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Location: UK | Hi, I currently own a couple of Ovations which I have owned for a number of years (Custom Legend & Custom Elite). When I can eventually afford it I would love to buy my first Adamas. Can anyone please give me some advice as to the sound differences between 14 and 12 fret models. Many thanks. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | 1st of all...textured top. 2nd, most are 14-fret, even the original slothead, the 47RI, and the OFC.
My comments only refer to 6-strings, not 12-strings.
Unlike the Adamas line, my opinion is that a 12-fret slothead is used by guitar manufacturers either for the aesthetic value, sadistic tendancy (harder to change strings), or to make up for a deficient model (i.e., the Martin D-15 and D-28).
The mahogony D-15 is mediocre, yet the D-15S is an excellent sounding guitar and near the bottom of the Martin price scale. Some will swear by their D-28 but I am far more impressed by my
HD-28VS.
Back to your question (and not a reflection of quality), the only Adamas steel strings that I know that are 12-fret are the U681T (and pre-production models) and the 1680 (crossweave, not textured).
As to playability, I don't believe there is a 12-fret steel string Adamas in a cutaway.
As to acoustic sound, guess that is individual preference. Plugged in, probably not much. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There is no tried and true rule about 12 fret vs. 14 fret. Adamas doesn't offer many choices in 12 fretters. Basically U681, some W681's, 1680, and a hand full of custom one-offs.
You need to try them for yourself depending on the specific model you are interested in. If your interest is a 12 fret guitar, not necessarily an Adamas then there are some outstanding offerings out there from Martin, Larrivee, Collings, and others. |
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Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by Tony Calman:
Back to your question (and not a reflection of quality), the only Adamas steel strings that I know that are 12-fret are the U681T (and pre-production models) and the 1680 (crossweave, not textured). 1680 is a textured top |
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Location: SoCal | no it is not:
Ovation 1680-NWT Adamas CVT Woven Top VIP Preamp Graphite Black |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | First 3 U681's were actually called W681 and have CVT woven top with textured paint. W is for Woven top.
Production run of U681's were Unidirectional top (hence the U in the name) with textured paint.
1680 uses the new generation CVT top called NWT (New Woven Top) same as the 2080. It has no textured paint. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | from OvationGuitars.com:
ADAMAS Adamas CVT
Model 1680-NWT
6 String Acoustic / Electric
Body Type: Deep Non-Cutaway
Top: Woven Carbon Graphite
Bracing: LX Scalloped Bracing
Scale Length: 25 1/4*
Fretboard: Deluxe Grade Ebony
Fret Inlay: M.O.P. Adamas I Style
Bridge: Ebony
Rosette: Solid Walnut
Pickup: Original Patented Pickup
Nutwidth: 1 3/4
Machines: Gold w/Ebony Buttons |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | picky but detailed...bottom line, I loved the dark walnut and feel of the 1680 but there is a difference.
for me...the U681T was less expensive and better all-around guitar. |
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Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | The point is that the 1680 doesn't have a thick coat of varnish type stuff like the W597 etc. It's not a shiny top. |
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Posts: 179
Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Production run of U681's were Unidirectional top (hence the U in the name) with textured paint.
Dave, this is the top of my UTE. You’re saying that this texture is done with paint?
Guess I believe that whatever it is, it could be applied to the top because in the right light I swear that I can see that unidirectional CF "sheen" coming from somewhere. I imagine showing through the low spots of the texture? Just can't believe that this is paint. Can't we call it maybe like a "sonically enhanced emboss processed high solid acrylic polymer" or something?
Otto
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Posts: 179
Location: Central Florida | Ian, on the sound comparison: My U681T (12 fret) to me sounds deeper and darker than most Adamii I’ve played. And decadently rich in the bottom end. Much more so than my 1687s (14 frets).
For me, they’re sorta like:
Chardonnay - - Cabernet
Pheasant - - Filet Mignon
Silk Kimono - - Pendleton Blanket
1687 - - U681TA
I know that the 12 vs 14 fret is definitely a factor in the sound differences between these two models, just don’t know how much. There are other differences too, not the least of which is age. I wish it was easier to explain and/or easier for you to find guitars to try but the harsh reality is that you really can’t know until you hear them for yourself. For what its worth, I don’t like a steady diet of any one guitar flavor, but I do find it very easy to go back for seconds when my UTE is in the stand.
If you have the chance at a U681T or a 1680 for your first Adamas, I'd say go for it. They’re harder to come by than 14 fret guitars, You can't help but love the sound of them, and it’s a pretty good bet that your first Adamas won’t be your last anyway.
Otto
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Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | And this is the top of Dweezil's 1680:
Looks similar to the surface of the UTE. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | No the pattern you see is not caused by the paint. Both the U681 and 1680 are textured by nature of the carbon pressed pattern. As far as I know, the U681 has an additional coated layer upon which they also spray the gold colered specks. The actual carbon fiber structure is different. U681 is unidirectional, 1680 is NXT.
I've only played 2 of the 1680's. But to my ears they are a bit too dark. I much prefer the lively sound of the U681. But that's just me. Both nice guitars. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Here's a cool photo of a W681. You can see the inner portion is bare CF and the outer portion is painted with a textured blue paint.
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Location: UK | Wow - thanks for all your comments and advice. I didn't realise there were so many sound board variations with Adamas. I'm sure though which ever I end up with I wont be dissapointed. Many thanks again and now I'll start researching some of the models mentioned. Ian |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | As far as the 12fret issue goes, I have 3 guitars: '79 1115, '97C, and a '76 Folklore. The theory is it places the bridge in a better place to drive the soundboard. I guess some would agree and some would not. For me, I like the fact that it places the fingerboard closer to my body which means my fretting hand is closer to me. That would be true no matter who you are, and it matters to me.
Also, stringing-up a slothead has been very therapeutic for me. And I like the look.
John <>{ |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Dave, I'd be interested to see a close-up of the painted and non-painted surface of the W681. What you seem to be saying is that the "textured paint" on the UTE leaves almost the same pattern as the natural surface as the weaved tops. By comparison, the textured paint used on the Elite Ts has a totally different pattern - this I believe is textured paint applied to an otherwise smooth surface (sanded wood).
My understanding of the textured top Adamai (and nothing you've presented seems to suggest any different) is that the carbon fibre has a textured appearance BEFORE it is painted. A textured top Adamas (whether unidirectional or otherwise) has a bumpy surface because only a light coat of paint has been applied.
Shiny top Adamai on the other hand, have a thick clear coat which fills up all (actually most) of these little holes, meaning that the top is actually thicker - hence the less pleasing (too most) sound.
Why does the UTE surface look so different to the early unidirectional Adamas I guitars? I suspect they are a different brand or process of carbon fibre that has a different surface texture to start with. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There's different weaves of tops. Here's the W681, it's a 2x1 weave. 1680 is a 1x1 weave. I think the U681 weave is the same as the old Adamas I guitars. In the photo below you can see how the paint, just as you've said, tends to fill the pores ...
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Posts: 134
Location: Lakewood, Ohio | I like the Ute's wide neck. Its my dedicated fingerstyle guitar. |
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Posts: 75
Location: Angoulême - France | Here is the best sounding Adamas I played, acoustically really no doubt about it. It is a deep bowl cutaway 12 fretters wideneck (1 7/8)slothead Adamas,even really better acoustic sounding than my old 1978 1689-7 slothead...
http://www.ovationtribute.com/Adamas_Slotheads/Other_Slotheads/Adam... |
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Posts: 9
Location: UK | I thought I had seen this one before, so checked You Tube (Great version of somewhere over the rainbow). The question is how much would a custom order for a similar guitar cost - any ideas? |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | 5. Contact Al. |
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Adamas 12 or 14 fret
