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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | There's a 1681WT on the 'bay with a natural finish. I gotta think that this is as close to a 1537 as Ovation will ever make. Even a little deeper for more sound. Very cool.
1681 WT |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | These are really sweet guitars. Definitely worth every penny!
I still kind of like the sound of a 1537 a bit better (YMMV), but all of the 1537s I've played have had a sh!tload of playing time and years to open up.
Once these wood topped Adamas models open up they are going to be unbelievable! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Zilla, I couldn't agree more. My 1537 is almost 30 years old and sounds so much better than anything else I have. It's got the deep mellow sound that takes time to develop..... |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | Paul...thanks again for pushing me towards the 1537...such a great sounding guitar.
The "opening up" controversy is a great subject.
Age of wood...if that were true, why wouldn't the companies age it like whiskey and then sell it for the bucks?
Why dont companies use a machine like this or offer it as an option:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/Gear/advice/vibration.shtml
It has to be age and time in the lap. dunno...I do know that my 1537 sounds as great as it looks. Pretty incredible.
Everyone have a great turkey day. |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 495
Location: California | The sound of both guitars are great. When you compared both of them (D'addario EJ16 strings), the WT projects a louder overall sound and you can tell right way; sound ring makes a difference. My Adamas WT is 30 years old; got recently back from the factory with new electronics and sound is unbelievable plugged also. I need to post new pictures.
JB was very helpful identifying this proto and it came with a signature on the label (WK II), thanks to both of you, I enjoy playing this guitar. Does anyone else has one of these new 1681 WT guitars? You will not go wrong if you buy one, good price too. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | I guess my question would be, is the 1681 more than 3x the guitar the 1537...because that is what you are going to pony up.
"Money is no object . . . unless you intend to spend it". |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by jay:
I guess my question would be, is the 1681 more than 3x the guitar the 1537...because that is what you are going to pony up.
"Money is no object . . . unless you intend to spend it". And that's the rub. If you can find a 1537 in good shape, in today's market you can pick it up for $750-$1000. Is the 1581WT worth 3 times that? What are the strengths of each?
1537 - A top that's almost 30 years old and has been played. Great sound. Wood binding. Multi-layered neck heel cap and peghead. The K-bar neck is stabile beyond belief. In 18 years of ownership, I've never felt the need to adjust the neck on my guitar. And some will say that the weight of the neck helps transmit sound to the body (don't know that I buy that). Incredible mojo.
The downside is the weight of the neck makes it a heavy guitar. The electronics are 30 years old and out of date compared with everything else out there. That's all the negatives I can think of. And the electronics can be replaced with Ovation's re-designed 2 knobber. I did this and the sound is incredible. Even if you buy the guitar for a grand, you can send it to the factory, or just buy the newer electronics and install them yourself. $2-300 extra. Total max price, $1300.
Regarding the 1581 WT, what are the pros? First, you have a full Ovation warranty. That counts for a lot. Second the electronics are outstanding, with both 1/4" and XLR output. Third, the mounting ring gives that 1/4" extra depth. You really can't feel it when you hold it, but you can hear it. Al's got one of the prototypes (from 30 years ago, with an Adamas mounting ring) and there is a difference in the sound from my 1537.
Plus, there's the joy of owning a new guitar. Can't understate that. Knowing that it's your baby and will always be so.
The only negatives are the price and the fact that the top hasn't opened up yet. But it will.
So which do you go with? I don't know. I wouldn't sell my 1537 for a new 1581WT. But if I were looking for a guitar, I'd certainly consider both and wouldn't be adverse to spending the money for the 1581 if I couldn't find a good 1537.
Dealer's choice.
On a side note, I just went to the Ovation webpage and the 1581WT isn't listed there. Are they not going to make these guitars past what they have already built? |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | You will NEVER be sorry you bought a 1537. One of Ovations best and great value.
The 1538s are great too. It is amazing the one RNickels is selling is still available. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think if I were going to pay that much, I'd want the same neck/slothead headstock that the 47RI has on it. That would make the guitar absolutely perfect in my book. To me, it would make it even more "Adamish (: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Do a special order through Al. They'll build it for you.... |
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October 2005
Posts: 4075
Location: Utah | The one they had at the Ovation Road Show was spectacular. Pricey, yes, but really a work of art with a great sound. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | "Do a special order through Al. They'll build it for you...."
I'll have to sell one of my grand children first... but I haven't decided which one yet. |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Have to agree...12fret slothead addition would make it irresistible. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
Have to agree...12fret slothead addition would make it irresistible. Oh, yeah.... and a 1 3/4" nut-width... |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | The only way I could afford a new Adamas, is to work for Ovation and do like Johnny did in " One Piece at a Time (did he think he was playing a uke?) or
Wait for about 10 years and the next recession and pick one up for 1200. |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 495
Location: California | Vince- may be an OFCIII WT special order with new electronics,same bridge,neck/slothead headstock that the 47RI has on it. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Nice Idea, but not many of us are heavy in the cash area these days (: |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by hwebster:
Vince- may be an OFCIII WT special order with new electronics,same bridge,neck/slothead headstock that the 47RI has on it. Don't do it Al! I haven't finished paying for the current project. |
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Wood topped Adamas on the 'bay