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Location: So. Cal. | 
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | These pictures are fascinating! I've never owned an accoustic guitar that I didn't take a flashlight and dental mirror to see how it was constructed. This is much better! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | THANKS for the pictures! It doesn't appear to have the thin layer of diagonal verneer, but a very thin layer of composite material which I can see the top grain through. (it reminds me of the material we used to repair helo rotor blades with) That would also partially explain the "Martin sound" suggested in a couple other posts. Very cool. So the top is different from the 1537. Anyone remember who posted interior 1537 pics before? |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Very nice!
Mike; Do yo have any other outside pics of this guitar? |
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Location: Huntington Beach | It looks as though some of the braces have been modified - visible chisel marks - do you think this was done before or after the top was attached? |
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Location: Tennessee | Very nice. Is this a recent score for you? More importantly, is this going to be in Moodyville in January ... hehehe.
Is this the only woodtop guitar that has the suspension ring, or are there others out there with it? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So on Mike's Wood Top Adamas:
-Sound Ring attachment
-Quintad Type Adamas longitudinal bracing with tone/tap/adjustments
-Adamas I neck and Bridge
-Fiberglass/Epoxy reinforced upper bout
-Lateral Brace has Carbon Fiber reinforcement and is adhered to the soundboard but not the braces.
I think I remember that Al's Dread has similar braces but I am not sure about the attachment ring. He was in the room at the time so I couldn't go forensic on it without having him rip it out my hands :rolleyes:
Maybe it's time to ask th factory for another run? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | That looks like some incredibly tight grain on the top. Wow! I'll look at the inside of mine tonight, but no promises on photos. I'm not that talented. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Looks like somebody got a macro lens for christmas |
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Location: So. Cal. | Dave: pictures were taken from an old mobile (Sony Ericsson Xperia X1) ... i don't even own a camera! |
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Location: SoCal | How many of you who have 1537's have the neck float that high off the fingerboard? Mine's always appeared to be right down on it.... |
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Location: So. Cal. | Bluebird, here you go.... (OUTSIDE ....)
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Location: So. Cal. | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Very nice. Is this a recent score for you? More importantly, is this going to be in Moodyville in January ... hehehe.
Is this the only woodtop guitar that has the suspension ring, or are there others out there with it? Bob, I have had this for a while.... if you want to see it, I'd be happy to bring it to Moody's NAMM party! Or, you can just come by and see what's left ... |
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Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
How many of you who have 1537's have the neck float that high off the fingerboard? Mine is like that. I'll try to take a few pictures in and out a bit later this afternoon.
I like the fiberglass look in the upper bout. Reminds me a lot of some surfboards projects I did in my youth. {As a side note, I'm sure glad the resin fumes and glass dust had no effect on me later in life. :rolleyes: } |
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Location: SoCal | I don't remember seeing this guitar before in your office. Have I played it? Look how high the saddle is. Easy to tell it's yours Michael.
What's the story on picking this up? |
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Location: So. Cal. | Your attention has always been on my staff when you visit. You have actually played this before, if I remember correctly.
To make a long story short, I traded a D45 + $$$ for it. Sent to me via MS sealing a small finish check. I was quite surprised at the sound, to be honest. This ranks right up there with the slotheads.
And we all know where it came from, right? |
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Location: SoCal | You're right. I do remember it. And I remember not wanting to put it down.... |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Not a complete shot by any means but here is an inside bracing shot of my 1537.
And that's really nice, Michael. I hang on to that one prety tightly. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | "I hang on to that one prety tightly."
I really MUST learn to either type more accurately or look at what I'm posting before hitting the enter button. That's just embarassing. |
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| O.K. I'll be the one to say it.Why cant someone make the inside fit and finish of a guitar look better than a 7'th grade shop project.Sloppy glue,hacked up wood,and nothing square.Kinda would hope for more in 2000.00 guitar.Just my 2 cents |
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Location: Central Oregon | Interesting photos Mike, thanks for posting them. No wonder those things are so damn tough. Purdy too. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | This is DEFINITELY the guitar I have only dreamt of. I never new one existed before. The only thing missing is the 47 style slothead. |
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Location: Maine | Awesome guitar shown above !! It's got to be a killer..
Here are some pics of another old one from the same era..similar DNA I suspect
Many similar traits between them, but there are several differences too.
Take a look..
(Jim Henderson on Left with a Martin D16GT, Myself on the right)
I sent a few like these for the calendar.. but I don't know if they ended up there.. I have been trying to get a DVD to Jerome with several more..
 
 
Album Here... Album
I have several more detailed interior shots to post showing the contrast between this one and a 1537... Enjoy... ! ... Talbot |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Tal,
That's so infectious!
You have capitolized the month of November in the 2010 Calendar btw. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I have several more detailed interior shots to post showing the contrast between this one and a 1537... Enjoy... ! ... Talbot I checked the link but couldn't find the interior shots. ? |
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Location: New Hampsha | Mike & TJ
I am not normally a fan of natural tops but those are really gorgeous guitars. And not a bowl sparkle to be found! wow.
Like Mike W said - maybe it's time to request a rerun? |
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Location: Paris/France | These guitars are among the most beautiful ever made in New Hartford.
Thanks for sharing these nice pics.
TJR, I'll be very happy to add them on the site ASAP. ;)
Like Mike W said - maybe it's time to request a rerun? +1
It could be a great idea for the 2011 Collector Serie.
By this way, I'll not have to order a custom...
(Mike, you know what I mean?? :D )
J :) |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So, since the questions have started...
Shiny Bowl?
All FGlass or Lyrachord?
Contour, Deep or Mid bowl?
OP Pro Studio, Optima or Two-Knob?
Cutaway or All-the-Way?
Inlaid or onlaid Epaulets?
Cash, Visa or Organ Donor (Al doesn't do Paypal)? |
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Location: Maine | Originally posted by bvince:
I have several more detailed interior shots to post showing the contrast between this one and a 1537... Enjoy... ! ... Talbot I checked the link but couldn't find the interior shots. ?
I may just upload an album to the other site
I'll try to compile a spreadsheet of the various construction differences between the 4 or 5 protos I l know of...
Al's Dread
the SSB Cutaway
PlayAdamas (is that formerly Samova's?)
The one I have
The classical
Beal's w/ the ADII neck
There was this one too?
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/non-cgi/ultimatebb.php?ub... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think those choices should be made based on two things (some of which are going to be quite subjective)
First ... What is going to produce the most optimum tone and volume, unplugged and plugged.
Second ... What is going to LOOK the best and emphasize the beauty of all that wood.
My choices:
Deep Adamas bowl,fiberglass non-cutaway (brown textured) (although I LOVE cutaways)
#47 style slothead and neck with traditional Adamas wood inlays
Carved wood binding
OpPro Studio Electronics with boost button
Onlayed Elite epaulets
Long term paymeent plan for OFC members (5 years?) |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Vince . . . I was advised that the boost only comes with the OpPro standard, not the Studio.
I have some shots of the inside of my proto and will post next Monday as I forgot the camera today. It looks much like Mike's on the bracing, but the internal top attachment reinforcement is different. Not sure of the proper nomenclature, but it is a strip of wood cut vertically every 1/4" inch or so. It also has the original two-knob FET stereo preamp. |
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Location: New Hampsha | I'd vote for (and probably even pay for):
Why mess with a good thing?
Exactly like the original, but do inlaid epis (I'm tired of gluing epis that are lifting).
You wouldn't have to talk me into a cutaway or slothead if others wanted it.
But - No Bowl Sparkles! |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | As Dave suggested in another thread, the difference in cost between a limited run of a dozen or less and a one-off custom is probably not worth the hassle of coordinating the group order. Anybody serious about wanting a custom should just contact Al and have him make the inquiry with Mother to see what they can or can't do. Just go for it. You only live once. The clock is ticking. |
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Location: SoCal | I'm with Vince except you can't get the OP Pro Studio w/ the boost buttom (see the discussion on the Prof's custom Adamas). I'd settle for the OP Pro (actually, I keep waiting for Ovation to put out a warm tube preamp like Takamine).
I really like the epi's. Much better than the 1537 or regular Elite's..... |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Thanks for posting this !!
Very interesting.
R. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
but do inlaid epis
No Bowl Sparkles! Agreed! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Oh yeah ... The warm tube preamp would be great. I like the inlaid eppis but I'd hate to mess with the original look any more than necessary. Oh I forgot ... add the carved wood Adamas bridge.
I know professor ... It would cost more than most here could afford ... but it doesn't cost anything to dream for a while.
The next best thing would be to take an Elite and at least try and get the look. |
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Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Wow, gorgeous pictures of an absolutely beautiful guitar.
Anita |
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Location: Maine | Interior & 1537 pics added...
Album Here... Album |
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Location: SoCal | You know, part of the reason those guitars sound so good is that using the Adamas suspension ring, you add 1/4" to the depth of the guitar. I would guess that Al's dreadnaught Elite also has more volume than a standard Elite..... |
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| Tal, you are a treasure, sir. Thanks for posting the pictures and the internal memos tracing the development of these guitars. With everything done electronically now, there'll never again be such cool documentation showing the thoughts in their own hand of creative geniuses as they bring an idea into reality. YOU should be the one writing the next "Book". |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Would a quarter inch more depth make a noticeable difference? I guess when you figure in that quarter inch multiplied by the total surface area in inches it would make for a lot more area. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I don't think it's the height difference as much as it is the "live" attachment of Top to Bowl. Glued Kerfling to anchor the wood top can be 1/4" to 1/2" of tone dampener.
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Location: SoCal | Could be... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | That is awesome! I may be getting a bit old and too reflective, but I really enjoy trying to find out the answer to the question "Why?" (especially when it comes to guitars) |
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Location: Maine | |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | In contrast to the wood top Adamas, here are a couple pics of the inside of the 1537 ...
http://api.ning.com/files/wT14A23Gs7aGnR0F1X*cRb8YuSHMqZfXXwmPfUbgF...
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Location: Upper Left USA | Insi
2lW8aNXuh6YKO8ybgZOjaaNYbzz/1537InteriorA.jpg]Inside
the 1537 1
Inside the 1537 2 |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Thanks MWoody! Why couldn't I do that??? |
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Location: Maine | That's pretty cool w/ the wooden kerfing.. I think I had read here before that some of the early 1537's had that.
The '37 I have has a plastic type bowl to top attachment, also the top underside seems to be coated as well.
PS.. a few more pics added to the album listed a few posts ago..
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Would this be a good time to ask where and how the bowls are made? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The Lyrachord (injected Mold) bowls are made by a contracted bussiness but the Fiberglass units are Hand-spun at Mother's I believe. |
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Location: Maine | Originally posted by MWoody:
The Lyrachord (injected Mold) bowls are made by a contracted bussiness but the Fiberglass units are Hand-spun at Mother's I believe. Here's a really old Pic of a hand laid cloth bowl mold
And another Old Pic (scan) showing one of the presses
BTW.. I work at an aerospace company that still heavily uses composite parts and asisde from the materials (such as kevlar) and higher grade resins, not too much has changed in the basic manufacturing process since Ovation was formed.
It's quite impressive to see the tolerances some of the high suppliers can produce..(or perhaps struggle to produce)
Cost..?? that's a whole 'nother conversation. |
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Location: Denmark | Wow!. Both the woodtop and the 1537 show such nice craftmanship and sense of detail in design and finish I dont recall to have seen inside the SMT. I don't know if the bracing finish has to do with sound but certainly the nice flange which make a more graduate transition between the bracing and top and increases the area of the bond between the bracing the the top has an influence. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Here's the inside of the wood-topped SSB Adamas proto. It closely resembles the 1537 production model that followed a year or two later.
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by playadamas:
Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Very nice. Is this a recent score for you? More importantly, is this going to be in Moodyville in January ... hehehe. Bob, I have had this for a while.... if you want to see it, I'd be happy to bring it to Moody's NAMM party! |
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Woodtop Adamas - an INSIDE report