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February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | I think I need a push in my purchase of an Adamas….the only Adamas I’ve ever played or owned is a W598 12 string….in other words, I’ve never had, but for some strange reason lust for, a classic texted top model that has the board suspended by the fiberglass ring of binding. The push I’m in need of is, if I’m a discerning ear, will I hear (and maybe feel) the difference between one of the late model traditionally bound tops in comparison to, say, a 1681 or 1581 or 1687 that has the top suspended by the fiberglass ring? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| No question whatsoever you'll hear and feel the difference with the suspension ring. Do it. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I don't have enough experience with the features of the supension ring but I do know that the textured top is a very different animal than the shiney, woven top.
I'll take the texured top every time.
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do it roundsound.... do it! |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by G8r:
No question whatsoever you'll hear and feel the difference with the suspension ring. Do it. What Gatorboy said. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Gator's right (as he is about almost everythink except global warming). Get the textured top w/ the suspended mounting ring. It's Ovation's best sound.
If it were me, I'd also get the original slothead neck with the slotted headstock. I'd probably get the regular Adamas I inlays on the fretboard. Get the Adamas I bridge, and for electronics, go with an Op Pro (my personal preference for simplicity and perfomance -- your mileage may vary). I could tell you what color to get, but you've got to make some decisions on your own, Grasshopper.
Also, a deep bowl (and that is very personal -- lotta different opinions here on bowls) of hand laid (mastubatory)fiberglass.
Neck width? 1 3/4". Not too wide, not too slim.
Next question? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | My OFC2 does not have a suspension ring, nor is it a classic textured top. But I'll put it up against any Adamas anywhere, and only an original slot head will sound better. To my ear. YMMV. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | All the comments are dead on.
Since an OFC2 is very hard (next to impossible) to come by, the 1581 RI that Al is offering up at near giveaway pricing would be the one I would jump one.
New, lifetime warranty, and a price that is close to used. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | If you're doing a special order, go with my recommendations. If you're just buying one, get a 1581 from Al. You can't go wrong.
And I disagree with Bobbo. The OFC I's sound better than the OFC II's.
At least to my ear...... |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1456
Location: Texas | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
My OFC2 does not have a suspension ring, nor is it a classic textured top. But I'll put it up against any Adamas anywhere, and only an original slot head will sound better. To my ear. YMMV. Really? I thought the OFC II DID have the suspension ring while the standard 2080 did not?
Which Adamii have/don't have the suspension rings? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | If there are any more of the Ovation Roadshows in Texas, go. They had 4 or 5 Adamas one offs for sale, including a wood topped one that I really loved. All of them that I recall had the suspension ring. It gives you a bit more depth. I'd get one with a textured top and suspension ring if I had a choice.
I'm not good at comparisons. It's hard for me to say my Ute sounds better or worse than the #47 RI, for instance, but the Ute is a 12 fretter with a bit wider neck, but no suspension ring. When I use the "which one do I grab more often" test, the #47 wins. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I own 4 Adamas'. All are textured top. I like the OFC I Much better than the OFC II. (except for the electronics - that boost button is AMAZING!) But this was a BIG surprise to me - the 1581 I got from Al this week sounds better than ANY of them! Much louder. More bass. Brighter trebles. You'll never find a better deal on a guitar. Call Al! |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Whichever one is plugged into the best amp wins! |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | On the 12 fretter it's the bridge placement that make the big difference.... IMO. |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Oh I’m close to going over now….anyone want to extol on the specific dreamy elements of the suspended top? A bigger bottom end, or longer resonance? Notes that ring for small eternities?... I want to fall over the edge here…. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Do a search for suspension ring and maybe patent. Someone posted the patent application on this site a couple years ago. It was actually interesting to read about the expected virtues, besides the deeper bowl, I think it is supposed to allow the top to vibrate all the way out to the edges. When I sneeze in the corner where I have 8 guitars hanging, the 2 with the suspension rings resonate the longest. That's an important consideration! |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I've got a nice 2080, and had the privilege of playing a lot of different Adamii at Alison's jam. The 2080 does not have the suspension ring, but I'd put it up against any other Adamas except an original slothead. While all are different flavors of ice cream, they are each amazing instruments.
The suspension ring guitars are a bit deeper, but I can't say categorically that they have better sustain or more bass or clearer highs. The ones that I played all had a clear tone with excellent articulation between the strings. Crisp, clear, bold, full, balanced. The one guitar that stood out a mile above all others was an original slot head. No words can describe the feeling of playing that one!
The mid bowl with suspension ring would get you close to a deep bowl dimension, compared to a regular mid bowl. Kaki King has a mid bowl Adamas II and tunes her guitar down two steps at times (maybe lower), uses Elixir coated light gauge strings, and her guitar sounds full, deep, and clear. I would not be concerned one bit about Al's guitars not having depth or balance.
I played a guitar at the jam that I think is identical to what Al is selling, and it was great. Seriously, if you are thinking of spending around that kind of money, Al's deal is a no brainer. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I agree with Flysig that the original slothead was the very best sounding Adamas I ever heard. But the SECOND best, and one that is actually available, AND at an unbelievabe price, is the 1581 that Al is selling. As much as I love ALL of my guitars, for a short while yesterday I was entertaining the idea of selling them ALL so I could get another 1581 plus that longneck I dreamed about.
I admit, I've been sick and had a fever, but the guitar really does sound that good. And it looks good too. I know everyone has different taste, but the black with the gorgeous wood around the epi and 1/2 looks downright elegant to me. Google Adamas 1581-5 and you'll see how much more you would pay anywhere else. This is a STEAL! |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Just Do It. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | call Al..........
JFDI |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Go For It, Before They Are All GONE! |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | You haven't bought one yet...what are you waiting for?
Seriously: buy one...you'll never look back! |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Roundsound, there are only 2 questions you need to answer:
1) Where is my credit card? and
2) What is Al's number.
The rest is a no brainer. If you don't like it (and I find that very hard to believe), you will be able to sell it in a years time for almost no loss (possibly a profit). A more likely scenario will be of the "cold, dead hands" variety. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 815
Location: Colorado | It has been 15 years since I've played a deep bowl Adamas 1 or 2 (cutaway and non-cutaway). And I can tell you these guitars are probably like nothing else you've heard or played. In my opinion, this is a slam-dunk especially if you like the Adamas sound. Get the 1581 that Al has and don't look back. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
That's an important consideration! ...and NOT to be sneezed at! |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Thanks for ALL the pushes, nudges, and shoves. I committed to a 1681 made in 1981 that is reportedly close to unplayed, and I’ll post plenty of pictures of the new baby when she arrives. Thanks to all that sent me pm messages with suggestions and offers, and thank you Al and Hankster for taking the time to speak with me on the phone. I don’t think I would have taken this leap if it were not for the enthusiasm of the many O lovers here. And Al should be perhaps one of the most flattered merchants in the land, with all the heartfelt endorsements. If I ever have the money to buy a new one, I’ll assuredly get it from Al, assuming he has any left. |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Well here are the new (to me) baby pics - a 1681 from 1981....it is in very good shape, with essentially no fretwear, and just a little pitting on the fingerboard, and just the slightest bit of epi curl on some the edges, but overall very nice. My first vintage textured top!
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | :D :D :D |
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help give a brother a push?