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Location: Flushing, MI | Well, late last night I heard a loud POP. I didn't think much about it until later on I noticed the strings dangling limply on my Matrix. Here's what I found:
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Location: Flushing, MI | And another....
I have a woodworking buddy that came over and glued 'er back down. We didn't have any kind of C clamp, so I have it lying on it's back, on a bunch of towels, with an amplifier head sitting on the re-glued bridge, holding it down. I'll leave 'er be for a few days, and then re-string it up and see what she says.
Y'know, this is my knock around guitar. It had spent a lot of outdoor time with no case this winter. I wonder if THAT was a factor???
Anyhoo - I didn't get mad. I just laughed. I only paid about $100 for it, and made much more than that in gigs with her, so I'm not terribly upset.
I'll get back to y'all - wish me luck! |
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| Ouch! Guess the Matrix didn't have bolted bridges. Did your buddy use epoxy, or wood glue? |
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Location: south east Michigan | A catastrophic failure!!!
Man, that thing really popped! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thats sad to see. My condolences... |
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Location: Eaton, Indiana | I have been repairing guitars for 30 some years. That's the worst I have ever seen. Lucky you weren't playing it, you might have lost some teeth.
Scott |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | It obviously was a wood failure, top delamination. |
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Location: Scotland | That looks really nasty because it's a plywood top and the outer ply has come off with the bridge. Any break is much cleaner and much easier to repair on a solid top.
Still, it's strange that it's lasted around 30 years and decided to give up now, it usually happens much faster if it's ever going to.
Edit - see Bill's post, above. |
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| Mine lifted about 10 years ago but nowhere near as bad as that. It was repaired under warranty and the repair is not noticeable. |
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Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | Originally posted by g8r:
Ouch! Guess the Matrix didn't have bolted bridges. Did your buddy use epoxy, or wood glue? Well there's three white plastic-looking bolts stickin' out of the bottom of the bridge, if that's what you're referring to.
My buddy used wood glue.
I'm not concerned about looks. I enjoyed the way it played, and sounded, and I just hope that we can make it roar again. If not - oh well. It was good while it lasted.
The saddest part is that it's a rosewood board model, and those seem to be impossible to find now days. When you see an old Matrix, it's almost always with the "Gillette" frets.
Edited to add:
So place your bets now....
How many of you believe that she'll live again, once I string her up?
I'm reminded of all of them Gibson headstock breaks where, once they're re-glued, they're usually stronger than they previously were at that point.
I think it'll be OK. It'll just be even uglier than it already was.
If not - I still have my Legend to keep me warm... |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | I'm feeling faint... |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by tragocaster:
I have a woodworking buddy.... We didn't have any kind of C clamp A woodworker without clamps? :confused:
A bit like a guitarist without any strings. :rolleyes:
Is he REALLY a " woodworking buddy " , or just someone you knew who had some glue? :D |
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Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | Is he REALLY a " woodworking buddy " , or just someone you knew who had some glue?
Ummmm.... both! :D
Actually he does have clamps at home. They just weren't in his truck when he came over. The glue, I think he keeps with him at all times. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | It will play again. The big issue will be getting the top to lay smooth and keep oils/moisture/dirt out. It will probably rip out again.
I'd have a new top put on or I'd veneer over the sanded top and reseal it.
Or just glue her down and play the heck out of it! Then tell amazing tales of how you both got your scars! ;) |
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Location: Flushing, MI | Or just glue her down and play the heck out of it! That indeed is the plan! |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Been there done that.
After the magicians at the factory did their work, this is how it looks now.
 :) |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think it's a sign.
Time to think about getting a new Ovation. |
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July 2005
Posts: 354
Location: Flushing, MI | Umm... well... I tuned 'er up to standard pitch just now, and so far - so good.
I did notice that the backside of the bridge is NOT flush with the top. It still looks like it's being pulled away from the top - and that was BEFORE stringing it up. I strung it up anyway, and it's holding.
I'll let y'all know what happens next.....
Time to think about getting a new Ovation.
I wish it were that easy! |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by bvince:
I think it's a sign.
Time to think about getting a new Ovation. A couple of C clamps would be cheaper!  |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | Or tek screws :D |
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Location: kansas | I would prefer a bridge that was bolted on to the top; using something like what's shown here : 
(note: some of the removed hardware was for the adjustable bridge that was replaced, in this case. the set of screws/nuts and washers shown towards the center would be all that you would need to bolt the bridge to the top and add a couple of inlays).
maybe next time?... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | When I sent my 1115 off to the Mothership for a rebuild, it had Three Bolts in the bridge...
They sent it back with None!
I am living on faith that they know what they are doing!
But there is something reassuring about a coupla bolts holding things together... |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Isn't this a function of the inherent vulnerability of the pinless bridge?
With a conventional bridge, the sting tension is actually carried against the bridge plate (a piece of hardwood glued to the under-side of the top). With a pinless bridge, its up to the bridge glue joint itself to carry the load.
Pinless has its advantages too, but if I were going to to to the trouble to try to add bolts to a bridge, I'd convert it to a pinned bridge design instead. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Omaha:
Isn't this a function of the inherent vulnerability of the pinless bridge? Actually, it's a function of the tension of the strings. I read 2-4 guitar magazines every month (doesn't do a damned thing to improve my playing) and 3-4 times per year there are articles on repairing bridges that have come up. Somehow, I never see any mention of pinned vs. pinless bridges.... |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | When you consider how a pinned bridge works :
It is clear that the glue joint is not what is holding against the string tension. That's not to say that they don't lift...the torque created by the strings going over the saddle is significant.
To quote Frank Ford, "The pin bridge is an ideal design because the strings are actually anchored under the top to minimize the stress on the bridge glue joint." |
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OH NO! My bridge popped off!
