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. |
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