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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | What are 1687 model guitars (Adamas I) so much more expensive than 1681 models (Adamas II)? Is there a qualilty difference? I know the neck is more ornate on the 1687's but are there other differences? This is somewhat puzzling. Can anyone help me with this?? |
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Location: NJ | ornamentation and supply and demand |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Thank you so much Al for replying. But is there a quality difference in these models? Do the 1687's sound better?? It is hard to believe people will pay so much more for a fancy neck etc. I just bought a 1681-9 for $1200 -- I have never seen a 1687 for that price. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Are you talking used prices? Those are all over the map with no rhyme or reason. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Sound wise they are pretty much the same. |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Thank you both for replying -- I need all the help I can get to understand this phenomenon. Yes I am talking used prices. The 1687's are always much higher from what I have seen. It is hard to believe people will pay that much more just for ornamentation. The prices for 1687's are generally double those for 1681's. I am fascinated to hear that they sound somewhat the same. Do either of you have any input on whether an Adamas WT or perhaps an Elite sound better than the carbon graphite Adamas guitars?? |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I can't believe anyone would pay EXTRA for one of those ugly headstocks. You couldn't GIVE me one! |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | muzza - 2012-07-02 8:28 AM I can't believe anyone would pay EXTRA for one of those ugly headstocks. You couldn't GIVE me one! and then there are fans like me, who actually custom ordered a SSB cutaway in an 1187 configuration. I know that the 1187 model is not historically a SSB cutaway, but that's how mine was identified by the factory. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Carbon graphite sounds significantly better in my opinion. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | muzza - 2012-07-02 9:28 AM I can't believe anyone would pay EXTRA for one of those ugly headstocks. You couldn't GIVE me one! what?! ya mean ya don't like broccoli?  |
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Location: NJ | ornamentation and supply and demand |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | muzza - 2012-07-03 1:28 AM
I can't believe anyone would pay EXTRA for one of those ugly headstocks. You couldn't GIVE me one!
AJ, please pay attention to this if you ever need to give away some broccoli! |
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Location: Utah | nerdydave - 2012-07-02 12:07 AM
Do either of you have any input on whether an Adamas WT or perhaps an Elite sound better than the carbon graphite Adamas guitars??
Hey Dave, fellow Utahn here.
I've owned a number of different Ovations and Adamas. The Adamas has a richer tone, maybe more harmonics or overtones, idk what causes it but it does sound richer. My 2080 is very sensitive to right hand technique, much more so than a wood topped Ovation. My daughter's Ute U681T is similarly a richer tone. I think the Adamas are slightly mellower than the LX Ovation guitars. I have a 1976 Ovation which has a great woody tone, and is quite loud compared to our other Ovations. Probably the fiberglass bowl makes it louder vs the newer Lyrachord technology.
I think each of the good Ovation models has a great sound which on it's own merits is excellent. My 1976 Patriot just sounds great. My newer 6778LX (mid bowl single cutaway) has a crisp sound. The 2007 Collector's Edition (deep contour bowl single cutaway) Ovation had a full deep crisp tone, but it was fairly redundant with the Adamas 2080 so I sold it.
Acoustically the Adamas does have a better quality to the tone, and it has the amazing sensitivity to right hand touch. From light fingerstyle to heavy strumming it just keeps giving.
Plugged in they all sound great, but the Adamas does have a big edge in my opinion.
I played an Adamas Wood Top at the road show when they came through (last summer?). It was a great sounding guitar. The suspension ring makes a significant difference in the tone. It doesn't have the touch sensitivity of the carbon fiber top. If I could have afforded it, it would have come home with me that day.
The one place the Adamas seems to really be leaps and bounds ahead of the wood topped models is in dropped tunings. It resonates the lower notes better than the wood tops.
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | nerdydave, I think what every is saying, without actually saying it is that once you get into the upper lines of Ovation, there isn't a "better" just a "different." In most other brands of just about anything really, but with guitars, you start at entry level and as you move up, they get fancier and sound better. With Ovation, the goal has been "Affordable good sound". So the new or retail curve isn't that wide from top to bottom. On the used side, it's driven more by supply and demand. They no longer make all the models they ever made. If you want a 2001 collectors, and really really want a 2001 collectors, you'll pay whatever someone is asking for it cause it's the only one for sale. Maybe not the best example, but you get the idea. It's not a linear the-more-it-costs- the-better-it-looks-or-sounds with Ovation. You mentioned one model usually being TWICE the other. Check the retail... I'm guessing they were pretty close when they sold new. The used market as I said above... is not predictable nor does it make much sense a lot of times. |
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Location: California | Agree that Adamas are slightly mellower (soft and rich as sound tones) and with high sinsitivity to right hand. Adamas WT bright and louder sounds, it does change over time as the wood top age. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I can't count how many times I've read or commented on this topic, but it is always worth bringing up again. Personal preference is always going to define which sound is "BEST". I've had to seriously whittle down my collection over the past couple years, deciding which ones were going to have to be the absolute"keepers". The things discussed in this topic are the things which I had to consider when making my choices. But whan all was said and done, and when I had played the heck out of all my guitars to make those decisions, I came up with my own 2 major conclusions... "Wood" sound and "Carbon-Fiber" sound. The 1537 has all the best qualities of the Adamas (clarity of tone, volume, playabilty) with the addition of the warmth and variety that comes with different wood guitars, but much better than most woodies, and is considerably heavier. I can only describe the textured, carbon-fiber Adamas' sound as perfect...clear...bell-like tone, flawless in intonation and sustain. If it were possible, I would say that they are ALMOST too perfect, and that is why wood-only purest players don't like them. I know there are a LOT of people here who have owned more guitars than I have, but I HAVE owned quite a few up till now, so I feel qualified enough to say I have the best of both acoustic guitar worlds in my posession. Those of you who have had the pleasure of owning or playing the old Adamas and Ovation guitars... I hope you realize just how blessed you are. Those of you who haven't ... try your best to get to one of the OFC gatherings if you can, as that may be your only chance of getting your hands on one. |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | I guess that about does it?? I thank all of you who contributed to this post -- I am much clearer now regarding my original question. I will simply enjoy playing my 1681-9 and savor what it offers up to me. Although some day I may have to play a 1537 Elite because it seems very intriguing and perhaps offers the best of both worlds?? Wood sound but Adamas action and advantages. And if I played one I may perhaps buy one?? Never know but the quest should end somewhere?? Desire is the root of suffering (Buddha). Better to put it to ground. And good night to all! |
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | And who knows when there will be an OFC gathering in the west?? And what happens at such events?? |
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Location: sitting at my computer | nerdydave - 2012-07-09 10:02 PM Never know but the quest should end somewhere?? Desire is the root of suffering (Buddha). I prefer to think of it as - the joy of the journey even though I usually have to save up for quite awhile before I can afford to take the next trip!
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Location: Utah | nerdydave - 2012-07-09 9:04 PM
And who knows when there will be an OFC gathering in the west?? And what happens at such events??
There's a thread about interest in a Colorado gathering. Whenever it happens be sure to attend, they are a ton of fun and you'll get to play a variety of amazing guitars. I am a hack hobbiest who was made to feel totally welcomed at the Hot Springs gathering two summers ago.
Basically a bunch of nerds, geeks, cool dudes, musicians, bikers, German car enthusiasts, and all around great folks converge on some poor unsuspecting host for a long weekend of music, food, and fun. Alison hosted 3 or 4 days at her guitar store in Hot Springs, SD where there were a few scheduled events such as a song writing clinic and an evening concert. The rest of the time was an open jam session and informal gatherings. There were some group meals at local establishments. Everyone pretty much brought a few guitars, ranging from basic to custom, which were made available to others to test drive.
Edited by FlySig 2012-07-10 9:05 AM
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Location: Right now? | Hey, nedydave. What great answers the guys have given you! Believe me, they know! I have learned so much from this forum. I own a few guitars too, including Taylors and Martins, and they would go before my Adamas guitars. Your first Adamas is a 1681? You are very, very lucky. Those, in my opinion, are one of the best. I had one and I traded it. I'm still kicking myself. I traded one of my three 1537's (all of which were just a little bit different from each other!), and wish I hadn't. You cannot go wrong with an Adamas! I can tell you that your ears will be spoiled now for sure when you pick up the next guitar. Some day, I'd like to have a wide neck Adamas, but I guess that's a custom order ... enjoy your 1681! It's one of THE best. By the way, I'm just curious: what color is yours?  Willa
Edited by WillaMuse 2012-07-10 12:23 PM
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | nerdydave - Although some day I may have to play a 1537 Elite because it seems very intriguing and perhaps offers the best of both worlds?? Wood sound but Adamas action and advantages. And if I played one I may perhaps buy one?? Paul Moody has a great deal on one in the For Sale section. You guys should talk and try to make something happen. |
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Location: Right now? | I wish I could buy Paul's slot head. I don't think I could sell anything fast enough to grab it, but oh, I am going to lose sleep over it, both because I'm sad for Paul having to sell it and sad for myself that I can't afford to buy it. 
Willa
Edited by WillaMuse 2012-07-10 6:10 PM
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | Does anyone out there know what solution to use for cleaning an Adamas? I am referring mainly to the graphite composite face of the guitar. But I would also be interested in knowing what to use on the Lyrachord bowl. |
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Location: SoCal | Less is more... start with a damp, soft cloth. If you need something stronger, Dunlop 65 polish & cleaner works very well.
Just starting out... pick up a Dunlop System 65 Guitar Maintenance Kit.
My preferred conditioning oil for fretboards is Fret Doctor Bore Oil. |
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Adamas prices