An introduction and a question (ovation adamas con

**Tim Bowen** · May-13-2007, 10:31pm

Hello folks, first time poster here, so I suppose that I should properly introduce myself. I'm 46, and I'm a full time musician and music teacher. I started gigging in the mid 70's and have enjoyed playing a fairly diverse array of musical styles since that time. My primary instrument is guitar (please don't hate me!), and I also play bass, five string banjo, harmonica, and I sing.

I currently work regularly with two bands and two acoustic-electric projects, a duo and a quartet. I do live sub work and sessions for hire, as needed/called.

I started getting interested in the mandolin about a year and a half ago, and I've been playing this instrument about 20% of the time at my live jobs for about the last year (I love it!). Unlike many of you folks, I don't own any drool-worthy instruments at this time; I have an el cheapo Fender and a recently acquired Ovation Adamas, which, depending upon the situation, are either DI'ed to the house system, or routed through my guitar rig. Mic'ing is not a practical and realistic option for the logistics of my live jobs.

Well, I'm sure that's more than enough about me, so on with the crux of my query. As amplified or DI'ed, the Ovation has significantly more full-bodied tone and EQ flexibility (via side panel) than does the little Fender; however, the lowly Fender is by far the better player. Here's my question: Is the Ovation an inherently "stiff" instrument, or can it be tweaked by a competent tech for slightly lower action and a bit more of a loosey-goosey feel? I love the way the Adamas sounds live, but it's somewhat of a bear to play.

Thanks in advance.

**sunburst** · May-13-2007, 10:37pm

I don't know a whole lot about the Ovation mandolins, (quite frankly, that's partly because I don't like them very well) but it can surely be set up for good playability by a competent luthier, unless there is some structural problem with the one you have.

**Ted Eschliman** · May-14-2007, 5:46am

Tim, are you sure this isn't an Applause? The Adamas mandolin is extremely rare; I know of only two made, one prototype and one custom made for me. As far as adjusting, a competent luthier should be able to adjust the action of its fixed bridge by working with the shims. Mine was adusted to extreme comfort.

I don't own it anymore, but it was a plugged-in dream come true.

Custom Ovation Adamas Mandolin

**Tim Bowen** · May-15-2007, 2:32am

Thanks for the replies.

Mandohack, it appears that I stand corrected, thanks. Other than with regard to the headstock, mine looks exactly like the black one in your photos. I bought the instrument used, and was (mistakenly, it seems) told that it was an "Adamas" (not that this was any big whoop at the time, as I walked with a fairly righteous deal).

The reasons that I've asked about the general playability character of the Ovation:

* I played another Ovation mando a year or so ago, and like mine, it leaned toward the "stiff" side.

* Having owned and played a slew of different fretted instruments since the late 60's, my experience has been that certain instruments are somewhat locked into their particular playability quirks and limitations (for instance, vintage Rickenbacker 12 strings).

However, if the concensus is that this instrument can be tweaked to be more friendly to the hands, I'll give my luthier a yell. Just looking to avoid spending the coin on a "nahhhh".

**Jim Garber** · May-15-2007, 7:16am

I am not sure what exactly you mean by "stiff". Is it more difficult to play due to high action? Is the scale length longer than your Fender? Perhaps you could just put lighter gauge strings on it or have the saddle lowered a touch. In any case, get thee to a luthier. I thought Ovations, if for nothing else, were known for easy playability as well as sounding fine electronically.

Jim

**Tim2723** · May-15-2007, 7:38am

Hi Tim and welcome!

I used the Ovation MM68 as my primary stage instrument for seven wonderful years until it came to a tragic end. I had mine tweaked by a very good tech to adjust the action. It's done with shims and some very scarry filing (never watch what a tech does to your beloved instrument in the secret back room or you'll faint dead away!). He also added a Sabine Stealth tuner with the electronics hidden inside and a mute switch that allowed me to tune without the whole world hearing.

Being a mandolin, it can't ever be really guiitar-like, but it can be adjusted quite a bit more than you'd think.

As Ted mentioned, I believed there's only three labels you'll find for the Ovation mandos. The headstock will say 'Ovation' for those built in Connecticut, 'Applause' for those built overseas, and the 'Adamas', which is so rare it's more of a legend than an actual mandolin.

**Ted Eschliman** · May-15-2007, 10:56am

Calling an Ovation guitar an "Adamas" when it's really an Applause is a pretty unhealthy mistake to the Ovation fan (no, that's not an oxymoron...). It's a bit like mistaking "Chevette" for "Corvette." (Had one of the former in the 70s, also. Yeesh! It was an upgrade from my Ford Pinto.) Tim is right about three labels, but mine was the only one they actually put an "Adamas" label on the headstock. I pretty much had to beg them to do that when they built it.

The 3rd label is "Celebrity," another offshore model (different shore) that falls in between the Applause and USA Ovation. My first mandolin was one of these, and the craftsmanship is slightly better than the Applause, but both pale in comparision to the US version. At 1/2 to 1/3 the price, they shouldn't be as good.

**Tim2723** · May-15-2007, 11:09am

You're right Ted, I forgot about the forth label. #They are: Ovation, Adamas, Celebrity, and Applause. #I believe only the Ovation and Adamas are US built, while the others are Korean, correct?

I think people mostly get confused when talking about 'Adamas-style' soundholes, which can occur under any of the labels. An Ovation, Celebrity, or Applause can have Adamas soundholes, but it's not an Adamas.

**jefflester** · May-15-2007, 11:45am

Originally Posted by (Tim Bowen @ May 15 2007, 00:32)

I bought the instrument used, and was (mistakenly, it seems) told that it was an "Adamas" (not that this was any big whoop at the time, as I walked with a fairly righteous deal).

Hopefully not more than $300. That's the most a used Applause MAE-148 should go for.

The Ovation model MM68 is much nicer.

**Tim Bowen** · May-17-2007, 2:46am

I am not sure what exactly you mean by "stiff". Is it more difficult to play due to high action? Is the scale length longer than your Fender? Perhaps you could just put lighter gauge strings on it or have the saddle lowered a touch. In any case, get thee to a luthier. I thought Ovations, if for nothing else, were known for easy playability as well as sounding fine electronically.

Jim

Well, I'm attempting to wind up these step-and-a half bends in the upper registers, and ease into a big, sexy vibrato - but it just keeps fighting me!

Sorry, couldn't resist, just had to get that out of the way (after FOUR posts, no less)...

Thank you, I appreciate your insight. Haven't done the math on the scale length yet; subtle string gauge moves have not been impactual, up to this point. Yes, I'd get on better with lower action.

Hi Tim and welcome!

I used the Ovation MM68 as my primary stage instrument for seven wonderful years until it came to a tragic end. #I had mine tweaked by a very good tech to adjust the action. #It's done with shims and some very scarry filing (never watch what a tech does to your beloved instrument in the secret back room or you'll faint dead away!). #He also added a Sabine Stealth tuner with the electronics hidden inside and a mute switch that allowed me to tune without the whole world hearing.

Being a mandolin, it can't ever be really guiitar-like, but it can be adjusted quite a bit more than you'd think.

As Ted mentioned, I believed there's only three labels you'll find for the Ovation mandos. #The headstock will say 'Ovation' for those built in Connecticut, 'Applause' for those built overseas, and the 'Adamas', which is so rare it's more of a legend than an actual mandolin.

Thanks for the welcome!

And thanks for gory details of the play-by-play synopsis (I think)... did you mean to imply that your instrument met its tragic demise in any way due to tech tweaks, or was that a transitional conversational phrase on your part (pardon, just trying to make sure that I'm clear)? In any event, I'm with you on watching luthiers do what they do; it's a bit like watching surgery being performed on a loved one, and I'm a former veterinary tech... I hate the sight of blood.

For the record, my Ovation mando is an MM68.