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Location: Phoenix AZ | Just received word from Al that the carbon fiber cases are now shipping. This pretty much brings to a close the OFC Guitar Project and I thought it would be as good a time as any to post the following ...
Dear Al,
You have made 12 people here very, very happy. Well, you shouldn't count yourself 'cuz you'll never be happy, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I still recall the day that you and I first talked about the OFC Adamas Slothead. It was Dec. 1, 2004. at 12:01am Amsterdamn time. Do you remember? Ironically I am sitting here in Amsterdamn again right now as I write this. How many freaking times did you and I talk about the OFC guitar project over the next 2.5 years?
It's been said here before and I'll say it again, the results of this project are STELLAR. The OFC guitar is the best of the best in nearly every regard. There are some technical reasons that I prefer it over the 47RI, such as the wide neck, electronics, color, etc. But the REAL reason that it will forever be my absolute most cherished Ovation/Adamas guitar is knowing how much care and devotion went into this project by YOU.
I'm not trying to just boost your ego but seriously you DO NOT get this kind of treatment on other guitar forums (although I hear the admins at tak forum are pretty nice), and you CERTAINLY do not get this kind of treatment at any other guitar dealer. Al, you presented a once in a lifetime opportunity and you worked like hell to see it come true. I'm sure I speak for the other lucky ten, when I say from the bottom of our hearts - THANK YOU.
Dave (#8) |
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Location: SoCal | Jeez but I hate being nice to Al, but abso-fu*kin'-lutely ditto everything Dave said!
Paul (#3) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | We all give Al grief but I cannot possibly imagine all the time and effort he put forth for this project.
Personally, I am looking forward to the "Q" project. :eek: |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Ditto, also. I must add, however, that as a late arrival to the OFC guitar parade, I'd like to thank those of you, in addition to Al, that offered your opinions and support for this project and stepped up and agreed to buy one. I came in at the end and read all the old posts. I know that some of you took some delight in driving Al nuts and if Al was really frustrated at times, I deny any responsibility. Thanks for putting up with us, Al, and for working with the factory to produce a really wonderful piece of art that is a true prize. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Here, here!
Brad (#5) |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Same here Al,
THANK YOU for feeding my G.A.S. pains !!!!!
:D :D :D
Tim (#9) |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | In addition, Al doesn't just work hard on his own creations. He has very effectively pushed, and continues to push, custom guitar orders through the factory on behalf of and to the delight of his clients. Without his knowledge, contacts, assistance and ongoing coordination, there would be a lot more empty cases and guitar hangers out there. I appreciate and can personally vouch for the tag on his signature line "Custom Order Specialist." Thanks much, Al. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Deleted duplicate post. |
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Location: south east Michigan | The little known, soon to be appreiciated hidden gem in the Fender accusition of Kaman is of course.... Al. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Oops.
Mark (the last one #11, only because someone else wanted number 12.) |
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Location: Tennessee | For someone who was "in" early and pestered Al continuously, I really appreciate what went into the project ... and more importantly what came out of the project. It has all been worth the wait.
Many thanks to Al (and the folks at the factory who figured out a way to make this work for us). |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The irony in all this is how I tried to hedge my bets. I wanted a slothead in the worst way, but was pretty dame sure I'd never get my hands on one. And then the Angel-Al drops out of the sky and launches the OFC Guitar project. Well YEAH, my dream come true. But there were some pretty dark days back then and at a certain point I really believed the OFC Guitar project would never happen. So to cover my ass, I grabbed the next best thing, a 47RI. In fact I almost got TWO of them, but was able to extract myself from some shady business dealings with another dealer (which is a whole 'NOTHER story). So I'm a happy 47RI camper. And THEN Al pulls off the Boise State Statue of Liberty play and not only delivered the OFC Guitar as advertised, but does it with a WIDE neck to boot! So I'm a DOUBLE happy camper. Then lightning of all lightning strikes and due to a little flip statement in one of my posts ("My offer still stands", famous last words), bingo one of the original 34 Slotheads ends up in my lap. I was a VERY happpy and VERY light-walleted camper. THEN, I started playing these wooden boxes and the whole player/collector/webmaster/etc. thing just went totally to crap. Oh yeah, and the UKULELES ....
Dave |
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Location: Munich, Germany | It's not only eleven people to be thankful for what Al has done to get the OFC guitar built.
Don't forget the possibility to order the OFC guitar - out of the limited run and without the goodies - in your favorite colour, neck width (well, in fact two, but that's according to the factory) and other custom wishes... Some already did, and all of these guitars are great.
I never liked the red of the #47, but german supervisor told me, "No chance for another colour", so I bought this red guitar - and I am happy with it. But Al made it possible to get it in my favourite colour, and soon I will be a, what did Dave call it, a happy tramp? No, camper.
BUT: Don't forget what Al had to went through to get those carbon cases! Maybe I am one of the few that has seen it yet in person, and they are GREAT!
So, hurra for the cases! And the guitars!
Thanks Al,
merry christmas,
Kurt |
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Location: SoCal | Kurt, what's your favorite color? |
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| al's really not going to be happy with all this being nice to him. t'ain't natchul.
So to even things out - got the 08 tour date yet al? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Kurt, I may be in Munich next October, or possibly Spring of 2009, depending upon when Porsche opens its new museum in Stuttgart. If you still dislike red by then, since it is my favorite color, I'll be glad to take it off your hands and return it to the country of its origin. Of course if the dollar keeps plummeting, I won't be able to pay you anything for it.
Dave, I'd be happy to trade an autographed copy of the Fiesta Bowl dvd for your #47. Zebransky's a bit hard to find these days, but Ian Johnson and Coach Pete are still around. Have you noticed how many teams have tried that play or the hook and lateral since, most without success? Sometimes it just takes someone like Al to align the stars correctly. He also seems to have his share of Polish stubbornness. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Paul, don't let us cross bridges before we've reached them. But be asured that I will post pictures the minute I'll hold it in my hands. And I can already say, it is nothing spectacular. It was a stock colour.
Marc, yes, I would love to do this, but I am very sad to tell you that this guitar does not belong to the USA - and won't feel comfortable overseas. It is that special "German Edition". I am sure you only forgot.
Kurt |
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Location: Chicago | How much flexibility was there with regard to the features of the OFC Adamas? What was the price tag? Sounds fantastic, can't wait to see a pic... |
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Location: SoCal | Check out Jerome's website for pics of the OFC guitar...guess I need to send some for # 7. He also has pics of the 47RI
OFC guitars |
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Location: SoCal | Haven't had time to see this post earlier...however, this is what I emailed Al at 9:17 am today:
Congratulations on getting the final part of an
outstanding example of an Adamas and your service.
If I have # 3 47RI and # 7 OFC...guess that makes a perfect 10! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks for the link, Tony. I wish I had thought about Jerome's site back when the weather was good. I never got around to taking decent pictures of mine. |
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Location: NJ | Thanks guys.
Yes much hard work went into getting these guitars done. It is rather anticlimatic at this point. My intent was to make this a package detailed in a way that many other major manufacturers make their custom orders special. I think that I succeeded.
Dave I do remember that conversation. you are the only person that calls from amsterdam.
when I say we never close I mean it... especially the nights that I suffer from insomnia. Ask a few of the members here about our 3 or 5 am phone conversations.
bumps along the way? sure many.
the cases were the biggest hurdle. When I got the word that they would finally be shipped I breathed a big sigh of relief finally the package will be complete. but I will not say it is over until the cases are finally in the hands of the owners of the guitars.
of course shipping rose 50 percent between the time I specced out the guitar and package and priced them out but as a man of my word I honored the original quoted price.
Oh yeah those really cool axxess bags? why did I even think they would ship inside the guitar box with the rest of the stuff silly me another cost I did not factor in. I bet you wondered why I took the hercules stand out of the box and shipped the box flat? so I did not have yet another cost to ship the stand.
sure we went though a long drawn out discussion on the specs of the instrument.
I was accussed of being an elitist, not being in touch with the needs and wants of the membership, I was called a liar, a profiteer (funny I thought businesses were suppose to make money) and ultimately I was threatened with a lawsuit. (still waiting for that one to happen LOL bring it on!!!!!)
So was I miserable at times? grouchy? irritable?
yes all three. it was not easy trying to juggle the everday banter on the board with trying to order what I thought would be the most spectacular and special guitars in Ovation/Adamas history.
one thing only a few knew at that time was that I was also dealing with the illness and subsequent death of my mom which absorbed most of my focus and time. so when I was being ridiculed and threatened with lawsuits etc, it was not my main focus.
regarless of all that stuff we still wound up with a stellar guitar. I know it was expensive but quality always is. So In between we had a run of u681t 12 strings, koa 12 frets (a few available) koa 14 frets (many available) ofc guitar straps and some stellar custom orders. Breaking the mold and putting it back into the focus of the guitar player.
soon you will hear of a 08 collector's and compare it to some of the things you've seen me order. more on that later.....
I know that I bugged Rick Hall way too much for this project but he was committed to making it happen, (no matter who decided to threw a monkey wrench into the works) The guys at the factory were just stellar in getting me what I wanted exactly how I wanted it, Darren, Mark, Howard, Sherwood, Kim, John, etc etc etc. And of course thanks to Frank Untermyer for caving in and approving the building of these speical guitars. A special thanks to Bill for signing the labels and Cliff for designing them and the certificates.
So what do I do next?
just wait |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Great job Al!
Asking us to wait for the next treat is like asking a pack of wolves to not feast on a fresh kill..............Ok, ok, I'm waiting! :p :D |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | BTW Al, '08 Collectors? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
:D |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | The big guns aren't the only Al-assisted goodies here; my sweet Jewel exists because of Al's help, too.
Thanks, Al, for everything. (And don't let Schroeder get to you; after all, there was a reason why we declared independence...... ;) )
--Karen |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Originally posted by stephent28:
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
:D Count me in! Anybody interested in a container full of fine wood tops to afford it?
Kurt |
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Location: big island | i'll figure out how to buy a Q if al will figure out how to get' em made. |
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Location: Chicago | Catching up here. What is a "Q"? |
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Location: Paris/France | I'm here since few years now and of course I've watched with lots of interest the development of the OFC guitar during the last years.
Unfortunately I was not able to afford it when it was finally available because I've made another choice.
I've choose to be a part of the 2007 OFC tour and I've had the chance to meet you Al in person in his house that's why I don't have a regret of my choice.
Al is a great "Monsieur" with a nice sense of humor even if I don't understood everything he said to me because of my English... :D
I was lucky enough to play 2 of the OFC guitars (Paul & Karl's models) and it's a fantastic instrument.
It will stay as one of the greatest guitar ever made in the Ovation story.
Thanks for that and for all you've done for us.
J :) |
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Location: big island | Originally posted by dobro:
Catching up here. What is a "Q"? dobro,
here's a link that'll catch you up on the "Q".
Q |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | First...
When talk of a special Fan Club guitar started, I knew I couldn't be much help, but at the same time, knew if there was one person on planet earth who would "do it right" it was you.
Thanks for all the work you put into making the OFC Guitar a reality.
In spite or despite the efforts of some to suck the fun and life out of this project at one time or another, when the history book is written, these 12 guitars will be seen as one of the crown jewels of the fine craftsman at Ovation, and must be one of your personal best achievements.
I know some understand, especially those of us with one of the guitars, but this project was a lot more than Al just Custom Ordering a guitar or picking the most popular accouterments and ordering them.
How he managed to get the folks he mentioned at Ovation to buy into the idea of building a guitar that was going to be put under such scrutiny by the likes of us I can't imagine.
I also want to thank as a minimum Frank, Darren, John, Howard, Sherwood, Kim, Mark, and anyone else that had a hand in the construction of this fine instrument, and of course Rick Hall for not only blessing this project, but for being one the Ovation Fan Club's biggest fans over the years and putting up with Al.
Second....
I understand that Al has several Ovation and Adamas guitars in stock. I think if we really want to show our appreciation, we all need to vow (and follow through) to buy at least one guitar from Lost Art/Vintage Instruments while they are still "Pre-Fender." |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Jerome, thanks for posting my pics on your site. |
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Location: NJ | Q:
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Location: Munich, Germany | Maybe we should have a new post pinned:
"What to do when you get a new guitar"
1. Open the case, look at it, enjoy it, strum two or three chords.
2. Find out that the strings sound dull or aren't pleasing you, change them
3. Strum two or three more chords, then place it on a stand, the best place would be the garden, poolside, terrace...
4. Get your digital camera and shoot some nice pics
5. Strum again
6. Send the pics to Jerome
7. Tell your wife that you unfortunately have to work - unexpected, take your guitar, go down in the cellar or the garage - and play it.
Kurt |
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Location: Germany | Obviously I was one of the few who got the carbon case along with the OFC guitar. A special thanks to Al for making this case possible. Not that I wouldn´t acknowledge his effort with the OFC guitar (oh yes, I do!) but the case is awesome and made the whole packet perfect.
I'm very proud to be the owner of one of the 12 guitars and cases. Sometimes I wonder who the other 11 owners are? I went through the old OFC guitar threads and identified most of them:
#1 Al
#2 Miles
#3 Paul M.
#4 ?
#5 Prof
#6 Bobbo
#7 Tony
#8 Dave (wide-neck)
#9 Tim (wide-neck)
#10 Karl (wide-neck)
#11 Mark
#12 ?
Corrections and completion is welcome.
Karl (#10)
PS. I also support the Q project. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I wonder if the Carbon case would work for the 2080D.
Al, I am sending an email your way. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | They're STILL just f*&@!^g re-issues!!! :D |
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Location: NJ | (nice!) :D :D |
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Location: SoCal | If you don't have 10k for an original, then they are the next best thing..... |
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Location: Germany | I just put my DS768 Longneck (deep bowl, 6-string) into the carbon case and it fits perfectly! There is even 1" space left between guitar peghead top and case plush. I doubt that's enough space for a 12-string longneck, but no problem with a 6-string.
Karl |
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Location: closely held secret | Karl, is that the same 768 you stole :D (sniped) from me on ebay? ;)
Glad that it wound up in good hands! |
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Location: Germany | Yup, you have a good long-term memory! Seems this snip will track me for good and all ;)
Karl |
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Location: Chicago | QQQQ :confused: Still a bit confused: I see the photo of (acoustic only?)Q; Never made it into production yet it's in a printed catalog and there are models [plural]. So does it exist or not? Has anyone played it enough to really KNOW? Does it plug in etc etc. How much would it take to resurrect? |
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Location: NJ | ". . Has anyone played it enough to really KNOW? . ."
. . really know WHAT?? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Karl, don't feel bad for John.
The silly Wabbit has been taken care of. |
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Location: Chicago | Has anyone played the Q enough to know it well, in and out, to compare? To know if it is worth 10K? |
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Location: SoCal | Clifford? |
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Location: NJ | Who's t'say if it (or any guitar, for that matter) is worth $10K?
I had the honour & pleasure of having Q #10 (the one pictured above) living with me over the course of a Winter & a partial Spring a few years ago.
It's a DAMN "Sexy" guitar. Sleek/Smooth/Fast.
The neck is exTREMEly fast, and has NO heel (the neck goes THRU the bowl to the heel-block. It frets VERY nicely, and the neck (tho "skinny") is very comfortable.
Sound-wise, it's probably the most "wooden-sounding" Adamas I've ever heard. Taking into consideration that except for the braces, bridge, fingerboard & tuner buttons, there's no wood IN it!!
Pickup? Why??
This thing was Designed and Engineered to be a "ToneMachine". Why put a pick-up in it? To heap on chorus, compression, delay and whatever onto it??
That'd be like throwing a pickup into an original Strad.
"Plugging-In" is what they made the CVT's for.
I only wish that I had had my recording set-up working properly before it went back. Somewhere on my hard-drive is a very "raw" file of me playing "Taxi" on it, recorded (one take, one mic-vocals & guitar) to send to Miles as we were gonna do the song at the Jam.
Back then, I litteraly had MINUTES of Cubase experience, and couldn't figure how to rip/burn the file to Miles, so I gave up. Two days later, it went back to CT. The raw file sound "okay" (full of room noise and "clams") considering it's mono track recorded with an SM57. It was really intended t'just be a "sketch" for Miles.
Would I pay $10K for it??
. . . (for THIS particular guitar), yeah(if I had it t'spend). It's a helluv an instrument.
What would it take to ressurect it??
My guess: Time, R&D, Materials, Re-Tooling, a LOTTA money, . . . AND someone to put enough "faith" behind it.
Who knows?
Maybe Fender'll "persue" it.
Stranger things've happened . . . |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | or maybe AL and a dozen dedicated Adamas/Ovation fanatics.
Cliff, if Al did it would you buy one? |
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Location: Chicago | Wow. Thanks Cliff... I gather that there were only a dozen or so made? Any idea on who owns them and what they sell for when they do change hands? |
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Location: NJ | I only know of two, and they don't change hands (unless you mean left & right). |
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Location: Chicago | So what does Q "no. 10" mean? Does the other one go all the way up to 11? |
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Location: SoCal | Q is what it was called and all the guitars were prototypes. I'm guessing that Beal has one and one's at the factory. I know that at one time, one of the prototypes was in the hands of Glen Campbell to field test. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | f*&@!^g re-issues!!! Yeah, but they're GREAT f*&@!^g re-issues!!! And they're not 10 large (yet) either! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | :D :p ;) |
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Location: Chicago | So there are rumors of a Q on stage and perhaps in the studio? Next question: any verifiable, good recordings of one demonstrating the power of this "Tone Machine" (which I do not doubt)? |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by stephent28:
Karl, don't feel bad for John.
The silly Wabbit has been taken care of. True. I am currently caring for Unca Stevie's very nice 768. No grudge, Karl. |
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Location: Germany | Phew, now I am relieved!
Karl |
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THE OFC ADAMAS SLOTHEAD GUITAR