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June 2008
Posts: 129
Location: UK | I have only ever owned deep bowl Adamas and Ovations guitars as i use them both plugged and unplugged and have always been led to believe that the deep bowl gives a better acoustic sound than the slimmer ones. Could someone please enlighten me on the differences, actual size difference in depth, etc, and your experiences of differences (if any) in acoustic sound.
Thanks in anticipation. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Do a 'search' on bowl depth and you'll find hundreds of posts on this topic. |
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June 2008
Posts: 129
Location: UK | Great, thanks. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I don't have measurments for you... sorry.
I have 4 acoustics. Three deep bowls, one mid-bowl. I play unplugged 99 percent of the time.
I would only use a shallow bowl plugged in.
I enjoy my mid-bowl model. It's not as loud as my deep bowls and not quite a bassy but it has a pleasing tone and does not sound thin.
That being said, what kind of top that you put on any bowl would make a big difference. A shallow bowl with a carbon graphite top might give a deep bowl with a wood laminate top a run for it's money. Given the same type of top, the deeper the better.
Can't the same thing be said for different sizes of all wood guitars???
edit...
Mr Natural... I see you have a UTE 12 string. That my friend, is the ultimate example of a deep bowl on steroids. Anything else, even if it is described as a "cannon", is less of a cannon. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I have 3 deep bowls (1 12 string) and 1 Mid depth. The deep bowls definitely have more Tone and volume over the Mid depth bowl, BUT, I have No complaints about the Mid bowl. Still sounds real good! |
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August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | I prefer mid or artist depth. To my ears they are more evenly balanced with more mids, and crisper bass. As a fingerstlye player, I find that more desirable.
I will add that the Adamas II cutaway I owned was fairly good at bridging the gap. |
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January 2006
Posts: 1477
Location: Michigan | speaking of bowl depths can someone tell me if it is a mid or a deep size bowl on my adamas 1598merb and my adamas millenium. :confused: GWB :confused: |
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June 2008
Posts: 129
Location: UK | Hi Guitarwannabee, as far as know, both your guitars are mid-depth.
Kevin |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | I have half/half but huge difference among them.
To me, for instance, the legend LX mid-depth has a beautifully balanced tone to it. Many says similar to wood guitars... deep bowl with A bracing sounds less crispy more warmly but somewhat dull to me. So I suggest to try all different flavours personally ;) |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | Originally posted by guitarwannabee:
speaking of bowl depths can someone tell me if it is a mid or a deep size bowl on my adamas 1598merb and my adamas millenium. :confused: GWB :confused: My 1598 MEII is definitely a mid-depth, if that helps… I don't recall what the "rb" in "merb" stands for… |
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January 2006
Posts: 1477
Location: Michigan | thanks for the info mrnatural sorry for not capitalizing your name properly but the ofc has taken away my caps key and wont give it back to me except to give my signiture.
standing , it stands for ruby burst the color of it.GWB |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by standing:
I don't recall what the "rb" in "merb" stands for… Red Burst? |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I have owned each, and I liked my mid-depth Custom Legend as it played and sounded great plugged and unpluged. I now only have deep bowls and I prefer the deep, full sound they produce. The same holds true with non-Os for me also ... I prefer the dreadnaughts over others.
It is all about preferences. |
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June 2008
Posts: 129
Location: UK | Thanks for all your comments, really helpful. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Gigging, standing up, and plugged in is precisely where I find that the SSBs really shine. Over the past two years, I have tracked every guitar used for 134 gigs. The results appear below. YMMV
24% Wood boxes, both high-end Taks
26% SSB models
39% Hybrids (VXT, EA Vipers, Gibson SST)
11% A mixture of others, including deep-bowl Adamas/Ovation |
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July 2005
Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I would only use a shallow bowl plugged in. I've heard that many times on the board. Imagine my delight when my first ssb turned a fantastic sounding acoustic as well. The 1868 is easily the most fun acoustic guitar to play I've ever had.
And I agree with BB too. It's especially great standing and plugged in. |
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April 2009
Posts: 27
Location: southeast michigan | morning all- I've used all 3 sizes over the years. I find the ssb most comfortable in on stage plugged in applications, and my 1869 sounds great to me un plugged as well. That said my next Ovation will probably be a DeMeolla (deep bowl) or a newer custom legend lx series. He-double hockey sticks, I love them all! |
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April 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Tunbridge Wells | I have mid depth Standard Elite LX and a deep bowl Special Balladeer. I prefer the mid depth bowl, it maybe quieter but I feel the sound is sweeter, clearer and better balanced. |
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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | I'm an SSB player and have found it projects really well to a group of 20-30 people unplugged. The unplugged sound quality is amazing compared with non-O thinlines like the Yam APX and so on.
I was really disappointed once when I played a vintage deep-bowl model and the sound just seemed to wallow around inside it rather than project out. Probably great for home players.
Guess if I was buying a new Ovation now, I'd look at the mid-depth option. Especially since it seems that SSB are being phased out of the US range.
In the 2009 catalogue, only the 1861AX and 6868AX models are shallow, apart from a few Celebrities. So it really looks like RIP SSB. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Originally posted by sypolog:
I was really disappointed once when I played a vintage deep-bowl model and the sound just seemed to wallow around inside it rather than project out. Good description I found the same with the 1681. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by sypolog:
I'm an SSB player and have found it projects really well to a group of 20-30 people unplugged. I know this is nit picking, but doesn't the guitar project exactly the same no matter how many people are there? What, like all of a sudden if there are 32 people it stops projecting well?
I know what you're trying to say. There is a place in the world for SSB guitars, no arguement there. Not my cup of tea by a long shot, but many of my choices are considered questionable by many.
If YOU dig it, that's all that matters. |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | I have to say, having owned several deep bowls, a couple mid bowls, and one shallow bowl:
You will notice the difference when playing unplugged particularly when playing with other deeper-bowl guitars. I had a 1777-lx that I was pretty content with until I brought it to an OFC factory tour and played along side numerous other deep bowl guitars. It was like a a high school basketball player competeing in the NBA. I went home and sold it and bought a deep bowl 1581.
Of course I do a lot of unplugged playing with other guitarists. If you play mainly by yourself or plugged in the mid and shallow bowls do have their fine points. But dont kid yourself, when it comes to unplugged make-your-chest-vibrate bass and volume, deep big bowls win every time. Same holds true for wood guitars, box size matters, just compare a dread or jumbo to an OM of similar build and quality and the difference speaks for itself.
just my 2 cents. |
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February 2009
Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | I have a '78 1617 deep and recently compared it for several weeks with a '77 1621 Artist. I found myself going to the artist - a little less lows but seamed more balanced across the spectrum - especially sweet midway up the fretboard. A little more comfortable to hold and just a tad quieter. These guitars were very similar in construction and vintage. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I'm playing an open mic tonight.
I'm taking the mid-bowl. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Brad, what mid bowl do you have?
Brian's right on regarding mid bowls vs. deep bowls in acoustic settings. I've got a GC reissue and a deep bowl Legend. Both are A braced guitars. Both are wonderful when played quietly. The sound of the GC is a little more compressed. But when you play out with others, the deep bowl is the go to guitar. Lots more power and volume. No comparision.... |
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Deep bowl v's mid-depth
