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Location: White Lake, Ontario | Hi all.... Newbie here.
So I have this old Applause I bought back in 1978. It's been around, barely used, until recently when I went back to it with great abandon. The old girl, however, is tired, wrinkled and out of whack. I need a new girl. Question is, how the hell do you figure out which Ovation/Adamas is right for you ? I'm a fan of Preston Reed, Michael Hedges and the likes... you know the type. I lean towards a deep bowl, cutaway, electric/acoustic and I like the looks of the 2080 but cannot possibly try one unless I travel far and wide to find one.
So how can one pick the "right" Ovation based on specs only ? |
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Yep, it's hard to 'listen' to just the specs...you gotta get out more ;) ..
Welcome to the OFC..there's plenty of deep bowl players around...they'll let you know. |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Are you more than 400 miles from the nearest Adamas? If so, you're in the same boat I was in. The music stores here don't even know what they are. I think I played my first Adamas at Dave's in Phoenix and then bought the Ute from someone on this board. I think the 2080 is very Adamas sounding, but the looks are a bit too out there for me. JeffreyD has one for sale at a good price. He bought a 2008 Collector's, which is more of a traditional look. If you like the looks of the 2080, you shouldn't be disappointed. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | 2080 is a fan-freaking-tastic choice for the kind of music you describe and it's extremely reasonably priced considering what you get in that package. If price is an issue you might want to look at the Elite-T for half the price.
Dave |
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Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | How newbies start on-line fist-fights at the OFC;
Example #1
Which Ovation to pick ??? |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | For new (and an Adamas like the guys you referenced) the 2080 is a no brainer.
If you go used, stick to the older textured topped models.
Consistency is the key.....it is hard to find a bad Adamas so you can almost always feel comfortable buying one sight unseen. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You know another thought would be the '08 Collectors. That is one sweet guitar and the value will hold better than a 2080 because of the limited number that were produced! |
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Posts: 840
Location: CA | Ovation Applause existed in 1978? Wow, that seems way early for foreign-made guits.
Your tastes and all advice here is excellent. But I would suggest playing ANY American-made Ovation, new or old, as long as it has new strings and at least a medium bowl. American O's all had solid tops (usually spruce) which resonate and sound exponentially better than Applause/Celebrities, which have laminated tops.
Good luck and let us know what you settle on. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Oddball:
Ovation Applause existed in 1978? Wow, that seems way early for foreign-made guits. I think the first applause guitars were actually US made. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Welcome, Daniel. There's always some nice options availble from the membership in the for sale section of this site. Since most of us are in it for the long haul, I don't hesitate doing business with the membership. If you want some expert advice and excellent pricing, try contacting Al at Lost Arts Vintage Instruments, one of this site's founding moderators and an authorized dealer for Ovation and Adamas products, along with all other related things vintage. |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't think Hedges used Ovations or Adamas, but Reed used a custom Adamas. The only custom I could see, and I didn't ask what was special about it, was the plugged sound holes. It looked like they were there, but forgot to drill through the top.
I went to see him and talked to him during intermission right about the time I got the Ute and didn't know much about Adamas. I probably could have used that concert to justify getting another Adamas, but the only thing my wife remembered was that he implied that he only had 7 Yamaha guitars.
Kaki King does the Reed percussion style and uses an Adamas. Seems like a good fit. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Welcome to the OFC.
Here's a link to a 1778T another member is selling. We're trying to talk him out of it but if he does sell these are a great guitar for the $$$.
1778T for sale |
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December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | Daniel, the 2080 has an instantly recognizable sound. We had 40+ guitars going up north at a little gathering back in July, and you wouldn't even need to turn your head to know when someone picked that thing up and started playing. It's just that good.
I'd bet dollars to donuts you'd be happy with it. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The applesause was US made from 76 to 82 |
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Posts: 840
Location: CA | mauvis — thanks for that info. Learn something new here almost every day. Was it a solid top then? |
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October 2008
Posts: 4
Location: White Lake, Ontario | Hey guys... thanks for the warm welcome and good comments.
Man, the 2080 sounds like the one for me! I really wish I could try one first though. I am willing to spend the bucks on a good guitar but "sound unheard"???... not sure.
And, BTW, for those interested, my old Applause was made in Mossup Connecticut USA and it is a AA14-1 model, serial number 030450. What does this all mean? I don`t know but it has been a decent guitar for all those years. I do think I was one of the early ones on the Ovation/Applause train.
Cheers for now and thanks again. |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't know if the serial number list you'll find in the reference link at the top of this page applies to Applause guitars made in the US. I know it doesn't apply to Korean guitars. As far as taking the risk, this is how I figured:
I had one Ovation for 30 years, my low-end Matrix. It served me well, although I didn't use it much. Ditto my Applause 12. When I decided to move up, I got on this board and listened to all the advice. Obviously it is biased. That's why it's called the Ovation fan club. The only Ovation I bought without the recommmendation of this board is the only one I got rid of. The rest are keepers. You may have a different opinion or experience, but you asked for ours. Take the plunge. I'll go try out JeffreyD's 2080 for you if you want. |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Daniel, the 2080 is a great sounding instrument, For what they are selling for these days, I would say it's a steal. Almost any Adamas purchased now, current low pricing considered, should not be much of a financial risk if it's not your cup o tea.
BTW: stick with a textured top, most will agree that they have that "something special" going on. Opinions may vary though.
Good luck in your search! |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Originally posted by Oddball:
Ovation Applause existed in 1978? Wow, that seems way early for foreign-made guits. I think the first applause guitars were actually US made. |
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Which Ovation to pick ???
