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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I got comparable strings on all three; Elixir PB 12's on the Custom, Elixir PB 13's on the FD14 and the Factory Medium 'Dadds on the 47. Not exactly the same but good 'nuff for a side by side.
The 47- Superb balance and string definition under pick. Lots of sparkle. Clear round bottom end and very crispy ringing highs with a lot of punch on the "D" & "G" strings yet the overall tone is open, bright and airy. Under fingers it doesn't perform as well as the Custom A or the FD14 (which isn't to say it's bad, by any stretch). Very sexy.
Custom A- A more subtle and mellow "jazzy" tone than the 47 all across. Big bass and slightly darker highs. Great balance but, less dynamic under pick than the 47. It's more powerful and louder with incredible sustain (even with lighter strings and shallower bowl depth). It too has tons of punch at "D" & "G" strings. This guitar comes alive under fingers- more so than 47 it's fast and responsive and the dynamic that is more apparent in 47 under pick, now comes alive all the way up the neck.
FD14- I can't say enough about this guitar. Its the perfect all around guitar. Why this isn't a standard offering from Ovation, I'll never know. In tone it lays some where in the middle of the other two. It has a great bluegrass tone. Open and brighter than the Custom under pick and a tad warmer than the 47. It loves both pick and fingers. It right in there in power and volume and has more broad punch from top to bottom than either of the others. I love playing it. |
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Location: France | Thanks Jeff!
This is a great idea!
Tom |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Where would the ute fit into the spectrum of sounds if you were lucky enough to own one?
I loved the sound of the custom - I thought you were going to keep the silk'n'steels on for a while? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I think the Ute sounds closer to the 47 in over all tone, but has some of the power and sustain of the Custom. The Ute is definitely brighter sounding than the FD14.
I had the Silk&Steel on until just today... and curiosity got the best of me.... the S&S needed to be changed anyhow, I've got the other set you left that will go back on after these are kaput.
You need to tell Moody what the name of those low tension/ large gauge strings you had on the Ute at one time, were. I suggested he try them on the FD14. I remember they were pretty expensive, but can't find your reference to them in my emails. I was I imagining this?? |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I've got Thomastik Rope Core strings on the Custom Legend and the ute and the nylon version on the Country Artist. The steel ones are 10-39, the nylons 16-39. John Pearse makes similar sets.
Buying in bulk on the web they cost about $22 a set at the current exchange rate. They last a long time, but I wouldn't imagine Paul would like them at all. D'Add or Rotosound silk'n'steels are probably just right.
The Thomastiks suit me down to the ground, but I'm a wuss. But you knew that.
Now send me the custom as it is plainly surplus to requirements. I might even part-ex the ute........................ |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Jeff, nice job trying to describe the differences and similarities. I've tried to do this but can't make sense of ovation vs. adamas comparisons in my own mind. They are just two competely different animals.
But you definately hit one nail on the head - the FD14. There has NEVER been a wood topped ovation that sounded anywhere near as good as that one. It's like it was cut from a whole different mold. The gap between the FD14 and all the rest of the WTO's is HUGE. I think a big part of it is the cedar top. It tones down the usual jangly ovation sound. Doesn't work nearly as well in the cedar elites or others. It takes the deep bowl and 12 fret design of the FD14 to pull it all together.
As odd as this may sound, the 47RI/OFC guitars may not be the best sounding Adamas guitars I own. You know how sometimes one guitar will just be out of this world for no obvious reason? I've got a cutaway Adamas I that just HONKS! I don't know what the hell it is, but this one particular guitar just shines compared to all other "normal" Adamas I and II guitars I have owned or played.
I really need to spend some more time with you Custom-A. That guitar is truely amazing. They must have been overstocked in mojo the day they built that thing.
Dave |
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CAGE MATCH- 47RI vs. Custom A vs. Fd14
