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Location: SoCal | Okay, I may be wrong but I am the only one at this time that has both. At least the only one that I know of with all of the following instruments listed below. The U681T was restrung last night with 1818E, 47RI has the factory strings, ? D'Addario. The following was finger pickin', not a flat pick.
Both slotheads. 47RI from $3,300-$4999; U681T $1,700.
U681T and 47RI are comfortable, well balanced.
U681T good looking, 47RI beautiful.
U681T cone of projection approximate 160 degrees (my wife describes it as surround sound, even compared to the Adamas I), 47RI narrower ? 90-120 degrees. U681T with OP-Pro & XLR, 47RI acoustic. For stage performance, who cares about the "surround sound" of the U681T - plug it in and fill a massive hall. Interesting is that the sharper cone of the 47RI allows excellent p/u with an external mike. Think back to the late 50's - 60's and the folk groups with dual mikes (voice and instrument). Obviously, the U681T is the guitar for the stage but the 47RI could be used and both would be great in a studio.
When I got the U681T, my wife was impressed with it over the Custom Legend wood top, the Adamas I, Adamas II, and CVT Millennium. Playing both the U681T and the 47RI (yes, one at a time), her opinion is the 47RI is brighter, fuller. As an aside, we always say we need to have someone else play the multi-hole so we can really hear it (or against a reflective surface). On the 47RI, the player can hear and feel the guitar.
Prior to the 47RI, the U681T was the best sounding guitar I had. 1719-30CM was the favorite. The 47RI is now the best (and favorite) I have by at least 20%.
Before the 47RI, the 30th Anniv Custom Legend was considered my favorite. Now (in order), the 47RI, the 30th CL( 1719-30CM), the U681T, 1687 Adamas I, 1681 Adamas II, 1537, and through the herd. Of course, the two 1968-1969's (Deluxe Balladeer shiny bowl and the 1127) are also in the top tier of the wood tops.
Again, 47RI is approximately twice as expensive (Premier CVT slothead is now more expensive than the textured top U681T). 47RI better looking, 20% better, not as good for a stage guitar.
If you have a U681T, do you need a 47RI - no. Do you want one...probably, once you play and see it.
Guess the bottom line is...if I had to sell one, it would be the U681T. The 47RI is a keeper.
Again, my humble opinion. |
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Location: France | very interesting to read, thank you tony.
Tom |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | It was a clear, star filled evening in SoCal. Tony decides he wants to play some guitar out on the deck by the pool. He walks into his well appointed music room, places his hands on his hips, and trys to make the hard choice. "Hmmm..the UTE or the 47RI...What shall it be?...Hmmm".
Life is good!!!!
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Tony..did you really want this in the "For Sale" section?? |
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Location: San Angelo, Texas | He's just rubbing it in... |
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Location: PDX | Wow, what a great post. Out of my budget to own one -- this is the next best thing. Thanks!
_____
gh1 |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Tony,
I am pointing a gun at my cat's head.
Send me the U681T now and we can all take a deep breath and walk away!
No, wait. The cat just gave me a dirty look and walked away. Um-m-m, $350 for the Ute!
Oh, what's the use. Enjoy! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Nice post Tony. As usual articulate and to the point without a lot of fluff.
I am drooling with envy! |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Looks like "47RI" is an acronym that's gonna stick .... |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Tony..did you really want this in the "For Sale" section??
Well, it was late as I sat in front of my computer, just Brandy and an old movie on the tele to keep me company.
Wanted to get to bed before 2 or 3am. Opened the first thread, selected new topic and created additional questions from readers such as "Tony, are you really going to sell your slothead?", referring to the U681T. Hmmm, not at this time. I will dust it a few times a month if I play the RI47 as much as I expect. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Stop it, Tony. I was already green with envy and then you start talking about your wife actually listening to your guitars and offering opinions that were not like, "you can only play one at a time," or "that looks just like the other one" or "that looks prettier."
Now you throw in the brandy and old movies. But I guess if you weren't in bed by 2 or 3 there is something I can relate to. |
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Location: Australia | Nice review.
I'm happy to lap up any #47 info I can. |
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Posts: 176
Location: Denver Colorado | Yeah... nice report Tony... newbie pot stirrers appreciate this kind of stuff.
:)
Sally |
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July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Looks like I have to get serious about selling my U681T. I am waiting to hear back from one of our members who I have promised "first right of refusal" to. If he dosn't get back to me in the next day or two, is there anyone out there who would like to make an offer on an absolutly PERFECT U681T? Shoot me a PM if you have an intrest. |
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Location: France | You're asking a few days too late afg, just bought a brand new U681T lately... Too bad.
Tom |
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Posts: 94
Location: Tracy, CA | Fly guy, I'm interested. Just sent you an email.
Henry |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Looks like I have to get serious about selling my U681T. please understand that I consider the U681T is the better of the slotheads for the value. Think about it, probably no perceptible difference in playability and "voice", the OP-Pro and XLR, and about 1/2 the price. Has the textured top unlike the new CVT Premier (about $1,000 more than the U681T).
47RI has the retro look and feel. Now my favorite guitar but some like the headstock of the U681T over the 47RI. Flavors of ice cream.
If you can manage both, great. If you can, at least the U681T. If performing, the U681T is the guitar ;) |
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Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | ...that and the wider neck of the Ute will keep it my daily favorite for playing.
Hang on to the Ute AFG :D |
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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I didn't want to hijack Tony's thread here that started with a great comparison between 2 of the best guitars around. I didn't realise my post would generate this kind of response. Sorry about that Tony. (By the way, your post is not the reason I am selling this guitar) I'd sure rather sell a couple of my other Ovations but this is the only one that really has produced much interest. Now back to Tony's great write up on 47RI and the U681T.
Take Care, |
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U681T v. 47RI