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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | This comparison is primarily aesthetics, although I added a few observations about sound and tone under the first impression. Also, I'm sorry that a few of the pics aren't as sharp as they could be. I'm still figuring out the camera at close range. Because there is a limitation of 8 pictures to a post, additional posts will follow.
First impression: Nothing new to add here that hasn’t already been said. These guitars are very special hand-made limited models and cannot be presumed to be identical. Even though their designs and possibly their production processes are similar, one is a prototype built during a developmental period whereas the other was built 30 years later presumably with different cutting tools, glues, and finishing materials. The top on original slothead No. 43 is darker with a yellowish hue, perhaps due to aging, but possibly different paint shades. The walnut woods on No. 43 appear warmer due to its glossy finish and more yellowish red stain. The pick guard material on No. 43 appears to be thicker than the material on OFC No. 5, although that could be due to its yellowed aging over time. No. 43 has lower action and lighter strings than OFC No. 5 and is marvelous to play. It feels very well broken in, which it is, much like my original Legend Limited from 1981 that has very similar action and strings. Sound and tone wise, I can not tell much difference between the in the two slotheads because I play plugged in and both are excellent. The original electronics on No. 43 were switched out many years ago by the factory in favor of a then state-of-the-art Op-24 at the request of the current owner. That said, because No. 43 plays so effortlessly, it creates a perception of clearer, brighter chords and cleaner picking, so the resulting quality of the produced sound appears to be more polished. This may change with lower action and lighter strings on OFC No. 5. One thing is noticeable. I hung both guitars side by side from the ceiling which left the bodies at about eye and ear height. I then open strummed each one many times back and forth. No. 43 continues to ring noticeably longer than OFC No. 5. There was no noticeable difference in volume, nor was I aware of any big objectionable tonal difference between the two, but No. 43 just continues to vibrate a number of seconds after OFC No. 5 becomes silent. When the sound has ceased, you can put your ear next to No. 43 and the vibration is still there, if only barely perceptible. There really is something to be said for the “broken in” factor. Left to right, OFC No. 5 and Slothead No. 43.
Fret Markers: There is a difference in the color and depth of the fret markers. The markers on No. 43 appear to be cut deeper and more boldly, and with less precision than on OFC No. 5. The gold paint within the markers is bright and heavy in No. 43 whereas No. 5 has a lighter and more delicate application of the paint which also appears almost to be antiqued. The Ovation name logo appearing in the 16th fret and the branch and bird appearing on the 12th marker illustrate this very well. This difference bears out the prototype nature of the original slotheads. In addition, the color of fret board on No. 43 has a rich warmth color with significantly more red that OFC No. 5. This is either because of thirty years of natural aging, a different colored stain from the start, or a little of both. In the following sequence of pics, No. 43 is always first or above OFC No. 5.
16th Fret:
12th Fret:
Epaulets: The epaulet finish on No. 43 is glossy whereas OFC No. 5 appears flat or eggshell at best. As with the fret board, the colors of the woods used in the epaulets appear much warmer on No. 43. Again, this difference could be caused by age, original finish, or a combination of both. The space between the different wood materials is jagged and more crude on No. 43, and the material used to fill the space has yellowed with age. The outer edge of the epaulet also appears to have less of an edge that on OFC No. 5.
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Tapered Fretboard Radius: Where the fretboard tapers off in the last six frets after joining the body, the radius of the tapered (bass) side is more rounded on No. 43.
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Head stock detailing: Besides the obvious color difference previously discussed, there are some differences in the head stock detail. The tips of the raised tapered diamond points between the slots meet on No. 43 but do not on OFC No. 5. The scroll carving is remarkably similar, although there appears to have been more sanding on No. 43. For instance, in the center of the four leaves that branch out in the scroll, there is a raised circular center point. On No. 43, this center point appears raised due to the tapered edge falling away from the center point. This was likely created by sanding the tapered edge. On OFC No. 5, the center point does not appear to be raised, but rather, just a circle etched into the wood. When viewed from the top in the second set of pics, the differences are even more noticeable. In this particular view, not how OFC No. 5 is much more detailed and finished where the leaves curl up and over the top. There is no such detail on No. 43. Thinking this may be the result of damage to No. 43 sometime during its extensive handling history, I closed examined both sides and they are identical, so unless the guitar was banged in exactly the same spot resulting in the same exact damage to both sides, this is a relatively significant difference.
Front view:
Headstock carved scroll:
Headstock top side view:
Neck Brace Slot: On OFC No. 5, the graphite filling the carved slot housing the neck brace is close to dead center. On No. 43, the slot is noticeably off center.
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Location: NJ | ". . In addition, the color of fret board on No. 43 has a rich warmth color with significantly more red that OFC No. 5. This is either because of thirty years of natural aging, a different colored stain from the start, or a little of both . ."
Y'have to also take into consideration that the original SlotHeads used "resin impregnated walnut", which I seem t'remember Bill saying was a lengthy, costly process. I would doubt that this process was reincarnated for the Re-Issues . . . |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Great and detailed comparison of cosmetics.
Thanks Prof,
Kurt |
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Location: NJ | I also wonder what the differences (or similarities) in the top material might be.
If y'notice in Brad's (wonderfully detailed) photos, the SlotHead's has a corduroy-like "grooved" top whereas the OFC is "dimpled" like a golf ball . . . |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Brad, GREAT COMPARISON !!!!
Interesting to note that # 42 and 43 were built at the same time (same day according to the lists) and 42 also has the graphite strip slightly off center.
CSI New Hartford ...
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Very nice work Prof...I had noticed on some recent Adamas guitars (my 1687 as well) a bit of (dare I say it) miss-attention to detail...I have noticed the off centered alignment of the scroll and strip of walnut centered on the headstock (or rather in some cases off centered) as well as the filling on the epaulets. However, as you said so well, these guitars are built primarily by hand and one at a time: evidence of the off center stripe on #45 is testament to individuality that continues to today...I think in perspective that its the individuality that makes each slot head and each Adamas I such great guitars...And of course, there is the sound which is simply fantastic!
Thanks again Prof...(one request, when I come for my adopted weekend, please don't do a comparison on me...lol) :eek: :D
Blessings... |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Another note on the graphite strip appearing to be slightly off center . . . inasmuch as the neck heel is also a hand-carved piece, it might very well be that the heel end point is not uniform, thereby causing the appearance that the stripe is off center. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Binding and Bowl Finish: On OFC No. 5, the white ivory-like material between the bowl and the binding is thicker than on No. 43. On No. 43, this material is thinner and is missing in a number of places. Notice also from this angle the similarity in the purfiling detail, even though the purfling may be worn on No. 43. Also notice that the gold fleck bowl finish is remarkably similar, if not identical.
Purfiling: Same comment here as with the fret board markers. The gold finish on No. 43 is brighter and heavier, and appears to be worn down in a number of areas whereas the finish on OFC No. 5 is lighter and more antique like in color. The detail of the purfiling on OFC No. 5 is cleaner, more finely cut, and can easily be seen as a match to fret board markers. This is not so clear on No. 43, although the blurred picture doesn’t help in demonstrating this point.
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Excellent posts Brad. Thanks.
Prof wrote:
The tips of the raised tapered diamond points between the slots meet on No. 43 but do not on OFC No. 5. The scroll carving is remarkably similar, although there appears to have been more sanding on No. 43. For instance, in the center of the four leaves that branch out in the scroll, there is a raised circular center point. On No. 43, this center point appears raised due to the tapered edge falling away from the center point. This was likely created by sanding the tapered edge. On OFC No. 5, the center point does not appear to be raised, but rather, just a circle etched into the wood. Hand carving by a skilled craftsman vs. CNC machining. ya think??? |
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| The tops do look very different. |
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Location: SoCal | One of the most fascinating things about the original prototypes was how different they all were while basically remaining the same. Since they were all handmade without a standardized production, they were all slightly different. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Are the current Adamas I, II and reissue tops made by the same manufacturer as the originals 30 years ago? Maybe I was dreaming, but I thought I heard that they went to a new supplier a few years ago right around the time of the U681. I could be totally confused, of course.
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Location: NJ | of course. |
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Location: SoCal | hell yes, of course..... |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Very Nice Guitars Indeed.... :)
What`s that about the TOP`s being made by 3rd party ???...
Vic |
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Location: GA USA | BB, you should submit this as an article for Dave's or Jerome's website. |
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Location: Australia | Well done Prof. I love these type of reviews! |
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Location: big island | #43 certainly has more "character" and stories to tell, like a comfortable pair of old jeans. #5 looks so, ummm..."sterile", for lack of a better adjective at the moment. great review, brad!
i remember being 5 and 43. my life story could read like a guitar review. especially where on 43 "the material is thinner and is missing in a number of places". i've most definitely taken on a "hue due to aging". my teeth used to have a glossy finish and now they have more of a "yellowish red stain". "lower action" at 43 fits me fine, too. i do think i had more sustain at 5 than at 43 though, mom could not get me to shut-up. still can't. almost 2400 posts since october verifies that. the fret markers in my forehead are cut deeply and defined from years of use. the radius of my tapered behind was rounder when i was 5 but the radius of my not-so-tapered front is now rounder. i have sustained damage due to extensive handling over the years too. my headstock has been severely banged numerous times. by the time i was 43, i had been to see several chiropractors who all told me my neck was quite off center. i must be hand-built. fortunately for you, i do not have comparison photos suitable to post here. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Great comment, Randy. I'll bet your finger picking is a whole lot better than it was at 5. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | In Prof's comments and also some of my own in another thread we made reference to the OFC guitar as being a little "sterile". Don't anyone interpret that as a negative comment what so ever. The OFC is the best damn guitar Ovation has built in a long, long time. Maybe the best ever. It's just that it'll take a bit for father time to add the finishing touches. It's like a new sofa. It's perfect. The cushions are nice and springy, stitching is straight and tight, colors not faded, no potato chip crumbs down the cracks. But it just doesn't feel (yet) like the old one you just dragged out to the curb. It will soon enough.
Dave |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by cholloway:
Hand carving by a skilled craftsman vs. CNC machining. ya think??? On the 2006 tour there were two or three guys at the headstock station carving the 47RI headstocks by hand, if I'm not mistaken... |
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Location: NJ | You're not mistaken.
The CNC machines were only used to "rough out" the necks. All of the shaping/finishing/detailing was done by hand. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Wow, what a great review.
Thanks for starting this BB. |
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Location: SoCal | If anybody knows about the Adamas tops (Beal?), I would be curious as to who makes them now and in the past.... |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Tupperware:
In Prof's comments and also some of my own in another thread we made reference to the OFC guitar as being a little "sterile". Don't anyone interpret that as a negative comment what so ever. The OFC is the best damn guitar Ovation has built in a long, long time. Maybe the best ever. It's just that it'll take a bit for father time to add the finishing touches. It's like a new sofa. It's perfect. The cushions are nice and springy, stitching is straight and tight, colors not faded, no potato chip crumbs down the cracks. But it just doesn't feel (yet) like the old one you just dragged out to the curb. It will soon enough.
Dave Expertly said, Dave. I'm proud to have OFC No. 5 and it remains at the very top of my little guitar collection. This comparo just illustrates the true uniqueness of the original slotheads and the simiarities and differences between one of their examples and the OFC reissues. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Back then they were made in house (Moosup). Now they are outsourced by a company that knows about this stuff. We had a bunch of funny tops back then. |
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Original No. 43 and OFC No. 5