|
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I have been a 12 string player for 42 years and an Ovation 12 string player for 32. I have owned and played just about every model I can think of and currently own 10 different 12's. Last night we had some friends over and they asked to see and hear some of my guitars. I went through the Ovations: both 6 and 12 and also my wood bodied acoustic guitars. They were impressed with the differences in sound and (in the Ovations) the difference in body depths/construction, etc...The last two guitars I uncased were Adamas (my 1685-8 is at the spa):the #47RI 1187-247 and after initial oohs and ahhs, they were very complimentary on the styling and were also impressed with the construction (graphite/fiberglass bowl/Walnut neck and headstock w/graphite reinforcement), and of course the awesome sound. Then I uncased the 1688-5 and played several songs: one finger style and one using chords over the length of the neck: they were both amazed at the Adamas I 12's beauty, sound, and ability to in their words "make such a musical statement"...These were professional people but not musicians...yet they were struck with the quality that the 1688-5 has. I have consistently gotten that kind of response where ever I have played it! I own many 12 strings and while all are extremely nice in their own respects (the 1758's are my personal favorite wood topped Ovation 12's and the Adamas II 1685-8 comes close), the Adamas I 1688-5 is without a doubt the finest 12 string I have ever owned! I feel so fortunate to own it! It just sings! I would again like to personally thank Jenny for making this possible and of course again Woz for changing my life by letting me play his -8 at the tour...I am a happy guy!
 " target="_blank" title="http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/MusicMike_54242_Full%20side%20b.jpg">">http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/MusicMike_54242_Full%20side%20...
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains |  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Those are Very Nice guitars Mike. And I am Jealous!
But I am satisfied....
 
For Now! :rolleyes:
[And that Adamas looks lonely out in that field] |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Music, if it sounds anything like my 1685-5 (procured from a minister friend in SW Virginia) then it is indeed one of the finest 12 strings around! ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
[QB] Those are Very Nice guitars Mike. And I am Jealous!
But I am satisfied.... Me Too...
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | My very first 12 string guitar was Big Blue (1688- whatever color blue is). I still haven't found anything to compare with it (altho' my rebuilt GC 12 is wonderful in it's own way). They are simply the best.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | ...and let us not forget the new kids on the block.
The only 2080-12's in the known universe!
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Uh... Okay... Is there a joke I'm missing Dave?
[But I think this is the appropriate place to comment Mike and show yer 12's] |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Mike, I know what you are talking about. Agreed!
Karl
PS. We know the same chord, great! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Mike, what happened to all the leaves on you trees?
I'll have to get Beggin to post a picture of my 12, as it is at his house for the time being.
And...Arthur....That 1115 looks really nice! Great job in saving it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Hey, this is great at least I know what some of you guys look like now! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | 1688.
nuf said. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I'll have to get Beggin to post a picture of my 12, as it is at his house for the time being.
Man, sell a friend a guitar AND store it for him (making you question the sale in the first place) and now he wants pictures......hmmmm.....I may have to search a bit... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Ok Jimbo, best I can do for now...Enjoy.  Best playing and sounding woodtop that I have played. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Mike, what happened to all the leaves on you trees? Jim,
That picture was taken last spring. It was too cold yesterday to be outside in a t-shirt. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Cool responses guys...Ovation/Adamas 12's rock!
:D
Lets not leave out my "new" 2986 '86 Collector 12:
SSB 12: and it is sweet!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Here is an SS 12 Longneck and his wonder dog Fred
A Post-production Limited Deacon 12 with MKB and MJW
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Hey - speaking of Fred - he hasn't posted in a few weeks. Anyone hear from him? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | To those who've played them both: Does the 1688 sound better than the U681T-12, or similar? Should I start looking for an Adamas I 12'er? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4817
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Point 1 - Ovation makes the best 12 strings in the business, structurally and sonically. period.
Point 2 - See point 1.
Point 3 - If it's the best Ovation 12 string, it's the best in the knowable universe. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | This year I played my 1688 side-by-side with Kurt's U681T-12. They are similar-sounding, but the UTE won by a narrow margin. Maybe due to the 12 frets to the body.
Karl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by brainslag:
To those who've played them both: Does the 1688 sound better than the U681T-12, or similar? Should I start looking for an Adamas I 12'er? This is a loaded question. There are a LOT of fans of the 1688 Adamas I 12-string. And they all rightly believe that the A1-12 is the best sounding and playing 12-string out there. I don't necessarily disagree. But not very many of these folks have played and heard it side by side with the U681-12. I and a few others have have that chance. BUT, my own opinion of the U681-12 is also influenced by it's configuration. The fact that it's a 12 fret slothead is a big deal to me, so that might also bias how I "hear" it.
As objectively as I can, here's how I would compare the two:
Unplugged sound: U681 is slightly louder and more crisp. 1688 has a slightly bigger bottom end. Both guitars RUMBLE, and are head and shoulders better than anything else out there (except maybe the AB12's). 1688 maybe has a little more sustain.
Plugged in: U681 gets the nod here with the OP-PRO. But you don't buy guitars like this because of their electronics.
Configuration: Matter of personal choice. If you like 12 fretters, you'll like the U681. If you like carved headstocks you'll like the 1688.
Quality: Both are top notch (but not perfect).
It really comes down to personal preference and to be honest sound and playability is not really a deciding factor between the two. It's the configuration personal preference that swings it for me. And FOR ME, the U681-12 is the finest 12-string I've ever owned.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | and my 1688 has the OP-PRO. best of both worlds. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | That's a nice pic! |
|
| |
The Best 12 String
