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May 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Florida | Hi everyone. I haven't played for a few years. I'm ready to start again. I have always wanted a Taylor, but now I think an Ovation would be better for me. I am looking for something pretty high end, yet durable. I have a 3 year old scampering about and of course she's going to want to play as well. The carbon fiber materials intrigue me. I have read posts relating to the cross weave and single weave structures and kind of have a grasp on the pros and cons of each. I would like something that sounds nice unplugged, but not expecting a "Martin Tone". I need something that I can play in my air conditioned house, and then take it outside to play in the Florida sun. I wouldn't want to do that with a 'woody'. Also, I want it to sound really good plugged in. Like at church for playing some worship songs and such. I noticed that there are very few discussions about the 2080. It seems like a decent model, albeit a little untraditional. Even by Ovation standards. Are there any inherent problems with this guitar. I was thinking about that and a stomp box called "Natural G" or maybe G-natural. I think it is made by Alesis, but I'm not sure about that. |
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September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Welcome!
I have played the 2080 in a music store, it is a great guitar.
There are several members that have one. They can give you a better review.
With the #47 reissue, the OFC guitar and the other reissue guitars of the last couple of years, it has not gotten the coverage it might have otherwise. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Welcome dhf, you might look around for an older textured top Adamas as they have a little more conventional look and sound tremendous. You could take one of those out in the Fl. monsoons, and it would still stay in tune. BTW, where in our great state are you? |
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April 2003
Posts: 243
Location: Pewaukee, WI | check Lost Art Vintage; some nice 'special' Adamas at good prices. |
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May 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Westerville, Ohio | The 2080 is a VERY nice guitar, unfortunately I had to get rid of mine. It has wonderful unplugged tone and the bass really "hits" espically from the players position. When I got mine in I took it in to have it set up and after that it was awsome, was suppose to be my guitar for the next few years but medical issues forced the sale. If you buy a brand new one, give it a month or two to let it "settle in." Then just play the heck out of it. The VIP pre-amp is great IMO.
Good luck!!!
-Adam |
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May 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Florida | I keep hearing about the textured tops. What makes them so desirable? The ones I have read about are made for export. What does that mean exactly? Anyway, I really like the looks of the 2080. Plus, I read somewhere they are nearly impervious to feedback issues. BTW, the effects box I mentioned before is made by T.C. Electronics. Basically I am looking for something that going to last a long time and is easy to play. I will look around town (Tallahassee) for a place to try one out. My biggest concern is the contoured back. It seems like it would be more comfortable to play. But I have never seen one in person. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Welcome dhf, The textured top adamas are more desirable because they sound better. Simple as that. The 2080 is great, as are the Adamas I and II. A "sleeper" that sounds amazing is the export texture top adamas. These were adamas guitars made for export to Asia, not available in the USA. Lost Art VIntage managed to secure a batch of them and they are great!
Dave |
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January 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Japan | Although I like my textured tops better than my SMT's, they really are great sounding guitars and I believe it could easily be a difference of preference rather than one being better than the other. Every time I pick up my SMT expecting it to sound lacking all I can think is how much I like it.
My suggestion would be for you to try getting your hands on at least one each of a textured top, CVT (cross weave) and SMT (straight grain). Your own ears will tell you which one is best for you. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| There's a custom 2080 that lives in Texas that is a truly fantastic guitar. All 2080s are great, but that one is greater still.
Welcome. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | i have a 2080 in stock |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by schroeder:
There's a custom 2080 that lives in Texas that is a truly fantastic guitar. All 2080s are great, but that one is greater still.
Welcome. +1. Imagine how much better it would be yet, had it been done in a -4 finish, though! ;) I keed! I keed! Tom's custom 2080-ish thing was scary nice. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There's another 2080 that lives on Amelia Island but it's summering in the north.
The 2080 is a great guitar. The contour back is nice and quite comfortable to play. I'm not familiar with any stores over in your part of the state, Andy's wouldn't have one. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Call Al. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15674
Location: SoCal | What Clifford said..... |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Go see Al, Go see Al, Go see Al!!!
:D ;)
BTW, welcome to the group...they don't bite...well most of them at least...
Blessings... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You could always call Al..... |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Operators are Standing By . . . . . . |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Definitely see if you can get your hands on a couple to "taste" the flavor of first. The 2080 does have a really unique look, and personally I think it looks cooler in real life than in photos.
The acoustic sound of the 2080 is awesome, though I still am partial to the older ADII's (call me traditional). The electronics are really top-notch, but you have to take into consideration that the VIP preamp does take some tinkering to get the ideal sound out of. Once you get it dialed in, it's awesome, but it's not as simple of a "plug and go" as the older Optima/OP-24 systems, IMHO.
Between the texture tops and the SMT models, I don't know that it's even fair to say that one sounds "better," but it is true that if you want the traditional Adamas tone, it's the texture top guitars that produce that. I've played a couple SMT models and own one, and they are fantastic instruments in their own right.
Check out what you can, call Al and get his input...or if you decide you like the SMT's better, I've got a real unusual one with Optima electronics that I'm willing to part with at a fair price... ;) |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Does anyone know Al's phone number? I'm thinking of calling him. You should, too. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15674
Location: SoCal | There's a link to his website, Lost Art/Vintage Instruments on the front page of the OFC |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
There's a link to his website, Lost Art/Vintage Instruments on the front page of the OFC |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Are there any inherent problems with this guitar.
No
As for the G natural. You don't need it, but if you insist on effects, then go with an alesis 6fx mixer (or a similar multieffects mixer, if you don't have one already) and an aphex 1401 exciter. Much more useful combonation.
Will you be playing thru an amp or a PA when you go out? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There are a couple of inherent problems with Al but that is just part of the deal. Call him anyway. Call before midnight tonight.... |
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May 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Florida | It's been awhile since I started this post and didn't realize you guys were still trying to help me. Thank you very much for your thoughts and ideas. I lucked into a great (I hope) deal on a 2080. I got a new one from the bay for about $1300. It sounds just fine and plays easily. It was exactly what I was looking for. Especially with the AER 60 that I purchased as well. I like the simplicity of the whole set up and now I just need to spend some time in the woodshed! |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by dhf:
didn't realize you guys were still trying to help me. That and "wake me up when you're done" are pretty much the story of my life. Enjoy your guitar, the 2080 really is a cool one.
Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Nice grab DHF!!! Any help you incurred were purely coincidental, accidental, and incidental, and thus null and and void. Completely unrepeatable too.
Uh Dave? Maybe you could explain to the newcomers what those first two links in your sig are :D :p :D :p |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Dear Fred, The ovationgallery site is now password protected and I have mailed the password to all my friends. Dave |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | :mad: Dave's picking on me!!! :mad: |
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March 2002
Posts: 15674
Location: SoCal | Gee Fred, I can get in. Can't you? Didn't you get Dave's email? |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I would highly recommend the 2080. I've had mine for the better part of a year and it has become my favorite guitar to play. Not only does it sound great plugged in as most Adamas / Ovations do, but it is just incredible unplugged as well.
I also get a lot of compliments on it at gigs (on it's looks, not MY playing). I wasn't too sure sure if I liked the looks of it at first, but it's really grown on me. It's a very unique and great sounding instrument.
I bought mine from Al and I would suggest you do the same. You're not likely to find a better deal or a better dealer. |
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adamas 2080?