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Posts: 12
| What is the best sounding Ovation 12 string that You have ever heard? Hands down! The reason that I ask this question is because in reading this forum and some of the links, It's got me thinking that maybe there is something about Adamas that I never knew. I have only played one a few years ago in a music store. It was a shallow bowl slothead and it was amped, but there was no comparison to me, my Legend 12 had it beat. Of course the beauty of music is in the ear of the beholder, but what would a deep bowl Adamas sound like? I don't know, but I walked away that day thinking (and I still do for now) that the Legend was the superior beast. But I still wonder..... is there an Adamas out there that really and truly sounds "better" than a custom Legend deep bowl 12 string? And if so, which one? I don't think I could believe it until I heard it. But if the majority of you guys come back and say Adamas! I think that I would have to buy one....... Randy |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Of course the beauty of music is in the ear of the beholder
Randy, I'm afraid your right here and your probably going to get lots of opinions from our members. Some people like the twangy sounds of a 12 string with lots of high end and some people like a full rich low end sound. The situation evens out a little when the guitar is plugged in. Personally, I began playing a Martin 12 string years ago and really like the full sound. I find the Legend to be more to my liking, however, some of the Adamas guitars have a similar sound. You really need to play around with them before you buy. |
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February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Randy I have played a legend guitar but it has been a while. Hard for me to make an educated comparison? Although I did like the sound and it is in every way a fantastic guitar. Any of the Made in USA, higher end Ovations are. For me I found the Adamas was just to much of a draw. The sound, the looks, and I did have that memory of being told I could not play a "brand new" one when I was 17 at the Music store. I hate to say this because I will most likely step on someones toes here but I just don't think The New Adamas Guitars have the same sound or even the same overall appeal the older ones do. My 12 string, deep bowl, has that 13th string sound. But to be honest Guitar choices are completely a personal thing, Does not matter what anyone else thinks about your purchase. I would say a guitar purchase is mainly about the "Sound" but running a real close second is the overall looks and feel.
If it does it for ya man then just go for it. Randy |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Ditto to what Willard said. I have an Ovation GC 12 string and a Breedlove 12. The Breedlove has the deepest bass I've ever heard on any guitar, but the mids and highs don't stand out. The Ovation has an even sound across the board, I like the harpachord description. The Ovation is also louder than the Breedlove and has better action.
The only way is to play and see which one you like the best. Since I have a Custom Legend 6-string I can imagine that your 12-string must be a killer. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | it is unfair to compare carbon fiber to wood |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | true al, so lets just stick to carbonium.
The best 12 I have ever heard or played is Adamas #1000, a dark blue deep non cutaway. It has it all, deep bass, good cut in the middle and highs too. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Gotta add my rupel.
Are you trying to please the Operator or the Audience?
Deep bowls and non cutaways are an Operator's pleasure! |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | BOTH my Adamas Melissa Etheridge 12-string and my slothead Glen Campbell 12-string sound good. But what sound do you want? The Adamas is very even tone-wise, and with .012"-.053" strings, puts out a good volume. The GC 12-string has more acoustic volume(even with .010"-.047" strings) and bottom end(it's a deep-bowl, no-cutaway), and sounds "woody". Either works, depending on what you want.
Sounds to me like you would prefer the GC. And that's fine. If you think the Legend is more what you like, then you should buy it, and not worry about other opinions.
Roger |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | The comments are for the guitars played acoustic. As to brands or models, can only give you my opinions as to ones I have been able to play more than 5 or 10 minutes.
Operator or the Audience? Have to satisfy both. Played the 12-string for five years at an Episcopal Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon - acoustic, no mikes or amplification. (When I was 7, I sang soprano (now double bass) in the adult choir of a Catholic Church - again, no microphone.) I understand the fact that many churches now amplify and that brings in other considerations. As an acoustic or without a stage monitor, I also want to hear my instrument as I play. Deep or mid bowl, center hole lets me hear it. Nothing wrong with a non-center hole but I really don't hear the multi-hole guitar (whether wood or Adamas) unless plugged in or standing in front of a mirror.
As to sound and projection as an acoustic - best overall 12 I have played is the (1981) 1158 Custom Legend (slothead, acoustic) that I used to have. Next best is the GC acoustic I have now. Yet, my a/e 1658, 1659, 6759, and Adamas I are a very close second (all deep bowls except the mid-bowl 6759.) And, a tremendous advantage to have a pre-amp. Small tradeoff for the ability to "plug in." Used to have a Martin D-18 - would rather play an Adamas or Ovation. Of any Kaman product, I would say the 6759 is my favorite, very close second is the Adamas I.
Can we compare a wood top with the Adamas? Both sound great as a 12-string. Is there an Adamas sound? IMHO, a slight difference but not enough to make a difference. Do I like both? You bet.
Again, as an acoustic, when comparing the 6759 and the Adamas I (made late 2003) - interesting comment by my wife is that the Adamas I's more focused projection sounds like "surround sound" - she defines it as fuller, directed. I have heard others define it as cone projection. As an acoustic on stage, would believe it would project better to an audience. Difference could be affected by mid v. deep bowl, center v. multihole, and wood v. textured top - however, she also makes this comment concerning deep bowl Custom Legend centerhole 6-str's and the Adamas I (1687) and II (1681.)
Yet, she finds both the centerhole and multihole have a pleasant 12-str sound. So, play the one you like...audience will hear a great 12 and like it.
As to slothead, I really like the sound of a slothead but once you capo or play a barre chord, you have no advantage with the slothead other than possibly the position of the bridge.
By the way, most fun 12-string so far is the Preacher Deluxe but that is another issue. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Another thing to consider after 30 years of struggeling to keep my Martin in tune during shows, I now have a Custom Legend 6 string with on on board tunner and I would never think of getting another 12 without the tunner built in. I know you can always plug them into a tunner but the convienence of the on board unit is just too sweet. |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | I do believe without a doubt...
TheAdamas 1 early model (1688-8) is how I like to surprise people. The one strum tells you this "is" special.
As a feel and sound I have a Legend 1756-4 that has kept me happy. It does for feel and sound beat out my 1759-4 CL.
Look for the best in the early Adamas. You won't be disappointed.
My 2cents.
Woz |
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Adamas vs. Legend...... 12 string
