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July 2005
Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | It arrived today. All I can say right now is WOW! What great tone, and easy playability! This is one of the easiest acoustic guitars that I've ever played. The tone is just ASTOUNDING! Big beefy bottom, and clear highs.
It wasn't like that out of the box though. Someone had put nylon strings on it, which rendered it unplayable. The high strings would fret out everywhere. Just a simple switch over to .12 bronzewounds did the trick.
This is also the rosewood board model, thankfully. I had an Applause many years ago, and was not impressed with the aluminum board and built in frets. Not very friendly feeling. The Matrix neck feels great. It's quite a bit bigger than the neck on my Celebrity (which is way too skinny IMO). I've hardly put it down since I got it, it's so comfortable to play (as long as you have a strap). The fingerboard has a lot of wear on it, but the frets were fine. |
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July 2005
Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | I STILL can't put this guitar down! This thing has the "Tone from Hell" going on!
Now I'm wondering if my Legend that's on it's way to me will sound as good as this? Didn't someone here say that they favored the sound of their own Matrix over their higher end Ovations?
I'm absolutely GIDDY! I can't wait! |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Lassie / Timmy
Kirk / Spock
Donny / Marie
tragocaster / his Matrix
I'm glad your happy! |
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July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | congratulations again.
I'm glad you love it. I haven't put mine down since I stumbled over it about a month or so ago. It has a very distinctive voice.
I actually looked at it at the flea market because it reminded me of the applause a friend of mine has. It is the aluminum fretboard variety and it really sounds good. I came here to find out about it. It's a joy to play. In fact, my applause buddy and I love the sound of both guitars together so we're putting together a set list and will be out testing open mic's real soon.
Alan |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | The Bauxite Brothers . . . . |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | I still enjoy the sound of mine. Unfortunately, it doesn't help my cause to buy much more expensive guitars. Like most Ovations, it has a unique sound. And the concept of an aluminum fretboard on a urethane neck with a "plastic" back was just too over the top for most. Mine still looks almost as good as when it was new and may sound better. |
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August 2005
Posts: 13
Location: Hayward, California, U.S.A.! | Hey tragocaster, do you mind if I ask you what model of Matrix you just got? I like the sound of that whole, "big bottom, clear top" thing.
Hmmm. I'm glad I typed that sentence instead of saying it out loud. The wife might have slugged me.
By the way, Frets - where did that quote in your sig come from? I love it. |
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July 2005
Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | It's a model #1137. I don't know what year or anything, but I'm assuming that it's a later one, due to the rosewood fingerboard.
I've been wondering if the mass of the aluminum neck contributes to the big tone. If so, will my Legend (when it gets here) be slightly lacking in tone, compared to the Matrix? We'll soon see.
It just KILLS me that this Matrix is supposed to be Ovations cheapie model. Many people's remarks on the net have been all negative. I've heard tales of horrible tone, bad playability, and I can't help wondering if they have the same guitar that I have. Personally, I think that people form a negative opinion about the guitar BEFORE they even pick it up, and have essentially brainwashed themselves into thinking "This guitar sucks".
In all seriousness, I've been playing guitar since the mid-60's, and have played many fine vintage instruments that everyone salivates over now days. My Matrix sounds and plays better than some old pre-war Martins that I've played.
Did I just say that?
Oh yes I did!
I'll NEVER bash another Ovation, without playing it first, again. |
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July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | Trag,
I totally agree. I have played and owned some nice guitars, but the tone and playability of my Matrix puts it in a very special class. I have never heard my finger-picking so clearly articulated. Like you, I have the rosewood fretboard. This is a warm sounding guitar that can still chime... I'm not sure if I even know what I mean but I'll bet you and Mark do.
Wide - Eyed. The saying has been attributed to Frank Zappa. I like it. I also like, "Shut up and play yer guitar" a lil also!
Bauxite... lmao... we may just use that! |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . long as I get a cut. ;) |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | I think my Matrix has a little bit of a metallic or crisp sound to it that I attribute to the aluminum fretboard. I don't really have any similar guitars to compare, though. I think I have a very distinct variety, even though they are all in the same Ovation family. My wife still tunes out when I try to explain the differences.
Anyway, I don't know how much aluminum is in the Matrix guitars with the rosewood fretboard. I assume you still have the urethane neck and there is some sort of aluminum core that it's bound over. The advantage you have is that you can replace the frets and do routine fretboard work. When my frets are worn out, the guitar is done, but after 30 years of light or little playing it hasn't shown any wear.
They also have spruce tops, but they are laminated. Again, that's cheaper, but not necessarily worse. Just a slightly different sound. |
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July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | Hey Cliff,
Anther choice could be "Foiled Again"
We could bill ourselves as a "wrap" group.
And we could start our tour in Bauxite, Arizona.
Too bad this is already taken!
http://www.thealuminumgroup.net/ |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | y'COULD bill yourselves as:
Reynolds & Alcoa
(The Bauxite Bros.)
;) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . or . . .
Al U. Minium. |
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July 2005
Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | Y'all's a-KILLIN' me! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | "The Cheap Conductors"
I know, can it... |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Light Metal Band...
Not So Heavy Metal Band |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ...or...
Return for Deposit |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | Our first original song will be about heartbreak
"Hey, whose siding are you on?"
Alan ... but you can call me Al..... |
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The Matrix is here!