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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 166
Location: Veedersburg, Indiana | I have only played 1 Adamas in my life (and that was several years ago) so I can't remember the sound (just that it was amazing). My question for you Adamas players - does the sound relate more to spruce, or, cedar? All my guitars right now have spruce tops (not sure how that happened) and want to get something with cedar or possibly mahogany. An Adamas would be great (if the money is there) so need to know about the sound. Thanks in advance. |
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | That's a good and subjective question and I'm not any good at answer either. ;) I have both Adamas and spruce tops, but not any cedar. I did a quick search (+adamas +cedar +spruce) and found this post from bvince that may help.
bvince wrote:
Well ... I sat down this weekend, and after purchasing 10 sets of Adamas 1616 strings, I put a new set on my 1581-8 (Adamas 1), 1537 (Spruce-top Elite), and the 1768C (Cedar-top Elite). I wanted to finally attempt to make an accurate comparison between the different models and various tops. I Tuned them up perfectly and laid them in their cases in front of me, and did various things from plucking individual strings, strumming, arpeggios, picking and finger-picking, checking harmonics and sustain, etc. Then I realized it would be difficult to explain the way they sounded, aside from volume(amplitude),tone,bass,and sustain(frequency response). Does anyone know of a standard description that compares/explains differences in "richness" or "warmth"? So far, the 1581 Adamas is definitely (20%) louder, and the old 1537 clearly stands out as the best sounding in my opinion, but I don't know how to describe it. It just sounds significantly better in a way that is beyond words. Kinda like trying to describe the sound of a Stradivarius. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Neither. Cedar is definitely more warm and mellow than spruce. The Adamas sound is unique. It's clean and crisp top to bottom with a lot of resonance. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Spruce will generally give you more timbre or a brighter sound, and cedar seems to accentuate the warm and deeper tones. With that being said, a well seasoned AAA spruce top on a 1537 Elite will give you the best of both worlds. If you'll notice, the construction of classical guitars is usually limited to those two tops. This is to accomodate the particular tone desired by each player, i.e, deep vs. bright.
I like to think of an Adamas textured top as a "perfect" sound, in that it is less likey to be affected by temperature and humidity fluctuations, and the different nuances produced as a result of other configurations and abberations associated with a traditional wood top. I know... the word "perfect" is really difficult to wrap your mind around when speaking of guitars, but the Adamas always seems to maintain a pure sound... What ever that really is (: |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | If I had to compare it to one or the other, I'd say it sounds more like cedar. Of course it doesn't sound anything LIKE cedar, but I think it sounds even less like spruce.
My Adamas' are louder and bassier than my spruce tops, but the spruce tops have a bell-like ring that the Adamas' don't have. They both sound so good that I hardly ever play the same guitar twice in a row, just for variety's sake.
The reason I compared the Adamas sound to cedar is from my experience with Morgan Monroe spruce and cedar tops. The spruce rings, while the cedar is warmer and MAYBE a bit bassier.
But the Adamas' sound better than cedar, and DIFFERENT from spruce, except on certain songs.
Are you confused yet? I am! Ah heck, never mind. You'll just have to play them all and decide for yourself. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | That is really interesting for me. As you can see I have guitars with spruce tops, cedar, walnut, and also Adamas' gutars with differnt tops. I was dicussing these question with a lot of people and nobody could give an answer that I would think is's true.
I will agree with Mark and also with Bryan, let me explain my personal opinion :
Spruce the more better grade, the better tonal range, but always clear and bright.
Cedar, the more better grade, the better accentuating the sound over the full range.
And Adamas, as both said: It's pure sound, maybe some one would say "sterile", but therefrom a lot of!!
Bernie |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 400
Location: Northwest Arkansas | My Adamas is bassier than my spruce. My cedar is just a few months old. The soundboard isn't broken in. Overall Adamas has it's own sound. It's what got me to buy Ovation after being a Martin guy most of my adult life. I have GAS really bad right now. Whatever I buy, I know it'll be an Ovation. Let me say this. USA made Ovation. |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 400
Location: Northwest Arkansas | I was still a Martin guy when I joined OFC. I love my old D-35 but I play my Ovations a lot more. I have a little GC 057 Celebrity in a stand next to my bed. I play it all the time. |
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Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | Hmmmmm, very difficult topic .... I have guitars (Ovation and not) with different tonewoods top (spruce, cedar, cocobolo, mahogany you name it.... and carbon fiber). ALL are my favorite. As you know also the guitar size contributes to deliver different sound. It's always a matter of personal taste in relation of what style/song you have to play .... However if I have to express a preference, my vote goes to cedar. |
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Adamas Guitars
