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Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Hi all.. I'm currently playing an elite T that I like, but have been thinking of going for something on the higher end. I was flirting with bidding on this Adamas but have second thoughts after reading the "which Adamas" thread. I'd still like to hear any comments you may have on this particlar 1999 model. Also, am I right in assuming that "textured top" means no gloss finish and that this w597 has such a gloss finish?
w597 |
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Posts: 124
| the seller is sales rep at guitar center. sales tax for some states.
u can get a newer one (e.g. 02+) for $1067.
imho, it's not wise to spend $1067 + tax on 99 adamas w597 when u can get a much better one like brand new adamas UT681 for just a few hundred bucks more. |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Personally, if you're going to buy used, I'd consider getting an older Adamas II. Better guitar. IMHO. |
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Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Mr. Adamas
while I don't think sales tax would be an issue in my state (according to the ad) I have seen these go for a bit less in the past. New they are around $1750, about the same as UT681. So the bigger question is how this model compares. I don't see the UT681 in my future ,although the next reissue,the 1681 30th looks interesting. At 2K it may be more than my finaces will allow.
Moody
I certainly would consider an older Adamas II if I could find the right one at the right price. I know where there are 2 of them for sale. One is an 80's with the sound holes on the base side only for $1750 and one is (I think) a 90's with sound holes on both sides for $1500. Both are red which is not my favorite choice. Anybody got one they are willing to part with?
Also I'm still cunfused about the textured top thing. |
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Posts: 124
| where u got the prices?
ut681 is definitely better than w597.
where r the 2 adamaii u mentioned? local stores?
standingO just stole one (with sound holes on bass side) from ebay 2-3 weeks ago. i was so nice that i didn't enter bid to compete with him =)
i have several adamas 1 & 2 - blue, black, etc.
if the price is right, i may sell some ... too many guitars, no time to play =( |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Originally posted by Mr. Adamas:
where u got the prices?
ut681 is definitely better than w597.
where r the 2 adamaii u mentioned? local stores?
standingO just stole one (with sound holes on bass side) from ebay 2-3 weeks ago. i was so nice that i didn't enter bid to compete with him =)
i have several adamas 1 & 2 - blue, black, etc.
if the price is right, i may sell some ... too many guitars, no time to play =( Prices on new ones from Music 123. The 2 used ones I found here: www.kummersvintage.com He also has a nice adamas I but too much $ for me. As this a dealer maybe the prices are a bit on the high side?
I'm partial to the black ones..Please let me know what you have and what your asking. |
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January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | I have a colbalt blue w597 of approximately the same age.
What I like:
(1) It sounds excellant. I have compared it to many high-end guitars like my friend's Al-Dimielo Custom Legend and my own Martin D-28. It sounds very nice, but it is a bit different tone being graphite. But a lot of folks say it sounds better than my wood guitars.
(2) Playability, it is durable, stays in tune well, and the mid depth body is the perfect size, not too big not too small. It is a very comfortable guitar to play.
(3) It's LOUD and strong!! For a mid depth bowl this thing can really put out the DBs (unplugged).
(4) Durability, I take it everywhere, I am not afraid to take it out to a gig on sub zero January night in Michigan, or leave it hanging on a wall bracket when the humidity is less than ideal. As close to bullet proof as they come.
OK, what I don’t like:
(1) I CANT STAND THOSE CHEAP CHEESY EPULETS!!! ARE YOU LISTENING OVATION?? They curl at the edges and have had to be re-glued several times, plus it pisses me off that they put the same cheesy crappy things on the lowest price Celebrity and on the top of the line Adamas. I will not buy another Adamas (or any Ovation) with this same outdated lousy stinking design.
(2) The neck to body joint causes a slight dip that above the 12th fret that has caused fret buzz on mine. I think I finally have the frets close to perfectly dressed, but it took several attempts to get the action acceptibly low without buzzes. The Neck to body joint has always been a bit of a problem on Adamas from what I have seen.
(3) It does have a gloss top, but it gets dirty very easy. The dark blue cobalt color (and I am sure the graphite color as well) shows every smudge. You even talk dirty around this guitar and it gets smudged. But this is true of all dark colored guitars.
I too am eagerly waiting for the new Adamas. I was tempted by the rave reviews I hear about the UT681, but I am afraid of giving up access above the twelfth fret, and from what I can see IT STILL HAS THOSE CHEAP STINKING CELEBRETY EPULETS!!! I also looked at the anniversary replicas, but these lack modern eletronics with tuner and also have THOSE STINKING EPULETS!!!
I am hoping that soon a new model Adamas will come out that has the old-style textured top, modern electronics with tuner, standard cut-away body, the new contoured bowl, and the LX reinforced neck joint with the graphite rods. When it does come out I’ll buy one in a heart-beat. Also, the W597s were over $1400 new (actual great street price). $1097 would be a fair price if it was new with warrenty. You might find a used one cheaper, I have been watching these on Ebay and I see them selling used between $750 and $1100. |
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Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Thanks for the input Brian. I too am eager about that new upcoming design. I just don't know if I can control my GAS for that long , so I'm on this fishing expedition for now. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | "I am hoping that soon a new model Adamas will come out that has the old-style textured top, modern electronics with tuner, standard cut-away body, the new contoured bowl, and the LX reinforced neck joint with the graphite rods"
Yes, please! Make that an order for two, to go!
As in one of Kaki's models and our own trendsetter Standing O - stealth Epaulets are the sign of the next decade. The Adamas tops are begging for the ANS neck!
Thank you for letting me borrow the Soapbox. |
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February 2005
Posts: 35
Location: chattanooga tn | the epaulets are fairly easy to remove from a woodtop, dont think it would be much different, possibly easier on carbon fiber, do it the same way you would remove a bridge, heat up with a clothes iron, and gently pry them off, clean off the remaining glue.....and there you go
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January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | OK Mattf0124, you got me wondering about removing the epulets. I am worried that there will be nasty funky glue marks that can't be cleaned up. I suppose if the glue was tite-bond you could clean it with Acetone. And I guess worse case scenerio you could put them back on.
Has anyone removed epulets before? was it a success? What about weakening the area around the holes?
I appreciate any insight because I HATE THOSE BLEEPIN EPULETS!!! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Matt removed his and gave fairly detailed information on how he did it in another thread. |
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Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Play4fun
I sent you an e-mail. |
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February 2005
Posts: 35
Location: chattanooga tn | the glue is a pain, acetone was the only thing that put a dent in it, and it takes quite a while to get all of it off, the end result is the picture on my earlier post, there is a water spot under the finish on the upper part of the cutaway, its ugly but not that noticeble, you can barely see it in the picture, I'm happy with the result |
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September 2004
Posts: 96
Location: Eugene, OR | I hope this helps. I've owned my w597 for 8 months and have found all of this info to be totally valid.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Ovation/Adamas-CVT-W597... |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | You know, I see the w597s get badmouthed here on the OFC. But the one I played was wonderful. Of course, I'm still glad I got the 1537 instead. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | W597's are good guitars. People here who get them love them. Just not what I think of when I think of Adamii. But I don't think anybody here's bad mouthed them. Now if you want to talk about Taylors...... |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | OK, not exactly bad mouthed, but haven't heard many kind words for them. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That's because nobody on the board has purchased them. Too busy chasing those elusive old models :D |
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