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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Hive Mind Input Requested:
I have been trying to decipher the Adamas Custom Shop menus and I find them to be poor. Here's what I'm trying to do:
I had a 47RI, evaluated it, and got rid of it. More minuses than pluses in my book. And yes - I am shallow enough that "looks" weighed very heavily in my decision to boost it from the stable.
I am trying to spec a replacement that keeps the stuff I liked about the 47RI and changes the stuff I hated.
What I wanted to change:
1) change noncutaway bowl to cutaway, and maybe even a contour cutaway.
2) Neck: want a 5pc skunk stripe gloss neck
3) Keep slothead but lose the carving & get new style paddle head
4) Lose the bowl sprinkles and go to black.
5) Keep the top, suspension ring, quintad bracing, etc. to keep the sound quality.
6) Op-Pro
7) Epis
8) Top Color I can handle (not red/gold!)
The Custom Shop menus are byzantine!
They don't clarify if it's possible to do a suspended ring on a contour bowl.
They don't show what the options even look like for fingerboards.
Ditto for the various necks. Cidro?!?!?
They don't show what the types of fretboard inlays look like.
They don't show examples of the Epi options.
I think I should start with a 1687 and modify it but I get lost in the navigation.
Can anyone provide insight or pictures or help? I'd like to get my specification down "pat" before I bother someone for a quote.
Input, please? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Contact Al. He can order what you want..... |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | I don't want to bug Al until I'm sure that I can get what I want, and I can't even choose between choices if I don't know what the choice look like! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Call Al. He can price it for you and then you can make a decision.... |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Thanks for your input, but you missed the whole point. I can't tell Al what I want because I can't find enough definition of the options available. How can anyone price what isn;t defined?
It would be like walking into a Toyota dealership and asking for a Toyota.
Anyone else? |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | It's a CUSTOM SHOP, not a Chinese Take Out .....
They show some EXAMPLES but it's up to you what you want to do. Look at other peoples guitars, get some ideas, put together your wish-list and see if it's possible.
As far as I know ...
1. suspended ring on contour bowl is possible (the OFC-II has this)
2. fingerboards - look at other photos to see what ebony, maple and rosewood look like
3. neck - sounds like you want a std. 5 piece mahog/maple neck
4. inlays - look at other people guitars and send a photo of what you want.
5. Epis - same thing just tell them what you want |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
Thanks for your input, but you missed the whole point. I can't tell Al what I want because I can't find enough definition of the options available...Anyone else? YOU are missing the point. Al is a Custom Shop specialist. And you CAN go to a Toyota dealership and say "I want a Camry with 5-speed manual, 2.3L 6, power windows, MP3-capable sound system, power sunroof, and gray leather seats" and the dealer (the custom specialist) will tell you if he CAN order those exact options, and what they will cost.
I disagree with the other posters - DON'T call Al, he doesn't need the aggravation.
(click) |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Try and get some guidance/help because the Adamas Custom SHop page DOES make it sound like it IS a Chinese Take Out...
Unless pictures are labeled: This is what rosewood looks like; this is waht ebony looks like, etc, I can't tell what I want - so telling me to look at other pictures is absurd.
and get this abuse?
You people should be ashamed at your responses to an honest question.. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | When I ordered my custom Collings OM I went to my dealer (Kim @ Cotten) and said this is what I would like....can Collings do it.
She came back and said yes to some options and no to others....and offered up a few suggestions that I would have never thought of BASED ON HER PRIOR SALES and the fact she has seen probably a 100X more Collings than I have. I incorporated some of her suggestions, passed on some others and was ultimately VERY PLEASED with the outcome.
Dealers (such as Kim and Al) who routinely handle custom orders should be consulted in the beginning stages of the ordering process....both to help you get on the right track and stay focused but also to help rule out options that they know cannot be done. Nothing worse than self research to the point that you have convinced yourself that you NEED A CERTAIN OPTION only to find out it is impossible to have.
Consult early and often. Helping you make decisions and get a guitar spec'ed out to your wants and needs is what the better dealers do. Trust that they have seen hundreds...possibly thousands of guitars more than you and I will ever see....and let them guide you to your dream guitar. You are not bothering them....you are offering them a chance to earn your business. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Look at an Adamas I - that's a walnut fretboard
Look at a USA Legend - that's an ebony fretboard
Look at a Korean Balladeer - that's a rosewood fretboard
Look at an Elite - those are MOP inlays
Look at an Adamas I - those are Maple inlays
Look at an Adamas 1680 - that's a 1 piece Epi
Look at an Adamas U681 - those are 5 piece Epis
Look at an Adamas I - those are 8 piece Epis
Look at an Adamas Slothead - those are 15 piece Epis
If you can't describe what you want, you're going to be very disappointed when it arrives. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | If this can be made to happen, anything can.
Like Dave said... it's very, very important to be specific. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | GREAT example, Bradley. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Like Dave said... it's very, very important to be specific. Because even then they'll make mistakes! Sometimes.
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
Try and get some guidance/help because the Adamas Custom SHop page DOES make it sound like it IS a Chinese Take Out...
Unless pictures are labeled: This is what rosewood looks like; this is waht ebony looks like, etc, I can't tell what I want - so telling me to look at other pictures is absurd.
and get this abuse?
You people should be ashamed at your responses to an honest question.. I have very little shame. And I didn't miss the point. You should talk to Al. He's the number one Adamas dealer in the country. He can answer any question you have or get you the answer. If you can imagine it, you can get it. If you have the money.
I've now given you three honest answers despite you're not wanting to accept what I've written. And I have yet to chastise you for what you've written.
But the day is still young...... |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
I can't tell what I want - And we can't tell you what you want either.
and get this abuse?
You people should be ashamed at your responses to an honest question.. I don't know how you get "abuse" out of the responses. But I can sense a different type of advise coming. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | calm down guys............. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
1) change noncutaway bowl to cutaway, and maybe even a contour cutaway.
2) Neck: want a 5pc skunk stripe gloss neck
3) Keep slothead but lose the carving & get new style paddle head
4) Lose the bowl sprinkles and go to black.
5) Keep the top, suspension ring, quintad bracing, etc. to keep the sound quality.
6) Op-Pro
7) Epis
8) Top Color I can handle (not red/gold!)
Wow, is it a full moon already?!?! 
Md, your 'want' list has already eliminated 95% of options available. Look up Dave's (G-ski) model/option suggestions, select what ya like and then call Al. You're already over 90% there.
Mitz - I would like leopard skin seat covers.
Toyota salesperson - Ya want real or faux skin?
Mitz - What's the difference?
Toyota salesperson - Just $$$.
Good luck in your 'A' quest. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | "I am trying to spec a replacement that keeps the stuff I liked about the 47RI and changes the stuff I hated."
"Can anyone provide insight or pictures or help? I'd like to get my specification down "pat" before I bother someone for a quote."
"I don't want to bug Al until I'm sure that I can get what I want, and I can't even choose between choices if I don't know what the choice look like!"
"I can't tell Al what I want because I can't find enough definition of the options available."
Originally posted by Gallerinski:
They show some EXAMPLES but it's up to you what you want to do. Look at other peoples guitars, get some ideas, put together your wish-list and see if it's possible.
As far as I know ...
1. suspended ring on contour bowl is possible (the OFC-II has this)
2. fingerboards - look at other photos to see what ebony, maple and rosewood look like
3. neck - sounds like you want a std. 5 piece mahog/maple neck
4. inlays - look at other people guitars and send a photo of what you want.
5. Epis - same thing just tell them what you want
Look at an Adamas I - that's a walnut fretboard
Look at a USA Legend - that's an ebony fretboard
Look at a Korean Balladeer - that's a rosewood fretboard
Look at an Elite - those are MOP inlays
Look at an Adamas I - those are Maple inlays
Look at an Adamas 1680 - that's a 1 piece Epi
Look at an Adamas U681 - those are 5 piece Epis
Look at an Adamas I - those are 8 piece Epis
Look at an Adamas Slothead - those are 15 piece Epis
If you can't describe what you want, you're going to be very disappointed when it arrives. Some of us can visualize and describe (down to the smallest detail) an Adamas that we would have built. We would then call or email Al and get it started.
Being able to "see it in our head" has a lot to do with our exposure to countless features and instruments. Some people can just cut-and-paste in their mind, others do better with a composite photo.
Mitz asked you guys for help putting together his visualization before he goes to a dealer. Dave is helping. What's with all the other shit from you guys? Look at online "dream-to-order" applications provided by some of the other guitar makers. They help you put together and see on your screen how your dream-guitar is going to look. I agree that the Adamas Custom Shop Site is not as helpful. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Maybe someone should call Ovation and ask them why their Adamas Custom Shop webpage is such a piece of shit.
Mitz, Just order a 1781 (your choice of color) with a 5 piece skunk neck, nekkid ebony board and slotted paddlestock. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Bruce, I've gone back and read the original post. Every single question asked could and should be answered by Al.....
Toby, you're right. The Adamas Custom Shop page is crap compared to other manufacturers. But even Martin limits what you can see when building a guitar. No 0's or 00's in the mixture..... |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Originally posted by Slipkid:
If this can be made to happen, anything can.
Like Dave said... it's very, very important to be specific.
anything else you all know how to get in touch with me |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Its been a few years, but working through Al, we've had some delightful one-off guitars made by the Ovation side of the factory. |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 430
Location: WNC-God's Country | HEL High Estrogen Level !!! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I like pictures!
Take a tour of www.ovationtribute.com and cut and paste.
Or visit my Social site Photo albums where I have literally...
Cut
and
Pasted... |
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Adamas Custom Questions