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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | For those who have experience of the different 12 string models, if you were going to buy an Ovation 12 string, which model would you go for and why?
Many thanks
Mick |
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Location: NJ | adamas |
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Location: Cicero, NY | No question that Al's dead on. The O's are good 12's but the Adamas 12's are fantastic. Hate to say it but sometimes you do get what you pay for. |
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Location: Colorado | Some years back I played a brand new 1685 Adamas 12 string (deep bowl) as well as some other decent wood box 12 strings in the same music store. The Adamas was just in a different class--unmatched projection and sustain, a much fuller sound. While that is a bit of an unfair comparison, the USA Ovation wood-topped 12s are also really good guitars. But I would still choose the Adamas. If you don't want a deep bowl, the 1885 Adamas is a great shallow bowl alternative. Best of luck in your search.
Edited by Todd G. 2017-02-06 3:18 PM
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Thanks Al and Weaser. Is there a stand-out Adamas? Finding an available Adamas 12 in the UK will probably be a challenge, so will need to save up some more for the 20%+ import tax to get one from the US. |
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Thanks Todd. I can find an Elite or a Legend here in UK without too much trouble. An Adamas 12 (that someone's prepared to sell) is a taller order. The fuller unplugged sound of a deep bowl would be my preference. Have you played both? Would you agree with my presumption about how much "bigger" the sound would be from a deep bowl? |
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Location: Colorado | Mick, it has been a while since I played an Adamas 12. But the 1881 Adamas shallow bowl I used to own was a great guitar but not nearly as full sounding as the 1581 I just bought a little over a week ago. To be fair, these are both six strings, but I think the comparison between a shallow cutaway six string and a deep cutaway six string would translate very well when comparing a shallow bowl 12 to a deep bowl 12. Others here may be more help with that comparison. |
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Location: Canada | alpep - 2017-02-06 2:01 PM adamas Yeah one comes on sale every other year or so for astronomical price. I don't have one myself, but from reading the threads here it seems that the early 12-fret 12-strings (pacemaker, glenn campbell, custom legend) were great, but they are now around 40 years old so getting a mint one may be a tough call. I personally owned a late 90s or 6751 that played great and sounded as good as many guitars that cost three times as much, and still have a 6756LX (both with medium bowls) which is also quite nice. I don't know how the current production models are, but among used you can't go wrong.
Edited by d'ovation 2017-02-06 4:12 PM
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Guys, Thanks for all the input so far, it's really helpful. If I wait until Trump and May do a zero tax trade deal, perhaps it will improve my prospects of sourcing an Adamas at a reasonable price. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Check with Paul Templeman over in Scotland. He might have a lead or two to help you out. |
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Location: moline,illinois | Mick-Yorkshire-UK - 2017-02-06 3:50 PM
Thanks Todd. I can find an Elite or a Legend here in UK without too much trouble. An Adamas 12 (that someone's prepared to sell) is a taller order. The fuller unplugged sound of a deep bowl would be my preference. Have you played both? Would you agree with my presumption about how much "bigger" the sound would be from a deep bowl?
The Adamas 1688 is the king of the 12 strings,a tone monster with lots of sustain and volume.
Comparing my 1688-8 to my 1885-5 the 1885 is very comfortable to play with great tone for a SSB but doesn't have the bottom end or projection of the deep bowl,great sustain and a pleasure to play but a little lacking next to a 1688
1688's are pricey when they show up,one just went on feebay for $3205 plus shipping and if you see one you like you just have to go for it because you don't know when the next one will show up.
There is a Adamas II 1685 12 string with the same deep bowl and top as the 1688 but a traditional neck although those don't show up often either,another option is the Adamas 1598 SMT 12 string,it's mid depth bowl with no AST ring,good tone,not quite the sustain of the 1688 but a healthy low end and decent projection,the 1598's are a lot cheaper and show up more often so depending on your budget a decent alternative and they have a beautiful top.
Considering they are making new guitars in the USA you could see about ordering a new Adamas 1688.
No guitars pictured are for sale and are posted for illustrative purposes only.(Disclaimers are a b*tch Huh)
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Location: Sydney, Australia | +1 on the 1688/1685 Adamases. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Talk to Al about what he has in stock. He might be able to fix you up. |
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Location: Colorado | Al does have a gorgeous Adamas I 1688 on his website, 70's era, no label...
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Thanks again for all the help and advice. I'll follow up on the leads and let you know how I get on. |
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Location: Moscow, Russia | Mick-Yorkshire-UK - 2017-02-06 9:31 AM For those who have experience of the different 12 string models, if you were going to buy an Ovation 12 string, which model would you go for and why? Many thanks Mick There is nicest blackie Elite 1758 on sale in UK (listed on reverb) - one of the best 12er woodtop and cost 1/3 of Adamas price (esp. taking in account postage and UK import taxes). Just my 2 cents Best, Alex |
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Thanks Mature Wolf,
I took a look at the Elite on Reverb. Very pretty guitar in excellent condition. £1,100 asking price = around $1,375.
Anyone have a view what this guitar would go for in the US?
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Location: moline,illinois | That's a pretty black 12 string but priced a little high IMHO.There are 2 other 1758 Elite's on Reverb right now going for about $800.
Price range depends on condition but i'd say $700-$1000 USD.
FWIW watch out for 12 strings that have sat in there case a long time unplayed,if they were not de-tuned they can have neck issues so ask about the action,bowing of neck,etc.Good luck in your search.
BTW if your not going for an Adamas my second choice would be a Custom Legend 12 string 1659/1759.
Edited by 2wheeldrummer 2017-02-12 2:28 PM
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Location: Epworth, Yorkshire, England | Thanks 2Wheeldrummer,
My thoughts on the price for the Elite same as yours.
I still prefer the Adamas options anyway. There's no rush. Something fantastic will show its face at some point.
Cheers |
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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Which 12? This 12: http://ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47660&...
A great way to start. You'll always be proud of this one. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | All of them... |
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Location: Canada | Ya right it was gone within hours of posting. |
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Location: Mexico City | Hello Mick,
You want the best possible 12 string within a budget, right? I have a 1598 MERB, and love the sound. Has a midth depth bowl, comfortable, good projection unplugged. Have no desire of anything else. It´s the less expensive 12 string Adamas as I can tell, yet great sounding and playing guitar.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ovation-Adamas-1598-MERB-12-String-Melissa-...
You can buy this budget model, and buy a set of Thomastik Infeld Strings, either Spectrum SB210 .010-.050
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-sb210.html
or Plectrum AC211 .011-.050.
http://www.juststrings.com/toi-ac211.html
The last one has like 4 lbs more pressure.
The Mammoth Ivory pick sounds wonderful, and do make a difference in the strummed, and leading sound.
http://tide-mammoth.com/eshop/es/18-guitar-pick
Altough I bought mine from tuskbuffer.net, it´s currenty closed. I strumm with the rounded side of the pick.
And also, a peterson tuner with the sweetened 12 string tuning, you can get either the expensive one wich I have:
https://www.petersontuners.com/products/stroboplus/
Or the inexpensive app if you have iphone,
https://www.petersontuners.com/products/istrobosoft/
Good volume, sound great with pick, or bare hands. The clarity, and tone you get is superb. The Thomastik strings do make a great difference, because prior I had Adamas strings, ok but nothing remarkable. The Thomastiks plus the sweetened peterson tuning, added an spectacular resonance, great sustain and beautiful, orchestal lows. Without the sweetened tuning, sounded louder, but sharper.
So, you can invest in a low budget Adamas, and then investing in great strings, tuner, and pick. I bet you won´t want anything else. I have 3 years with the SB210 set, need to change for slighty loose in volume, but still tune very well and have good intonation and sustain.
I´m sure a deep bowl 12 string Adamas would be a cannon, but the Melissa Etheridge is good enough. |
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Location: Colorado | The heart wants what the heart wants. |
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Location: Texas | If those mammoth-tusk picks become too popular…
we might see the wooly mammoth added to the endangered species list. |
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Which 12?
