|
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 117
| I am pretty new to the world of Ovation guitars, and I was wondering what the difference is between Adamas and Ovation models. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Short answer,..Adamas is the premium instrument in the Ovation line of acoustic/electric guitars. Defintely more answers to come... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The most distinguishing factor between Adamas and Ovation is that all Adamii have a carbon fibre soundboard... Ovations are wood.
Adamas tops are not all the same configuration, they can differ by model. O's and A' can share some common specs but best to look at specific models to get the precise details.
You can count on A's to be more expensive than O's
Check out Ovation Guitars there is a link to Adamas as well... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Adamas guitars are Ovations with a carbon fiber top. The familiar "multi sound hole" design that Ovations are known for started with the early Adamas models in the 1970's.
Some people describe Adamas as the "top" of the Ovation line, but I think its probably more accurate to describe them as peers to the high-end wood top models (eg, Custom Legend, etc) that Ovation makes.
FWIW, I have an Adamas, but the case that it came in says "Ovation".
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 117
| Thanks. I looked on the Ovation Guitars site and didn't see the Adamas part before. How does the carbon fiber top compare to wood tops? How much does the average Adamas guitar cost? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | The Adamas is the Ferrari...
The Ovation is the Cadillac
Either one you choose...you cant go wrong. Its just a matter of choosing your drive.
In my honest opinion if you are looking for a reliable guitar to play from time to time...ovation has a vast range of prices and models to choose...now if you are looking to head out on the road, and you take what you do a tad more serious...then Id invest in an Adamas.
Ovation guitars(some) are more affordable. Adamas is like making a commitment, but once made youll be glad you did.
It apples and peaches. Find a dealer that carries both, sit down and play them. Thats the only way to find out.
http://adamasguitars.com
http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | I disagree. Ovation is way more reliable and holds it value better than any cadillac ... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | lol true...
maybe i should have used ferrari to Lambo...
thus the Ovation the Ferrari and the Adamas the Lambo...
www.styllstanding.com
http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I had much the same question for years. I find after now owning both that there are both striking similarities and striking differences.
You asked about price: Very subjective question. New and retail, the upper end Ovations are in the $1000 range where the Adamas will be $1800 and up. Used, I had done a depreciation comparison, and the Ovations actually hold there value better since you can pick up a like new Adamas for around $1100-1200 while the like new O's will slip to the $700-800 for the upper end guitars. Basically as a percentage of original retail, the O's hold their value a bit better.
Sound is definately different. You really should listen to both. Having the 1537 "O" and W597 "A" I like the sound of both. But like one better than the other, yet have had "non-guitar" people who are forced to listen to me on Sundays have the opposite view. So....make your own decision there.
As mentioned the major difference is the Carbon Fiber top on the A. It feels kind of flimsy, but is tough as nails, and makes for a light guitar. It also makes a great finger drum proving to me their theory that the thin top is more reflective and alive.
I like both. Today I like one more than the other, but again....totally a subjective opinion. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | Ovation is like air
and
Adamas is like wind. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Very nice, Al. But I'm surprised you didn't do it in Haiku.
Ovations are air
Emotion, rich and woody
Adamas is the wind. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | The price list actually lays it out nicely. They are all made by Ovation, just different product lines. Most expensive non-Adamas model is list price $1999. Least expensive Adamas model is $2199.
PRICE LIST |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | In all honesty...love my ovation...but since I purchased my Adamas...I will not touch anything else. :)
http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Like anything else its a matter of personal preference. I see Adamas as a niche guitar. Some folks love them, and some find them not their cup of tea. As far as the comment on serious and road musician. Ovations are actually very durable guitars, and appear on much more recordings than Adamas guitars. It was very common to see top musical road acts with Ovations, while very few used Adamas. Like I said its a matter of preference. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12758
Location: Boise, Idaho | Too reliable to compare to Italian cars. How about Carrera GT to 911 Turbo? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I second this statement whole-heartedly...
In all honesty...love my ovation...but since I purchased my Adamas...I will not touch anything else To me, there is a night and day difference beween the sound produced by my Ovation Elite and my Adamas's. The Elite sounds good, but the "A's" are in a whole other class.
The wife compares it to difference in listening to a song on AM radio versus the same song on FM Stereo. Ok, maybe that's stretching it a little, how about the difference between FM and FM Stereo :D
My Adamas makes me want to be a better guitar player :p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | Right on Brother...Right on !
http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | you guys need to try the Ovation Folklore Deluxe...It won't sound like a Adamas, but you'd surely touch it.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Personal opinion, there are quite a few Adamas models that I would definately place BELOW some non-Adamas models in my personal Ovation pecking order. It's very subjective and everyone has their own preferences and tastes. My wife likes Cookie Dough icecream, I can't stand the shit. Chocolate Chip, now you're talking ... Dave
PS - Some even like frozen yogert or sorbet. Explain that to me , please. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Well, I didn't mean to imply that the Ovation side was crap. I don't have the exposure to every model made, just to standard wall models (mostly imports) carried by the shops. I've only played about a dozen different O's models and just didn't think as highly of the sound as most of the Adamas I & II's models made during the late '70-'95 period that I've played.
It is most definately a matter of personal preference and taste. I've met plenty of folks that say 'oh crap, you play one of those plastic bowls', put their guitars away and leave... :confused: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Tim,
I don't think we were suggesting you thought Ovations were crap...
Nor were we bashing Adamas. My first ovation was an Adamas SMT that I sold to get an Ovation 1537...there was simply no comparison, the O blew that A out of the water soundwise.
Now the Ute (U681t Adamas) is a different story entirely...and I would put the Folklore Deluxe (Ovation) in the same class. The 1573 could hangs out there too. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | My point is/was that everyone has their own criteria of best, good, bad, value, etc. For example, the guitar that I consider my own personal favorite and the "best" by my definition would be an absolute piece of crap for live performance. To each his own, that's all we're saying.
Adamas lives this really odd existence. Is it an Ovation or not. Even the experts on this board disagree on that point. KMC tries to position it as the premium brand (ala Lexus and Toyota) with it's own website, etc. Yet everything about it screams Ovation. It comes in an Ovation case - HOW fucking hard would it be to stick an ADAMAS badge on a few cases? KMC did nothing to advertise the Adamas until recently with the re-issues. No stores really stock the Adamas models and if they did the sales person would have a hard time explaining why it cost 4x as much as the celebrity. It's just a really strange marketing plan, which is a shame because there are SOME really nice Adamas models. Tim is lucky enough to own 2 of them! Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | You pay for the amount of "hands on".
Which is probably what Dave needs more of...
Decaf, Dave. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey, I was just trying to launch one last marketing morter for 2005. My new years resolution is to be a kinder, gentler know-it-all. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Like me? :rolleyes: |
|
| |
The difference between Adamas and Ovation
