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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Well, I've had the 1538 in my hands for a week now. I've played it every day and continue to be amazed! After a (brief) acclimitization, I slowly opened the soft-handled newer case.... the hair on the back of my neck literally stood up. What a grogeous piece(s) of top-wood. The burst finish is stunning along with the tight grain and some tiger-striping was visible. The maple and ebony fret markers are nice and subtle. The pauduk binding is classy. The guitar looked about 6 months old, not almost 30! It is quite weighty with a top-heavy feel that relays the feeling of solidness rather than feeling bulky, if you know what I mean... There was a broken string and they felt kinda old, so I cut them away, did a clean job and re-stringed with a set DAD EJ-38's that I had laying around. (Changing 12 strings is a bit of a chore) A few minutes tuning and I couldn't believe the sound from this beast! Full, rich, vibrant are a few adjectives that pop to my mind. This thing is LOUD! A lite pick and easy strumming completely fills my living room with warmth. The first song was Brain Damage. Perfect. I find that the highs ring perfectly true while the bass is rumbling just below the surface, until you put the spurs to the thick strings, then it booms out sonorously. I put the Shubbs capo on the 5th fret and went through Hotel California. Sweet.
The only complaint that I have is that it makes my 2nd best guitar feel clunky and soft by comparison. It feels like a thoroughbred in my hands. I compare it favorably to Stonebobbo's beauty, but I look forward to his learned impression.
I'm no expert, by any means, but this 12 plays like a six. I'm working on some finger picking, which is what I like most. I can pick Blackbird on the 12 pretty well already and I'll continue to work on my 12 string technique. I'm thinking Fire and Rain? Goodbye Blue Sky? Hmmmm
There are no negative issues here. A slight seperation on the epi next to the "close-together" small sound holes is not really noticable, it does not pass into the top wood. Cosmetically, virtually perfect. Sounds like a grand piano, plays like butter and has very low action with no buzz. Perfect all the way up the 14 fret-to-the-body neck.
Plugged in to my Crate using the mono plug, she sings. I noticed a couple times that it seemed like a few of the string-sounds were slightly muted. That could be imagination. It may need new battery that I did not change. It booms if you crank it up. I really like the acoustic-only sound. No need to electrify, unless you have a mic for singing, it's that loud.
Patch's pictures do not do it justice and I couldn't be happier... (Well, maybe if I'd won his 1637 from e-bay!)
A couple questions for the O Yoda's here:
Do you normally loosen the strings or leave them in pitch? I've left it in tune. (BTW, I have not had to "fix" the tuning. Stays perfectly in tune so far...)
There is a blue tinge to the back/sides of the 5-piece neck and head-stock. Is this original? Normal? I'll try to post a pic later if interested...
Thanks Patrick, for preserving and letting this gem go. (Including the brass tag) She is in loving hands.
Dan |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | Congrats, Dan.
Enjoy it, it's a wonderful guitar.
Bernie |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Tune it to pitch Dan. It's been that way for a long while and suffered no ill effects. That string broke as I de-tuned it for shipping. I thought I put another set in there, but I didn't have time to re-string it myself as I had to hurry and get it gone or it would have sat over the weekend in a truck somewhere. As it is, I'm glad (and slightly relieved) that it got there safe and sound. (Who doesn't worry when they ship a guitar?)
That's one of the easiest-playing 12-strings I've ever picked up. Enjoy! :cool: |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Thanks Patch. It definitely hasn't suffered any ill effects. I'll keep it in tune. You did send a set of Martins, I just like the color-coded D'Ads...
How about the blue tint? |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Here's a couple quick pics showing the blueing...
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I'm looking forward to a little in-depth comparison. ;) |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 491
Location: California | Congratulations Dan. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OOOh! ... She IS a beauty! Congratulations on a nice grab, and it is good to know she's still in the OFC family (:
Looks like a little varnish hazing on the back of the neck. Not a real issue, perhaps due do somebody having sweaty palms or something. If I remember correctly, it is due to moisture forming at one time under varnish or lacquer(I can't remember which) I had an old classical once that had that effect on the back. I seem to remember buying and trying a product made for removing that from the varnish, but it didn't work in my case and I ended up stripping the whole guitar completely down (it wasn't an expensive guitar)and putting a much lighter satin finish on it. I wouldn't do a thing to that one though. I wish I could play it and hear how it compares to the old Adamas 12. It's probably a lot like the difference between a 1537 and the Adamas, just multiplied by 2 (: |
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1538-12er
