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Location: Brighty in Blighty | I'm in the market for an Adamas.
I'm a fan of ebony fingerboards (and larger frets) and the shallower profile necks like the 84C (thought I am really warming to the feel of the 1537 :) ) so what can you recommend...
So far I have on my list either a W597-CB or 1597
Some people seem to really rate the textured tops, why is this, do they have a 'nicer' tone?
Or is it just looks?
There just seems sooo many Adamas's out there it is hard to work out whats good and whats not - ok they probably all good and just preference...
SMT ? CVT? Textured tops? Adamas II 1681? 15 87? etc etc. ARRGHGHHH! |
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Location: NJ | A textured-top Adamas pisses all over a SMT/CVT . . . |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | +1 textured-top |
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Location: SoCal | There's a reason Ovation discontinued the SMT/CVT guitars and brought back the textured tops...... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There's only one type of top worthy of the adamas name and it ain't very smooth ... |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | and to think... my millenium was feeling so much love over the weekend. Fame and fortune are fleeting. |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Ouch...ok, that was "one" smoothtop that was worthy of the Adamas name on the headstock!
Trade you my Ute for it :D |
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Location: CA | As the posts so far suggest, I think you're going to find that textured-top Adami get the highest marks for tone of anything Ovation/Adamas makes.
I have never played an Adamas with any kind of top because I've never found one to play. Until I do,
I've said it before and I'll say it again — I really don't like how they look. I'm sorry. . . shoot me. . . but that glittery reverse-burst stuff and that weird 'rope' binding looks just absurd to my eye. Every time I see it I'm reminded of my daughters' Barbie phase when they were growing up. Almost all of Barbie's outfits looked just like Adamas textured-top guitar finishes.
I'm sure it's one of those 'acquired taste' things. And I'm sure playing one someday will help that 'acquisition' process quite a bit. Until then, Adami-wise, I'll continue to lust after that sexy-looking 597s. |
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Location: Indiana | Heresy!!! :)
Wait till you play one Oddball... |
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Location: SoCal | Oddball, where in CA are you? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Oddball,
I'm kinda with you regards the look! Ouch shoot me!
I've heard some people say the W597-CB is VERY close to the Millenium and the Millenium is VERY close to a textured top so maybe a W597-CB is close enough to a textured top?
Having said that if I'm splashing out on an Adamas I want a "full blown" Adamas, no point cutting corners. I asked what the best deep bowl O was and was told 1537, well that recommendation seems to be spot on! |
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Location: Cincinnati | I went with the textured top based on what I read on this board. No second thoughts. What a sound! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
that was "one" smoothtop that was worthy of the Adamas name on the headstock!
I was referring to production models. The Q is indeed damn good, as is my 2080 NAMM glosstop. |
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Location: Jet City | THat gloss top 2080 is a stunner. If it plays/sounds half as good as it looks... well you know.
I'm sure it's only a matter of time (really money) before I end up with an Adamas. I'm looking forward to holding my first one ever at the gathering.
I think my first one will either be a newer 2080 or an older textured top |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | OK so if the textured tops are the better Adamas then...
1. Is it cos they are textured that they sound better or is it that the textured tops have different bracing etc.
2. Its seems almost perverse that a new 6778LX in the shops in the UK is £899 but a top notch 1537 can be had for near half that. OP they are different guitars but there is NO contest IMHO! So a 2nd hand older Amadas seems to be a better deal than a new or newish W587
3. What older textured topped ebony fingerboard Adamas's would one recommend?
4. Is a Adamas II 'better' than a I?
5. As a HUGE fan of shallow bowls I am amazed at my reaction towards my deep bowl 1537, it does actually feel really comfortable to play.
I'm in no rush to get an Adamas, just want to be armed with as much info as I can gather before a bargain arrives on Ebay. I have had lots of really helpful advise from fellow memmbers here and for that THANK YOU!!! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dweezil,
Al has "in stock" the only two in current production that you need to look at:
2008 Collectors
2080
Call him and take care of business. I believe he has a great price on a 2080! |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Tone is king but don't forget the SWMBO diplomancy/factor.
For example : Was taking the pics of the 1537 (which she hadn't really noticed as a new member to the family) and said to our friend whose garden I took the shots in "I like that guitar". Some of the Adamas's just look far too 'frilly' so me to get away with another 'under the radar' addition. Plus I am still not convinced that the tone outweighs the styling...
So to conclude I need to balance tone and looks.
The 84C & 1537 score on both counts even the S868 does. The LX is going on Ebay this week! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | '08 looks MUCH better in person than in the pics!
Cat's eye is just cool and it sound great too. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Careful how far you take that, dweezil. SWMBO made the mistake of saying "you don't have any blue ones" after seeing Dave's Adamas textured tops. She wasn't quite prepared for the cost of the OFC, but at least I now have a blue one. She's been careful not to express any preferences for the appearance of guitars, except for the ones I already have. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | :) |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by dweezil:
Plus I am still not convinced that the tone outweighs the styling... You will be once you play one... |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | I'd always wanted an Adamas since I first saw one in the early '80s and had a chance to play an Adamas I that a music store had in stock.
The w597 was an impulsive purchase, on the back of a grand piano for SWMBO. The w597 does not sound as good as the Adamas I (although a few years have passed and maybe my hearing isn't what it used to be), but it is still an impressive guitar. Since I bought it, I not played a better guitar. IMHO it craps all over the elites I have played in music stores and is marginally better than the Legend 1117 which SWMBO said had to go if I was getting an Adamas.
I suspect the deep bowl of the textured tops is responsible for a lot of the tonal differences (w597 has a medium bowl) which also explains why the deep bowled 1117 manages to hold its own with a wooden top. However, I also suspect that the thick layer of gloss on the w597 also inhibits the vibration of the top and that the textured tops have a lot more freedom of movement as there is less crap stuck to them. |
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Location: big island | but that W597 is a wowzer plugged in and ease of play. acoustically speaking, it is no match for a woven top in any bowl depth. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by The Artist (FKA Richard):
I suspect the deep bowl of the textured tops is responsible for a lot of the tonal differences ... Interesting theory, but I'd still put my money on the top. Dave |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Maybe I ought to say at this point that I'm more interested in the plugged in sound as want this for recording purposes... |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | So a textured top seems to be the only Adamas worthy of buying, if I'm gonna do it I'd better do it right. I would prefer an older Adamsa rather than the current models so...
Adamas I?
Adamas II?
1587?
1681?
1597?
1687?
Erm...
I'm |
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Location: south east Michigan | Question:
What makes thes 2080 the exception the the "textured top only" rule?
Dweez... I think Tidewater Time has a UTE for sale. Amoung many other things it has that ebony fretboard you are looking for. Someone will correct if I'm wrong but it seems to me like most Adamas models have a walnut fretboard. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Pardon me... That's Tidewater Tim. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Question:
What makes thes 2080 the exception the the "textured top only" rule? "textured top" is a misnomer. It's just textured paint on bare woven carbon fiber. The weave of the CF gives a little "texture" but it's the sand paint that most of us refer to as "texture". Chip the paint off an Adamas I and it looks just like a 2080. In fact a killer guitar is the Adamas Export which has a burst pattern of sand paint on the edges and bare unpainted CF in the middle. Sort of like the offspring of an Adamas I and a 2080. The issue with the SMT/CVT is that they encapsulated the CF sandwich within a clear topcoat that really killed the sound. Just like a baggie over your turkey sandwich would kill the taste. Dweez, you say your main priority is plugged in sound, so in that case don't worry about textured or not. Any adamas will do the trick. Get the one wiht the best electronics for your taste the one most comfortable for you to play. DAve |
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Location: south east Michigan | Thanks Dave.
That explains it quite well.
However, I would differ with the last statement. If all you're looking for is the plugged in sound a lesser guitar will serve the purpose and be easier on the wallet. If you want a Adamas go with one that gives you that special Adamas unplugged sound. Once you experience it, you won't reget it. |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | The Ute is still for sale, just not pushing it very hard. I do love her sound :D |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Whats a UTE? |
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Location: closely held secret | U681T
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | And what makes an Adamas a UTE? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | I'm kinda lusting after this...
its a 1587 - are they any good? |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | That's a fine guitar, but I don't think it's going to go cheap!
And what makes an Adamas a UTE?
The nickname for the U681T around here is a UTE from the U & T.
Also, JeffW has a custom cutaway U681T that we call the CUTE
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Location: NJ |
BuyIt. |
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Location: closely held secret | Either that 1587, or a 1581 (the Adamas II version). If you prefer a cutaway as I do, these are the best acoustically (IMNAHO), short of an 08 Collector. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Don't mind a non cutaway...
How about the Adamas II 1681?
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Location: closely held secret | They're all good. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | dweezil, you seem to be sliding pretty fast down the slippery slope. When you get toward the "end", you will find that the slope just continues. There is just too much variety to stop at one guitar. Any of those above would be great. The Ute is fantastic, but you should know that the neck is a bit wider and shorter. It's a great fingerstyle guitar, but might not be your thing if you play higher up the neck or like the narrower neck.
The walnut necks do seem to discolor more than the ebony necks. Although any Adamas may be great, you may find that it just leads to looking for something a bit different. If not, we'd all be fine with one guitar. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Just trying to get a feel for the Adamas range.
How does the U681T differ from a 1681? There are just too many bloody models! Ilike the style of the Adamas II 1681 but would prefer ebony...
Ho hum... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | 1681 is 14 fret maple f/b 1-11/16 nut
U681 is 12 fret ebony f/b 1-3/4 nut
If you play live plugged in don't buy the U681 because it feeds back like a futher mucker. But on the other hand it's the best sounding adamas that you can reasonably put your hands on. I prefer it to the 47RI, OFC and 08C guitars. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Yes... a plugged in UTE needs airlocks.
When they first came out the UTEs were going for about $1800 retail so compared to the 47s, the OFC, and the 08 collector, they were/are quite a bargain. |
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Location: SoCal | Dweez, have you gone over to http://www.adamasguitars.com and looked at the various specs? You'll see bowl depths, neck widths, etc. Also, take an afternoon and search thru the archives here at the OFC. Most of what you're asking has been discussed over and over again.
Any deep bowl Adamas I or II will give you pretty well the same sound (some variations due to number of air holes or lack thereof). A lot of choices are made on personal preference of esthetics, ie, carved headstock, non carved, fret inlays, etc.
The U681T is a 12 fret to the body guitar. This will yield a different sound than a 14 fret.
Do some research..... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
I prefer it to the 47RI, OFC and 08C guitars. It's a good thing I know you have exquisite taste in guitars with your collection of Collings, Taks, etc.......
CAUSE THAT STATEMENT IS JUST NUTS! (even if it is just your preference ;) ) |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | to each their own..Slipkid and I love our UTEs. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | OK, I'll settle this. I'm going downstairs and will compare the Ute with the OFC and report back as soon as I have decided which is better. I expect you to be holding your breath, so I'll make it quick. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Oh, he's just gonna come back and say "they're different". :rolleyes: |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Not fair Mark...I don't own an OFC.
However, if you bring yours to Charlotte, I will be happy to pick it up and compare it to the UTE for a coupla weeks. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by dweezil:
Whats a UTE? A teenager or pre-teen in Brooklyn (My Cousin Vinny). |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Still comparing. Continue holding your breath. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Beggin:
to each their own..Slipkid and I love our UTEs. If you HAD to get rid of one, would it be the UTE or the 47RI?
and if you don't have a 47RI, I guess your just gonna have to bring your UTE to Denver for a few day and compare for yourself. |
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Location: SoCal | I hate to throw water on these kinds of tests, ie, what's better, but there really isn't an answer. Or maybe the answer changes day to day. All different models of Ovations and Adamii sound slightly different. What's better is only what sounds better on a particular day. Or what strikes your fancy on a particular day. Some days, one of my guitars sounds better. A couple of days later, something else sounds better.
A better test is what works for you in a given playing situation. Deep bowl vs. mid depth vs super shallow bowl. Wide neck vs narrow neck. Steel string vs nylon string. Acoustic vs. plugged in. 6 vs 12... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
but there really isn't an answer. Sure there is |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | OK, there's really no comparison. The Ute has more bass, and my OFC has lots. Every other string sounds different, too, but I have Martin Clapton's Choice on the Ute and Adamas 1818s on the OFC. The necks are obviously different. The Ute is better for fingerstyle open chords. The OFC is better for fingerstyle barre chords. I don't use picks. Beyond that, I got sidetracked and started playing the 30th CL. It needs new strings. Just as I was reaching for the Folklore, I got called away for honeydos. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I agree with Moody. Some days, I prefer one model and on another day, something else. I like to mix it up. Over the past year, I've begun to narrow the focus of my preferences, but it usually has more to do with comfort and looks. The variation in tone when plugged in is so slight, all other things being equal, that it just really doesn't matter. With the exception of the two Taks, I am now gigging almost exclusively with SSBs and the chambered Vipers, because they're just more comfortable for me. I also leave it to others to comment on tone. They all sound great to me. Incidently, the one that received the most comments on tone? Maybe it was just that particular day and that particular set list, but it was the Adamas SSB wood-topped proto. |
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Adamas questions