Introduced in 1976, Ovation’s Adamas guitars are still the only mass-produced
instruments with carbon fiber tops. The design was steadily improved
upon over the years, culminating in the virtually all carbon fiber Adamas
Q. While only a select group of players is going to be willing to make
the leap to the Q’s list price of $5,999, others might be interested
in Ovation’s new Adamas SMT ($1,799), which brings the carbon fiber
top into more affordable realms than ever before.
Based on Ovation’s popular mid-depth bowl design and incorporating
multiple soundholes, at first glance the SMT doesn’t differ much from
previous Adamas models, but a closer look reveals a new smooth top.
Unlike the textured tops of previous Adamases, the SMT’s top looks like
close-grained spruce stained black. With its ebony fingerboard and bridge
and black headstock, the guitar has a very elegant appearance. It features
the unique Quintad bracing pattern--with nine braces running lengthwise
along the top--rather than the familiar X-bracing.
The SMT is equipped with an Optima preamp and a CP-100 under-saddle
pickup, both of which include features that set this guitar apart from
the masses. Besides controls for volume, a four-band EQ, and an effective
notch filter, the Optima preamp provides a built-in chromatic tuner,
a logical addition to on-board electronics. It also features standard
quarter-inch and low-impedance XLR outputs, eliminating the need for
a direct box on stage. The CP-100 pickup is an interesting variation
on the under-the-saddle piezo design. Rather than simply sandwiching
the pickup between the saddle and the bottom of the bridge slot, the
design utilizes a U-shaped aluminum rail that holds both the pickup
and the saddle—which features a notched-out bottom to ensure even string
pressure. This ensures a perfect fit, as it allows the pickup and the
saddle to be inserted into the bridge as a solid unit. The bottom of
the bridge slot contains three plastic shims, which can be removed to
adjust the guitar’s action.
Shipped with extra-light strings and very low action, the SMT simulated
the feel of an electric guitar as well as any acoustic I’ve played.
The pronounced V-shaped neck, typical of Ovation guitars, took some
getting used to, but this guitar is amazingly fast and easy to play.
Lower-than-standard tunings sounded a bit jangly with the factory setup
but came to life when I used regular light-gauge strings.
While the guitar doesn’t possess the rich, mellow bottom end usually
associated with wooden guitars, it has a unique, brass-like bass response
combined with clear and pronounced highs. With its remarkable sustain,
volume, and natural compression, this guitar played acoustically would
do a good job of cutting through a dense mix. Plugged in, the SMT’s
electronics reproduced most of these qualities respectably, although
the system couldn’t quite keep up with the guitar’s sustain and there
was a hint of distortion when the bass strings were attacked heavily.
The pickup created a good balance between the strings, and the very
musical and effective EQ and notch filter made it easy to dial in the
best possible, feedback-free sound.
The SMT’s most impressive feature is its unique acoustic voice. As
an acoustic-electric, it would work great in a band context, where its
electric guitar–like playability and trouble-free electronics could
really shine. I’d recommend that everyone looking to expand the sonic
range of their arsenal check out this ax.
Excerpted from Acoustic
Guitar magazine, August 1998, No. 68.
