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Location: nyc area | On thursday, I went up to the webster theater in hartford to do final sound testing on the vip through the large sound sytem at the theater... The system uses recorded sound images of various ovation guitars recorded with various high and mid level mics in a pro recording studio.. the system has 5 images that can be blended with the op pro pickup/preamp system..I was very, very impressed! blending in the images bring a natural, unamplified acoustic sound into the mix, in a word, beatiful!
I also tested the new op pro preamp... its a winner!! more gain, plus a slider control that bring in a compressor for more sustain and fatness... there is also a low end exciter control that brings in warmth and depth.. i feel ovation is at the top of their game right now.. new bowl, neck design, bracing and electronics!! |
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Location: Avondale, AZ | Hey lets buy the poor Russian school kid a 2080. Well I am in for $10.
Really though if that thing sound and plays like it looks, I am in for the full price. That is if it is not too much. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | A compressor in the on board pre-amp. Wow! |
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Posts: 286
Location: Idaho | A Fishman Aura? If not maybe some reverse engineering? |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by mattsmith:
On thursday, I went up to the webster theater in hartford to do final sound testing on the vip through the large sound sytem at the theater Any thoughts on the VIP compared and contrasted with a DTAR MamaBear or a Fishman Aura?
Jeff |
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Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I REALLY like the slot head one. It would really look good in the cobalt blue, with birdseye maple epaulets |
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Location: nyc area | i'm not familar with the datar system, but i believe the vip system is based on the same technology as the aura |
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Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by mattsmith:
i believe the vip system is based on the same technology as the aura Do you mean that literally, as in Ovation has licensed technology from Fishman?
Jeff |
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Posts: 382
Location: USA | I like both, but prefer the second one. I am more a fan of the cut aways... but Im not digging the swoosh. Still, 2 beautiful guitars.
http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul |
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Posts: 271
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Does this VIP Pick Up System have 6 individual piezos, like the original pick up???
Why the thinline pics or is this a refinement of the original pick up rumored at the '05 tour ???
Ab |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Anybody notice that the bracing pattern on both Adamii is the X scalloped pattern? Not the traditional quintad (basically A) bracing? Everything new in Ovation is using the scalloped X. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | It will be interesting to see how the 1680 sounds compared to the U681. I don't understand the 2-piece neck thing unless it's just for cost savings. Dave |
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Location: south east Michigan | I hope it's not a cost factor. At that price level the 5 pc neck can't make a big difference. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Many of the Adamii have come with the 2-piece walnut necks ... I always thought it was considered an upgrade from the standard 5 piece "Ovation" necks. |
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Location: SoCal | Most 2 piece necks are mahogany. The Adamas 2 piece necks are walnut. |
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August 2003
Posts: 396
| Don't shoot me! I have to disagree with many of the statements regarding the looks of the new models. Adamas, to me, is in danger of becoming the retro company. So many of you love the old models, but that's really a danger if a company keeps looking backwards. I was stunned to see how much the new slothead model looks like one of the anniversay issues. For me, and I know it's just opinion, the Adamas teardrop model is much more interesting. It's great to see them making a model that uses Graphite and tries to find a design the brings them into this century, as opposed to looking backwards and trying to make a product with alternate materials look like a quasi wooden guitar. I'm not sure if it's just the picture, but the new slothead looks like someone pasted on 2 pieces of wood on the top (the color of the eps do not appear to blend all that well with the top). Of course, actually seeing is believing. Moreover, hearing is believing. To see and hear them in person could bring me to the opposite conclusion. I like the boldness of the new teardrop to be different and maybe truer to the vibe of the graphite. Don't shoot! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | English, I agree and disagree.
The U681 re-issue last year was not a "re-issue". They had never made a 12-fret wideneck slothead and the U681 was a huge step forward towards finally making a "players" guitar where the 1st priority was acoustic sound. It was so successful that it launched a new permanent model, the 1680. The only problem with the 1680 is that it's fucking ugly as hell. Once the factory gets tired of people special ordering them without the epaulets, they'll probably wise up and change the look. The 2080 is nice looking and a bold new move into the future. It's time to finally retire the fig leaves. BUT, I also think it is important to offer "retro" models or at least ones that resemble the roots your company is founded on. That's why it is so nice to see Ovation finally get the message and bring back deep bowls. You can't drop the old stuff entirely. Look at Martin - their best selling model looks exactly like it has for the last 50 years. Dave |
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Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Boy - this thread has taken a very interesting turn. I see both sides and, very honestly, would have a very hard time disagreeing with either. I very much like the new but, as Dave points out with the Martin reference, tried and true can be pretty damn reasonable as well if the original (whether it be 1890 or 1990) was worthy.
Is it a question of aesthetics (which can be updated at will) vs sound (good sound is good sound is good sound, you can't really screw too much with it r it's not so good anymore)? |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | This scares me, but I'm publicly agreeing with everything Dave just said. And I really think the epaulets on the 12 fret slothead are ugly beyond belief.
Now, where's my medication....... |
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Location: Cicero, NY | NURSE RACHETT! NURSE RATCHETT!! MOODY'S LOOSE AGAIN!! |
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June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I really think the epaulets on the 12 fret slothead are ugly beyond belief. I hereby decree that from this day forward we all shall refrain from calling the soundhole decorations on the 1680 "epaulets". From here on let them be know as "shitlets". For those who do not like to cus, just call them "the brown stuff around the holes".
Dave |
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Location: Tennessee | We can just call them Klingons. |
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Location: NJ | I prefer "SkidMarks".
I'm ambivilent on the CatEye guitar. Don't love it, or hate it. It sounds/plays well and would probably make a great gig guitar, but I wouldn't get a chubby over it . . .
The SlotHead I like . . . san epaulets.
I would've liked simple, slightly raised, individual brushed aluminum bezels around each sound hole. |
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| The shitlets (which I actually quite like) would look better on a ruby finish.
It doesn't seem very fair on those who bought U681 as a limited edition for them to then put into production virtually the same guitar with a way better pre-amp set-up. Not very nice of them at all.
No excuse for a 2 piece neck. No excuses at all.
Does anybody have any idea when these are likely to be available? |
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June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Schroeder, the 1680 is actually pretty different from the U681. The 12-fret wideneck design is common but there are a lot of differenes under the bonnet. Different top (NCW), different bracing pattern (LX), different neck (2 pc. walnut), different electronics (VIP), different sound hole decoration (shitlets). I don't think U681 owners should feel slighted at all. They certainly got a better looking guitar and (who knows?) maybe better sounding as well. Dave |
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New for Adamas in 06
