The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

As things usually happen when one least expects, a LONG searched for Matty popped up on that market site and I KNEW that I'd have to jump on it. Price was over anything I was willing to shell out but with a "make offer" clause, so I kept tabs on it. Sure enough, the "buy now" price dropped to where I thought I might have a chance - two tries and the second one was accepted (was still a bit over my "comfort zone".

Familiar phrase - "Dam* the torpedoes, full speed ahead" or, GOTTAHAVEIT!!!

The axe itself is in VERY good condition, no cracked or loose bindings, no major scratches and zero cracks. Gold plating on the pickup covers and tuners is well worn and the frets seem to have very little wear - a bit strange considering the plating wear. It IS missing the pick-guard, and I hope to find an original. The biggest issue is that whoever set the guitar up must not have known jack-diddely about what he/she was doing, as the intonation is WAY off and the action too high. I'd normally do the job myself, but the shop that I frequent does excellent work for a very reasonable price. Needs new strings also. I'm also suspicious about the way the blades on the bridge are set up.

I haven't plugged it in yet (due to the intonation issue), but just MIGHT try it out a bit later

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Comparing spammers to a pile of organic waste, is an insult to the organic waste.

Uncle Mats ES-500, RS Wildcat, RSB Deluxe, FS-750, Magna MA 30 (non-Mat), TA-61 non-Mat), a Westone limited run/proto Thunder and an OAKLAND (Westone) XI100.

Pete

Gee, that's pretty!! Great find...

That is a gorgeous guitar!

Send it to me, I'll set it up for free. . .

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

Plugged it in... Speaker in amp was shot (I loaned it out for a party - lesson learned (again) . Fortunately, my bass amp was still functional and just about everything works except the tone selector. Sound gets thru all 6 positions, but only #1 and #2 have any tonal change. The tuners are also shot - every second hit on any string and it needs re-tuning.

I also need a case...

All in all, I'm tickled pink !

Jorg:
I'd BRING it to you along with my AK (just to assure that I'd get it back ), but I think the whole thing would be cost prohibitive .

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Comparing spammers to a pile of organic waste, is an insult to the organic waste.

Uncle Mats ES-500, RS Wildcat, RSB Deluxe, FS-750, Magna MA 30 (non-Mat), TA-61 non-Mat), a Westone limited run/proto Thunder and an OAKLAND (Westone) XI100.

Pete

Gorgeous guitar, congrats!

In my experience a varitone circuit switch seldom makes a whole lot of difference to the tone. The guitar would likely be better off without it. Find one position you like and just ignore it.

And before you replace those machine heads, check to make sure that all fastening screws are snug to the head stock, and if there's a screw at the end of the stem make sure it too is snugged up engage the friction washer. That should stop any post "wobbling".

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
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I'd eventually give it back. Maybe...

Or, maybe I'll come see you. I'd love to see Germany.

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

Thanks for the compliments and tips!

I spent the better part of the afternoon checking things out and working on a decent setup - at least one that will work until I can get new strings (there are 9's on it and I'd prefer 10 hybrids).

The strings were at 4.5mm at the 12th with the PU's and bridge screwed up practically as high as they'd go, which, naturally messed up the intonation and tuning. After dropping the bridge and PU's and retuning, all was well (well, almost ). The strings "work" - the "E" "B" "G" ones are BLACK ;, and the wound ones are a musty gray, but manoman does the axe sound sweet thru my CRATE bass amp (BX-25). Still created a minor "situation" at 2.5 on the volume . Can't wait to plug it into my son's PEAVEY!

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Comparing spammers to a pile of organic waste, is an insult to the organic waste.

Uncle Mats ES-500, RS Wildcat, RSB Deluxe, FS-750, Magna MA 30 (non-Mat), TA-61 non-Mat), a Westone limited run/proto Thunder and an OAKLAND (Westone) XI100.

Pete

Small update...
Mechanics appear to be OK. I only have to do a minor re-tune after two or more hours of moderate playing (more like "goofing" as I have to re-train my muscle memory) - generally the "B" string (it's the one in the worst condition). New strings have arrived (11-48) and will get put on today along with complete setup. I also received a case from Thomann today, so the Axe will now be safe from my Granddaughter .

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Comparing spammers to a pile of organic waste, is an insult to the organic waste.

Uncle Mats ES-500, RS Wildcat, RSB Deluxe, FS-750, Magna MA 30 (non-Mat), TA-61 non-Mat), a Westone limited run/proto Thunder and an OAKLAND (Westone) XI100.

Pete

I also found two videos, the second one of which best shows the tonal variations by the Varitone switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEKeFwTSQT4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFnyMAYqQG4

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Comparing spammers to a pile of organic waste, is an insult to the organic waste.

Uncle Mats ES-500, RS Wildcat, RSB Deluxe, FS-750, Magna MA 30 (non-Mat), TA-61 non-Mat), a Westone limited run/proto Thunder and an OAKLAND (Westone) XI100.

Pete

Also excellent examples of the differences between the ES and TA models.

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday