The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hello,
I recently picked up one of these rare beauties at a a Pawn Shop who had no idea what it was. I love the tonal possibilities, playability, etc. so far, though the action is so low, comping chords just doesn't sound full enough. I tried raising the pivot screws (like on a Strat), but that didn't work. By the way, this is Red 2596.

Thanks guys!

Welcome to the forum and good catch.

I am not sure what you are calling the pivot screw as a strat has a tremelo and your Skylark is a hard tail. (BTW that is not the best way to adjust the action on a strat either). There should be individual hight adjustment screws on each saddle. They usualy use a metric hex wrench, available at most hardware stores. If you lossened the bridge mounting screws tighten them back up asap. Pictures would help. Plus we love pictures here

I guess comparing a Strat trem to a hardtail wasn't a good choice, but certain Strat bridges can be adjusted by pivot screws. (Along with many other factors) I will check each saddle, I just wanna raise them a hair, as it plays amazingly. I will get some pics up soon.

Thanks for the help and the warm welcome!!

Here are some pics. Just literally picked it up a few days ago. The neck is completely gunked, and there is some paint chipping and such, along with what looks like a luthier repaired section on where the fretboard is pressed to the neck. Still sounds and plays like a champ, aside from the low-E buzz.

Very nice. The 2 allen screws on either side of the string should do what you need.

Hi and welcome!
Man, what luck! Never happens to me.
As you've already heard from RSBBass and Jorg, there is no "pivot screw". Those two screws are there to hold the bridge to the body.

Loosen the string tension and re-tighten them right away. You can then adjust the individual string height using the hex set screws. (Remember to maintain the fretboard radius. )
Note that you'll need a metric wrench, 1.5 mm should do it. Also a good idea to give the threads a wee squirt of WD40 or light penetrating oil first.

Have fun with her. She's a beauty!

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Nice find! I have that very model. Mind me asking how much this pawn shop was charging for yours? It's my dream to find another one, lying lonely and neglected in a pawn shop somewhere.

Thanks for the replies guys. Payed $200 out the door for it. Pawn Shopping has been something I have done throughout my career, and finding beauties like these make it worth every pawn shop entrance cluttered with shoddy guitars and even worse miscellaneous instruments. Fixed the action just fine, now she seems perfect.

Cool. If you need someone to borrow it, let me know.

Nice catch and Welcome ! Always good to hear a good Pawn Shop story. Is it me, or is it getting harder and harder to find good deals there ? Danged interweb has suddenly made every pawnshop owner an "expert" on guitars !

And to add to Barry's WD-40 suggestion- if you should find it slipping out of adjustment on a reqular basis, add just a touch of blue loctite to the threads. ( Don't use the red stuff- too much grip and you'll be cursing it later !)

Beautiful axe you have there.