I don't know if you're aware of this but the VTA lifter is easily removed. It's been a little while since I took mine off but if memory serves me correctly, it was a matter of loosening 1 or 2 set screws and sliding it off. Using a Cadenza Bronze on mine, which by the way you recommended to me (instead of Koetsu} several years ago before I upgraded to the Universal arm on my Ovation.
Regards, Mark
Regards, Mark