Ovation 1581 Adamas II

Serial number indicates this guitar was built in 1990, made in USA. Carbon fibre top with epaulet soundholes on the bass bout only. Deep bowl. Includes Optim pre-amp. Single cutaway. Neck is typical 5 piece mahogony/maple build with a walnut (expoxy impregnated) finger board and maple triangular dot inlays. Bridge is a satisfying large lump of rosewood with a compensated saddle (beneath which lies the piezo pickups). Tuners are nicely gold plated and have stood up to the test of time (haven't faded).

Adamas sales literature has often made a point of claiming that these guitars have a "vintage" sound. I'd agree. Mine has a very satisfying bass which is reminiscent of a 60s Gibson J45/J50. Despite the deep bowl when compared to other all-wood jumbos the guitar is somewhat quieter. Note separation across the whole range is excellent, better than any other acoustic I've owned or played. Enjoy's being strummed but is also surprisingly rewarding when played fingerstyle. Overall the sound is very good and unique.

You cannot fault Ovation action (I mean, if you can then you need to take it to a guitar tech). The soundboard as sunk slightly into the binding at the edges but apart from that the guitar is structurally very sound. Can't fault it and it is nearly 14 years old.

Feels very solid. I'm sure this baby would stand up to a lot of gigging. I've always been less concerned about harsh treatment to Ovations which seem to take a licking and keep on ticking. Would anyone actually gig without a backup?

Never used them

I've been playing for 37 years this month. My other guitar is a Lowden 032. I would definitely replace this Adamas with another if it was broken or stolen, although finding an Adamas I or II is getting more difficult as the years go by. I wish it had the modern pre-amp with the inbuilt tuner!

Ovation guitars remain some of the most unappreciated professional guitars made. Or rather, professional guitarists who play them appreciate just how good they are. For that reason prices of s/h Adamas are ridiculously cheap at present - you owe it to yourself to own one amongst your collection.

1984 U.S.A. 24 fret Carbon-fiber top (rough texture-black with shiny specks) single-cutaway Adamas II. This has the original style Walnut volume/tone controls. The neck is the 5 ply deep V configuration with a walnut fingerboard and rock maple triangle inlays the early Ovations are famous for. This one has the tiny sound holes on the non-cutaway side only. Stereo jack. walnut bridge.

This guitar sings. I've yet to find a more responsive guitar sound in all registers. Period. The end. The piezo p/ups can get squakky when you get physical with the instrument, but overall the electric sound is great- and more so when effects are used. (try chorus and delay together!)

Since Ovation hasn't made these in years, I found this one used at my favorite store (Eastcoast Music Mall)and they always set-up everything they take in. This is one of the top models in the Ovation line and they did a good job joining the plastic bowl with the conventional wood neck. The reputation carried by the Adamas line for quality construction is alive and well with this one.

I've owned probably 10 Ovations in the last 25 years and you can't kill these things. My daughter took my Balladeer into the tub with her when she was 9. Bad girl. Guitar was fine.

N/A- although the web-site has it's challenges...

It's unfortunate that we can't afford the really good stuff until we are over-the-hill, (30's-40's) but it was worth the wait for this one. For those of you who are into A/E guitars and haven't played a Adamas, there is a substantial difference. No kidding- problem is finding one of the old ones. There aren't too many out there.