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Location: Winston-Salem, NC | Out of all the Ovation and Adamas 12 string models, which ones do you guys feel have the best tone?
I'm actually starting to consider trying to trade my '05 Collector for some form of Ovation or Adamas 12, especially if I could find one with a cutaway, Adamas/Elite type soundholes, natural finish, and either a deep or contour bowl. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | "best tone"?
Define best. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | From what I have played, owned and fondled I have to give two separate answers.
Presently my Adamas 1885 NB5 has the best "Adamas" 12 string tone. I'd add that nearly any Adamas 12 with a Texture Top and Tone Ring will sound as good with subtle variance.
Damon's Custom BCS Elite LX 12 String I had built had the best Wood Top Tone.
I will also will say (because you weren't specific) that a Deacon 12 string with Seymour duncan Phat Cats and the Hamer Newport 12 have the best solidbody electric 12 string tone.
The Pacemaker and Glen C similar builts are harp-like Strum Monsters and hold their place in line.
Now, what tone are you you looking for? |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | ...hold on... be right back...
 OK... |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | hehe ;) |
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Location: big island | a 1688 for jangly warm |
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Location: Vernon CT | I think to answer that you would have to of played/heard and compared every model. Woody is correct in that you need to separate the Ovation Wood top and Adamas. I own a 1758 and love it. A few here would agree that this is ONE of the best. |
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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Originally posted by BT717:
I think to answer that you would have to of played/heard and compared every model. Woody is correct in that you need to separate the Ovation Wood top and Adamas. I own a 1758 and love it. A few here would agree that this is ONE of the best. What he said. |
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Location: VENISE-EN-QUEBEC CANADA | wath about an Elite 6758
Daniel |
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Location: Corning, NY | Having played my 1756 with the original top and with the new scallopped x-braced top, I'd have to say the new top makes the 12 string sound amazing compared to the older bracing...more bottom end and clearer without being overly bright. I haven't played an Adamas, but for wood-topped I'd look at the LX ones if you want a cutaway. Of course, if you don't want a cutaway, there's mine ;) . I think the deep contour bowls are similar to the deep bowl on mine, too. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I have owned the following 12-strings:
#5 Balladeer Shiny 12-string
#8 GC Shiny 12-string
1x15 Pacemaker 12-string (5 of them)
1x18 GC 12-string (3 of them)
1758 Elite 12-string
1858 Elite 12-string
1685 Adamas II 12-string
1885 Adamas II 12-string
U681 Adamas 12-string
1688 Adamas 12-string (2 of them)
The best of the bunch (for me) = U681 12-string.
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I've played my Adamas I 12 string against a Ute 12 and to my ear, it goes to the Adamas I. But just slightly. We're talking really great guitars here... |
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Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I've played my Adamas I 12 string against a Ute 12 and to my ear, it goes to the Adamas I. But just slightly. We're talking really great guitars here... Interesting, Paul. I wondered what the Ute12, a 12 fret if I remember correctly, would do against an AI12, a 14. Wouldn't you love to compare JW's Custom12, which is an incredible 12 as of last weekend, to both a Ute12 and an AI12? Wow. And, yes, we ARE talking great guitars... |
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Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Now how did I miss this...lol
My 12 String Heaven
Just pick one...lol
I'd go with the Adamas 1 1688 - It's bodacious but can be angelic as well...
The Elite 1758 is a great choice for 1/4 to 1/3 the money...
Enjoy! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | My 2080 baritone 12 string is such a beast that you have to hear it to believe it. Everyone who has played it has said it is a monster.....
so my vote goes to my....2080D 12 string. |
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Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Ooo, forgot the baritone. That should be thrown in the mix as well. All excellent guitars and the comparison would almost certainly come down to personal preference as they're all fantastic guitars in their own right but what a fun day that would be... |
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Posts: 199
Location: Winston-Salem, NC | Sorry for the ambiguous question...perhaps I should have just asked, which Ovation or Adamas acoustic 12 string model do you prefer and why? |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | U681-12 is my preferred 12-string for the following reasons
- tone
- playability
- looks
- stays in tune
- gloss neck
- good electronics
- outstanding value
- rare only 5 exist
- not effected by low humidity |
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Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | With any woody one consider that the string tension WILL show wrinkles of the bracing on top someday. If you don't release the strings after playing.
Especially noticable with Custom Legends in dark colours. My 6759-5 Custom Legend is a monster soundwise - very warm and woody, but a pain in the eyes when it comes to "wrinkles".
The Adamas top doesn't suffer from string tension wrinkles - but sounds differently. Not better, definetly not worse, only different.
But it's more the guitar for every day, every tuning and condition.
If you'll ask for my choice - the U681-12 string.
Why? 12frets clear to the body makes it the most comfortable 12 string I've ever played. And the sound beats every challenge.
But: In a side-by-side comparison with Karl's A1 12 string there was NO difference. |
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Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Don't trust Kurt. My 1688 is the better sounding guitar.
Karl |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Weaser P:
Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I've played my Adamas I 12 string against a Ute 12 and to my ear, it goes to the Adamas I. But just slightly. We're talking really great guitars here... Interesting, Paul. I wondered what the Ute12, a 12 fret if I remember correctly, would do against an AI12, a 14. Wouldn't you love to compare JW's Custom12, which is an incredible 12 as of last weekend, to both a Ute12 and an AI12? Wow. And, yes, we ARE talking great guitars... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Paul, I'm in.
Just send me your shipping info and your account number to pay for the shipping and get at least 2 others to send their 12's your way and we are good to go.
Let's see......
2080D from T28
1688 Big Blue from Moody
we just need a Ute 12 and another Adamas type....1881 or maybe JW's custom or some other top notch 12 and we are good to go! |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
... to my ear, it goes to the Adamas I ... He's 50+ years old and fires hand guns. |
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Location: Indiana | Any photo's of the 2080 baritone 12 Stephen? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | yeah.....I posted them here where they first came in about a year or so ago. Might also be on my Ning site.
I will look around the old threads unless someone beats me to it and repost them.
You can also see the twins from a distance in the thread about Mark and the #47RI he just picked up. |
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Which 12'er has the best tone?
