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Location: CT | So is the #47 re-issue the pinnacle of the Ovation line? I've seen this over and over. I've never played one and at 5K or more, will never own one. So here's my question. Isn't #47 30 years old or more? So shouldn't we have 30 or so years of improvements on that design for a better sounding, playing, and looking guitar(at <5k because of improved building techniques)? I understand the need for wood topped guitars, and also less expensive ones, but why isn't the current Adamas line 30 years ahead of #47? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | My take: Slothead was developed in a "screw the cost and manufacturability" mentality. Proved too expensive to take into production. Little by little over the years the product got chiseled down. Just compare epaulets over the years as a good example.
I've played 5 different 47RI's. They are terriffic and in my opinion the best sounding Adamas ever. I played the 47RI next to several other original slotheads. They sound identical. Of course the originals score high marks for being very historical. But the reissues are way better quality control. Just wonderful guitars.
Dave |
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Location: SoCal | I believe a textured top (versus SMT or CVT) and slothead is the pinnacle. That being said, the original slotheads would, assuming no damage, be the preferred over the reissue.
As to improvements, this is an acoustic so not comparing improvements in the pre-amp. Personally, how do you improve an acoustic guitar that had a quality neck, projection chamber, and top?
Anyone considering buying one needs to consider the benefit/cost. To me, the 47RI is the best NEW guitar. However, the U681T or 1687RI are great for a lot less $'s. Would the audience know the difference? Heck, as this is acoustic, the U681T or 1687RI are better performing instruments.
This is new nostalgia...kind of like the AC Shelby 427 Cobra. There are nice fiberglass kits out there but if Ford/Shelby came out with a limited production...gee, I wish.
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | You ask a good question. I would say that #47 is the sweet spot of the Adammas line, and the other models, although very good guitars, just ain't a #47. Part true fact, part marketing. |
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Location: Scotland | I don't think the 47 reissue needs any justification. It was built in limited numbers at a premium price, take it or leave it. The 47RI didn't make it to any trade show as far as I'm aware, and only a handful of potential customers had the opportunity to hear them before placing orders, yet every one is sold. It really isn't a price issue. It's kinda like a Rolls Royce, if you have to ask the price, you cant afford it. And that's OK, most people can't afford a PRS private stock guitar, but as a dream model it's a hell of an aspirational marketing tool for the rest of the line.
Suggesting that a current Adamas should have "30 years of improvements" makes about as much sense as asking why Martin are charging thousands for versions of guitars which many people think reached perfection in the mid 1930's or why National charge a couple of grand for a replica of an instrument which sold for around 30 bucks and hasn't been "improved" since the mid-20's or asking if a current Custom Shop Fender Telecaster should be "50-odd years better" than an original. The expression "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" springs to mind.
For many people a Ute or 2080 may well be a better, more practical guitar than a 47RI, and both of those have 30 years of hindsight. You pays your money and takes your choice. Or not. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Having played two 47RIs and the Original...
I thought the RI's sounded better (Esp #16) than the original.
I LUV the asthetics of the 47s, but compared to the Ute, purely on sound, it'd be a tough call. It'd had been a while since I heard my Ute, when I played the 47's, but I thought the 47's had less low end and only slightly more balanced tone.
Playability?... Ute hands down. Man, is that neck sweet. The Ute plays better than any other O/A (and better than most every other guitar I've had the chance to play)
.... Keep in mind, I'da been all over the 47Ri if it had been available with a wider neck. |
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Location: Australia | I've also played 2 RI's and the original and I thought the RI's sounded better.
It's such a good guitar it's a pity the slothead Adamas is not avaliable as a special order model even at a premium price. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff, I thought your original post said that #15 was the cats meow. Is your memory failing or has time changed your recollections and you now remember #16 as being sweeter.
Dave said he thought they sounded almost identical. What was the difference for you (and which one do you think was REALLY better (assuming you can remember that far back!) |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | my memory is failing... it was #15 (it was the lower serial # of the reissues there). They all sounded very good, but 15 sounded slightly more open, a bit more dynamic through the range. It seemed more crisp and responsive. ymmv
I'm assuming the strings were comparable in terms of use and age... |
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Location: NJ | I've played a bunch of the original slotheads and probably 10 of the RI's. They both sound great yet they are all unique as guitars. One thing that I have learned in this process is that there are varying degrees of good. I guess it is like picking out donuts and deciding which one has more or less stuffing in it.
Yes there has been improvements. but with that said I see no reason to change the process |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | They are all great, in interesting study of 10s. My favorite is still the Academy. I'm holding out for that reissue. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Whilst trying guitars at the 06 Tour I had a great time holding history and being with a bunch of you Ovation Nuts. While I did try just about everything on the rack and some of the "in repair" I couldn't hear a dang thing with all of you overexcited guitar players doing exactly what I was doing!
:D
It was fun though! |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by alpep:
I guess it is like picking out donuts  |
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Location: New Hampsha | Slag,
I read this while licking one of my horse's salt blocks. I truly wonder whether it's possible to get an unbiased answer to your question?
Owners of "boutique/specials/reissues" might have a natural tendency to "puff" their purchase - a self-justification for the expensive purchase? Sellers might indulge in marketing hype. Others could be motivated to keep the market stirred so the resale value is high. Still others might shovel how great expensive guitars are because of unalloyed snobbery. Everyone is telling the "truth" from their perspective?
How does one sift through all the potential *BS* and get an honest answer? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | DONUTS is a very sad subject with me these days. About 2 weeks ago Krispy Kreme closed up all their Arizona stores. I've lost 4 pounds and I'm pissed about it.
Back to the Slotheads. I for one doubt if I could ever pick out an original vs. one of the reissues. They all very slightly from one to another. I think I've played 4 originals and 6 reissues. Unfortunately not all at the same time. Played two reissues side by side in a very quite setting (backyard of Adamasplayer) and they were dead nuts identical. Played two reissues and two originals at the factory and it was too noisy to really tell. Cliffs acoustic sounds very nice to me. Although I doubt if really any different than the reissues except for the llama goo. Yeah, like has been said before it's donuts, ice creme, etc ....
Dave |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mitzdawg:
How does one sift through all the potential *BS* and get an honest answer? There IS no answer. You have to sit down and try one for yourself. Dave |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | It's true that from some sources one might have to plow through the *BS*, but by in large, I think folks on the board do their best to give honest opinions and though they may be subjective, they are still worth something, more than llama spoo.
(except Stephen T28's) |
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Location: NJ | I think that Tuppy is correct in that you'll never know until you TRY one.
That being said, I seriously doubt that ANYONE (even someone buying it at List/SightUnseen) would be disappointed with their purchase. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | What I like about the Broken - OK - Good - Really Good - Wow! O's and A's I have played is that you can get a different sound out of them by playing differently.
On some they loan themselves to a different sound or style more easily.
I like fingerstyle on the 1112 and 1114 while the 1778LX is a strumming thumper.
These are tools. Damn good tools.
That should clear things up, right? |
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Location: New Hampsha | Tuppy and MW hit it on the head - this is so subjective that trying one out, playing your music, your way, is the only way! It's YOUR ears and eyes that have to be happy.
I bought both my Adamases (Adamasi?) without ever playing (or seeing) an Adamas and am very happy. But now I'm at a point that any upgrade would have to be a side-by-side comparison of what I have vs. the candidate purchase.
My biggest lament is that there are no stocking dealers anywhere close for high-end "Os" and "As". |
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Location: CT | All good points. Judgement will be different for each player, and yes Martin is still selling 1930's designs for quite a sum. So if you can't get any better(subjectively) soundwise, what about price? It's still essentially the same plastic bowl, and carbon fiber top as lesser Adamii, but you can also buy a Martin D-45 for 5k, and that has a lot more hand crafted bling. |
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Location: NJ | The bowls are hand-laid fibreglass.
The fibreglass rings are hand-molded.
The necks/headstocks/bridges, while "roughed-out" on CNC, are hand carved.
The eppaulets are WAY more exotic/intricate than production Adamas.
The guitars have an EXCEEDING amount of "hand work" applied. So much so that it's an output of 3-5 units a week.
If you were paying that many people to ASSEMBLE three guitars a week (not to mention "prepping" the components), what would you charge?? |
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Location: CT | I have been put in my place. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | brainslag... Being around for 5months and having 200 posts..
ya shudda seen'at-one coming ;) |
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Location: south east Michigan | Brainslag really needs to attend the Factory Tour next spring. It can't be much of a drive. |
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#47 RI the best?
