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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 28
Location: Northern Minnesota | I have a 1981 1658 roundhole Custom Legend 12 string as my main guitar. I play it, in fact, daily. I KNOW the feel of the neck. I recently bought a 1999 Adamas-styled Elite 1858 12 string . When playing it, hmm, something is different... the neck on the 1858 isn't wider, but thicker in depth, like the top of an egg shape, compared to my older 1658, which is smooth and tapered thinner. And the new one isn't covered in laquer like my old 1658.. it is almost just wood (must have something on it). The newer one also feels heavier on the neck. The neck on my older 12 is straight as an arrow still after 33 years, so, why the change in necks? |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 567
Location: Denmark | For the stiffening of the neck some models use a truss rod while other use the Kaman Bar. Guitars with the Kaman bar typically have a pronounced V shape and weighs a lot. I actually dont play my Adamas a lot because of the neck - which is similar to what you describe - so it mainly lies in the case which just collects dust. If you look at a cross section of the neck the main part of the material is actually not wood but metal which contributes to the weight. Also since the wood in the neck is so thin it is not recommenable to try shaping the neck by removing material. If you dont like it you can sell it and find another. Look for models with a conventional truss rod and truss rod cover on the head like the older models. I also think that the LX series are with a more confortable and lighter neck. I would love to have an Ovation with a C or D profiled neck. |
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Joined:
May 2011
Posts: 758
Location: Muenster/Germany | I have a similar problem with my Adamas 1688 12string, the best sound imaginable, but the neck, the whole instrument, built like a weapon. My newer Adamas 2087 is a featherweight guitar with a wonderful playing neck just like my oldies. Maybe Ovation underwent a phase of over-building their guitars. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 567
Location: Denmark | For a description of the Kaman bar visit here: http://www.ovationtribute.com/Ovation_Guitars_Patents/Ovation_1977_... As to your question about "why" I would also say overengineering. If the neck were built as it appears of wood of the quality it claims it could be a far better neck to play and could be given a more comfortable profile. The sound and the finish etc. are fine on the Adamas and Ovations of the affected generation but the neck is not for the majority of players who also have other guitars. This issue is not exclusive to the As and Os, though. Also Fender neck profiles vary a lot over the decades.
Edited by tpa 2014-01-14 1:47 PM
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | One of the issues you might be experiencing is the difference between a 12 fret neck (1658) and a 14 fret neck (1858). Reaching out a little further may change the way the neck feels to your hand.
I have a 6759 Custom Legend 12 with the Kaman Bar neck. Yes it is heavy ... but it makes for a very stable neck (especially for 12 strings!). I prefer the weight and feel of my truss rod necks, but I also think the extra mass has a positive effect on the sound it makes ... which I absolutely love.
I also prefer the natural necks ("Hand-rubbed Urethane Oil" neck finish) over the glossed necks, but totally a personal preference thing.
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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 28
Location: Northern Minnesota | Thanks everyone for helping me understand this. I did exactly what tpa suggested -- I returned the Elite 1858 to the store. Then I bought a 2001 Adamas 1598 MERB (Melissa Etheridge) carbon fiber top 12 string, which, like stonebobbo said, is hand-rubbed urethane oil, BUT is similar in shape to my old Custom Legend, not at all like the Elite. The neck, as tpa suggests, has the more comfortable style like my old Custom Legend, just without the laquer finish. I thought the sound from my Custom Legend was wonderful -- but, to me, the sound from this newer carbon top is fuller (deeper bass) with bright highs, and fuller midrange punch. I never thought I'd find anything better than my 33 year old Custom Legend roundhole for sound.. I think I just did!  |
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Are newer Ovation necks, not wider, but fatter?
