Blue Spectrum SX from the Bay

I bought that Spetrum that went off auction earlier this week - for $135. I kind of half-heartedly bid on it around two hours before the end of the auction as I was late for a meeting - did not expect to win - but I was the only bidder. Took delivery today. It is not my first Matsumoku product (I also have a Pantera X750 bass and an Electra X930 MPC).

This guitar is in pretty dinged up - but plays pretty decently - and has a very unique tone range - which probably will serve me well. The seller advetised the tremelo bar as not being the correct one ("fits in the hole - but falls out easily"). Turns out it is the proper bar - the ferrul was just a little too high for the threads on the bar to engage in the trem block.

The former owner has the bridge set up in a non-floating manner - so I will be tweaking things this weekend to see how I want to use it.

I bought this guitar specifically to use on a cross country trip where I have to play a show this summer in Salt Lake City - and I didnt want to bring any of my other guitars.

I am not real impressed with the middle pick up - it seems thin and not very powerful compared to the neck - I assumed that they are the same design - which may indicate that it needs replaced. I have a couple others lying around that I may try.

My 12 year old son thinks the totally blue guitar is way cool.

I took the SX into get adjusted and set up. I had one fret that was raised a litttle - that needed to be beat back into place and there was a slight bow that came out nicely. The bridge is now properly floated and the intonation is spot on.

I spent all day Saturday preparing for a Sunday rehearsal - using the SX. It was a total joy to play - and is by far the most tonally versatile guitar that I own.

That middle pickup is not going to work out for the long haul. I am probably going to replace it with something that I have lying around and then go from there.

The guys at the music store were all wanting to touch the blue guitar. None of them had ever heard of the brand - let alone the model. It was a big hit.

Not sure how I am going to like living with the locking nut. It seems to be more trouble than it is worth. If it goes, then I will probably have to install a string tree of some sorts. We will give it a try with the locking nut for a while though.

Sounds Super SunDog! Congrats!
Looks like another one rescued and another Spectrum convert!
They are just great little guitars, and love all of mine.

Sorry to hear that the centre pup is not up to snuff though. Generally speaking the single coils are pretty gutsy. My GT has an SC in the mid position and it fair roars, as do all 3 SC's on my Concord! Give it a little time to be sure it isn't just a musical perception problem. I kinda think though that its main purpose might be to add a 'Strat-y' tonal colour to the other pups rather than be a lead pup, at least that's what I've found on the GT.

I remember when I had my DX, the locking nuts were a nightmare especially if playing live and you broke a string (back in the days as a kid when I couldn't afford a back up), quick string changes were not an option On the plus side you could hammer the trem and it never went out of tune!

Barry wrote:Sounds Super SunDog! Congrats!
Give it a little time to be sure it isn't just a musical perception problem. I kinda think though that its main purpose might be to add a 'Strat-y' tonal colour to the other pups rather than be a lead pup, at least that's what I've found on the GT.

It is most definitely faulty. It was noticably lower volume than either of the other two - and I noticed it cutting out in all three of the middle positions of the selector switch - so I am pretty confident that it is not the switch. I really like the sound of the neck pick up - so I wouldnt mind finding an actual authentic replacement - if none of the single coils that I have at the house are up to the job.

SunDog wrote: It was noticably lower volume than either of the other two

Bummer.
I have a similar volume drop problem on my Vantage 'Entertainar' VE550, but it's on the neck HB and only when in HB mode! Sounds great in SC mode...go figure!

I still lust after a blue SX to go with my blue GT and blue X195, so well done you!! Yeah, mate if the p'up don't work, it's gotta go, sadly, but do hang onto it as it is the OEM one and thus contributes towards resale value to an aficianado of the brand, and, besides, it may be easily fixable to boot! I've found the Matt s/c's to have a lovely smoky sound that sounds "sort-of" stratty but with it's own voice.

The lockable nuts can be a PITA if you're not used to 'em like I was when my first Bendmaster crossed my threshold, but once you get used to 'em, they're great; you can really swing on the bar with cofidence that the thing will return to tune!!
The only thing I'd say about string breakage is to use a heavier gauge to perhaps avoid breakage problems and to use a lubricant like Nut sauce for the contact points; works for me!! I've not broken a string onstage for years!

And you realise we'd like to see this guitar, eh - perhaps being used in anger?!?

corsair wrote:...I've found the Matt s/c's to have a lovely smoky sound that sounds "sort-of" stratty but with it's own voice.

Yup. Really nice sound.

The lockable nuts can be a PITA if you're not used to 'em

Oh man, what a straight line...but I don't want Polly to punt me into next St. Swithin's day!

Nut sauce

Yer killin' me here!

... thought you'd like it!!!

Barry wrote:

Corsair wrote:
Nut sauce

Yer killin' me here!

When I grow up I hope I'm as childish as you guys!

DAN.

corsair wrote:And you realise we'd like to see this guitar, eh - perhaps being used in anger?!?

I left the SX over at the drummer's place last Sunday - as I plan on using it alot in that band and didnt feel like carrying any of my stuff back down the stairs at my house. It sux to get old. I've essentially taken around a decade off from playing music with a group - and I really don't remember the equipment being this heavy.

It did clean up pretty nicely - but still a pretty beat up guitar. Will try to get some photos.

SunDog wrote:...It sux to get old...and I really don't remember the equipment being this heavy...

It was never easy setting up and tearing down, but I don't remember having to lie down for two days after carriying my guitar amp up the stairs!
Acoustic guitar looks more and more inviting as the years disappear.

Congrats with the SX. You gotta be lucky with guitars you buy unseen on the web. My ST turned out to have 2 "faults": missing whammy bar and 1 tuner cover missing. Otherwise it was perfect. OTOH: my new Thunder 2A turns out to be having a neck crack Some jerk tried to cover it up by painting it over with black paint