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Joined: June 2003 Posts: 25
Location: Atlanta, Ga | I'm considering purchasing an Adamas and would like to get feedback on walnut necks. I don't know anything about tone/durability/care of walnut. They look great but looks only go so far.
Thanks in advance. |
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Joined: May 2008 Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Are you asking about the neck or the fretboard?
As far as the neck, no issues to worry about at all. The walnut is solid as a rock and maintenence free. Fboard basically the same, except might tend to show a bit more dirt but I just clean them off with steel wool. I never 't lube a walnut fboard. |
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Joined: June 2003 Posts: 25
Location: Atlanta, Ga | Thanks. I meant the fretboard.
Cheers |
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Joined: August 2004 Posts: 709
Location: Germany | An old Owner's Guide says, the fretboard is resin impregnated which is about 2 times more dense and strong than the native wood.
Karl |
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Joined: September 2004 Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I have had the walnut and ebony on Adamas, Carvin's, Fenders and I can't functionally tell any difference. My fretboard on my 1983 1537 Ovation wears like Iron yet is smooth as butter. |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | For what it's worth: I own two ebony-fingerboard Legends (1117 and the Di Meola). I am amazed by the sound and feel of my Adamas neck and fingerboard: It has the warmth of wood but seems as hard and dense as steel. Sounds fantastic and feels even better. |
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Joined: March 2007 Posts: 840
Location: CA | 'Scuse me if this sounds ignorant, but I didn't think the neck OR fretboard contributed anything to the sound. |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | Fretboards contribute to the feel and playability though.
cgadave, I have a 2080 with a walnut neck, and ebony board. Is that what you're asking?
Mine plays great. The neck itself has a pretty fast feel to it, and has a texture that feels a bit between gloss and natural.
Not sure how to measure tone difference if there would be any at all. Care same as any other neck. |
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Joined: June 2003 Posts: 25
Location: Atlanta, Ga | Damon67,
I've been looking for a 1587 and the fretboard is Walnut. I've only played Ebony (on my Taylor which I like a lot), Rosewood (Godin), and maple (Fender). I've never played a Walnut fretboard. May not be a big deal but thought I'd ask.
Cheers |
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Joined: November 2006 Posts: 3969
| cgadave - my 2008 Collector's, 1687 (both Adamas) and 1537 (called the "wood-top Adamas") all have walnut fretboards. Whatever resin they impregnate with makes the walnut as tough - if not tougher - than ebony. The 1537 is nearly 25 years old and has been well played, and the fretboard shows about as much wear as you'd expect from any guitar that old with an ebony board. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you just prefer the cosmetic look of ebony. |
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Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | cgadave, you should talk to Trader Jim about buying his 1680.... |
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Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | Ah, sorry dave, I should have read closer up above.
Same as what g8r said then. I too have a 1537. I'm an ebony guy, and I love the walnut on the 1537 |
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Joined: June 2003 Posts: 25
Location: Atlanta, Ga | For some reason one feature I absolutely have to have in a guitar is a cutaway. Personal quirk of mine I guess. The 1680 is a very nice guitar but I've gotta' have the cutaway. |
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Joined: May 2008 Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Then go for the 2080. What a killer sound. Al's got a limited run of customs based on the 2080 that should really take it to a whole nother level and nicely priced. I would urge you to contact him. |
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Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Or maybe really go for the gold and see if Al has any of the '08 collectors still around. |
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Joined: April 2008 Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | The '08 collectors is a fine beast. If you finger pick you'll appreciate the extra 1/16" in the nut width. My previous two guitars (legend 1117 & Adamas W597) both had ebony fretboards and when playing I couldn't tell the difference. I think the walnut looks nicer. In the few months I've owned the 08C I've put a few little scratches in the fingerboard, which presumably well grow into indentations over the years. But, my old 1117 has definite grooves in the fretboard from years of playing. |
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