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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | For some reason I think I need a 12 string. Can you foks give me the pluss' and minus' of the different Ovation and Adamas models? Do I maybe want to try a "non round back" guitar? Don't shoot, Don't shoot!!! |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | My personal recommendation is the Custom Legend 6759 w/XLR. You already have the DiMeola so, I assume, you are comfortable with the Custom Legend neck. Mid-bowl v. DiMeola deep but good acoustic projection.
Earlier, the 1658 CL slothead or the 1659 CL are excellent 12's. Understand that one of the OFC members may have the acoustic 1158 CL for sale. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | AFG, I'm not an Ovation biggot when it comes to 6 strings. There are some really nice non-Ovation guitars out there. In fact the best sounding acoustic guitar in my collection is a non-Ovation.
BUT, when it comes to 12-strings that's a whole different story. Sorry to be so blunt, but you would be out of your friggin' mind to consider any 12-string other than a Ovation.
There are quite some differences in the models, so you really need to play them. Also depends a lot on your budget. At the upper end, the ME 12-string is really nice. Middle of the pack, the LX 12-String is also killer. And for the money, it's hard to beat even the Balladeer 12'er.
On the used side, the possibilities are endless. The trextured top original Adamas I or Adamas II 12-strings are the best you will ever play. Period. If you've got the cash, that's the cat's meow. I've got a supershallow Elite 12-string that also sounds great. Personally, I am a big, big fan of the older style 12-fret slothead 12-strings like the Pacemaker and Glen Campbell. These are great instruments and you can find some amazing deals on them. If it's the grand-daddy of them all that you lust after, drop me an email. An original first generation shiny bowl slothead 12-string with the small soundhole and inlaid rosette is sitting in its case ready to sell.
Summary - You almost can't go wrong. Unless you don't buy an Ovation. |
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Posts: 15676
Location: SoCal | I don't agree with everything Dave has said in the previous post, but he and I agree on a couple of things. First, An older textured top Adamas, if you can afford one, is the best you can do. They are just outstanding 12's.
Second, the new LX 12's are great guitars. If you can't get the older Adamas 12 on ebay, for about half the price you can get a new LX 12 string. Worth every penny.
And I also agree that Ovation 12's are the best out there. I've played a lot of 12's (Martin, Taylor, Guild, etc) and none of them come close to the sound of an O 12 string. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I'll be brief since it is about the same chant.
Only Ovations for 12 strings.
Go as fast as your wallet will let you!
Wish I still had my 1615, a little more clarity and a few more frets on my 6759.
Eventually will end up with an Adamas 12 of some kind!
The Elite T 12 is on the list of must trys! |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I don't agree with everything Dave has said in the previous post.
Sounds to me like you DID agree with everything I wrote! No contraversey? That makes for a boooooring post! Dave |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | I think it was his New Years Resolution to be nicer to you. Let see how long it lasts! :D |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So Dave and Paul.
One Hole or lots of em! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Number of holes is an un-answerable question. Some guitars are designed (and sound better) with one hole, some multi-hole. No clear choice. I certainly like the LOOK of a center soundhole guitar way better. The leaf epaulets have long since run their course, in my opinion. Maybe I'm just conservative. "Best" sounding (whatever THAT means) 12-string in my house right now is a multi-hole. But if the house was on fire and I could save only one 12-string, it would be a center soundhole shiny bowl. Does that make it the "best".
One thing for sure, we're arguing about the cream of the crop here. Ovation 12's are so superior to anything else in my opinion that this whole thread is pointless. Just go buy an Ovation and be done with it. |
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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I am convinced and it is going to be an Ovation or Adamas 12 string for me. Those older slotheads are beutiful. Why do they not make any newer model 12 strings with slotheads? Most slots I see are nylon string clasical types. |
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Posts: 15676
Location: SoCal | As far as Ovation 12's, they haven't made a slothead in over 20 years.
Where I disagree with Dave is that I'm not a big on the old slothead 12's as he is, and I'm not a fan of the ME 12 string. Nothing wrong with either guitar. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Anyone who rates the Adamas I 12-str on top, no contest if you have the money to buy it...from what I have seen for older (if you can find one) or new custom is about $2,500 or more. I have a new -8 Adamas I 12-str coming in Thursday.
I have a textured top, custom shallow bowl Adamas for sale at $1,300 and a mint 6759 for sale at $975.
As for the Ovation line...my observations of sales over the last 18 months, to include eBay:
Decent Pacemakers at $250-375, GC at $350-750 (bought a near-new GC acoustic at $520), 1659 CL from $395-750 (I stole a great one at $395), 1658 slothead CL at $550-1,400, 6759 CL from $650-1,100 (I got a near-new at $650), etc.
Obviously, better condition equates to a higher price. And, sometimes luck...Nils got a "free" Pacemaker since he got one on eBay with a couple of finish cracks, then got paid off by UPS when they damaged it in transit.
And, of course, the LX 12-str.
However, for the money - still recommend a 6759. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul says he disagrees with me, but I know for a fact he ain't likely to part with his '68 Glen Campbell slothead 12-string anytime soon! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | What are the model numbers for the Adamas 12 and the Elite T 12's
Stephen |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Don't know about Paul but, for me, there is always a price as long as Ovation/Adamas keeps coming out with new products or will build as requested.
However, I plan to offer my 1968 (A-347) a permanent home. |
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December 2004
Posts: 26
Location: Detroit, MI | I've owned a Guild, Gibson, and two Taylor 12's over the years and thought I would never buy another one until I played a new Legend 6756 LX 12 recently.
I bought it because: a) It plays easier than any other 12-string I've ever had in my hands, 2) It sounds incredible acoustically, 3) It sounds even better plugged in.
The guitar has an OP-PRO pre-amp and does'nt have an XLR out, but I though it was a great value. |
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Posts: 15676
Location: SoCal | When I played an LX 12 string for the first time, I almost thought about selling my Adamas 12 (Big Blue). It was that good. Then sanity hit and I walked away from the LX. But if you can't afford an older Adamas 12, then the LX is a great way to go.
Also, last nite I played my GC 12 for quite awhile, and damnit, Dave is right. It's a great guitar. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | How is the model 1858?
I haven't heard anyone mention it at all.
Stephen |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I own an 1858 and it's Simply HEAVEN!! I love it, of course keep in mind that i had Ovation Change the Bowl Depth to a mid-Depth and they did a custom finish for me. The action and sound is tremendous.I've never been crazy about Shallow Bowl guitars so if you get the chance to buy an 1858 go thru a reliable dealer(Like Al) and have him check into the cost of putting a mid-depth bowl on it. Of course I realize, it's all Ice Cream, it's all in what you are looking for. The 1858 is Great 12 String. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I own a custom 1858 and the sound is incredible. I must admit that I was very skeptical about a supershallow 12-string and even made some posts here long ago claiming that such a guitar must sound like crap due to the SS bowl. But I now have to eat some crow and say that although I clearly bought this guitar for the looks and the uniqueness of it, the sound just blows me away. I use an air-lock in the main hole on the treble side. Here's some pictures:
Custom 1858 12-string |
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12 string guitar recomendations