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Location: big island | i apologize up front for my utter ignorance on this subject. but i just gotta ask - why slotheads?
i like the look, but are there advantages i am unaware of? please inform me on the pros and cons. |
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Location: Australia | Fair question.
The original slotheads have developed a kind of mistique over the years probably because of their rarity and unique look.
I have one of the #47 reissues and also a standard 1687 Adamas. The #47 sounds more open, louder and more "acoustic" (whatever that means).I've also played the original #47 and the reissue sounds better IMHO.
Why do they sound so good ? I've also asked myself this question and I'm not sure what the answer is. |
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Location: ranson,wva | i know for a fact the older slothead ovation/adamas had a better break angle over the nut. ive got a '74 folklore and a '74 balladeer. folklore is a slothead,balladeer is a paddlehead. the slothead has a better break angle over the nut and sounds better. plus the slotheads look better in my opinion....jason |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Lanaki, do a search on the topic.
You will find tons of information, misinformation, and opinions galore. |
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Location: big island | Originally posted by stephent28:
Lanaki, do a search on the topic.
You will find tons of information, misinformation, and opinions galore. that's the first thing i did prior to posting the question. i typed "slotheads" in the search box and came up with one hit from an update in 2002 by Mr. Ovation. i was surprised cuz i figured this subject had to have been dissected before. i'll try again...mahalo! |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I'm glad someone else is struggling with the whole slothead thing. I wouldn't have thought that the break angle over the nut made much difference, as the strings very rarely vibrate their whole length. (Unless you play a lot of Em or one finger G)
And I HATE restringing classical guitars. There must be a technique that nobody's bothered letting me in on.
For me, an Ovation has the familiar wedge shaped headstock with the built in snowplough.
And here I go... I'm gonna say it... I think the 47RI and similar Adamii are ugly. All that carving... and what's with the sparkly top. Disco is dead.
Now, before you go banning me and sending the troops down under (Richardd will get to me first anyway) I don't say the above with any malice or nastiness. And I don't say it lightly either. But, I just don't get it. What am I missing? Am I alone in my negative opinion of these over blinged Adamii?
I was going to ask the question in the OFC guitar thread, but everyone was so complimentary about it, I didn't want to rain on the party. Obviously, the sound of a guitar is paramount, and these variations of the 47RI must sound awesome from the flood of comments about them. But isn't appearance important as well?
Isn't it possible to get a similar sound from a guitar with less 'bling'? Why do I find these sparkly, slothead guitars so undesireable, yet so many of you, no, ALL of you, wax lyrical about them at every opportunity.
It is NOT my intention to upset anybody with my comments. I just wanna know - what did I miss? |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Muzza, I used to feel like you about the Adamas line, and still don't really like the carved headstock that much. I loved, and still do, my wood toped slotheads, but since owning the 1681, it has really grown on me as far as being blue and all. (who ever heard of a blue guitar?) But the sound...well, it could look like pressed cow dung and the sound would still be worth it. ;)
BTW, the best way to restring a slothead is to do it on a guitar stand (Herculies) with a hand crank. Just did the 1115 and the 1614 and it was a breeze. |
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Location: So. Cal. | The answer is surprisingly simple - because I like them. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Break angle, appearance. |
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Location: PDX | Originally posted by muzza:
And here I go... I'm gonna say it... I think the 47RI and similar Adamii are ugly. All that carving... and what's with the sparkly top.
Am I alone in my negative opinion of these over blinged Adamii?
Isn't it possible to get a similar sound from a guitar with less 'bling'? Why do I find these sparkly, slothead guitars so undesireable, yet so many of you, no, ALL of you, wax lyrical about them at every opportunity.
Well, not all of "us". I haven't commented on either the 47, or OFC for the same reason's you were hesitant.
But since you've broken the seal on that taboo, let me say you're not alone. I absolutely hate the look of those guitars and would never own one no matter how good they sound.
Slot heads by themselves don't bother me nearly as much as "bling". Yeah, i hate changing the strings on them -- major PITA. But it's not a deal breaker for me. But carve a portrait of broccoli on top of it, and echo it on the bridge, no thanks.
Of course it's possible to get the same sound without the gaudiness -- just not this time around. Take a look at the UTE -- now, that's a beautiful guitar in it's simplicity.
Anyway, if we're to be banned for our heresy; give me a shout and i'll buy you a beer mate.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: NJ | that is why there is chocolate and vanilla.
Funny I sold one Adamas II reissue and a bunch of the I and 47RI.
btw I hate changing the strings on a slothead too but the sound is soooooooo worth it.
You don't have to like everything order and play what you want.
I am sure there are people that hate D 45's and only will play a d 28 |
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| I would love to customize an OFC slothead with wood top, sunburst maybe... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Nobody is gonna be banned for not liking the loks of a slothead. Heck, I've posted my own (negative) personal opinions about plenty of Ovation models. It's just personal opinions and preferences. I hate the looks of that white adamas meilissa thing, I refuse to call SMT's real adamas, and I think supershallow bowls mostly suck. There you go, take it for what it's worth.
When I joined this club as standingovation way back when, I disliked all adamas. I thought they looked aweful. That powder blue crap. They took a guitar that was half plastic to begin with and now even got rid of the wood top. What a joke. I thought the fig leaves and broccoli headstock were for homos. BUT, as I started to hear some of them I was BLOWN AWAY by the sound.
So, I warmed up to the Adamas II, were you could get the same sound without the sissy looks. And I fell in love with them. Have probably owned 8-10 various Adamas II's. But EVER SO SLOWLY, I have warmed up to the looks of the Adamas I 6-string. Partly because there IS some slight technical advantages of the I over the II (hand matched bracing, for example). Little by little acceptence of the broccoli topped Adamas turned into admiration. I still think it looks bad from the back (big old blank slab), but front on it's really grown on me. EXCEPT for the Adamas I 12-string. Man THAT headstock is a freakng broccoli TREE. Way out of proportion, especially with the long 14 fret neck. It barely fits in the damn case! But the 6-string Adamas I, including the broccoli top and gay accoutrements has gained my respect, even if slight luke-warm.
Now the SLOTHEAD ... I can not think of a reason that all my guitars should NOT he slotheads. I love the looks and coolness factor. For me (I've had lots of practice) stringing a slot is everybit as easy as a paddlehead. The majority of guitars I own are slotheads. 4 out of 6 Martins, and about 75% of my Ovations are all slotheads. It's just personal preference, but to me they seem so much more classy that a paddle. Especially in a 12 fret configuration (which is also what most of my guitars are). As far as the broccoli topped Adamas Slothead, the 47RI and the OFC Guitar. These guitars pay homage to the original, and like it or not the original slothead (OSH) was the one that got it all started and holds a revered place in Ovation history. For this reason alone, the reissue and OFC guitar HAD TO HAVE the original style carved slotted headstock. You can certainly custom order other variations, but this is THE one in my opinion. Like a '56 Corvette - by todays standards you may not like the design. But it DID set a standard and holds a special place in Corvette fans hearts.
Dave |
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Location: NJ | Uh, . . . Dave? . . . Corvette?? . . . 1953.
You have to take into consideration that over the course of 30 years, alot of us have had exposure to Adamas guitars and have been able to formulate comparative opinions, like/dislikes.
When I first saw an Adamas in the shop where mine came from, there wasn't an Adamas "line" (yet).
It was a new "concept" guitar by Ovation called the Adamas. It said "Ovation" on it. It was like seeing a concept car at the AutoShow, and they were rare (I was told 24 at the time). The concept and look were TOTALLY "off-the-wall" for 1976. The amalgam of a somewhat "old-fashioned" look along with cutting edge technology was very striking. Over the years, the model has changed, lines have blurred, and people formulate opinions . . .
It just becomes more expensive IceCream. |
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Location: south east Michigan | The blue & red sparkle tops are an aquired taste. I did not like them at first sight either. After you play a few of them and hear the sound they make, you eventually come around to appreciate them.
It's no fun changing strings on a slothead but it's getting easier every time. |
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Location: SoCal | There's nothing wrong with not like a guitar's appearance. I have never liked the red burst top of the #47 RI. And the first LX 12 string with that butt ugly orange top.... not for me. I think I just made a comment like that on a thread for a Collectors that's on ebay.
There is a slight sound/technical difference in regard to the break angle over the nut. But a lot of it is whether the appearance appeals to you or not. There's no right or wrong answer on it.
There was a time when I didn't appreciate scotch either. That time is long past...... |
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Location: Munich, Germany | When I started playing guitar at the age of six I had a very cheap, second hand kid's nylon classic - that I played for a very long time - later stringed with steel strings. All I ever dreamed of was one of those "adult's guitars" I have always seen on tv's music shows - with a paddle head and steel strings. Slothead always meant nylon for me - which just was not a real man's guitar for me.
After buying a lot of paddle O's with cutaway I ordered my custom Country Artist - and fell in love with the slothead-thing.
Today I am heading for any slothead Adamas or Ovation - without cutaway.
Isn't it fine to change his point of view sometimes? That makes it a greater variety of guitars to chose from.
Same with the Adamas textured tops. About three years ago I could not think of a more ugly guitar than them. Today I wish I would have one of them in each color (except for the faggy blue ones ;) ). |
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Location: East Tennessee | I love the look of a slothead guitar. Sort of a vintage appeal. Changing strings does take a little longer.
As I have gotten older I tend to like less bling on a guitar. I think Tupp has the best looking two.
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Location: CT | OK, back to this mysterious 'Break Angle' thing. What does this matter? On guitars with identical scale necks and string gauge, the tension is going to be the same for each string between the nut and the bridge, otherwise, it'll be out of tune. So how can the sound change if a string is pulled almost straight over the nut, or completely wrapped around an nailed to the back of the neck???? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Lanika,
When you did the search did you make sure that it was searching in the "general" forum and not one of the others?
I just did a search and came up with 241 matches. |
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Posts: 212
Location: France | All my guitars are slotheads! I don't even know how to string a paddlehead guitar, never tried...
I just love the slotheads!
Tom |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Tom_CA:
All my guitars are slotheads! I don't even know how to string a paddlehead guitar, never tried... That's why I love this guy! |
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Location: Omaha, NE | I like brunettes more than blonds, but really I'm only saying that because I married one.
I think slotted headstocks look cool. I don't like the Adamas carved headpiece thing at all. But I really like the look of the traditional Ovation headstock in slothead form. That works for me.
Restringing is a little more trouble. All the more reason not to restring so often. |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by brainslag:
OK, back to this mysterious 'Break Angle' thing. What does this matter? On guitars with identical scale necks and string gauge, the tension is going to be the same for each string between the nut and the bridge, otherwise, it'll be out of tune. So how can the sound change if a string is pulled almost straight over the nut, or completely wrapped around an nailed to the back of the neck???? This is basic physics. Regardless of scale length, string guage, action, or whatever, the angle at which the strings pass over the bridge saddle is crucial to good tone. The less acute the angle the less efficiently the string energy can torque the top. The same principle applies to the angle at which the strings leave the nut, though the effect this actually has on tone is far more subtle.
One of the changes Ovation made in the early 70's was to reduce the headstock angle. While this makes a potentially weak area a little stronger it also reduces the break over the nut. One of lots of reasons why many people prefer the sound of the earlier guitars to the 70's output. |
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Posts: 58
Location: Germany | IMHO:
There definitely IS something VERY special about all those Adams models! I love them on the one hand.
But if I buy one, I definitely would buy one very very simple. One with very much "understatement".
The carving on the custom legends is the most I can take. I absolutely agree, I hate that fancy old fashioned carving on many of the adams. It is just too much and too ... eyecancer. As well as some of the color shapes. But hey, I guess exactly that is, what makes them so special.
To me, an ovation IS the paddlehead! Although (speaking of the looks), a slothead is the most beautiful headstock shape to me.
This is created by a german trying to speak some kind of english :-)
edit:
woooahh. Those are the most beautiful Adamas Ive ever seen! Simple, black, slothead! Great !!! |
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SLOTHEADS - Pros and Cons
