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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | It’s been well over a year since I bought a new guitar so I had to do something. Brad (Slipkid) and I drove up to London Ontario to meet Henry (Wemedge) who was selling his 1581 Adamas. Henry is from Toronto and was gracious enough to drive down to London and meet us half way.
Well it was worth the drive. The model 1581 Adamas that Henry very conservatively listed as “7 out of 10” in the FOR-SALE board, in my opinion could almost have been listed as unplayed like-new. To my eyes the guitar is nearly pristine, maybe a tiny bit of fret-wear and a smidgeon of glue by the bottom of the bridge. I told Henry that I have seen new guitars on the wall in Guitar Center with more fret wear.
Well needless to say it came home with us to Michigan. The customs folks at the boarder didn’t even hassle us. The Canadian customs girl was even a guitar player and was interested in what kind of guitar it was.
So thanks Henry, I am very pleased with the guitar. It was strung with 10’s (extra lights) which don’t suit me so I just finished setting it up with Martin SP 12.5’s (light/medium gauge), had to add a shim tweak the truss rod a bit but it dialed right in where I like them, no trouble at all.
And if you remember my earlier thread about wanting a loud-commanding guitar, this one doesn’t disappoint. With the deep bowl, texture top, and now with some heavier strings it’s quite a boomer. From the serial number it appears to be a 2001 model. Unlike the standard 1581 this one has an ebony fretboard and Optima electonics which I think are both for the better. Other than that it appears to be a stock 1581.
Last spring at the factory tour my poor little 1777-LX couldn’t compete unplugged with all the deep-bowled-slot-headed-carbon-topped cannons that you guys play, well now I am armed with some genuine New Hartford artillery. And it’s not only powerful but sounds really sweet as well. Overall I am very pleased with the purchase. Thanks again Henry.
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Very Nice. And well worth going to a Nutha-Land to get. |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Well done Brian.
I really like mine
AJ :) |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | It's a great guitar.
Our next practice will be very interesting. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Between the 1581 and the Brad's Ute, it should be a loud practice, that's fo' sure. |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | Loud? C'mon, you guys tickle acoustics. Please! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | nice looking guitar |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Well, brian you done very well fer yer sef. That geeter is a beauty for sure. Enjoy it my friend.
Dave |
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May 2003
Posts: 79
Location: Toronto, Canada | Hey Brian:
Glad you like the Adamas. Time she got a good home.
Great to talk to you guys. I like Brad's Ovation cap and shirt!
cheers
Henry |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Hey Brian, Congratualations! I know EXACTLY what you mean about that guitar. And it's also good to see another one has made it to Michigan! (: |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Brian, it's going to be interesting, in six months, to learn what guitar you tend to pick up the most....
Beautiful guitar you bought. Enjoy. You guys should call your duo Black Guitars Inc, or something like that... |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Men With Black |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | there's already a group called "the blackwood brothers" so perhaps you guys could be "the black non-wood brothers" |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| "the black non-wood brothers"
you can take a pill for that now |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | quite fitting as long as they are both playing adamas guitars |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | It's interesting to observe the results of "OFC GAS" over the years. I've been to the last 3 tours so I can't speak to what happened before but on my second trip it was easy to see that the sum aggregate of the higher end guitars brought out was a noticable notch up from the year before. The same goes again for this last tour.
For over 30 years I was content with by ol' Balladeer.
Then came the OFC.
For me it was only two jumps to get to the Adamas. I bypassed an Elite, went for the AD-II then right to the UTE.
I know some folks take more steps than that but we all seem to get there sooner or later. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Interesting recollections of tours past ....
2003 the big deal was the inlaid epaulets and cnc routing. A mish-mosh of old guitars at the jam. I played my first adamas 12 and that was pretty much history.
2004 was the whole lx thing, routed neck pockets and scalloped bracing. I didn't attend but I heard that cliff made a complete ass out of himself.
2005 was the contour bowl and op-pro. There was a few 30th anniversary CL's on hand. The big deal for me was the adamas U681 protos. I pretty much knew then that there'd be quite a few of those style guitars floating through my hands in the years to come. I think this was the first year we got infested with Michigan songbook boys. I think it was also the first time anyone had the nads to cut a side sound port in their elite bowl.
2006 I'm pretty sure was the landing of sir clive. HOW many hours did he spend in a car with Jeff? The 47RI was the tour de jour. I vaguely remember grass skirts and coconut bras. A few custom orders stafrted to show up at the jam session.
2007 we learned to speak French and got a tasty introduction to the VXT guitar. Big hit was Al delivered the first OFC guitars and KOA guitars. Plus other customs and one-offs.
Is that how anyone else remembers it? Jesus, when you lay it all out we've covered some pretty good ground ...
Dave |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | Michigan songbook boys
Hey Brad, who is he talking about?
I seem to remember something about Llamas in 05.
06 was UTE's, Matt Smith, Rain.
07 was all about the re-issue high-end Adamas's and ukes. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I think out of ALL of 'em, 2004 was by FAR the best.
(Witko stayed home and the inane, stupid "questions" were relatively non-existent at the Q&A session) |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Sorry, . . . I take it all back.
Moody was there . . . |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I'll ignore Clifford's comment.... as usual.
I think the Ute unveiling was in 2003. One was given away that year for the drawing. Aside from that Witko's got it about right.
Surprisingly...... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | It's the short term memory that goes first. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | You should see Cliff's songbook.
Now THAT is one mighty tome.
Seems like the product improvements keep on comin' and the guns that come out in the lobby keep gettin' bigger & bigger.
Now Brian will have a black topped cannon of his own to bring out.
I'm sorry I missed 2004.
Cliff... do you care to share some details on just why it stands out??? |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul, in 2003 an FD14 was given away. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Cliff... do you care to share some details on just why it stands out??? . ."
Well Bradley, . . . y'see, . . . when I get really, REALLY "excited" . . . . .
Dave's right.
'03 was the FD14 (TonyPD from NewYork won it).
The Ute "prototypes" were unveiled then . . . |
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New horse in the barn - Adamas 1581
