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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Greetings from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where the climate is murder on guitars. I'm thinking of buying an Adamas - probably the SMT, based on the tone qualities as described by the O website. I would appreciate hearing from any Adamas owners or ex-owners, or players who've had a chance to noodle on one. Unfortunately, the local O dealer won't stock one, so it's a case of buy without the try.
I own a sunburst Elite 1718 (deep bowl), a discontinued model. I wasn't crazy about it at first; I have small hands, and prefer an action that most acoustic players would probably find too low. However, when I removed one of the factory-installed shims from under the bridge, I found action heaven - or pretty close to it.
An O rep has assured me that the Adamas, too, has removable shims, so I'm counting on getting equally satisfactory action. I would assume, too, that the synthetics that make up the Adamas (lyrachord bowl, carbon fiber soundboard)make for a pretty stable instrument, which would be a big plus in this climate. As well, the Adamas offers easier access to the higher frets, unlike my non-cutaway Elite.
Any opinions on the Adamas would be much appreciated. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . To buy or not to buy....that is the question . ."
I'm sorry, but that is NOT the question!
The question IS:
". . ca$h or charge? . ."
Buy it ;) |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Before you order from your store, check with Al here on the board. He's ugly, but he's honest as the day is long. |
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Location: NJ | . . . . but the days are getting shorter. . . |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I wouldn't care to venture on the aesthetics issue, but his integrity is beyond reproach (that's safely out of Newark, at least). |
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Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Hello Duncan, and welcome to the board.
I have an Adamas 597 SMT, and it’s wonderful. The neck is unbound and very easy to navigate. I purchased it over the CVT, solely to please my wife, as she preferred it’s more “traditional” look.
The main reason, I purchased the Adamas, was for the durability factor. It’s the guitar I take to work, go camping with, and leave out for the weekend.
I too, had to buy it before I could try it and I would do it again!
It has a very pleasing sound, but not the volume of my Custom Legend. Some of my family and friends actually prefer my CL. They do sound a little different from each other, but both sound great!
I don’t think you could go wrong with an Adamas. As I understand it however, the CVT has more volume than the SMT… Like the others have stated, Al would be a person, I would recommend to talk with, he’s fair and knowledgeable.
Dale |
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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Thank you all for your views. So far, it sounds like Adamas is a good buy.
I'm new to website bulletin boards. How do I get in touch with the famous "Al" you mention. |
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Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Alexander Pepiak's web site...LostArtVintage
It's also on the welcome page to this site...
Dale |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . just say his name three times.
www.lostartvintage.com |
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Location: SoCal | The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky..... |
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Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | from moody, p.i.:
The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky.....
with a silhouette of an Ovation LX reflecting on the cloud... :D |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | While we are on the subject of Al. As many of you know, I purchased a Legend LX from AL last week. During shipment, the small wiring harness inside the guitar came loose which caused the preamp to cut in and out. I called Al the next day and asked him if I could simply tape the harness back in place. He said that it should be fine and as it turned out, that solved the problem. Yesterday, an envelope from the Ovation factory arrived at my house with a brand new wiring harness in it. In my opinion, that is the kind of thing that separates someone like Al form the mega stores. Not only did he know how to solve the problem, he went the extra mile to make sure that it was solved correctly. Quite impressive, especially in this day and age. |
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Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | John B, I had the same problem with my Legend LX that you had with yours. I got my LX from Al, I hope he sends me a new wiring harness also. ;) |
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Location: NJ | :rolleyes: |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | To be honest, the electrical tape that I used is probably stronger than the original tape was. |
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Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | .... so, if I get a wiring harness, Al will send me a new LX??? :cool: |
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Location: Tucson, Arizona | .... so, if I get a wiring harness, Al will send me a new LX???
Ooo, I want in on that! :)
Paul V. |
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Posts: 648
Location: Florida | Back to topic....
I really enjoy my Adamas SMT. Still doing a little experiementing with strings to see what I like best. The D'Addario EXPs aren't really that bad (but expensive). Trying some middle of the road strings and low end strings too. Seems that it likes .011's pretty well, the .010's sound a little weak on the low end. Got a set of .010-.050's on it now just to see how that does.
Stability can be a factor in Florida (here) too. That was one reason I chose the Adamas. The onboard tuner lets me see instantly whats going on - ie, hey I've gone UP in pitch!!! Yup, neck got a little straighter! I dont think there's a way around this at all, but gotta say its neck stabiltiy is as good as any out there (got Fender, Warmoth, Gibson, and Heritage to compare it to).
Tone wise - smooth and even all over, no matter where you play on the neck. No hot spots, no dead spots.
Actions is very adjustable. Neck adjustment yields expected (pleasant) results.
I'll probably get a Custom Legeng LX when they're out, but the Adamas stays. |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | from moody, p.i.:
quote:
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The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky.....
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with a silhouette of an Ovation LX reflecting on the cloud
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Atomic batteries to power,..Turbines to speed...Roger ready to move out!!
aLeX to the rescue!!
and you thought it was a lost episode of Batman! :D :D |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | You guys haven't learned much have you! To invoke a response from Al use the following words in a post:
Oxycotin
Bimbo, bim, honeys, etc.
Taylor Yard sale
Goeorge W. Bush sucks
or
"I agree with Moody P.I."
... |
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Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | The double stick tape I used worked great. It would be hard to undo those wires now. That tape is very strong. |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I think Al is ignoring us! :rolleyes: |
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Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Kinda like, "Don't feed it, and it will go away"
Reminds me, I need to learn "Stray Cat Blues" sometime. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | hey I'm here.
I just have a lot on my plate these days.
I try to treat people the way I want to be treated and that works for me.
Michael Wong says I am a horrible businessman and I think he is probably right.
if you really need me you know how to get a hold of me.....bimbos, oxycotin, etc. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | You don't get hold of aLeX, he gets hold of you....... |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Paul V:
Ooo, I want in on that! :)
Paul V.
What if I buy a wiring harness *and* a set of strings? Does he throw in the OHSC? |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | You fogot to mention the NFL & Jimmy Buffett :D |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Well Mike Now you've Done it..
Al's going to start quoting strange Lou Reed Lyrics Again! :D |
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Location: Upper Left USA | And so it goes with the rites of self-expression on this board. Sometimes you just have to take a walk on the wild side! |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | AMEN!! :D |
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Location: NJ | maybe phil wong can hook me up with some rohypnol. |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Just tell him you need it,..gotta have it.. you're coming unglued!!
He'll see the light. Then again.... :D |
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Location: Canton, Ohio | Sounds like a good one |
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Location: Rego Park, NY, | Hey Al, Why is it that you are so familiar with medicines that are narcotics/controlled substances? :rolleyes: ;) . Is it due to the fact that you have had personal experience with these medications or do you have an honory subscription to a major pharmaceutical publication? :rolleyes: :) :( :p
Phil |
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Location: NJ | . . . just yet ANOTHER "Jersey Thing". |
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Location: NJ | Phil
Can't you feel my pain? I need help. didn't you take the Hippocratic oath? I thought you were suppose to help people out.
As they used to say "the first one's free"! |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | A true story.
I was using my pocket knife as a phillips screwdriver. If folded up over my thumb and sliced it in half. After I tried to tape it up with some masking tape a good friend , at the urging of my wife, took me to the hspt.
The nurse evaluated it and determined i needed stictches. Although I was in pain, i was laughing about the whole incident because it was just too stupid for anyone to believe.
Well, the doctor starts with the questions.
Are you depressed?
Are you angry?
Do you cut yourself often?
Do you like how it feels when you cut yourself?
did anyone force you to cut yourself?
Well I am answering these questions with smart assed answers like
Yes I am depressed wouldn;t you be if you were me?
Sure I am angry you are not stitching my finger.
Yes I cut myself whenever I need a phillips screwdriver.
Sure I love the way it feels I want to cut myself now can I borrow a knife?
Yes My friend sitting over there made me do it, he said his dog told him I should cut myself.
Well, the doctor was not amused and I finally said if you don't stop asking me stupid questions I am going to need a transfusion.....
He stitched me up with no anestetic and it stung like hell.
After we were done, I asked him for a percription for pain medication. I said you know doc, Percadan, percasette, davon, darvon II, darvon with codeine, tylenol with codeine etc etc etc.
He said " sir those are controlled substances"
I replied " I know that, if I could get them over the counter I would not need to ask for them"
His reply " I think you should just take tylenol"
He would not even write me a script for an antiinflamatory....
some days it just does not pay to be funny, that damn thumb hurt like hell for 3 days. |
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Location: Rego Park, NY, | Al
I filled a prescription for Oxycontin on Wednesday. You are the first person I thought of when I was working on it.I still can't get you any but it was the thought that counts. :eek: :rolleyes: :cool: :D :eek:
BTW I purchaced film and processing mailer's from for 35mm film and for my Hasselblad. I have some photo jobs in June and July. When the bill totalled almost $900.00. The next time this happens stop me so that I can buy an Ovation or an amp from you instead.
Phil |
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Posts: 1900
| ..i have a friend with a titanium rod in his back due to disc removal...he lives on opiates for the constant pain...he's used to it, carrys around a 'syringe and pump' sometimes when it gets really bad....give me chills just thinking about it....
steve |
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Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Al
Think, then buy a ,locking blade knife!
noel |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Pain management, not pain control, is the operant concept. Yeah, Al, ER docs have NO sense of the sublime. Sutures without anesthetic? That MD is close to sadistic. What was this thread about, again..... |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | To Buy Or Not To buy...at least That's What I think it Was. :D |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Last summer we had some friends from Okinawa over, and at midnight one of them insisted on giving me a samisen lesson. I said, well, let me move this fan first, and as I did I put my right index finger right into the blades! Fan stopped. Blood all over the place. Skin taken right off, but no other damage. My wife said, you don't need to go to the hospital, let me fix it. I did and now I've got this lump of scar tissue at my joint. Works fine. Say what what was this thread about? |
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Location: NJ | One time, . . at Band Camp . . . . . . . . . . . |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | .... as I was dicing the potatoes for breakfast.... |
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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | The thread was about some dude paraphrasing Shakespeare in relation to trying to decide whether or not to buy an Adamas.
Based on the feedback I've received, plus reading older board postings, I've decided to take the plunge and get one - I'm now thinking W597 (cross-weave) in bronze. Now, if I can just shake the guitar store salesmen here in Ottawa out of their stupefied state (have they been pinching stuff from Al's medicine cabinet?)and get some additional information from them, I'll put in my order.
One worry, though. When I bring it home, will my Elite fly into a jealous rage? Will she ever let me play her again? (I say "she" because, if I get an "Adam"as, the Elite must be my "Eve.")
Anyway, thanks a bunch for helping me decide. |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | For the answers to these and other Important Questions...Tune in Tomorrow to...As The Ovation Turns! (Soap Opera Organ Music Out...and fades) :D :rolleyes: :p |
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Location: San Bernardino, California | Shouldn't that be "As The Ovation Tunes"? |
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Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | "Now, if I can just shake the guitar store salesmen here in Ottawa out of their stupefied state (have they been pinching stuff from Al's medicine cabinet?)and get some additional information from them, I'll put in my order."
If you have to order anyway I suggest you order from Al.
/\/\/ |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | As The Ovation Tunes would of been a better title. I was flying off the cuff. remember "as the world turns"? but you are right...It does sound better. :eek: |
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To buy or not to buy....that is the question