Ovation Guitar

[glesga123]

How do i change the battery on my 80s Ovation Balladeer. Do i have to go through the sound hole or can i access the battery compartment from the control panel. Thanks in advance.

[rojash]

Looking at the control panel from above, towards the neck end is a small button. This releases the control panel from its holder, and provides access to the battery.

[glesga123]

Thanks rojash, but it appears that only the more modern and upmarket versions have the release button. I've managed to find a website with the older version and it is accessed through the soundhole. The battery is hidden under a slide off panel. It's a bit awkward having to unstring the guitar to get at it. What were the designers thinking about in the 1980s? Thanks anyway mate.

[rojash]

Consider yourself lucky you don't have my bouzouki. To change the battery in that, I have to unstring it, unscrew and remove the pickup (which only just fits through the sound hole - if you get it at exactly the right angle), prize the batteries from under a clip, and then reverse the whole operation. And, because it has a floating bridge, after restringing, I have to reset intonation. :-)

[glesga123]

Ouch! Ever wish you had taken up the penny whistle?