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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've never tried an Adamas, so I can't compare. I'm working in that direction. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by cardinalflyer:
Hey Waskel....my 597 got delayed until today, so I hope to see it also within the next three hours. Pretty cool......
I intend to pop it open in the office and maybe treat everyone (well I hope they think it is a treat) to a couple of Christmas caroles.
Merry Christmas. Have you figured out how we can "Goldwing" somewhere with our guitars yet. Maybe a packit rak for golf clubs would work? Jeff, hope it arrived safely and makes you very happy!
As far as getting them on the bikes... everytime I think about it, Arlo Guthrie's monologue before " The Motorcycle Song " keeps coming to mind... |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Well, I just took delivery of my W597 off of ebay on Wednesday. My observations on playing the two side by sid are:
1) The A597 is much lighter. The satin or rubbed Urethaned neck feels more organic and for some reason thinner than the 1537. Maybe just a perceptions as dimensionally they appear close. The A has a different bass sound. Very deep and grunty(is that a word) with the mid's and high's having a more metallic ring to them. The harmonics come through like crystal. Very crisp and defined and very clear. The top feels more fragile, but that is likely the thinness of the CF soundboard versus a hefty slab of wood. The A makes a nice finger drum. It does not project it's sound as good as the 1537, but does better than 3 other traditional dread's I played it with (low end Martin, Carvin C850, Guild). The A out shouts them all whether finger picking or strumming.
2) The 1537 feels like a solid heafty piece of equipment. The top is very firm compared to the wimpier feeling of the A. The sound of the "O" is truly like everyone says...like a cannon. This guitar is like listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford singing 16 tons. Total power and control, but very deep and earthy. I was having trouble with this as I played the two as the A actually feels like it digs down deeper, but the O definately has power in the bass side. Can't explain it. Just two different bass sounds. Like the A, the O has clearly defined harmonics with each note of a chord punching through and being individual heard, yet completely and fully part of the mix. Again, next to the traditional dreads mentioned above. It was no contest. The 1537 caused the other three to cower in humiliation, while the A just sat there and said "yeah...that's my older big brother you slime-bags" (well that was my imagination talking anyway). The 1537 is a loud, clear, but very earthy sounding.
Someone said that an A sounds like a piano. My wife concurred with this. There is a bit more edge to the A than the O.
The actions are very close on the two (after I pulled the shims out of the A). I measured them at the 12th fret and while I can't remember what my dial caliper said, it was within Ovation specs and they were within 1/64th of each other. Both felt light. If anything, I am having a bit of trouble with the A as my small hands seem to bump the high E string from time to time.
The electronics on the A are superior when using the XLR input. Very nice guitar sound when phantom power is applied with no EQ or effects. Through the 1/4" jack they are about the same although more flexibility in the A's electronics package.
Bottom line is if I ignored electronics and went in blindfolded to pick a guitar and both of these were put in my hands (before me spending time with them that is), the 1537 would get picked for all factors. It feels like quality, sounds like heaven and just has a heft and feel of the action that make you think this is a high end instrument. The A would be a second choice, but not because it is less, but just because in my rather subjective opinion, the 1537 is superior to a fantastic guitar. I tend now to fret and worry about the 1537 but truth be known, it has been a trooper reliability wise. It has never broken a string, failed in the Electronics or caused me any issues. The finish cracks came after the case got bumped while hauling it around for camp fire songs in Yellowstone, so who can blame the guitar for that.
So...my wordy response is the A will now be my regular beat around working axe, and the O will travel less and be used more acoustically than plugged in from now on. No real reason, but the sheer joy of the sound.
Okay...that is my perception of the two instruments since I have them. Truth is...love them both, and they will probably be my last two AE guitars for many years, unless I upgrade to a newer A. The price value of my W597 made my buying choice. Used $899 in fairly good shape. I might at some time trade it up for the U681T or another A, but I am roundbacks forever just because I like the way they feel and sound. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1133
Location: Parrish, FL | Comparing my 1537 and my Adamas II, the A has much better action and I prefer the satin finish neck.
Tonewise, the 1537 is a little mellower across the range. Bass is not as punchy as the Adamas either. Adamas is (little bit) brighter.
Both strung with new Adamas 1818's.
That's all my ear. YMMV. Actually very similar in sound. I prefer to play the Adamas. I prefer to listen to the Elite due to the SLIGHTLY warmer sound. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Nice reviews. Jeff, maybe you should bring your A and O over here. Then you could do a comparison of a few others. I wish we had a store here that carried Adamas, or even some higher end Ovations, so I could do my own comparison and drool over some guitars instead of the keyboard. |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Or Mark, You could bring a couple of your favorite "O's" and sit by the gas fireplace and jam, or plug in down in the music room. I can still slam the drums around a bit (very mediocre, but hey...) too, and we have a nice Roland XP60 if you are wanting keys. And I WILL let you play with my Adamas. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Nicely done, Jeff. My comparison would be different, mainly because I would be comparing different guitars (Adamas II vs Legend and Elite LX instead of W597 vs 1537).
After playing for quite a while last night with my wife listening, we came to the conclusion that I make a lot of mistakes when I walk in after a 2 hour drive home through heavy rain and holiday traffic on a dark night and try to seriously play the guitar. Other than that....
The 1581 is so much more guitar than I am player. I've noticed that the better guitar I play, the more noticable my mistakes become, which is good, it's making me play cleaner. The nuances this guitar is able to produce are like nothing I've heard from any guitar I've owned. It sounds and feels incredibly alive and responsive. Tonally, yes, it's clearer, more bell-like than the 1777, but... the range of tones I've discovered is much wider than my woodtops. More emotional, if you like. From whispering to shouting. Somehow, it doesn't seem quite as 'loud' as the 1777, but the tone carries better (?). The low end is deep and resonant, without being overwhelming. The mids and highs are very balanced and every note rings clear.
I love the sound and feel of my woodtops, kind of a warm meal in front of a fire on a snowy day kind of comfort. Comfortable and familiar. God willing, I will always have a couple of Ovations around me, for that 'woody' sound. But this A is definitely going to provide me with years of fun, just trying to get good enough to deserve it.
If only the 1537 was a cutaway... I would go for it. I get bruises on my hand trying to go too high on my 1759 as it is... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Unfortunately, Jeff, I have too many favorite Os. Coincidentally, I think my daughter also has a Roland keyboard, but I think it's a something 2000. Great fun to play on. I hauled it to Portland and set it up in her dorm room. She has thanked me many times because it made her very popular.
Looks like I will have to haul the 1537 and something else (probably my 1713) over to Portland via Hermiston.
Waskel, great review also, but I have a different observation. I play a lot of barre chords and play sloppily because my audience (me) doesn't pay much attention. The 1537 is so easy to play that I get a decent sound out of many notes that would be dead with any other guitar. As a friend said, it plays better than most electrics and sounds better than most acoustics. Then he said he couldn't think of an acoustic that sounded better. I'm anxious to compare it to an Adamas. Merry Christmas to all. |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Well guys...I tell you what. Let's make it fair and we will just meet in the middle. OH WAIT, I am in the middle. That settles it then...my place high noon...Adamavations drawn.... |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Waskel:
If only the 1537 was a cutaway... I would go for it. Silly Wabbit. Get a 1547...the cutaway version of the 1537. Same awesome sound and playability! :cool: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | You guys talk about the differences in various guitars... I'm a firm believer that a basic collection of guitars should include a steel 6 string, a nylon string, and a 12. After that, there are variations on the theme, ie, 1537 v. Adamas v. GC DB, etc...... All have a place in our hearts and our collections and it's worth it to try to own as many as possible. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I'm a firm believer that a basic collection of guitars should include a steel 6 string, a nylon string, and a 12. And a wide neck, a narrow neck, a cutaway, a noncutaway, a deep bowl, a mid, a contour bowl, a 12 fretter, a center hole, a multihole, a wood top , a fiber top, an XLR, a k-bar, a slotted headstock, a sunburst, a black, a 5-ply trim, an abalone trim, an inlayed rosette, a walnut fretboard, an ebony fretboard, a rosewood fretboard, an LX, a 3 piece top, a 2 piece top, open gear tuners, schallers, pings, shiny bowls, walnut bridges, ebony bridges, gold hardware, chrome hardware, ... |
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October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | ...and to little Weaser, a BW Ltd... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | You have the right idea, Dave. I was driving my daughter home this morning telling her how I'd like a Legend to round out the collection, then an 87 Collector's to commemorate her birth year, and a 1 7/8 neck (may as well get both a steel and nylon string). After a few of those, I added, "and then I need an Adamas and I sure like the new ones Al posted." |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | picky picky picky...... |
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1537 needs good home
