featuring . .
• Our lowest priced, USA made, solid top Roundback
• OP-30, thinline pickup
• Solid sitka spruce top
• Mahogany neck
Legend
• Most features, without all the gingerbread
• OP-40 preamp
• Tru-Balance pickup
• Mahogany & maple 5-piece neck
• AA grade solid sitka spruce top
3 4

NEW! LX
The new Ovation USA LX models offer some exciting new
ideas plus some great enhancements to our proven ideas.
• Lightweight GS body
• Advanced neck system
• Ovation original painted pickup
• OP Pro preamp
• Scalloped LX bracing
Ovation Preamps
The famous Ovation acoustic electric sound has set new
standards for players in a wide variety of styles. Ovation
continues to lead the industry in professional acoustic
electric applications. There are different electronic systems
available onOvationguitars,mandolins,bassesand solidbody
acoustics. The details regarding your system are available in
the specific electronics owners manual accompanying your
instrument. In summary, the systems include . . .
Elite Basses
• A truly professional acoustic bass
• OP-40 preamp
• 34" scale length
• 4 and 5 string option
• Solid sitka spruce top
• 24-fret ebony fingerboard
Folklore/Country Artist
• Wideneck fingerpicker reissue and 14-fret narrow
neck nylon
• OP-40 preamp
• 17/8" steel and nylon string neck (width at nut)
• Mid-depth cutaway body
• Inlaid rosette
• 21-fret ebony fingerboard
Mandolin & Mandocello
• Plug it in on stage or in the studio
• OP-30 preamp... Mandolin
• OP-50... Mandocello
• Solid sitka spruce top
• 21-fret ebony fingerboard
Long Neck
• Totally new sound for acoustic players
• OP-50 preamp
• Extra long, 28.35" scale length
• Tuned a whole step lower
• Solid sitka spruce top
• Multi-soundhole design with rare wood epaulets
Viper
• Solid body feel, acoustic sound
• Custom thinline graphic E.Q.
• Steel or nylon string option
• Six, twelve and bass option
Collectors' Series
• Limited production run.. ground breaking features
• Breakthrough electronics
• Collectible since 1982
Visit OVATION online at
www.OvationGuitars.com
5 6

OP-50
OP-40
OP-30
Your new Ovation guitar is equipped with the latest in a series of preamps that
have provided musicians with leading-edge performance designed specifically
to complement the unique character of Ovation guitars.
Please refer to the appropriate diagram on the following pages to help acquaint
yourself with the features and functions of your instrument.
7 8
VOLUME: Adjusts the overall output level of the preamp.
BASS: Adds or subtracts the low frequency content of the signal.
MID: Controls the amount of a broad range of frequencies in
the middle of the sound spectrum of the guitar.
MID1: Controls the amount of power in lower middle frequencies.
MID2: Controls the amount of power in upper middle frequencies
TREBLE: Adds or subtracts the high frequency content of the signal.
EQ IN/OUT: Engages or bypasses the EQ controls.
PRESHAPE: Engages or bypasses a fixed tone enhancement circuit.
MID SHIFT: Moves the center frequency of the midrange control.
NOTCH SW: Enables or disables the Notch Filter (see ).
NOTCH POT: This control is used to tune a very sharp and deep filter
designed to reduce feedback when using high-gain
amplification. At a high volume level, your guitar may
“feedback” causing a low, steady tone to come from your
speakers. With the notch filter enabled, slowly tune this
control to the feedback frequency (CW=higher frequency,
CCW=lower frequency) until the feedback is reduced.
TUNE/CAL: This switch turns on the built-in tuner for approximately 60
seconds. Press a second time while playing a note and this
pitch will become the calibration point for operation
(handy when tuning to an “out-of tune” instrument). During
the tuning operation the guitar output will be muted. If you
fi nish tuning prior to the 60 second timer returning the tuner
to idle (and un-mute), you may press this button again to
manually return the preamp to normal operation.
TUNER LEDs: These LEDs indicate the note being played and whether it’s
sharp or flat. Tune string up or down until the LED lights.
BAT: When steadily illuminated, indicates that the battery is low
and should be changed soon. Also intermittently flashes
when plug is inserted into jack to confirm normal operation.
RELEASE: Pressing this button will release the module from its recep-
tacle. Use this button to access to the battery compartment.
MODULE: The preamp is housed within this module and mates to the
receptacle mounted in the body. Remove this module to gain
access to the battery compartment. See the illustration on the
last page for instructions on replacing the battery.