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Location: Japan | I found a very rare 1978 (probably) Adamas here in Japan last week and am dying to know more about it.
It has a card on it advertising it as a 1977 model and claims to be the 3rd Adamas in production.
Charlies signature is inside and there is a smudge on the last number so it either says 1976 or 1978, which means it must say 1978.
It has a very brownish finish with no sparkles and the wood knobs look a little bit on the handmade side, although they do have the graduated dot indicators.
I really want this guitar and thought it sounded great, and looked even better.
I mean, I wish they still offered epaulets like this thing has on it!
They're asking about $10,000 for it and I've been kicking myself ever since I saw it for not being rich enough to just buy it!
Anyone that recognizes me here knows I don't show up often and am basically a lurker with a common love for Adamas; hence I have no idea how to get my pics uploaded.
I just shrank some of them down but unlike other sites which will allow me to attach images I wasn't able to do so.
I'm going to be very busy for the remainder of my time in Japan but will try to get the photos up as soon as possible. |
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Location: Japan | Hopefully this works.
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/Akami_photos/Adamas%20in%2... |
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Location: closely held secret | Very cool!
Don't feel bad. At least once a day I kick myself for not being rich enough to afford something I want. |
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Location: Germany | To me it looks like a very early 1687 with the mono FET preamp. In the beginning they only made the blue, beige, red and camouflage brown (later also black) so this dark brown top could be a custom order. The brown bowl reminds me of some Adamas II models. Otherwise it seems to be a standard production model of that era.
I've heared that the Adamas I guitars (they call them Super Adamas over there) are quite high priced in Japan. I'm sure you could get a comparable model for less of what they are asking for if you could find one in the US or Europe. Currently there is a blue AI of that era (serial # in the 900 range) for sale on UK ebay.
Karl |
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Location: Scotland | Agreed, it's an early production 1687. It would be nice to think a guitar like this would fetch $10K, but right now the reality is nearer $3K, and possibly less. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | What is the current Yen Rate there? Karl is right. For a fraction of that amount you could buy a lot of nice models state side. But hey ... What's a measly ten grand? |
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Location: NJ | I owned that guitar. |
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| Is there anything different, special, or unique about it that would make it worth ten grand?.. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The color looks the same as the slothead that Tom_CA just got.
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Location: Upper Left USA | Aami,
Don't let Alpep off the hook that easily. Knowing the actual history of the instrument might bring the seller into a better (for you) position.
Of course he might go samurai on you to!! |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Reminds me of this:
Jerome\'s page - 1687-B
And if you compare thelast picture on Jerome's page with the picture where the guy is holding the guitar, you'd see - it's the same guitar.
Kurt |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | That's the one, there was only one. Not a custom order, just an experiment by Nick Mackin to see how the woodish look would work, if I remember correctly |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by alpep:
I owned that guitar. You owned it?!?
Well I'd like to; for my tastes I think this is the most beatiful Adamas I've ever seen and if anyone else can confirm that this exact look is available anywhere else I'd really be interested in knowing more.
Incidentally I'm not ignorant to the point of not realizing what prices Adamas go for and the post pointing out that a lot of Adamas are available for much less shows a little lack of realization of the rarity of this particular guitar.
That in itself doesn't make it worth a kings ransom, but there are few if any more like this particular one. If I'm wrong, I hope someone can prove me so soon! :)
Alpep, please fill in some more about this particular period in Adamas history. |
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Location: Scotland | The only thing that makes this guitar "rare" is the colour and to a much lesser degree, the preamp. Other than that it's a production Adamas with a low serial number. If the guitar was located in the USA rather than Japan I suspect the asking price would be a lot more realistic. You could custom order a new 1687 with this color and have a ton of change left over from 10 grand. |
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Location: CT | Originally posted by Paul Templeman:
The only thing that makes this guitar "rare" is the colour and to a much lesser degree, the preamp. Other than that it's a production Adamas with a low serial number. Also there are no neck inlays, and no bowl sparkle. And serial #3. Production model, but rarer than most I'd say. Still for 10 grand I'd rather have cholloways slothead... or a car... or repairs to the house... or ... |
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Location: Nîmes, south of France | Akami, what is the blue Adamas titled teal Adamas, have you some details? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Why do you say that this is the 3rd production guitar? Here's the production list of the first 90 guitars, including the 34 slotheads. Number 61 would have been the first production guitar. S/n 79 would have been the 19th. Splitting hairs, and 79 is still a very early one. Interesting that the production sheet says that s/n 79 should have been 1187 acoustic only and was originally scheduled to be -8 blue.
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Location: NJ | Beal is correct.
It never had a S/n it did have a label but it was not sold to the public.
I got the guitar when there was a great purge of instruments around 96 or so and subsequently sold it.
It is not a slothead it is just a color experiment.
sold it about 5 years ago or something like that.
can't remember too many guitars too many sales.
FWIW not worth 10K
IMHO |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Hey ... no offense intended on my previous post. If you truly like the color that much, buy it! I'm confident the guitar itself sounds and plays great (It IS an Adamas) Myself, I'd rather spend less than half that on the 47 reissue and not on an old sticker. I'm sure the custom shop would make another one of those JUST FOR YOU at a fraction of the cost. Heck, for ten grand you could probably have the thing painted in wood tones all over and COVERED with old faded stickers. |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Why do you say that this is the 3rd production guitar? Simply something I picked up from the attached tag, but I can't read all of the kanji on there and planned on having it more clearly explained to me what the intent was behind what they wrote.
Sorry I wasn't clear about that.
Anyway I'm excited about the guitar and find it interesting that I'm being directed to be less fascinated with it.
Whether it's worth $10,000 or not is somewhat irrelevant since I can't afford it anyway, having already spent that much on musical equipment this year but it's far more relevant a guitar than most of you will admit as Alpep and Brainslag have already pointed out.
Thanks for the additional information Tupperware and Alpep!
And by the way Alpep, do you have any idea what you sold it for? |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Arnaud:
Akami, what is the blue Adamas titled teal Adamas, have you some details?
I played it for half an hour and would love to have it as well. |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Why do you say that this is the 3rd production guitar? Simply something I picked up from the attached tag, but I can't read all of the kanji on there and planned on having it more clearly explained to me what the intent was behind what they wrote.
Sorry I wasn't clear about that.
Anyway I'm excited about the guitar and find it interesting that I'm being directed to be less fascinated with it.
Whether it's worth $10,000 or not is somewhat irrelevant since I can't afford it anyway, having already spent that much on musical equipment this year but it's far more relevant a guitar than most of you will admit as Alpep and Brainslag have already pointed out.
Thanks for the additional information Tupperware and Alpep!
And by the way Alpep, do you have any idea what you sold it for? |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | I owned that guitar once,if it is serial #79 ..Number 79 was bought by myself and a freind in california from an employee at the factory.I dont think he works there any more.We bought about 10 -12 guitars from him.A package deal.It had a UGLY brown finish that did not look factory to me.It was almost like someone used wood stain on a graphite top.I could not look at it or listen to it because it sounded very average for an adamas.I think the spray or stain finish(whatever it was) killed the sound of that guitar. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey I'm in the same boat. I tend to be very opinionated about things that I can not afford to buy.
From a functional guitar perspective this one is probably worth about $3,000. in the US. I'm sure it sounds very nice. You could probably have one built new just like it that would have better quality for maybe around $5,000. Just a guess.
But the rarity of this one could definately be worth a few extra thousands to the right person. And the early serial number and history associated with it could easily push the price to $10,000. But the interested buyers who would hand over that amount are pretty few. Not a criticism of the guitar itself, but just a fact that the pyrimid gets pretty narrow at the top.
Just my personal opinion (again shopping with money I do not have), but for $10,000. I would rather in vest in an original slothead. OR, I would custom order this exact same brown guitar to the same specs PLUS a matching 12-string. How cool would THAT be ???
Dave |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Since it came up: I understand the wanting of an original slothead or that brown Adamas for historical reasons. But would I buy it for 10 grands? I think, no. For sure it's a true collector's item and a piece of history, but what guitars would I get for 10 grand?
One OFC, custom built for me, a 12 string UTE and, for example, a Glen Campbell RI or a JW RI or, in germany, a 1651 Ltd. RI. That would make three of the finest, best sounding guitars Hartford has manufactured in the last years. Factoryfresh and still yet collectible. You would have covered up nearly everything (except for a Cutaway), bowl sizes, tops, neck widths and you're done!
Kurt |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Just my personal opinion (again shopping with money I do not have), but for $10,000. I would rather in vest in an original slothead. OR, I would custom order this exact same brown guitar to the same specs PLUS a matching 12-string. How cool would THAT be ???
Dave Sounds really cool to me because one of the things I really wished for was a more 'organic' looking Adamas.
This may be a dangerous thing to admit here, but I picked sparkles off of the Adamas II I gave my ex. :p
Anyway, while I'm here in Japan I'll keep looking for interesting guitars and try to get pics of anything Adamas that comes my way! |
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Location: CT | Originally posted by samova:
it sounded very average for an adamas. I think the spray or stain finish(whatever it was) killed the sound of that guitar. I'm still new to Adamii, so I gotta ask even though I'm sure its in the archives somewhere...
What's the Top Frequency refer to?? Is a higher number better? Brighter? The tribute description says this guitar is a 96 (I assume thats after the brown paint was applied). Is it on a scale of 100 (I seem to remember seeing some over the 100 mark)? My 1687 is a 86 or 87, I dont remember which, but sounds very nice, and also bright... Whats the lowest / highest Adamas I numbers and how different would the 2 guitars sound?
I await my beating.. |
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Location: Connecticut | I sold that guitar to Samova back around '99 or so if it is #79. He and his friend bought a bunch of guitars from me and I put a 2nd floor on my house.I think Bill is correct about it being a Nick Mackin experiment from the old Moosup days. I never liked the color myself and if I remember correctly there seemed to be a rattle in the top if you tapped on it.I'm still working in New Hartford and I also put in over 10 years in Moosup.I'm hoping that we'll stay here for many years to come. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Akami,
Sorry about sounding like a butt-head. Putting the whole $10,000 issue to the side, that is a very nice and original-looking instrument. I wonder if that simulated wood grain attempt came up before the idea of the 1537 wood top? Anyway, the only Adamas color that I never cared for was the Olive-drab (babycrap green) model. I know some of you love that one, but once again ... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Oh yeah ... how much are they asking for the teal one? and what model is it? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Vince, Have you ever seen the babycrap-green one with your own eyes? Trust me, I said the same thing as you - until I saw one in person. I know it is subjective, but I was SHOCKED how wrong my opinions could be based on photos. Dave |
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Location: Scotland | Originally posted by brainslag:
[
What's the Top Frequency refer to?? Is a higher number better? Brighter? The tribute description says this guitar is a 96 (I assume thats after the brown paint was applied). Is it on a scale of 100 (I seem to remember seeing some over the 100 mark)? My 1687 is a 86 or 87, I dont remember which, but sounds very nice, and also bright... Whats the lowest / highest Adamas I numbers and how different would the 2 guitars sound?
I await my beating.. It's not the top frequency, it actually refers to the helmholtz frequency of the guitar, which is the fundamental frequency of the air cavity. Most Adamas seem to fall into the 83HZ to 96Hz range with the majority of 47RI's and OFC's being 93Hz. To put that into some kind of perspective the open 6th string has a frequency of 82Hz and G at fret 3 is 98HZ. I don't think variations of less than 15 to 20 cents in the fundamental freq can impact at all on the perceivable sound when comparing Adamas guitars. Any difference between them could be attributed to any combination of numerous other factors. |
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| Thanks for the frequency explanation, Paul. I think that's the first time I've heard it explained in laymen's terms. In those terms, then there's got to be an ideal string to maximize the movement of sound from the top into the air cavity. Pure acoustic advantage. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Click for Poo-Burst
I think, the pictures are just fine. But they still do no justice to the beautiness of this guitar in person.
Not to many of them out there, and I am more than glad to own it.
Kurt |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Dave,good to hear from you again..I do remember the top had a rattle to it and it would make weird popping noises if you touched the top..Also the floating fingerboard started lifting up toward the strings..Never did like that guitar.It sounded like dog poo...The others however were very nice.Marty from california got most of the guitars and still has them i believe and i got three in the deal.. |
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Location: NJ | could there have been 2 brown ones? I KNOW I had and sold one!!! |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Not to hijack the thread, but at what point did the protypes turn into playable models? If Marcel Dadi got #19, they must have been pretty playable by that point.
So, has anyone have any knowlege of the instruments from #20 through #26? |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | I had number 7 and 12 for a while and they were playable.Not completed guitars but playable.I believe many of the proto's did nor survive and got band sawed.Bill might remember what happened to them. |
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Location: NJ | Sam, didn't you have that one that had the "access door" cut out with a utility knife and duct-taped-in for access to the braces for trimming??
That one's in France now, isn't it?? |
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Location: Munich, Germany | This one? |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Cliff,I had two like that.The 6 string now in france
and a 12 string |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Yes, I know about those two but I was thinking about the later prototypes just before the slotheads.
I also remember now seeing the #19 that Marcel had...can't remember if it had a slotted headstock though. |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Wayne,if i remember the story #20-26 were not completed guitars and did not exist except for test models..I believe it was the trasformation from proto's with different soundhole configurations to what the adamas became at serial number 27..I think that is the story as i heard it a few years back. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Sam's right. That was discussed here some time ago. Some were not whole guitars, some were band sawed, a couple got experimental 2-knob electronics. It didn't come together into a "product" until number 27. Dave |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Dave,glad you remember the story as well.Sometimes i wonder where these stories come from in my head.They are burried down deep somewhere and only surface when a topic here triggers them to surface.Like the Charles Manson and Ovation story.Sometimes i wonder if i pull these stories from my head or out of my ass? :D :D |
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Location: France | Originally posted by Tupperware:
The color looks the same as the slothead that Tom_CA just got.
tom |
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Location: GA USA | Sounds like a few of you guys need to put your heads together and write out the official history of the original slotheads/prototypes/... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | ... someone should write a book. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Cool piece of the historic puzzle.
Overpriced? It depends, not to the right buyer perhaps. And I guess this would be the first time I've seen a music store asking waaaay too much for an instrument. :rolleyes:
Especially something "vintage". |
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Location: Munich, Germany | But who could that be? |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Dave,
You are probably right about the green colored guitar. I still haven't seen a picture yet that gets me very exited about one though. I know that photos very seldom do justice when it comes to color reproduction, and many times I have received guitars that end up looking twice as good as the pictures. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Tom...what's the story on your guitar? Custom order?
And, yes, someone needs to get a book written! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Maybe Fender will pay for the second edition of the Ovation book, in honor of the pre-Fender years. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | I read (or heard) somewhere that the factory was ready for production after #60 and Adamas S/N 61-76 where never produced. Since they were introduced in 1977, the 1st production model was assigned #0077.
i could be wrong... |
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Location: France | Originally posted by Bluebird:
Tom...what's the story on your guitar? Custom order?
Yes custom order based on the 47RI with stereo 2knobs electronics, 1 3/4 nut width, FD14 fingerboard profile and custom color.
I used photoshop to choose the color I wanted and sent it to Al.
More pictures here
Tom |
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Location: Munich, Germany | And I've seen it in person.
The most beautiful Slothead RI I have seen so far!
Kurt |
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Location: France | Thanks Kurt.
I love the look of my custom order but I recently realized that it has an amazing sound when someone else plays it! :(
Take a look at Jean-Luc Thiévent with my custom order, he is from Montreal and I could have him fly to France for a show last month.
Thievent with custom order Adamas
He's a great guitar player, his website
Tom |
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Location: Paris/France | Another one who's born with a thumbpick... :D
Great playing and great sound !!!
J :) |
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Location: big island | super! |
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Location: Germany | Magnifique, thank's for sharing!
Karl |
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Very rare Adamas found in Japan!