Ovation Magnum Big Screw

The hex thing at the bottom?

 

I'd like to know myself honestly. I mean, I guess i could turn it and find out if I can find something to fit it.

 

I haven't messed with the setup on mine at all really. It's pretty much where I want it and it holds very steady. Might need to replace the switch on mine though.

 

Ovation Magnum Bass Owner's Manual


Read here, under 'Action Adjustments'.
The screw on the back controls the height of the back of the tailpiece.

 

We did it boys

 

It doesn't look like it will really do either. Seems it's more for the mute.

 

I made the mistake of loosening it too much with the strings at tension. Don't do that! It popped completely off. Luckily nothing or nobody was damaged.

 

Note to Self: adjust the Magnum before drinking the Magnum...

 

It was a real hoot reading the Owner's Manual. I've never seen one of these or played one, but always wondered about them. An amazing instrument, full of way ahead of its' time features, this was not done casually or on the cheap. I'm still a bit confused about a 'glued and screwed' neck joint though, I must admit.

Ovation in Charles Kaman's day was a real technology incubator, and like a lot of companies, without that original founder's leadership, it's a shadow today of its' former self. They essentially invented the piezo under saddle pickup system that made so much of today's 'unplugged' world popular, especially after it migrated to their Takamine imports: I shudder to think how many acoustic electric box guitars they sold while everyone else was getting up to speed, especially if you're old enough as I am to remember those horrible stick-on Barcus Berry transducers. Their pioneering work with fiberglass and composites. And of course, their relationship with the late Glen Campbell forever put them on the map. They were really a force to be reckoned with.

 

I also remember this boy:


oh, and LEST WE FORGET...

 

Yeah, that's the kind of horrible stuff that happens when you let an aerospace company loose on unsuspecting musicians!

 

you know how sometimes you just find the cheapest piece that is just incredible? of all things, a customer once brought in a fretless Applause (ovation's budget line, if you can believe that) acoustic bass. it sounded... incredible. it had this slow attack with the warmest low-mids I've ever heard. perfect recording bass. I mean, the thing was only worth $150-$200. I offered him twice that, but no luck. he knew what he had.

dangit.

 

True enough Mike, but look at that obviously Gibson EB-inspired bass that Danny's holding, and then realize that it's follow-on was the Magnum. That's one hell of a jump.

And God Rest Linda McCartney.