|
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Thanks to Al for finding this list. I'd lost mine over the years of moving.
The slotheads started at 27 and ended at 60 for a total of 34 units built.
s/n model shipped to date
27-96 1689-8 Glen Campbell 8/76
28-96 1689-8 Cat Stevens 1/4/78
29-95 1687-2 Jon Just Music 6/27/76
30-88 1687-8 Jim Hennessey(AR sample) 9/76
31-88 1687-8 Ward Brodt Music 8/31/76
32-88 1687-8 Jim Messina 9/76
33-96 1688-7 ChuckMcDonough (emplee) 11/76
34-93 1687-8 Neil Diamond 9/10/76
35-95 1689-2 CH Kaman 9/76
36-97 1189-7 Chuck McDonough 11/16/77
37-__ 1689-8 Marcel Dadi 8/13/76
38-91 1687-7 Roy Clark band(Bill Hartman)5/20/77
39-98 1687-8 Manny's (John Halliday) 9/22/76
40-95 1687-8 Arai, Japan 9/30/76
41-97 1687-8 Bob Massy Music 9/22/76
42-95 1687-8 Ackerman's (Steve Voss) 9/22/76
43-93 1687-8 Central music Az 9/22/76
44-93 1687-8 Nancy Wilson 1/31/77
45-92 1687-8 Ackerman's (Ron Pough) 12/13/76
46-90 1687-7 Milano Music Az. 1/27/77
47-99 1187-2 Ovation Engr Dept 1/5/77
48-95 1187-2 Charlie Cash Music 1/27/77
49-96 1687-7 CHK 2/21/77
50-95 1687-7 Charlie Cash Music 1/19/77
51-91 1687-7 Wings 12/3/76
52-93 1187-8 Ackerman's (Ed Means) 2/15/77
53-98 1187-7 Modern Music 1/24/77
54-95 1187-8 Ackerman's 3/28/78
55-92 1187-8 Music Factory Ca. 10/25/76
56-93 1689-brown Cat Stevens 11/23/76
57-93 1689-8 Wings 12/3/76
58-93 1689-2 George McCannon III 2/9/77
59-93 1689-8 Gene Leis Music Ca. 11/30/76
60-96 1687-2 Modern Music 1/24/77
There you have it! Some further notes, Chuck McDonough was in charge of the Adamas program at this time, Jim Hennessey was in charge of artist relations. Goerge McCannon III was a CT singer who lived in New Hartford.
19was one of the round hole prototypes like in the picture Elias posted. This also says that, sorry Cliff, yours is not #20. It also says that mine is #53 since it was the only 1187-7 made.
Not bad for my 200th post.
[ April 14, 2002: Message edited by: cwk2 ] |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | That's HUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!!!!!
Good Job Al!
and Bill!
Now I can call the owners and buy them all!!
;) ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | that is the sole reason I was apprehensive with posing this list. I hope EVERYONE respects the privcacy of all. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | A good point Al but I'd be willing to bet that very few of these are still in the original hands. You will note that there were two for Cat Stevens, the first one was stolen in Europe and the second was sent to him. If the first one surfaces it will be interesting to hear the story that comes with it! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | I am #31 Boss, so.....no problem with me!
he, he, he, |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | good point Bill probably few are with the original owners.
as a journalist I always have privavy on my mind my roledex is filled with the numbers and e mail addresses of famous and semi famous people. I would NEVER do antihng to jeopardize my trust with these folks.
Some of these people bought guitars some were given away and i sort of see this as with my d'angelico it is really cool to look the seriel number up in the book and see who first ordered the guitar.
the stories of how they surface will be very intersting
elias I thought you were selling off all your adamas guitars? why seek out others? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | bill, if we could put all of the people and guitars from your 200th post together with the idea i posted in my 100th post we'd have one hell of an ovation party!!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | "elias I thought you were selling off all your adamas guitars? why seek out others?"
Selling off all Adamases? he, he, he, he,..
Not exactly.
I am a hunter, Al. Always hunting slot-heads!
You know better, you the boss. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Around 1980/81 I was in (I think) Andy's guitars in Denmark Street London, & hanging on the wall was a blue slothead from the estate of Wing's guitarist Jimmy McCulloch who had recently died. I was 19 & my second Ovation had just broken the bank. The price of £800 ( a lot then, & they'd have taken a bid) was way beyond me at that time. That Guitar may well still be in the UK, I'd love to find it. The guy in the shop saw me drooling and gave me a really cool & quite lavish Adamas catalog, which I still have.
Paul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | You know, this reminds me. About 15 years ago I was in a pawn shop in Fullerton CA and there, hanging in a display case was a slot head (it was that real pale greenish color -- beige?). The guy behind the counter said it belonged to the owner and that he would never sell it. Next time I'm up there I'll have to go in and see if the same guy still owns the store and then tell him about this website. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Keep your mouth shut about the site until you make him an offer he can't refuse, or at least has to consider seriously.
Paul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Ha! I can't afford another guitar. I've got a wife, two kids, a dog, and a mortgage I can't afford already.
Well, there's always room for another guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Well, ive got # 33 the only 12 string in the bunch and it looks like my # 57 belonged to Paul McCartney and wings...I bought that one from a guy in England...Wonder how that wound up there?? Anyway,glad to see that list....COOL STUFF!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Sam, your #57 must be the one I saw in London. It was in the UK because Wings were based in the UK. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Oh well, I guess it's NOT #20 afterall.
Jeez, I feel like I've been livin' a lie all this time . . . kinda like finding out your kid really isn't yours. . . oh well, I guess there's really only one thing left to do. . . . . . . . . . . . .woodchipper!!!!!
(just kidding.)
It is really COOL to find where it's "sibling" came from/are. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Sorry Cliff, Keep in mind, it's still a very cool guitar and one of 34. Nothing to be ashamed of there. And the story that goes with yours is great! I have no idea how mine made it back to the company from Modern Music. At one time I had #45 and sold it to Timm Kummer at Guitar Trader in Red Bank. I also had the one from Ward Brodts, #31( I think it was this one) got it from the original owner for cash and a new Adamas.
Miles, if you take this and put it in the reference section put a place for the current owner's name along with all the historical info. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | Hey Cliff, if you are dissapointed by the later serial number, don't you worry, I'll buy it. He, he, he, he...
Give me a call when you come in Phily and bring the guitar with you. Let's meet and play the hell out of them. You are more than welcome. And if you still don't like yours and you prefer an acoustic electric like the #0031, we can work on a deal. Just kidding! But you are always welcome in Phily!
Bill you are right about the #0031, no doubt about it.
You still got a good memory I see. You were the previous owner. As I mentioned already, it is a true honor to own this magnificent instrument, and do beleive me, she is very happy with me! We make love every day. Don't tell my wife though.
She is a keeper (the #0031 I mean). My wife too. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | (Paul writes)Around 1980/81 I was in (I think) Andy's guitars in Denmark Street London, & hanging on the wall was a blue slothead from the estate of Wing's guitarist Jimmy McCulloch who had recently died. I was 19 & my second Ovation had just broken the bank. The price of £800 ( a lot then, & they'd have taken a bid) was way beyond me at that time. That Guitar may well still be in the UK, I'd love to find it. The guy in the shop saw me drooling and gave me a really cool & quite lavish Adamas catalog, which I still have.
Paul, the story of # 57 is i got a letter from a gentleman in Cornwall Falmouth ,England who had bought the guitar from a guy who was a guitar dealer..I think he said the guy had a music/pawn shop type store and he delt in instruments and other things..He bought the guitar there..I traded him two guitars for it about 2-3 years ago.The thing about the guitar is how minty it was.It must have lived its life in a case..I have afreind who has lots of MacCartney and wings literatures and concert progrags.He says he may have a pic of someone(wings) playing the guitar.Stay tuned!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Determining the price of these is interesting, it does come down to what are the lunitics (we all qualify) willing to pay?
Yes it is the equlivent of the pre-war D-45 but does the world recognize it as such? I'd like to think so but probably not yet.
Rarity should factor into this a bit. Here's the breakdown;
1187-2 2
1187-7 1
1187-8 3
1189-7 1
For a total of 7 acoustics, 6 narrow necks, 1 wide.
1687-2 2
1687-7 5
1687-8 11
A total of 18 narrow A/E
1689-2 2
1689-8 5
1689-9 1 although brown wasn't a std color yet
A total of 8 wide necks
And the one 12 string which isn't a slot head.
In the end it all comes to what people are willing to pay and what the general public awareness is about the instruments. I know this from my experience with Travis Beans. I bought most of them for $200-400 10-20 years ago. Now they are around $1000 and that's because the public has grown interested in them and are seeking them out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | Bill,
what do you mean by stating that the slothead Adamas is the the equivalent of the pre-war D-45.
I may want to agree with you, but I am afraid that whenever I said that to other people (I did, believe me) they thought I was crazy. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The prewar D-45 are arguable the coolest thing that Martin did. Yes there's alot of others that are great but these 91 guitars are in a class by themselves. The Slotheads are the Ovation equlivent of that. Are they equal? No, I'm not saying that. Maybe some day in the distant future... Just that in the Martin scheme of things the D-45's have a place. The slotheads occupy that same place in the Ovation scheme of things. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 119
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19107 | Gotcha.
Something else: speaking of high end, all-wood guitars, especially the pre-war Martins, but any nice solid wood guitar will do, the older they get, especially when played in a regualr basis, the better they sound, why? cause they open up, they mature, etc., etc.
What about the Adamases now? The sound is loud, bassy, yes, but then? What about the overtones? the rings and bells? You don't expect of course the sound to get better with time. Even after 1000 yeras they will sound the very same, as the day they have been built.
Loud, bassy, and percussive.
Is that enough though? Yes, when you realize that this is NOT a solid wood guitar, but a composite one.
If you want rings and bells, rich overtones, sustain and sound that opens up and matures with time, buy a Goodall (lovely guitars).
I would love to hear your opinion, Bill. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | The slot head adamas and the Adamas I are the absolutely coolest thing that Ovation has done. (in the acoustic line) I was not a fan of Ovations until I played an Adamas and other higher end guitars. then I was hooked. I wish I could put modern electronics in my old Adamas to use it out but I would never do that I wouild just grab a new guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Yeah Al, I'm with you.
I had pondered the possibility of "electrify-ing" mine, but then resolved that it would just be SACRILIDGE!
I use mine "out" from time to time (when I know that I have enough "stage room" for it to occupy a safe space, and there's no chance of some drunken bar patron making a play for it).
With the right mic correctly placed it sounds AWESOME! I reserve it for certain songs that I'll be doing from a stool with the mic. I usually keep it in double drop D tuning and that low D just drones! I'll usually do a couple of strictly acoustic songs at the beginning of each set before my bandmates are done with their break, and Led Zeppelin's "Going To California" just seems to bring the house down every time!!
I caught your Elliott Randall interview on your webpage. Good Stuff!!
One thing you may or may not know about Elliott:
He and his band (Randall's Island) was the "rock ensemble" that was part of the orchestra of the ORIGINAL Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar".
I saw (well, "heard") them there on a high school class field trip there in 1973. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Elias,
Ovations will mature with time. The more it is played the more it matures. The Adamas probably does this too but to a lesser degree. The top is wood, it's just got a layer of grafite top and bottom, spruce braces, wooden neck.
As far as wooden guitars I've not played a Gooral but my vote goed to Collings. This guy is making the best guitars of that type (in my twisted opinion) Of course I don't play my Collings much these days and #53 lives in the closet. I seem to only be playing the old Nationals. You gotta love a guitar that cleans up with chrome polish! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | Bill,that is an interesting comment, that a guitar sounds better the more it is played. in another post i mentioned that i thought something from a previous owner stayed with some guitars and this might be what it is. i can understand the changes caused by wood aging, but do the vibrations from playing or handeling and maintaining account for the sound change caused by playing? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I think alot of it come from the physical characteristics of the materials (woods, lacquers, etc.) just "mellowing" and having the ability to "breathe" more.
I just saw an ad in AG magazine (I forget the manufacturer) and sales "pitch" was that they use the same type of lacquer that's used on fine violins and (like violins) the older they get, the better they'll sound.
Has anyone ever heard/played an Olson?
Made by some guy in St. Paul, MN.
Highly touted by both James Taylor and David Crosby.
Supposed to REAL nice, but I've never seen one, though. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | unfortnately the Adamas is a new phenomena in the world of guitars. Time will hold the only true answer to our questions regrding tone.
Elias I will buy you a goodall for #31 and hopefully you will grow old with it and witness the tone maturing.
Cliff
thanks for your kind words re my elliott randall interview. Eliott is a great guy and we keep in touch occasionally over the phone or via e mail we keep missing each other but swear that we will meet up for lunch or something some day at a Namm show or something.
I am a big steely dan fan and love his work with them I was aware of his work in the Pit for Jesus Christ Superstar.
Eliott is a really nice guy and very talented. I hope that some day we have the opportunity to meet. Maybe one day I will get all my interviews etc published in some book form too. who knows stranger things have happened.
[ April 04, 2002: Message edited by: alpep ] |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I would much rather buy a 40 year old Martin that was played every day than one that lived in a closet. (Actually I'd but both and flip the unplayed one for big bucks, but that's a different scenario) The one I'd want to play is the one that was played. They're broken in, they just sound better, they feel better. Do I have scientific evidence? no. It's just been my experience that the played guitars sound better. The same holds for soild bodies, strats and less pauls, why wouldn't it be true for Adamii as well? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Adamii, So that's the plural af Adamas. I once had two Musicman amps. Did I have 2 musicmans or 2 musicmen? I could never work that one out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Good question
maybe 2 music peoples amps? that way you're politically correct while you're at it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | musicman - music persons |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | bill, do you think that the same thing re better sound from a played guitar would apply to a ukII as well or is it something to do with the wood. i too have felt that a frequently played guitar had something special going for it. i just thought it was something left over from a 60's love in and figured it was me. so it is interesting to find someone else who has handled more guitars in a week than i have total with a similar opinion.
that would be a great new job!! for those rich execs who dont have time to play that new adamas but want that well played sound. send them to dr musicamex's tropical guitar spa for a weekly therapy session. optional stage and applause exposure at additional cost. closet guitar specialist.
i can see this really taking off and will probably need several employees----------or is that the 60's coming through again? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | russ;
My resume amd application are on their way to you post haste (on the next mail burro)! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Russ, If nothing else the neck would feel better after years of use. I've also heard of people putting their guitars out on a stand and putting a transistor radio, turned on, down inside the guitar and just let it play. Whatever...... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | On this same note, I read an article a few years ago in a guitar magazine about a company that had developed a machine which produced loud noise and vibration, and which could literally break in a new guitar in a matter of hours. They claimed that it was the equivalent of years of playing and made the guitar sound better. Haven't seen anything on it since. Who knows?
Reading about all these slot head Adamii, my only hope is that these guitars get played on a regular basis. What a crime it is when a rare and wonderful guitar sits in it's case all day long.
Therefore, cwk2, if yours is in the closet and you'd like to find a good home for it where it will be played and cared for........
[ April 05, 2002: Message edited by: moodypi ] |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Moodypi,
all too true but then I've got a bunch sitting in the closet so I'm guilty on many counts. Then again, it's so hard to get rid of some things, these are after all emotional decisions, not really logical decisions. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | if it is noise and vibration, my guitars have gotten alot of experience since they have come to mexico. mexico is the king of third world countries in their appreciation of volume and chaos. we get to a crowded beach with a high decibel level and go "oh shit" while the mexicans say "que bonito" or how beautiful. to them, our ideal deserted quiet beach would be "muy triste" or very sad. even in metropolitan los angeles i have a hard time sleeping these days because it is too quiet.
bill, you gave me an excellent idea. instead of a transistor radio, i could put a little tape recorder in my guitar for those slow late sets. i could be giving my guitar the necessary attention while taking a nap behind sunglasses. by the time the 4th set rolls around most of the audience are too close to the worm to notice anyway. "damn, that guy is fast---hardly looks like he's moving". AND no mistakes!!! last night there were over 50 people standing! a wild night. the season is coming to an end and everyone is wringing the last little bit of fun out of it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Paul, I've actually heard that very same machine!
Here in "metro NY", it's called "57th & 7th at about 4pm on a Friday". It also serves as a method for testing loose teeth!
My slothead sits on a stand safely tucked between two bookcases gets at LEAST 15 mins. of "exercise" a day, gets it's strings changed enough to one day cause a "phosphor bronze" shortage, and gets occasional (as I've stated in another post) "audience exposure" when conditions are deemed "safe" enough. In fact, tonight after work I've got an acoustic duo gig, and tomorrow a "full blown" band gig at some redneck bar in the "hinterland" of northern NJ (where she'll abide safely at home). A couple of my friends are "appauled" that I take it "out" from time to time, but it's an INSTRUMENT. It was designed to be PLAYED (maybe I'm sharing some of Russ' "60's mentality").
ps: I'm in the process of composing my "Virtues of the Slothead Adamas" letter to Acoustic Guitar magazine. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 126
Location: UK | There is definately something about wood in a regular played guitar.
My old Fender 12 string when i used to play it daily about 7 to 10 years ago, used to "Sing", i was in a friends studio one day and strumming a certain sequence of chords, there was a harmonic resonance in the background, a little like an accompaning vocal, it astounded everyone present.
I then hung up the Fender until this year, when im just starting to get into playing again,(and this time properly :rolleyes: ) it just hasnt got that tone anymore, i changed strings and all sorts, its just sorta dead :( |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I agree with what's been said here. You've got to play guitars, even old valuable guitars. That's what they were made for.
And cwk2, I was just teasing a little a while back. Even tho' I wish you'd just send me (out of charity -- hey, I don't have any money, I'm just a small time thug!), one of your slot heads or your Elite prototype, I know how hard it is to part with guitars. I've got an Ovation classical with action that's impossibly high. If I was smart, I'd sell it (got an old Country Artist that is my main nylon string) and buy something different, like a 97 Collectors. Can I bring myself to sell the classical? Hell no. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Now, having said all that about how guitars need to be played, I think I'll go pull out the family heirloom, a 1914 Martin 00-18 that was my uncle's and his uncle's before him. THAT guitar, I'm just the caretaker for.
Paul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | paul, it seems a guitar almost 90 years old would fall apart if you played it. maybe the horses they made the glue from were better back then. i have an 00-18 ny 53 years newer. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 255
| My favorite slot head adamas is the one that is or was, I havent seen it lately. In engineering at ovation. Clean as a whistle. loud as foof. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Loud as FOOF? Ques Que Phok? (Pardon my French) Was that one an acoustic or acoustic electric? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 28
Location: Chicago | Paul, it looks like both 51 & 57 went to Wings, so it's 50/50 that you saw the same one that samova has!
Speaking of Wings; I'm seening Macca's concert this Wednesday & Thursday. Wonder if I'll see an Adamas! |
|
| |
Adamas Slothead s/n list, The Final Word