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Q&A, discussion, and information for the labels covered by The Guitar Gallery (Specifically and exclusively guitars made by Matsumoku up to 1987)
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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Sun 18 Aug 2013 07:24 PM 
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Virtuoso
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RSBBass wrote:
If the only problem with the standard string tree is that it screws down to close the the head, why not put a washer under it to raise it?


Just not a fan of the small piece of twisted metal that passes for a string guide for 2 reasons; one being that they just look cheap and nasty, and two, that they create a friction point where you least want one and - to these eyes, at least - the roller guides look better and have a better function.


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Sun 18 Aug 2013 07:54 PM 
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Corsair wrote:
RSBBass wrote:
If the only problem with the standard string tree is that it screws down to close the the head, why not put a washer under it to raise it?


Just not a fan of the small piece of twisted metal that passes for a string guide for 2 reasons; one being that they just look cheap and nasty, and two, that they create a friction point where you least want one and - to these eyes, at least - the roller guides look better and have a better function.


What he said. I've found that they can bind on the string, especially during fine tuning.

I think I might have a spacer washer under one of the StewMac trees on my 325, actually.

je

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...doing bad things to good Vantages since 1985...

1981 AV-320
1981 AV-320
1981 AV-325
1982 AV-320
1982 VS-695-12
1982 VSH-445
1983 AV-330
1995 VST 33 CE TBK


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Sun 18 Aug 2013 07:55 PM 
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Corsair wrote:
Good-oh; thanks for that link, mate! I think I'll go for what I know and plump for the rollers.

That's the 330 that appears on your latest video, yes?


Yep, That guitar impressed everybody, stayed in tune for 3 days of solid rehearsals and sounded great the whole time. It's in about 650 pictures now, too. :)

je

_________________
...doing bad things to good Vantages since 1985...

1981 AV-320
1981 AV-320
1981 AV-325
1982 AV-320
1982 VS-695-12
1982 VSH-445
1983 AV-330
1995 VST 33 CE TBK


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Thu 22 Aug 2013 03:37 AM 
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OK, I've had the AV 395 on the inside rack for a while now and it's time for a report for those that are even vaguely interested.... :D

It's a keeper. Simple as that.... I've put the p'ups up a little with no loss of definition and an appreciable gain in output, so it really is quite capable of making your ears bleed if you push hard enough.... and we all like to do that, don't we!!

It's easy to play, though after flying around the necks on my late model Westones - which are about the best necks I've EVER played on! - the neck feels a little like a baseball bat, it's not really that bad; just a different approach needed! It feels much shorter than the Westones, when in fact the scale length is only 1/2" different and digging in for those good ol' chunky power chords is both easy and rewarding.

The rhythm pickup is a very nice piece of kit with its fortè being hard driving, chord work, though it can almost do a convincing jazz box noise with the tone rolled off and a more gentle attack with the pick/fingers. The lead pick up is a 45 which is coil splittable, and which everyone here knows; it is a tone monster, and I find myself standing there with it on the strap, with the volume pot wound wide open and the amp set with a heavily saturated type gain happening doing fast chromatic runs up the board.... a bit naff, I know, but there you go!!

The bridge.... well, it's OK but only just OK. It intonated just fine and is floating nicely but given the string gauge I use, it is a little wobbly and doesn't like to be used as a hand rest, leading to interesting palm muting situations.... it'll be interesting to compare it to the AV 310 when I get that sorted...

It is a bit of dark horse, really; it's no VA 900 or PE but then, it never pretends to be; I reckon, in sporting parlance, the VA and PE are pedigree boxers whereas the Avenger is an all-in street brawler ready to kick you in the nuts!!

I've found myself hauling it out of the rack more than the VA, Pantera and Strat.... I can even do a really convincing Shadows/Tornadoes/Duane Eddy with it!!


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Thu 22 Aug 2013 04:15 AM 
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Location: Roma, Queensland, Australia
Looks like we have another satisfied customer after visiting Don's home of wayward guitars :D

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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Thu 22 Aug 2013 08:06 AM 
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Avengers are infectious. :)

And, yeah...the necks are "extra medium" sized.

je

_________________
...doing bad things to good Vantages since 1985...

1981 AV-320
1981 AV-320
1981 AV-325
1982 AV-320
1982 VS-695-12
1982 VSH-445
1983 AV-330
1995 VST 33 CE TBK


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Thu 22 Aug 2013 08:17 AM 
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Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
Who's a happy boy then? :D
Avengers are like Spectrums...betcha can't have just one!

Any new pix?

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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Fri 02 Sep 2016 05:11 AM 
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Barry wrote:
Avengers are like Spectrums...betcha can't have just one!


.. and I don't!! I have 5.

Anyway, browsing the auction sites - as you do! - I've found an orange AV395 which, while I'd love to have it, I'll pass on. I just thought it was an interesting colour and I'll post a pic when I learn how to transfer pix from my phone to the desktop...


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 Post subject: Re: Avenger.....
PostPosted: Fri 02 Sep 2016 09:13 PM 
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Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
Corsair wrote:
...I'll post a pic when I learn how to transfer pix from my phone to the desktop...

On Android I use a little app called Wi Fi File Transfer.
It lets you upload and download files to/from your phone or tablet over a wireless connection. Easy-to-use web interface, no USB cable needed. Use it all the time to transfer phone pictures to my desktop.

I'm sure there's something similar in the Apple world mate.

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