|
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 396
| I'm looking for what some of you see as the differences between models listed below in feel, plugged sound, unplugged sound, looks and playability. I'm interested in the 12 string new American made models with solid tops. I own an 1861 balladeer with the 30 electronice package (which is a wonderful guitar). What do ya'll think of the
1858 elite ?????
1866 legend ?????
6751 balladeer ?????
Any owners of one or all of these? Your opinion is requested? Thanks! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | The Elite and the Legend are supershallow bowls, where as the Balladeer is a mid-depth bowl. The supershallows may be more comfortable to play (especially standing up), but do not have the same full deep sound as the mid-depth. of course I'm talking only about the un-plugged sound. As far as plugged, they should all sound fine. I imagine the Legend and Elite are using the OP-40 these days, so that would be especially nice. As far as cosmetics go, the Balladeer is a bit of a Plain Jane compared to the Legend or the Elite. I'm a big fan of center sound hole guitars, so if it was me I would opt for the Legend, but would special order one with a mid-depth bowl. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | 12-6=6 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | If you get the chance please try a Melisa Ethridge model Adamas or a 12 string with a graphite top.They are a mid depth with a deep full sound. My favorite. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | I've played a M.E. 12 string and wasn't that impressed. I've got a full body Adamas from 1993 ("Big Blue") and I haven't heard anything, acoustically, that can hold a candle to it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | 12 string + deep bowl = HUGE SOUND! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | sorry to burst your bubble paul but I have a 12 string textured top shallow Adamas that has a HUGE sound also.
If all the elements are right the shallow bowl can sound good too. But I am sure you will never accept that so I have just wasted a minute of my life typing this. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Al:
You could have been talking to either of us, but I'll take a second to respond and say that I haven't played anything better than Big Blue. Now, having said that, I've played some great 12 strings made by Ovation, and other manufactuerer, just none that appealed to me as much. I also realize that this is a very subjective thing.
I have yet to see, in any music store, an Adamas (modern) 12 string with either a mid or shallow bowl, with the exception of M.E. 12's. And I haven't been impressed at all by them. But I work hard to keep an open mind about this stuff. And I'll keep looking. Hell, the research is half the fun! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Why does Ovation offer mid and deep bowls if the super shallows sound just as good ???? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Here we go again. Not ever shallow guitar sounds good. In fact most of them suck acoustically. BUT if you combine the right elements bracing top etc you can get a good acoustic sound out of the shallow bowl.
My issue is with blanket statements such as all shallow bowl guitars suck. If Miles ever gets the CD out you will hear an example of a shallow 12 string textured top Adamas that is miked acoustically that sounds awesome!
Someone should buy that guitar from me so they can keep telling people how great it sounds and I can shut up. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Englishplayer-
I play mostly 12 strings, and have only owned an Elite 12 string (shallowbowl), an Adamas SMT (Graphite top, mid depth), and a Custom Legend 12 string (mid depth). My knowledge of the technical qulaities of these guitars is extremely limited compared to many guys on the board. I only have my own personal experience and ears to go by.
Thus far I LOVE the sound of my custom legend, both unplugged and plugged, by far, the most (and it's a stunning looking piece of craftsmanship). All of them play extremely well and are excellent guitars that serve me well. I play rock music solo, and like a big, full, ballsy sound. That may not be your objective if you are playing in a band.
Let your ears decide, keeping your playing objective in mind (solo, band, style of music, etc.).
I will be looking to sell my Adamas SMT 12 string soon, and very reasonably. I will post it in the sell/trade section in the next week or so.
Good luck, all the best!
Johnny |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . . Someone should buy that guitar from me so they can keep telling people how great it sounds and I can shut up. . ."
Now THAT'S "salesmanship"!!!!
Is that the black one, Al?
Nice!
If ONLY I was able to swing it right now, it'd be gone. But for now I think I'll just have to settle for that other one you have. (No, I haven't forgotten about it).
. . . d'you mention something about a CD?? ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | cliff
that is the one in the same PLEASE tell people it is as awesome as I keep saying. I feel like I am beating a dead horse here.
Yes Miles and I talked about the CD and you should hear an announcment soon |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Well, I did see/play/hear that very guitar.
At the time, it was the first time I'd ever played a 12-string Adamas (truth be told, that guitar was the first Adamas - other than my SlotHead - that I'd EVER played! Up until then, I'd lived a very sheltered life). I was really blown away that THAT much sound was coming out of a shallow-bowl guitar! Keep in mind that this was also in the "flea market" atmosphere of a guitar show - and even THEN it turned heads. I can imagine what it must sound like in better circumstances.
. . . Okay, Al . . . . you can take your hand out of my back now. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Al - Are you having a special promotion sale? Buy the Adamas 12 string and you will shut up? If someone buys two fo them will you shut up for twice as long? Hey Cliff, here is an idea - why don't you take up a collection from those of us here on the board to buy this guitar with Al's special promise?
Actually Al (all kidding aside, I was just trying to fire you up) I must admit that I have never owned a SS 12 string, so I really should not assume anything about them until I try one. My observations are based on Elite 6 string (mid vs. SS), Legend (deep vs. SS), and custom Legend (deep vs. SS).
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Hey, I'd GLADLY do it!! . . . if I get to keep the guitar!
Actually, Al has forbidden me from taking up another collection. Admittedly, I must agree that we can only ask him to lose money but once. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Fine for every guitar sold to a baord member I will not post for that day.
start buying guitars now! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I'm with Johnny ... I have a custom legend 12 (6759) with mid-depth and it never fails to blow me away ... along with anyone else who is listening. That said, I played Johnny's Adamas 12 at the OFC and I must say it is a mighty fine guitar. Whoever gets this when he puts it up for sale will be very pleased. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | WILL WORK FOR 12 STRING |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | Sorry Al,
But my finances are extremely limited and will not allow me to buy more than one per month. We'll just have to wait another month.
Waiting anxiously for the postman to arrive...
Martin |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Am I the only person on this board, fiscally irresponsible enough, that when the 12 string of my dreams came up (Big Blue), I paid for it over a couple of years when I didn't have the cash?
Hey, it's been a better investment than a car. Blue has held it's value, and will be with me til I die (unless my wife wises up and divorces me -- may she stay ignorant forever about what an idiot she married). Buy a car. Goes down in value and only lasts, at most, 10 years. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | So it's your wife who bought the guitar?
Martin |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Stonebobbo-
Glad to know there's another CL 12 string brother on the board who understand my bliss about that guitar.
Thanks for the vote Adamas 12...you sure did make her sing at the OFC jam, and it was a pleasure to hear you play!
Paul-I understand that experience many times over...sometimes having nearly sold my soul for a guitar that sang to me. For many years, my friends have yelled at me "John-CAR, not guitar!" Now that I have a respectable mode of transportation, they just role their eyes when I enthusiastically mention that I've bought another guitar!
All the best!
Johnny |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | All I can say is I praise you who have committed and got your 12 stringe and I feel for those, like myself, who are trying to get one against all resistance by the non believers. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 396
| Thanks for some of your insight. I'm wondering how some of you who have PLAYED the 1866 and the 6751 would compare them. With case, (the 6751 does not come with a case), the difference is about $100. Some folks mentioned a custom legend with mid-bowl, but how much more will that cost? The adamas moodels are priced beyond what I'm looking at and I'm not looking for a used model right now. As far as plugged sound, electronics, and cosmetics the Legend wins. On unplugged sound would the better quality top wood match the sound of the mid-bowl? Many of you were speaking from theory on the mid-bowl/shallow bowl discussion. Anyone recently played both of these models? Obviously, I'll decide for myself, but more info can't hurt. I want to be as informed as possible before that credit card pops out! Also, cosmetically what makes the legend "better looking" than the balladeer? Thanks, again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I was going through threads that started while I was gone on vacation when I found this one.
The only guitar on your list that I have any real experience with is the 1858. I played mine acoustically with a bunch of folks last night, including at least 5 mandolins, 4-5 banjos, 4-5 fiddles, 6-9 guitars & a washtub bass (some folks played several or all of the above at one time or another). I had no problem at all being heard. Of course it sounds much better plugged in, but this group of folks play acoustic only. I would suppose a deeper bowl would be even better, but I have no complaints with the super shallow unplugged. I've only had the 1858 for a month or so & I like it a lot!
Nils |
|
| |
Difference between 12 strings?