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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I've been waiting for several weeks for this guitar to arrive. Thanks to Dave (standingovation) for his help in getting this from the Craig's List seller who was apprehensive (as can be expected) to sell or ship other than locally. After contacting Dave, he arraigned to go and pickup the guitar for me and to have it shipped.
So what arrived?
1977 Adamas 1687-7 #0099-93: the 22nd production Adamas. 
Turns out the guitar was owned by a former employee of Ovation and has an interesting story: which to protect the privacy of those involved I will keep to myself for. But trust me, it's cool! The guitar is in very nice condition, but not mint...an old repair to the lower left bout trim is evedient but not that bad...the rest of the guitar is excellent. Interesting to note the differences these early first 100 production models have from later production models; even later 1978 guitars. I also have #119 which is a -8 and it is even different in small ways from #99 even though it is only 20 guitars newer. They all share no inlays on the fretboards; extra heavy brass glitter both front and back; this one is Stereo but #119 is mono; the catalog (of which an original came with the guitar along with a mint hard case) only shows mono electronic's but I know from owning 5 of these early guitars that they could be in any configuration (not known if the stereo electronics was available for the early ones or if they were retrofitted later at the factory by the owners...not sure). It needed strings and a few setup tweeks but it sounds fantastic now: a real belly rumbler. I am taking better quality photo's later and will have this on Jerome's (thanks for keeping the secret mon amie) site soon. Here are two additional photo's. Thanks for looking and thanks again to Dave for helping make this happen! His willingness to help as well as others is what makes this group special. 
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-08-28 12:53 PM
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Location: Upper Left USA | Very nice! |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | A 93 readout on the vibrometer. No wonder it tickles. Nice grab. Now let go of the Martin and quit hoarding all the good stuff! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | lol...Love ya Brad...mean it
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-08-28 1:42 PM
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Location: Florence,SC | All I can say is ... WOW!!!!!!!! |
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Location: Indiana | Hope you bring that the next time you amble through Gnashville... |
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Location: Tennessee | Glad it landed with you, Mike. A piece of history for sure. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Nice one!
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Location: California | Nice guitar. Wow, Two guitars with interesting stories. |
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Location: California | Nice guitar, perhaps last one made in 1977? Wow, Two guitars with interesting stories.
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Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I stayed up until early in the morning playing #99...Prof., you are so right: the 93 vibrometer rating ensures that this is one sweet Adamas...it has overtones I have not heard before with an Adamas and sustains incredibly long...I took a damp cloth and wiped it down so it would be ready for the photo session today or tomorrow for Jeromes site...hwebster, it is definitely late '77; but possibly late October or November: #119 was supposedly Jan '78 and the information I have shows production had not ramped up until later (possibly May) 1978 after the first 100 guitars were built...many changes including the inlays on the fretboard came at that time too ...not completely sure just based on info from several sources who should know.
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-08-29 7:18 AM
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Location: Newington, CT | Hey, Mishka! Congratulations! I hope you have many, many years of enjoyment with it!
(P.S....you called Jerome your girlfriend...something you haven't told us?)
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | So I finally get to see this! Beautiful Mike!
Can't wait to see the new pics. Keep in touch buddy!  |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | AlanM...yeah: I can't spell... |
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Location: New Hartford CT | That's a beauty and I'd love to hear the interesting backstory...
By the way, has anyone ever compared the vibrometer reading over time? In other words, your Adamas read a 93 in 1977, does it read the same today or does that change with time and use? |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | New readings were taken of the original slotheads during a reunion some years ago...here is the thread on that:
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=56...
I have owned many Adamas guitars with the majority of them vintage but also some newer models: 47RI, '08C, NAAM Custom Shop Clone 1687...etc. As for the vintage, I can truly hear the difference in the guitars and it corresponds to the Vibrometer Ratings...to my ear, w/the exception of the OFC II #4, I have not been as impressed with the tone of the newer guitars...they are new guitars and will probably season over time...so it's just my personal opinion...but the originals that i have owned are a different story...it's part of the reason I like them so much...
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-08-29 1:59 PM
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Location: Right now? | Michael,
Congratulations! I wish I could see the photos better though. I love, love, LOVE the color!
Willa |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I, too, have a copy of the list of the original slotheads and their vibrometer readouts. There is a reason the reissue was based on slothead No. 47. It had the highest reading of all at 99. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Here's the list
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Location: New Hartford CT | Wow, it seems this forum has covered every conceivable question over the years. Great info, thanks. Good excuse for some pics of #633-97...my Dad left me this one.
https://picasaweb.google.com/105567705311232066629/Adamas1687763397?...
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Nice Guitar...Early 1979; inlays on fretboard and CWKII sig...97 Vibrometer rating...I'm sure it sounds great! Wonderful Legacy!
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-08-30 6:15 AM
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | We have had nothing but rain and cloudy weather for the past week...so no new pictures yet of #99...hopefully soon...forecast is bleak for the rest of the week however. It has become my favorite guitar...incredible sound.
I saw this on eBay; no turning back on this one and to a a rare -2 to boot...sigh...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130758530603?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trks...
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Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | Congrats, Mike!!!!
Wonderful instrument, enjoy!!!
Bernie |
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March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Finally got the pictures taken yesterday in between rain showers and downpours...Jerome added them to his site; here they are:
http://www.ovationtribute.com/Adamas_Models/Adamas_I/Adamas_1687-7_...
Thanks go out to John and Jerome!
Enjoy!
Edited by MusicMishka 2012-09-09 6:18 AM
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Location: sitting at my computer | Congrats! Good job on the photos, nice detail shots. Oops double post on the tuners pic?? I like that gold flecked bowl. Is that mixed into the lyrachord when formed or sprayed on after?
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New Arrival from Phoenix
