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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | Could someone please tell me what an Ovation Matrix is?
Thanks Pauly |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | We've had a few threads on these. Mine has the urethane neck and aluminum fretboard. I think it's a plywood top, made in Connecticut. Deep bowl. The idea was you could just replace the whole fretboard, but they quit making those in 1980. I think they went later to a rosewood fretboard. Don't know if those still had the urethane neck. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | My answer (as a Matrix owner) is that it is a guitar you would only want in the event you are a major Ovation fan and want a complete collection.
Mark has it right, except the theory was to swap out the entire neck assembly (it bolts on) if you need to refret. The fingerboard is a single piece of cast aluminum (with the frets cast in: It is impossible to refret a Matrix in the conventional sense). The frets don't last long. Any Matrix you will find today will have substantial fret wear if it was played much at all.
Mine still sounds respectable, but the action is rising every year and the top finish is a sea of cracks. It was the bomb when I bought it back in the 70's. Now, my kids bang on it.
You see these from time to time on eBay. Personally, I wouldn't pay anything over $125 (TOPS!) for one.
Jeff |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I agree on the price. Mine is almost in perfect condition, however. No cracks, good frets and the action is as good as anything. It was pretty much the bottom of the line in 77 when we bought it, but it was all we could afford for me to play at our wedding.
(I'm blushing.) |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I like my matrix, cracks and all. I've lowered the action and it plays and sounds pretty darn good. One thing is for sure, it would take more than $125 to buy it from me. Buck |
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Ovation Matrix