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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dave, Jerome, or any other OFC members at the French BBQ...
Since you had the priviledge of playing (or hearing) all 4 reissues within a relatively short period of time while at the party, how would you rate each one on a 10 scale? |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I'm going to jump in on this since I've played 2 of the reissue, the Adamas I and the 47 RI. Compared to other A I's I've played, this one seemed kinda tight. Well, it was a new guitar. But oddly, the neck seemed a bit chunky. I've never really bonded with it. Oh yeah, and the rough bowl ruined a silk Hawaiian shirt.
The 47 RI, compared to the original, which I played at the factory, seemed a little tight compared to the original, but so much more open and lively compared to other Adamii I've played.
Anybody else? |
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Location: SoCal | TIGHT! ???
C'mon, both will open up with a little Drambuie or Metaxa. :p :eek: :p |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | How would I rate the four reissues? How about 10, 10, 10 and 10 !!!
Seriously, it's difficult to compare. Each is wonderful in it's own way and to some extent it comes down to personal preference. One way to look at is this - If I had $5000. to spend I would just buy the 47RI. It is THAT much better than any other Ovation or Adamas. If one was no longer available, which will soon be the case, I would spend the $5000. on the A2 reissue AND the U681. My personal observations in no particular order:
47RI - I've probably said all that I can about this one. If you can find the money, buy one before it is too late. Waiting for an OFC guitar is too risky in my opinion. If you don't like red just close your eyes. Extremely light weight guitar (although still much heavier than wooden guitars). Looking in the hole it seems the bracing is much smaller than the others which no doubt has something to do with why it sounds so good. The neck feels bigger than 1-11/16 to me but that's fine. Some may nit like it. Overall quality is amazing and as said before the sound is so wonderful. Definately equal or better then the originals.
A1 reissue - A very faithful reproduction of the original. Difficult to a/b side by side but the sound is wonderful. Just like the 47RI the neck feels bigger than normal. The blueburst is done perfectly and in everyway the guitar is just great. Personally I have always thought the Adamas 1 headstock was not so nice looking, especially viewed from the rear. But that's just my personal opinion.
A2 reissue - This is one great guitar. I have always liked the single epaulet style and the bass end of this one is amazing. My only criticism is the snot blob pick guard. I would order mine with no snot blob at all. The neck on the A2 is wonderful. I prefer the sound of this guitar over the A1 reissue but that's just my own taste.
U681 - I am very attached to this guitar. To me it is the most sweet and pure sound of them all except the 47RI. The wide neck and 12 frets are the best setup you can have in my opinion. It does not have the "percussive" sound of the A1 and A2. More airy and open sounding (less "tight"?). Personal preference I choose this over the A1 and A2 reissues.
There are three other guitars that I am very fond of that deserve "honorable mention" and in some ways I like even better than some of the reissues.
A2 Wideneck (Jerome) - Jerome has an A2 wideneck in black that is amazing. I played it a lot at his home and really enjoyed it. The neck is a little wider than mine (I think 1-7/8), but it is nice and flat depth and the guitar sounds great. We experimented with a little stereo recording into his Korg unit (quality was limited only by the guy playing the guitar). But I really liked this one
A2 Slothead Wideneck (Dave) - you already know all about this one from my collection. Magnificent instrument in every way. I like that it has the FD14 style headstock and not the newer U681 type. The 1-3/4 neck is my favorite of all the guitar that I own.
W681-TA (Dave) - I have not written a lot about this one yet. Unfinished graphite top fading into a blueburst. Sound is freaking incredible! Acoustic only. I think Fugot has one and also Al might have one or two for sale. These are extremely nice instruments.
Dave |
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Location: Paris/France | It's so hard to rate these guitars.
They are all different and each one has a special sound.
My favorite is without any doubt the #47 RI.
I was lucky to test Tom's FD-14.
Nothing to say, it's probably the best Ovation I've ever played.
And I agree with Dave. My Adamas II wide neck is outstanding!!
It's a 1"7-8 (47.6mm).
Here's a sample of the sound of this guitar (by a great US player ;) ) :
ADAMAS II WN SOUND
J :) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Great reviews guys.....exactly what I was hoping to see.
J, that wideneck sounds terrific but the american player seems a little heavy on the bass strings! :rolleyes: |
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Location: Orange County, California | Jerome,
I'm glad you caught that on your Korg, or we'd vever believe Dave is just a mortal human being :D The last note at 0:37:00 in the sample is "magical"
I want your ADII wideneck!!There was one wide-necked "Studiomaster" proto at the factory, that I thought was the cat's ass, and should be reissued. It's like the one Jean-Felix LaLanne played a bit with Marcel Dadi on the DVD. GREAT SOUND!!
Merci Beucoup!! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | SHUT UP FRED! Just after playing that little diddy I looked at Jerome and said "that recorder isn't ON is it ???". For the record we were playing around with Jerome's "Y" cable and recording stereo output of the adamas in to two chanels panned left and right. What I didn't know about Y cables is that it takes every mistake and makes it into TWO mistakes.
And Fred, lets get the accronymns correct ADII is Al Dimeola II. A2 is Adamas 2.
Regards,
HWMUA |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Dave plays some really tasty stuff. And that was the first time I've heard a stereo Ovation. Very cool.
What sets Dave apart from the rest of us is that he lies thru his teeth. While some of us really do only know 3 chords, Dave claims to be a hack then plays some really cool licks. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
What sets Dave apart from the rest of us is that he lies thru his teeth. Only compared to what you lie thru... |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | :( sorry dad... I meant A2, and I didn't say it was a mistake. You're not admitting that you made a mistake are you!? :D :p :D :p |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | HWNMM |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | OK Dave,
Is there a spot on your website that explains all the crazy ancromins you come up with? |
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Location: Paris/France | Sorry Dave,
I couldn't imagine that I could sully your reputation with this sample...
But don't worry, your talent is well appreciated from this side of the Atlantic ocean.
J ;) |
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Location: CT | ...snot blob pickguard...? Sweet. |
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April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Originally posted by brainslag:
...snot blob pickguard...? Sweet. Not having seen one of these guitars except in photo's i always wondered if that wierd shape was a reflection or something. Know i know what it is -- snot. Interesting.
_____
gh1 |
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Rating the ReIssues
