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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Hey everyone, I am thinking (and really only thinking at the moment xD) of getting myself an Adamas in the far future... After reading quite a bit at this lovely forum I am pretty sure, that IF I'll get one it would have to be the UTE ;)
Now... I do know a U681 is pretty hard, not to say impossible, to get... But a man needs a dream, doesn't he ^^
Okay... during my research I also came across the W681. I just don't really understand yet - what's the difference? Or IS there a difference at all? I read that the W681 is an export-modell for the european market. But what does that really mean? Is it "just like a US UTE" or what? I'd be very happy if you guys here could help me to put the puzzle together, as a W681 is not really that hard to get as an original UTE. Al has some for instance... ;)
My dream would be an acoustic only with a 1-3/4 neck... What would you think? ^^
Oh and just for the records: My interests don't really drift into owning a historical instrument but an Adamas with an incredible sound that will blow me away :D
Thanks for reading and helping me to gain more knowledge!
Meuti |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | ....and more to the point what happened to the V681 ;) |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Dweezil... stop that. You're confusing me even more :D |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Al Pep from Lost Art has a 2008 collectors which has a 1 3/4" nut. He'll do a good deal. There can't be many left and it's a great guitar. Deep contour bowl, cutaway, textured top. You'll kick yourself if you let it get away.
He may also have a 1680 which is also a 1 3/4" nut textured top but with no cutaway and 12 fret to the body design. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I own both U681 and W681.
W681:
14 fret neck, 1-11/6 nut, standard headstock
U681:
12 fret neck, 1-3/4 nut, slotted headstock
They are VERY different guitars to PLAY, however the sound is somewhat similar, the typical textured top Adamas sound. As far as "under the radar" I really think the W681 is a SMOKING DEAL and a really fine guitar in every aspect. I think Al might even have some fo the cutaway versions (W581). |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Thank you Tafkar and Gallerinski...
The 30th anniversary model is probably too expensive. And I will certainly have to wait quite a while until I have enough money again. ;)
Dave, of course I have already checked your Site and read your review about the W681. The 11/16-neck is a real minus to the W681 then though.. I'm not really used to this "smallness" and I 'm not sure if I would get used to it.
I would love to try it out but here in Germany shops with Adamas in stock are very rare.
Oh and about the cutaway... I don't really like them ^^ |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Meuti, there are two members, Koenig Kurt and Charlie Ramon, in Germany who have fine collections of Adamas guitars. Karl's (Charlie Ramon) were the only Adamas guitars I saw when I was over there last Spring. Karl also prefers the wider neck. You might contact them and see if you could get together to try some out and see what you like. Although you might be some distance from them, it has to be better than trying to get a feel for the guitars over the internet. |
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Location: Lakewood, Ohio | Its sad that with all of the great reviews here of the U681-T that the mothership marketing executives didnt follow demand and simply make it a standard production model instead of a limited 100 piece run. Its not like the Ute was made from rare materials like brazillian rosewood. I bet that if Ovation reissued a second run of 100, and offered different color tops, they probably would sell out on pre order basis. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Todd:
Its sad that with all of the great reviews here of the U681-T that the mothership marketing executives didnt follow demand and simply make it a standard production model instead of a limited 100 piece run. ... I bet that if Ovation reissued a second run of 100, and offered different color tops, they probably would sell out on pre order basis. Sell out on a pre-order basis? No way. The 100 or so that they made are regularly trading hands on ebay for 1/3 their original cost. Nice a guitar as it is, the world just isn't clamoring for a 12 fret non cutaway deep bowl adamas. 6 months into the run they'd be blowing them out as FRG's. Sad but (probably) true. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Also, the Ute was announced with other anniversary limited editions. If I had bought what had been advertised as a limited edition of 100 and then they made more because of demand, I'd have been pissed. Demand was, at least in part, a function of the rarity. They did come out with the 1680, which was similar but more expensive and it didn't sell that well. |
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Location: Lakewood, Ohio | Many of Martins Guitar of the Month form the 1980s tunred into production models; ie the marquis. Ditto with fender bassman tweed reissues from 1992, theyre now production. The originals are still special as first runs, before cad cam. As far as clamoring, i dont think anyone is really clamoring for any ovation product except here, and usually for the same half dozen desirable models, of which I thought the Ute was, but i guees not. My loical Guitar center cant seem to give away Ovations, and thats when Ive usually acquire the ones i have. |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Mh, I am just thinking loud... If it wouldn't have been a limited edition it might not had become as famous as it is today... |
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Location: SoCal | The 1680 was a CVT (cross weave) and was about $1K more than the U681T.
(IMHO) in a cross-compare, the U681T is a better guitar.
Just shows what a deal we got on the U681T. |
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Location: south east Michigan | The UTE is like the EliteT of the Adamas line. A perfect example of the most bang for the buck.
I "heart" my UTE. |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | +1 |
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Location: UK | And the UTE 12 string has an amazing sound...! |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Pretty soon I will hopefully join the club of No.1 UTE-Fans :) |
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Location: Lakewood, Ohio | I read in the For Sale postings that Meuti got his UTE for $1300. So much for the theory that the 100 or so out there regularly trading hands for 1/3 of there orignal price. By the way, what was the orignal price? |
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Location: closely held secret | Todd, you do realize how silly it sounds to dis someone's statement, then admit you have no idea what you're talking about... right? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Todd:
I read in the For Sale postings that Meuti got his UTE for $1300. So much for the theory that the 100 or so out there regularly trading hands for 1/3 of there orignal price. By the way, what was the orignal price? That's darwin award material. |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Todd, the UTE had an abnormally low list and sale price to begin with (for an Adamas). The price that Meuti paid, is the price that he was willing to pay, and seems inline with current pricing for that guitar.
As time goes by, and IF prices rise with a better economy, than he may well have gotten a steal!
Meuti, it is a wonderful guitar.
Enjoy!! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think the original list was $2699. |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Originally posted by Todd:
I read in the For Sale postings that Meuti got his UTE for $1300. So much for the theory that the 100 or so out there regularly trading hands for 1/3 of there orignal price. By the way, what was the orignal price? That's darwin award material. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I said I was considering offering mine for sale if Meuti didn't get the one he got, but he got a better deal than I would have offered. There might have been a couple sold for less than he paid, but most went for more, so that would make his buy at the low end of the "market" value. |
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Location: SoCal | I agree...OP-Pro w/XLR (means interchangeable with iDea, Studio, VIP). It is a no-frill (but attractive) player's guitar. Great projection as an acoustic and all you want as an a/e.
With the production line restricted or closed, doubt if there will be anything like it again.
And, has the 1 3/4" nutwidth. |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Thank you Marc! I appreciate your consideration but I'm glad for you being able to keep your UTE ;)
About the one I have bought.. I think the price is very fine. It is less money than I paid for the FD14. Living in Germany makes Adamas and Ovation some very hard to get instruments. Especially for good and reasonable prices. The UTE for 1300$ may not sound like a steal in the USA but it is one in Germany. |
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Location: Lakewood, Ohio | I wasnt dising anyone, sorry for the confusion. My point was and is, that Ovation should reissue the Ute, or another 12 fret, wide neck Adamas, preferably in a different color. I think it would sell. Someone else here criticized that point, stating that the "100 or so out there regularly trade hands for a third of the original price". In lite of the $1300.00 price, that more of a Darwin award contender. Although I may have been drinking a beer when I wrote so I guess I win by default. I think the $1300.00 is a fair price, I paid close to that for mine several years ago. I appologize to any and all who I unintentionally offended, you guys are the experts. I just like the Ute. |
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Location: SoCal | I doubt if anyone is selling the U681T due to disappointment.
IMHO, I believe the sales/trades were either financial disappointment or an upgrade to the Adamas I or II. Personally, I have sold two for slightly over what I paid for mine new, one for $50 less.
Today's market doesn't reflect the market a couple of years ago and I don't believe that it reflects the market in the next couple of years. As in real estate or other tangible markets, it is a buyers market.
Whatever the price that it sells for, it has to be the best value for the price.
From what I understand, MS is very busy. Also, I believe reissues should come later after an advertised limited run.
When things slow down at the MS, who knows what we will see for new offerings of the Adamas and the US made Ovations. |
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U681 vs W681 - what are the differences