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Posts: 268
| I have a Matrix with an aluminum fretboard that's playable, but not great. The frets had been filed by a previous owner, but were pretty flat on top. I re-crowned them a bit but didn't want to remove too much material and it's playable but still has fret issues. I was thinking of replacing the neck with a traditional all-wood neck.
Would a two bolt "vintage" Balladeer neck fit OK? I'm not a luthier by any stretch of the imagination but have a decent level of woodworking skills so I'm hoping that it wouldn't be too difficult of a job.
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Posts: 3599
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I'm thinkin', if the bolt spacing is the same, it should just mount right up. Nice that you have an old Balladeer neck to work with. That's why I went outta-my-way to purchase that Matrix 1139, since it had a rosewood fretboard, on the urelite neck, instead of the aluminum casting.
Best of luck! |
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Posts: 268
| I don't have the neck yet. Does anyone know if the bolt spacing is consistent from model to model, and, if not, which ones will fit the Matrix? |
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Posts: 1018
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Hi BCam. There are so many variations from model to model, but I wonder if the Matrix used the same dimensions as the Kaman Bars. When I was working on neck resets, all the kind folks here at the OFC shared some patent sites that had general information about the bolt on necks. My 1861s have single bolt-on necks, but the mid and deep bowl balladeers had dual-bolt bolt-on necks. I'm really sorry that I can't really help as I've never owned a Matrix, but can you remove the neck and measure some dimensions? I bet some of the folks here could help...
They shared a link to some patents by Charles Kaman. These helped me with my neck resets. I don't think they are exactly what you are looking for but thought they might help.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?srch=xprtsrch&uspat=on...
#s 17 and 18 deals with necks. While the information is fascinating, it may not possess the details you are looking for to actually verify Matrix / Balladeer neck compatibility. But I hope this provides some info for you.
If you take the neck off, take some pics, and post some measurements, I bet somebody in this forum can help! Good luck!
Edited by arumako 2015-04-19 8:56 AM
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Posts: 268
| I've decided to leave it alone and just play it until I find something else. It's probably not worth the cost and effort. Thanks for the replies.
Edited by BCam 2015-04-22 9:35 PM
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I still think some machinist is missing an opportunity here. Set up a milling machine to level the raised "frets", then cut new slots for "proper" fretwires. I did it, by hand, on a Matrix neck, for the 1st-five frets, and it worked out OK, til the guitar floated down the river. But, that's another story...... |
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Location: sitting at my computer | seesquare - ... and it worked out OK, til the guitar floated down the river. But, that's another story...... Now that's a "one that got away" story ya just gotta share!   |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Well, ethically, I have to protect peoples' confidentiality, but......
"I decided to walk home at night, when I was camping in the mountains. It was dark; I didn't have a flashlight, & I fell in the river. Do you have any more guitars?" |
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Location: sitting at my computer | seesquare - It was dark; I didn't have a flashlight, & I fell in the river." OMG! Well fortunately you made it out of the river OK. I've found that camping can be like an amusement park, full of unexpected wild rides. Too bad about the guitar. It would be so absolutely perfect for playing "Rollin' Down The River" on. |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Touche'! It was all I could do, not to wet my pants, with uncontrollable laughter. And, yes, I provided the unfortunate soul with another gitter. |
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | seesquare - 2015-04-23 2:46 AM
Well, ethically, I have to protect peoples' confidentiality, but......
"I decided to walk home at night, when I was camping in the mountains. It was dark; I didn't have a flashlight, & I fell in the river. Do you have any more guitars?"
That must have given you a fresh and deep appreciation for the "roundback"!
Edited by arumako 2015-04-24 10:39 AM
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Location: Boise, Idaho | And that's how the story about using Ovations as canoe paddles got started. |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Au contraire, Mon Ami. This was only 2 months ago. |
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Posts: 3599
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Just got a call, to do another refretting fiasco on a Matrix aluminum deck. Told him I was pretty busy this month, but could do it in June. Gives me a chance to make a tether device, also. |
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Posts: 8
| Hello,
Has anyone thought of TIG welding as a possible way to repair frets on aluminum fretboards. The heat is concentrated to a very small area, an then shaping and crowning should not be too difficult.
Edited by SpareRibs 2015-05-09 2:40 PM
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Posts: 3599
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Altighty, then. Another "fix" idea. Probably work, too. I'm thinking the regular nickel fretwire might be a bit more durable, though. |
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Vintage Balladeer Neck on Matrix?
