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October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | OK, spend my money for me. Sara "needs" a guitar for her graduation present, though she doesn't know it yet. :) The only requirements are that it has a wide nut, is a killer guitar, has electronics, and is either new production or an interesting out of production model. Must be suitable for fingerstyle as well as strumming. Steel string.
Adamas Kaki King model is the current first choice. The only downside is that it is black, not blue. It's a 1581 with custom 12th fret inlay and custom epi, plus 1 7/8" nut. It is a mid bowl cutaway Adamas II basically, K-bar gloss neck.
Adamas 1680. Deep bowl non-cutaway, 1 3/4" nut. Is this nut width dramatically better for fingerstyle than the standard 1 11/12"? Has this guitar been discontinued? How does it compare to the Adamas II in terms of tone and how deep the bowl feels?
LAV Koa 14. How bright/mellow is this guitar? The only Koa I've played was the Ovation collector series hanging in GC with old Silk n Steel strings. It was pretty mellow, too much so for an every day application. How is the LAV in comparison? One downside is the wood top in a college setting compared to the stronger Adamas top. Specs say 1 3/4" nut.
Any other suggestions or opinions? |
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Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | If I change my name to Sara, will you buy me any of those three? I won't be picky.
(1680)
(hint) |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Originally posted by FlySig:
Adamas Kaki King model is the current first choice....1 7/8" nut. FlySig,
I don't if you noticed, but the Kaki King model nut width now shows up as 1 11/16" on the Adamas website, whereas it originally was listed as 1 7/8". Dealers are listing it as 1 11/16" as well. I think I'd confirm before ordering.
Kaki King Model |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | DEFINITELY get the Lost Art Vintage KOA 14.
The neck is to DIE for and it plays just like a dream. The whole package is top notch, stunning good looks (goes with any choice of clothes), absolutely unique Ovation sound, and rare as hens teeth.
Some folks who play acoustic only poo-poo it because it's not a loud BOOMER (I expect the KK model is), but to my ears it's pleasing as hell and of course plugged in it's just out of this world.
The electronics are world class, and I think at one point Al was throwing in the iDEA pre-amp. What better pre-amp to go away to college with, you can jam and record with yourself.
To me this would be an absolute NO BRAINER. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I second the LAVKoa. I love the sound of it and more importantly, those in front of it love it. Great for fingerpicking, incredibly comfortable neck, one of the most (IMO) beautiful guitars Ovation has produced. Perfect plugged in, with either the VIP or PRO (and the iDea as well, I'm sure). Yes, it has a mellower sound then an Adamas, but the sound is definitely Ovation and has a personality unlike any other of my O wood tops. |
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Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Which one out there is ALL composite (neck included)?
This IS going to a college after all! They'll be drinking BEER out of the bowl at frat parties with it!
Otherwise hard to beat an FD-14 for looks, sound, neck, playability...
Downsides: 12-fretter, and I don't think you'd want to being it to college for the reason mentioned above. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | K.O.A. |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | "interesting out of production model"
The KoaLAVa definately.
And this one barely qualifies:
wideneck Woody |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The only other option in my book (beside the first choice LAVKOA14) would be the '08 collectors...assuming Al or anyone else has one available.....and it is black which sounds like a color you were trying to stay away from. |
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Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | I've been gassin' for one of these....
2774LX Folklore
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March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | I guess we can assume that Sara already knows how to play and this isn't going to be a beginner guitar that she may or may not take to in the long run?
Personally, I side with AlanM on this one. My experience with guitars in college is that they get banged up, borrowed, sat on, thrown in corners and stolen. I personally would not dream of sending my kid to college — especially if she's going to be in a dorm — with any of the quality instruments you've mentioned, but that's just me. How about an old Balladeer or Elite or even nice Celeb or IDea that you both won't kick yourselves about when it gets damaged or goes missing. Make the nice one a graduation present — when she graduates from college.
Sorry if that sounds overly negative. But to me it's like giving her a new Corvette and expecting that nothing could possibly happen, even if she's the most dependable and well-behaved kid out there. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Call Al and he'll set you up.
Or buy my SJ41 Collings cutaway, only $4100. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Too bad there are no more OFC2 guitars left ... that would be perfect. Fortunately, you've got time to get a custom made for you if you move fast enough and get someone like Al to move the order through. I think the Melissa model in pearl white with a wide neck would be real nice. I like the abalone purling on that guitar ... it just works for me. Or get the Kaki model made in a color you want. You could also pick your bowl style on either guitar.
Spending OPM is fun AND easy! |
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October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Oddball:
I guess we can assume that Sara already knows how to play and this isn't going to be a beginner guitar that she may or may not take to in the long run?
...I personally would not dream of sending my kid to college — especially if she's going to be in a dorm — with any of the quality instruments you've mentioned...
Sorry if that sounds overly negative. But to me it's like giving her a new Corvette and expecting that nothing could possibly happen, even if she's the most dependable and well-behaved kid out there. Good points, and the reason I'm most interested in an Adamas. I'd like something a step up from her 1778 Red Flame, suitable for real studio time and real stage time. Not that the Red Flame isn't stage worthy by a long shot, but something that stands out amongst the best. Wherever she ends up she will be quite involved in music, either as a major or minor. If it weren't a tacky thing to do I would just give her my 2080.
She hasn't really bonded with her Preacher Deluxe. Too bad because a solid body would be a lot better to tote back and forth to classes.
Can she play? www.myspace.com/sarajaneymusic www.myspace.com/scarletlacemusic
Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Too bad there are no more OFC2 guitars left ... that would be perfect. Fortunately, you've got time to get a custom made for you if you move fast enough and get someone like Al to move the order through. I think the Melissa model in pearl white with a wide neck would be real nice. I like the abalone purling on that guitar ... it just works for me. Or get the Kaki model made in a color you want. You could also pick your bowl style on either guitar.
Spending OPM is fun AND easy! OPM is always easier than one's own. :)
Already talked to Al about a custom color Kaki King, the upcharge takes it out of the running. The wide neck Melissa model is a really good idea. Time for more research. |
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Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | For clarification on the Kaki King model I just got a reply from the mother ship that the nut width is 1 11/16. Bummer. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | OPM or MOM same recommendation: 14 FRET KOA !!! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I hate to be the last to jump on the bandwagon, but I sent my daughter to college with her Ovation (albeit a Celebrity Deluxe) and a Roland Keyboard and they survived fine. Sara has other guitars and definitely knows how to play and sing. The red flame may be the hit of the parties (there are some kids that actually do something other than party at college), but the 14 fret LAV Koa should be an ideal player and composer and will also show her how much her dad trusts her.
It took me awhile to bond with my 12 fretter, but I spent some quality time with it last night and even plugged it in. It's a great guitar, doesn't have the booming bass of a deep bowl spruce, but has a unique sound and look. It would be a lifer for her. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'd say look at the CA or the Folklore. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I wouldn't be comfortable recommending anything specific without knowing more about your daughter. For instance, where will she be living, what type of security will there be, how much care does she typically provide for her things, and how much trust does she have for her roommates, or more to the point, their friends and acquaintances? Does she typically share her gear and other things with her friends and acquaintances? If she intends to major in music and use this guitar as an important tool in her classes, compositions, recordings, shows, etc., then she (and you) may want the best gear available, but then there needs to be some thought and consideration about how the gear is cared for and secured during off hours. If it also is intended to serve as a party guitar to be passed around among lots of students in a cramped dorm room, or a frat or sorority house, possibly loaned out when somebody needs a guitar, then there may be other models better suited. How tolerant is your daughter about minor dings and bruises that inevitably occur to instruments casually played by college students (others, not your daughter) who have their minds on matters other than the care and handling of expensive gear, particularly if it doesn't belong to them? I'm not saying one way is better than another. It all depends upon the individual. Some students are simply much more sensitive about their belongings than others. My son wouldn't think twice (and didn't) about loaning his $500 snare drum out to a college friend who needed a good snare for an audition, only to then spend the next month trying to get it back, and having to use back-up gear for his own gigs in the meantime. He does the same thing nowadays with his truck, even though it has cost him things like replacing the rear window. I recognize and appreciate people like him who are very generous by their nature and don't think twice about loaning their things out to help others. That said, the loaners need to be honest with themselves in considering how they will deal with the possibility of unintended consequences such as damage or loss. Just me and my two cents worth, remembering my own college days, and seeing it first hand with today's college students. |
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Posts: 3411
Location: GA USA | In related news, 'Sig, I was watching the 'lympics the other day and there was a freestyle ski flipper girl that they said was the pride of Sandy, Utah. I knew better. Sara Janey is the pride of Sandy. |
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Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | ProfBB, those are all good questions. Sara is quite careful with her own stuff and I think she is pretty discriminating in whom she loans things out to. I doubt that this would be a "party guitar", though it could happen.
The idea of an Adamas is due to the high probability of a little rough treatment now and again, not to mention possible temperature shock carrying the thing around outside in the winter.
The LAV Koa worries me with the wood top for those reasons.
The guitar will be insured and the risk of theft is fairly low.
I may ask Sara for some input since this decision is getting tougher not easier. Options seem to be dwindling.
2008 Collector's, used
1680
LAV Koa
Melissa Etheridge with custom wide neck
Kaki King with custom wide neck (beyond the budget most likely) |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I can vouch for the first two, both very good choices. I'd worry about a LAV Koa getting scratches on the top - even from a well meaning friend with a heavy pick action. Adamases are just plain tough. |
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Recommend me a guitar. Wide nut required.
