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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Greetings from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where the climate is murder on guitars. I'm thinking of buying an Adamas - probably the SMT, based on the tone qualities as described by the O website. I would appreciate hearing from any Adamas owners or ex-owners, or players who've had a chance to noodle on one. Unfortunately, the local O dealer won't stock one, so it's a case of buy without the try.
I own a sunburst Elite 1718 (deep bowl), a discontinued model. I wasn't crazy about it at first; I have small hands, and prefer an action that most acoustic players would probably find too low. However, when I removed one of the factory-installed shims from under the bridge, I found action heaven - or pretty close to it.
An O rep has assured me that the Adamas, too, has removable shims, so I'm counting on getting equally satisfactory action. I would assume, too, that the synthetics that make up the Adamas (lyrachord bowl, carbon fiber soundboard)make for a pretty stable instrument, which would be a big plus in this climate. As well, the Adamas offers easier access to the higher frets, unlike my non-cutaway Elite.
Any opinions on the Adamas would be much appreciated. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . To buy or not to buy....that is the question . ."
I'm sorry, but that is NOT the question!
The question IS:
". . ca$h or charge? . ."
Buy it ;) |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Before you order from your store, check with Al here on the board. He's ugly, but he's honest as the day is long. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . . but the days are getting shorter. . . |
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Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I wouldn't care to venture on the aesthetics issue, but his integrity is beyond reproach (that's safely out of Newark, at least). |
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May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Hello Duncan, and welcome to the board.
I have an Adamas 597 SMT, and it’s wonderful. The neck is unbound and very easy to navigate. I purchased it over the CVT, solely to please my wife, as she preferred it’s more “traditional” look.
The main reason, I purchased the Adamas, was for the durability factor. It’s the guitar I take to work, go camping with, and leave out for the weekend.
I too, had to buy it before I could try it and I would do it again!
It has a very pleasing sound, but not the volume of my Custom Legend. Some of my family and friends actually prefer my CL. They do sound a little different from each other, but both sound great!
I don’t think you could go wrong with an Adamas. As I understand it however, the CVT has more volume than the SMT… Like the others have stated, Al would be a person, I would recommend to talk with, he’s fair and knowledgeable.
Dale |
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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Thank you all for your views. So far, it sounds like Adamas is a good buy.
I'm new to website bulletin boards. How do I get in touch with the famous "Al" you mention. |
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May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Alexander Pepiak's web site...LostArtVintage
It's also on the welcome page to this site...
Dale |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . just say his name three times.
www.lostartvintage.com |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky..... |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | from moody, p.i.:
The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky.....
with a silhouette of an Ovation LX reflecting on the cloud... :D |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | While we are on the subject of Al. As many of you know, I purchased a Legend LX from AL last week. During shipment, the small wiring harness inside the guitar came loose which caused the preamp to cut in and out. I called Al the next day and asked him if I could simply tape the harness back in place. He said that it should be fine and as it turned out, that solved the problem. Yesterday, an envelope from the Ovation factory arrived at my house with a brand new wiring harness in it. In my opinion, that is the kind of thing that separates someone like Al form the mega stores. Not only did he know how to solve the problem, he went the extra mile to make sure that it was solved correctly. Quite impressive, especially in this day and age. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | John B, I had the same problem with my Legend LX that you had with yours. I got my LX from Al, I hope he sends me a new wiring harness also. ;) |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | :rolleyes: |
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Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | To be honest, the electrical tape that I used is probably stronger than the original tape was. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | .... so, if I get a wiring harness, Al will send me a new LX??? :cool: |
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Posts: 38
Location: Tucson, Arizona | .... so, if I get a wiring harness, Al will send me a new LX???
Ooo, I want in on that! :)
Paul V. |
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January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | Back to topic....
I really enjoy my Adamas SMT. Still doing a little experiementing with strings to see what I like best. The D'Addario EXPs aren't really that bad (but expensive). Trying some middle of the road strings and low end strings too. Seems that it likes .011's pretty well, the .010's sound a little weak on the low end. Got a set of .010-.050's on it now just to see how that does.
Stability can be a factor in Florida (here) too. That was one reason I chose the Adamas. The onboard tuner lets me see instantly whats going on - ie, hey I've gone UP in pitch!!! Yup, neck got a little straighter! I dont think there's a way around this at all, but gotta say its neck stabiltiy is as good as any out there (got Fender, Warmoth, Gibson, and Heritage to compare it to).
Tone wise - smooth and even all over, no matter where you play on the neck. No hot spots, no dead spots.
Actions is very adjustable. Neck adjustment yields expected (pleasant) results.
I'll probably get a Custom Legeng LX when they're out, but the Adamas stays. |
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April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | from moody, p.i.:
quote:
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The only way to contact Al is to shine a beacon up into the night sky.....
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with a silhouette of an Ovation LX reflecting on the cloud
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Atomic batteries to power,..Turbines to speed...Roger ready to move out!!
aLeX to the rescue!!
and you thought it was a lost episode of Batman! :D :D |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | You guys haven't learned much have you! To invoke a response from Al use the following words in a post:
Oxycotin
Bimbo, bim, honeys, etc.
Taylor Yard sale
Goeorge W. Bush sucks
or
"I agree with Moody P.I."
... |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | The double stick tape I used worked great. It would be hard to undo those wires now. That tape is very strong. |
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April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I think Al is ignoring us! :rolleyes: |
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November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Kinda like, "Don't feed it, and it will go away"
Reminds me, I need to learn "Stray Cat Blues" sometime. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | hey I'm here.
I just have a lot on my plate these days.
I try to treat people the way I want to be treated and that works for me.
Michael Wong says I am a horrible businessman and I think he is probably right.
if you really need me you know how to get a hold of me.....bimbos, oxycotin, etc. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You don't get hold of aLeX, he gets hold of you....... |
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To buy or not to buy....that is the question
