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Posts: 85
Location: Taichung, Taiwan | It looks like I might be able to pick up an additional guitar this summer and I keep feeling drawn to a slot head 12. There is something about the way they look and the way you folk talk about them that grabs me. (I have yet to touch one.) So the dilemma is: Which one should I get? I have searched the archives and have heard many of you say a Pacemaker is great. A few have talked about the Custom Legend 12, and fewer still have mentioned a Glen Campbell 12 like a 1618. Oh, and lots of talk of wonderful Adamas 12’s (which SWMBO says are price prohibitive).
Could those of you who have experience with several of the different models try to compare them? What are the pros and cons of each as you see them? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Pacemaker is best bang for the buck |
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Posts: 3969
| Adamas 12's are pretty much the best 12-string guitars ever made. Period. But if you're ruling those out, +1 with T28, the Pacemaker is the best bang for the buck, absolute cannons.
I believe the GC 1618's have a different bracing pattern than the Pacemakers, so they'll have a different tone. Haven't played a 1618, so I can't say which one I'd like better
The 1658 Custom Legend 12's are essentially ultra-blingy Pacemakers.
If cost is the most important consideration you'd be hard-pressed to do better than a Pacemaker. YMMV. |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | It's all personal choice, but I prefer 14-fret necks, especially on 12's. All of the three models mentioned here are 12-fretters, which just don't give ME the right feel with their short, wide necks. You need figure out what is best for you. |
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Posts: 3969
| Bobbo - are there any slothead 14-fret 12's? I thought all the 14-fret were paddle head. I prefer the 14-fret, too, which is why I moved my Pacemaker in favor of a 1538. |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | All the slothead 12's were 12 fretters and all had the same bracing pattern (what Ovation called fan bracing). When Ovation went to the 14 fret solid headstock 12's they also went to the A bracing (I think)...... |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | The 1866 Legend is pretty good, too, if you prefer shallow bowls. Oops, disregard. Just noticed you were referring to slotheads. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | slots are 12 |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I wish I could afford a couple, including an old Adamas, to make my own comparison. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | Pacemakers a very good guitar.
Never played a GC
My other 12s are not slotheads |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | IMHO, nothing matches the physical beauty of the 1158/1658 Custom Legend.
With that said, I have noticed a wonderful consistency between the shiny bowl and the two 1658's that I have; as well as the two GC's and the 1158 CL that I had - balance, playability, and projection. It is the strong neck, deep bowl, etc., that makes the Ovation 12-str a great guitar, unplugged or plugged in.
Want a bound neck and gold tuners, get a GC; want a carved bridge and TRC, ivory binding, abalone, etc., then get a CL.
It is similar to buying a new car...special paint, seats, and special wheels doesn't make the car go faster or corner better...might help in resale and your satisfaction. |
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Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by stephent28:
Pacemaker is best bang for the buck +2 |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Agree with Tony. Custom Legend 12's are pretty. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Pacemaker's have a sound of their own, more of a "harpsichord" tone. IMHO, the Custom Legend I had didn't sound as good as the Pacemakers I've owned although it did have more bling. Again, IMHO, the 1758 is a better balanced tone all around. If the 1758 came with a slothead, THAT would be the ultimate combo. |
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Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | 
1615-1 Pacemaker 12 1981: Hard to Beat! Awesome tone!
'68 Balladeer 12; 1615-1 Pacemaker 12 1977; 1158-1 Custom Legend 12 1981 |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Agreed Mike, that guitar in a burst configuration is probably the best slot head 12 made. |
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Location: Tennessee | I dunno. If they are so great, why is it that almost everyone here "used to own" them. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Adamas I 1688.... :cool:
(but I still own the '81 PM in the top pic...) |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
I dunno. If they are so great, why is it that almost everyone here "used to own" them. Good question, seriously. When I don't own a 12 string, I would like to have one. When I have one, I never seem to keep it around. (insert laughs here) :p I just don't seem to play a 12 string enough to justify keeping it around, although lately I've changed my thinking to start keeping more guitars I don't play everyday cause I know I'll miss them if they leave. Just stick them in the closet and wait... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
I dunno. If they are so great, why is it that almost everyone here "used to own" them. They're great until the next more-greater one comes along.
How many times have we heard "best guitar I ever played" and "this is a keeper." It's sorta like "til death do us part" which sounds good at the time ... |
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Location: SoCal | Well, let's see...
The new 1970 Martin D12-18 was a piece of s*#t;
bought a new dark sunburst 1158 CL in 1981 which was only sold in 1990 to help capitalize the company that allows me to buy more guitars (that hurt); used F-390 Takamine bought low, sold low to a SoCal OFC'er although better than the Martin; two used GC's were bought to sell.
CL's (two used 1658's, a used 1659, and a used 6759) are keepers.
1968 shiny bowl, small rosette was bought from a OFC'er for curiosity...haven't found someone who would appreciate it to pass it on. Something as special as this isn't sold to profit. Don't play it much but when I do, I know it is special.
A mark of Ovation quality...anyone know of any other brand 42 year old 12-str where you can string it with mediums WITH CONFIDENCE? |
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Posts: 416
Location: On the Coast - Halfway between SF & OR | Originally posted by Tony Calman:
1968 shiny bowl, small rosette was bought from a OFC'er for curiosity...haven't found someone who would appreciate it to pass it on. Something as special as this isn't sold to profit. Don't play it much but when I do, I know it is special Just what are the qualifications to be considered?
Of my 12-string slot heads, the shiny bowl Glen Campbell is my favorite but the 1615 that now has a small sound hole and shiny bowl probably gets the most play. |
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Location: SoCal | Not that much or that special but someone who appreciates it, takes care of it, hopefully passes it on in the condition it was when acquired.
And, AS MANY DO IN THE OFC, allow others at get-togethers to be able to play the guitars. I am not alone where myself and many others have loaned Adamas and/or Ovations for a period of time, even taking the risk of shipping them.
Probably why I like it when we can put trades or sales together on the OFC without going outside to eBay or Craigs list. |
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Posts: 74
Location: Ireland | I recently bought a Pacemaker and as I have said in my other posts - I LOVE IT. Hadn't played a 12 for many years and it is a welcome addition to my small (but hopefully growing) collection of guitars. A friend has a Taylor 12 and also a Takamine natural series 12 and being absolutely honest the Pacemaker just sounds more rounded (no pun intended). The Taylor and Takamine sound simply dull and 'dead' in comparison to the Pacemaker.
The one I own has been lovingly cared for by three other OFC members since it was purchased originally in 1981. That unfortunatley is the only limitation I feel when playing it in public situations - if ever gets a major scratch or nick I would be heartbroken because you folks before me have done such a great job of keeping it pristine. Mine looks exactly in the condition that MusicMishka displayed in his first photo - knowing its history here with the OFC it probably is it ;)
Anyway long rambling post - you can see my vote is for the Pacemaker - so much quality sound for such a reasonable price. |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | I've got 2 12's, my Adamas I 12 and my GC12 w/ a rebuilt body (shiny cloth bowl, Adirondack spruce top). Both are great guitars. If I had to keep just one, it would be the Adamas. It just plays easier.
But a couple of Xmas' ago, Noah loaned me his Ute 12 string. I had a couple of guitar playing buddies over and we played all 3 12's. The 2 Adamii sounded similar, the GC12 was brighter w/ less bass (but that Adirondack spruce gives the guitar a warmth I haven't heard with other O 12 fret 12's, except maybe with one A braced Pacemaker).
But all three sounded great. There was no "best" 12 string. It's different flavors of ice cream. All good..... |
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Location: SoCal | "different flavors of ice cream"
that's why someone needs more than one |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Mine looks exactly in the condition that MusicMishka displayed in his first photo - knowing its history here with the OFC it probably is it [Wink] Nope...
Mine is a former Nashville one owner by a recording professional...it fell in my lap when I was looking into the one you got...I couldn't be happier...it is mint!
Glad you are happy with yours...
And yes, different flavors...Pacemaker, Elite 1758, Adamas I 1688's...along with a Fender Villager 12, and a Taylor W-65 12...makes for quite an Ice Cream Sunday...Each is different and each is a piece of history...
YMMV |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | AW, yes that's true. |
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Location: Ireland | When you buy from the folks here, you know its been looked after - you know you are buying a guitar with GOOD history that will make you and those that hear it happy for many years! |
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Location: Tennessee | Caveat emptor. Plenty of folks have been ripped off by unscrupulous members of this board. |
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Location: Cork, Ireland | I only know the Pacemaker, which has a 12-fret-neck, but a 14-fret neck would help me as I sometimes play chords with a capo on fret 7, leaving not much room between capo and body. |
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Posts: 85
Location: Taichung, Taiwan | Let me check if I am understanding things:
On paper, the Pacemaker, CL 12 and the GC 12 are the same structurally. They only vary in cosmetic details. So on paper they should feel and sound fundamentally the same: the same basic flavor of ice cream (or car) in different colors. The only reason to choose one model over another is a preference in how it looks. While many prefer the looks of the CL 12, they won’t automatically sound or play significantly better than the others.
On the other hand, individual results may vary. Some identical looking guitars sound better and/or feel better than others.
Did I miss something that further separates the models? When I first asked the question, I thought I was missing something that most everyone else knew as glaringly obvious.
So then I just need to pick the model I like the looks of, and then try and find one I like the feel and sound of! Thanks for helping me make the decision easier than I expected! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | To your ears they will look identical.
To your eyes the Custom Legend will sound better. |
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Posts: 85
Location: Taichung, Taiwan | Ah! A little bit creamier going around the corners and a little bit richer off the line! |
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Location: SoCal | Bingo! Different levels of bling on the same basic platform.... |
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May 2006
Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | It might be worth noting that the slothead CL is TOUGH to find for sale in good shape (or any shape for that matter). Pacemakers show up much more frequently. The GC slotheads fall somewhere in between availability-wise.
Whatever happens, have fun! They're all great guitars. |
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Comparing Slot Head 12 Strings