new telstar in house

[matte]

this just showed up @ my door. incredible guitar. alder body, gigantic v neck profile, 12" radius, 6105s, custom lollars (killer hb bridge pickup!) with quack and ass!!!!, back routed chimemaster trem.


http://www.mattemusic.com/front.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/fofts.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/fof.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/bsf.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/back.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/hs.jpg

[BluePowder]

That's just awesome on so many levels!

Thanks for sharing Matte, love the color too!

How you finding the chimemaster trem?

[Boris Bubbanov]

Ah, the hardened steel barrel saddles on a Gen. II Chimemaster.

Love to hear a description of how it sounds.

Congrats. Nice guitar.

[clemduolian]

Matte:

It is rare to find an artist and patriot of your caliber. Thank you for your fearless pursuit of guitar art and musicianship and showing the world that consumer confidence is not dead in America. With folks like you showing the way, the future is bright indeed.

I salute you. And congratulations on another fine instrument!!

[dr.morton]

What has patriotism to do with ordering a guitar?
I know that politics is not allowed here but sorry I cannot resist:
It is patrotism which led the US into its current crisis!

Nice guitar by the way.

[hansoloist]

Holy hell, that is a beautiful mind-f*ck of a guitar. I want one.

peace
-jeff

[Jerrod]

What has patriotism to do with ordering a guitar?
I know that politics is not allowed here but sorry I cannot resist:
It is patrotism which led the US into its current crisis!

Nice guitar by the way.

It's good that the humor (I'm sure was intended) isn't lost on you.

[changeling]

that's a badd muf#cka,matte.

for real. please cut some tracks when you can so we can check the tones out.
r

[CDaughtry]

It's only misguided patriotism if Matte took out a loan from Citibank to pay for it!:D

[drezdin]

I haven't wanted a 6 string in a while, but this one could change my mind.

Congrats on another awesome one.

You've acquired some amazing guitars this year.

[matte]

I haven't wanted a 6 string in a while, but this one could change my mind.

Congrats on another awesome one.

You've acquired some amazing guitars this year.
this month has been insane. seems like november is amazing guitar month.

[ivers]

The vibe that guitar exudes is too awesome to handle... congrats, man!

[Todd Lynch]

Killer - With Schizophrenic Mojo!

[rgsss14]

I'm sure these guitars are something else - they look amazing and their premise is nothing short of intriguing. I can't wait for mine to come in. I should just ask Cliff..... but, is the Chimemaster a standard on these?

[fenderbender4]

I want one of these things soooooo bad.


Congratulations on an awesome guitar.

It just seems like the best guitars might be being made now.

[Strat]

geeezzz..what happpend to it - fall off the truck ?

[jzilla]

yowsers. ineffably cool. when are you coming to la with one of these bad boys (telstars)??

[shallbe]

That's the one, right there. I love all the inspired design elements mixed up on that axe. Even the bridge is a combo of Tele Strat. The only thing non-F inspired is the Humbucker, but I would prefer it the same way as well.

Great guitar.

[Eagle1]

If you described this to me I would hate it but that looks great .How dose it sound ?
Tele or Strat ? Early 60s mutant?

[Thor]

The guitar gods have really been storming your gates and leaving all sorts of treasures!!!!

Look forward to clips.

Enjoy it in the best of health,

Edward

[Neill]

that is my favorite yet of any of your guitars (obviously with regard to looks and specs).

[todd richman]

matte, that is just awesome. Is that Fiesta Red?

[stephenT]

very cool, what is that color?

I've started something from a slightly different point of view,

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/mahogany.jpg

[6120]

Nice Matte!!!

[A-Bone]

That is a great looking axe, Matte!

[matte]

http://www.mattemusic.com/front1-1.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/back1-1.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/basshorn-1.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/scallop-1.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/cwdtl1-1.jpg

[Jahn]

How's that Chimemaster? That looks way too cool for school. Feel? Sound?

[BattleAngel]

sweet LORD! You did it again!

[matte]

How's that Chimemaster? That looks way too cool for school. Feel? Sound?
the chimemaster is an integral part of the trem telstar. i've never had this degree of resonance or sustain out of a standard fender style trem, vintage, wilkie or otherwise. i have it floating (with 2 springs) for upward pull of:
high e-200 cents
b-400 cents
g-600 cents
d-473 cents
a-500 cents
low e-600 cents

[lv]

Very cool guitar. imo, these are the only non-Fender guitars that look good with the aging.

[George Johnson]

SWEET ride matte. :BEER

[Neill]

the chimemaster is an integral part of the trem telstar. i've never had this degree of resonance or sustain out of a standard fender style trem, vintage, wilkie or otherwise. i have it floating (with 2 springs) for upward pull of:
high e-200 cents
b-400 cents
g-600 cents
d-473 cents
a-500 cents
low e-600 cents

thaz deecent.

[matte]

thaz deecent.not bad, right? what blows me away about this guitar is that both modern
*12" radius
*6105s
*bridge f spaced humbucker which jason lollar absolutely nailed,
*height adjustable locking tuners that enable individual break angle over the nut to each post
*scalloped rear treble side horn for exceptional upper fret access
*back routed trem cavity

and vintage (killer pre cbs vibe as regards aesthetics, feel, resonance/just check out david grissom's thoughts on chad's work).the chimemaster ties it all together.

[Neill]

out of curiosity (*and just tire kicking*), how does the trem feel? any different relative to a standard strat trem w/ stamped saddles? does it have the springy-ness/light touch of a modern trem?

[HHB]

dayum

[matte]

out of curiosity (*and just tire kicking*), how does the trem feel? any different relative to a standard strat trem w/ stamped saddles? does it have the springy-ness/light touch of a modern trem?
even fluid response throughout it's travel(no slop). springy/light touch ( as i have it set up).

[Neill]

cool, thanks matte. this trem and your input has got me thinkin'...

[matte]

cool, thanks matte. this trem and your input has got me thinkin'...for me? finest fender themed trem guitar i've owned/operated. james v (maroon 5) has been touring with the butterscotch proto (it's his) and he loves it. everything i love about vintage strats and teles just comes together (for me) with the telstar.

[Thor]

Happy to hear that it has met and exceeded your needs/expectations.

Enjoy that sweet ride and please post some clips when you get a chance. Would love to hear how the trem responds. How well does it stay in tune after some trem abuse?

Thanks,

Edward

[matte]

http://www.mattemusic.com/front1b.jpg
http://www.mattemusic.com/bridge.jpg

[fullerplast]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltrem.jpg


This photo illustrates my concerns with this trem design....look at the D, B, and E strings and how they have moved. The string spacing is all unequal. The barrel saddles have no "return to center" detent so when the trem is depressed, the strings can easily move around and they will not go back their nominal position without physically moving them. This is especially the case with compensated saddles. (It can even be a problem with stock teles, depending on setup). A notched saddle would solve this problem, provided the notches were in the right places of course.

[matte]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltrem.jpg


This photo illustrates my concerns with this trem design....look at the D, B, and E strings and how they have moved. The string spacing is all unequal. The barrel saddles have no "return to center" detent so when the trem is depressed, the strings can easily move around and they will not go back their nominal position without physically moving them. This is especially the case with compensated saddles. (It can even be a problem with stock teles, depending on setup). A notched saddle would solve this problem, provided the notches were in the right places of course.

they didn't/don't move. it's the camera angle.

how many chimemaster equipped guitars do you own? i own 2 and i simply would not use a bridge that compromised tuning stability.

[fullerplast]

they didn't/don't move. it's the camera angle.

how many chimemaster equipped guitars do you own? i own 2 and i simply would not use a bridge that compromised tuning stability.

I'm quite familiar with parallax error and this is not it. Please don't tell me that string spacing is even. I've also used many types of barrel saddles for many years so am quite familiar with issues related to them. A trem accentuates those issues. See the photo below; I've marked what I'm talking about.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltremshift.jpg

[LocustXReign]

Very cool!

Again my platypus ref works nicely in this inference...a mindf**k for sure lol!

-DB

[matte]

I'm quite familiar with parallax error and this is not it. Please don't tell me that string spacing is even. I've also used many types of barrel saddles for many years so am quite familiar with issues related to them. A trem accentuates those issues. See the photo below; I've marked what I'm talking about.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltremshift.jpgyour theory (1 jpeg) versus my practice(owning and operating 2 guitars with the bridge in question). i asked before and i'll ask you again. how many chimemaster equipped guitars do you own? how many have you played?

[murkat]

^ the chimemaster pretty much nails Leo's first prototype trem bridge. I always thought that it be a cool idea to mod a vintage bridge with tele saddles, and now, well, there it is..... ;) (Leo's was all brass thou, easier to machine and tinker with)
Very cool Matte!

[fullerplast]

your theory (1 jpeg) versus my practice(owning and operating 2 guitars with the bridge in question). i asked before and i'll ask you again. how many chimemaster equipped guitars do you own? how many have you played?

Simple observation is all. I've shown you the problem on your own guitar in the photo. I've also shown the problem on someone elses below. I don't need to own it or play it to see that strings have slid on the saddles; I just need to see it.

It's not an uncommon issue with compensated barrel saddles in general. The strings tend to slide toward the point of lower tension (i.e downhill). They will never slide toward the higher tension side without being forced there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltrem2copy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltremshift.jpg

[JZWest]

Simple observation is all. I've shown you the problem on your own guitar in the photo. I've also shown the problem on someone elses below. I don't need to own it or play it to see that strings have slid on the saddles; I just need to see it.

It's not an uncommon issue with compensated barrel saddles in general. The strings tend to slide toward the point of lower tension (i.e downhill). They will never slide toward the higher tension side without being forced there.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltrem2copy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fullerplast/barreltremshift.jpg

Ah! this is probably why Leo moved on to the bent metal individual saddles. makes sense.

[Cobra]

I have a couple of Strats with the standard whammy, but I never use them. They are locked down with the bridgeplate sitting flush on the body, pretty much a hardtail.
I'm curious how the chimemaster bridge affects the tone & response if you never used the whammy bar, with the added downward pressure of 2 strings per saddle, & the change in break-over angle?

[JZWest]

that's it! will it to work! with mojo!

[murkat]

Here's a pic of Leo's test bed tele with the prototype bridgejust for kicks and giggles fwiw.....
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a257/murkat/lotw021.jpg

[Neill]

I'm quite familiar with parallax error and this is not it. Please don't tell me that string spacing is even. I've also used many types of barrel saddles for many years so am quite familiar with issues related to them. A trem accentuates those issues. See the photo below; I've marked what I'm talking about.


i'd really like to know why anytime a thread about jg, d'pergo, and now underwood guitars surface, you seem hellbent on picking out flaws/pointing out inadequacies?

[fullerplast]

i'd really like to know why anytime a thread about jg, d'pergo, and now underwood guitars surface, you seem hellbent on picking out flaws/pointing out inadequacies?

Sorry, you'd have to bring up specific examples if you want specific answers. In discussions about guitars or amps, I don't really care about the builder but if I see a glaring inconsistency in the middle of a lovefest, I'll point it out. Many people seem to be blinded by the light, so to speak, in discussions about high end guitars and amps.

In this particular case, it has to do with observed issues on a new Glendale bridge. If you want to take exception with the observations in the photos, please do so. Otherwise, what is your point? I made mine.

[matte]

Sorry, you'd have to bring up specific examples if you want specific answers. In discussions about guitars or amps, I don't really care about the builder but if I see a glaring inconsistency in the middle of a lovefest, I'll point it out. Many people seem to be blinded by the light, so to speak, in discussions about high end guitars and amps.

In this particular case, it has to do with observed issues on a new Glendale bridge. If you want to take exception with the observations in the photos, please do so. Otherwise, what is your point? I made mine.you made no point. you simply offered more unsubstantiated conjecture.

[Neill]

Sorry, you'd have to bring up specific examples if you want specific answers. In discussions about guitars or amps, I don't really care about the builder but if I see a glaring inconsistency in the middle of a lovefest, I'll point it out. Many people seem to be blinded by the light, so to speak, in discussions about high end guitars and amps.

In this particular case, it has to do with observed issues on a new Glendale bridge. If you want to take exception with the observations in the photos, please do so. Otherwise, what is your point? I made mine.

ah, so you are the messiah of the 'blinded by the light'?

and i was not making a point, but asking a question. i was simply wondering what vested interest you have in quelling these so-called 'lovefests.'

[fullerplast]

you made no point. you simply offered more unsubstantiated conjecture.

Unsubstantiated?:NUTSLook at the photos.

I've been using barrel saddles for over 30 years. I know a bit about them and the issues associated with them.

[JMintzer]

Knock off the personal crap. Nothing wrong with pointing out the design pros/cons of any maker.


Jamie

[matte]

Knock off the personal crap. Nothing wrong with pointing out the design pros/cons of any maker.


Jamieas a player who owns and utilizes the product in question (daily, in service of work as a musician) i believe that my vantage point is considerable.

[JMintzer]

as a player who owns and utilizes the product in question (daily, in service of work as a musician) i believe that my vantage point is considerable.

Your opinion is your opinion. The same applies to others. Don't like it? Put them on your 'Ignore List'.


Jamie

[JZWest]

you made no point. you simply offered more unsubstantiated conjecture.

then ask anyone familiar with the principle of kinematics if varying the tension of a string by dragging it over an undefinable plane, such as a rod, tilted at a compound angle will produce repeatable results in terms of its final resting place and tension/pitch when reaching equilibrium.

[matte]

then ask anyone familiar with the principle of kinematics if varying the tension of a string by dragging it over an undefinable plane, such as a rod, tilted at a compound angle will produce repeatable results in terms of its final resting place and tension/pitch when reaching equilibrium.

string drift has been a non issue for me. i have a pretty active /aggressive approach to the whammy bar. i record daily, under an extreme microscope. any tuning issues would be immediately noticable, as i check my tuning on a continual basis, throughout each tracking day/session.

[mouldynudger]

then ask anyone familiar with the principle of kinematics if varying the tension of a string by dragging it over an undefinable plane, such as a rod, tilted at a compound angle will produce repeatable results in terms of its final resting place and tension/pitch when reaching equilibrium.


My experience with people who overfamiliarise themselves with "principles" is that they are often pretty limited with regard to practical experience.

Damian.

[rgsss14]

As you know, there are quite a few options with respect to electronics on the Telstar.

Matte, is this your only Telstar? Do you have another with a different pup config. to cover all the bases or did you feel that this one sufficed?

I actually went with the tele bridge, strat middle, hum neck....but suddenly was having second thoughts.....

[rhinocaster]

What a great guitar. I've been interested in one due to the fact that I'm primarily a Tele player and I'm looking to add a Tele-like guitar with a trem. I've had concerns about string shift on the bridge and the photos pretty much confirm what I'm thinking is going to happen.

I actually had to ditch the Glendale steel saddles that I ordered for my Glendale Tele due to the same slipping problem. Just not enough friction even on a non trem bridge. Of course, once the strings shifted to their chosen position, tuning was perfectly stable, it's just that the spacing was way off. I couldn't live with that.

I'm still thinking that I want one of those guitars, but I wish Dale would offer it with slotted saddles to address a very real problem.

I hope to have a chance to play one of those guitars. Congrats!

[splatt]

My experience with people who overfamiliarise themselves with "principles" is that they are often pretty limited with regard to practical experience.

hey..... whoa, there!,
wow!
i kinda notice the same thing, sometimes;
maybe even increasingly so!
¿small whirled, eh?
dt / spltrcl

[JZWest]

My experience with people who overfamiliarise themselves with "principles" is that they are often pretty limited with regard to practical experience.

Damian.

that's not been my case, and i would never ever arrive at such a conclusion based on a response on an internet forum

[dkaplowitz]

The guitar looks hawt! I'd love to take'er for a spin. Congrats on the sweet acquisition.

Dave

[mouldynudger]

that's not been my case, and I would never ever arrive at such a conclusion based on a response on an internet forum

Less a conclusion, more an observation of people I have met in various areas, not all musically related and certainly not related to any internet discussion.

Knowing theory and principles only allow you to surmise how something may be. Practical experience tells you how it actually is.

Damian.

[mouldynudger]

hey..... whoa, there!,
wow!
i kinda notice the same thing, sometimes;
maybe even increasingly so!
¿small whirled, eh?
dt / spltrcl

I glad I`m not completely alone!

Damian.

[Teleplayer]

.....
Knowing theory and principles only allow you to surmise how something may be. Practical experience tells you how it actually is.

Damian.

Theoretically speaking, of course....

;)

[mouldynudger]

Theoretically speaking, of course....

;)

Ha!
Very good!

Damian.

[JZWest]

Less a conclusion, more an observation of people I have met in various areas, not all musically related and certainly not related to any internet discussion.

Knowing theory and principles only allow you to surmise how something may be. Practical experience tells you how it actually is.

Damian.

just curious. was there anything in my response that would lead you to believe that i have no practical experience? cause i fancy myself as an all rounder!

[rhinocaster]

You know, then ONLY thing that looks odd to me on that guitar is the rounded top horn and the squared off lower horn. I know that's due to trying to embrace both the Strat and Tele, but I'd really like to see it with a squared off top horn as well.

Not that anyone asked!

Love the headstock.:BEER

[reentune]

You know, then ONLY thing that looks odd to me on that guitar is the rounded top horn and the squared off lower horn.

That's my favorite aesthetic part!

(Still wish I'd bought that Glendale Tele you used to have, BTW.)

[rhinocaster]

That's my favorite aesthetic part!

(Still wish I'd bought that Glendale Tele you used to have, BTW.)

Yeah, there's nothing WRONG with it, it just doesn't hit my sense of symmetry.

I still have the Glendale. I'm glad that it didn't sell. One of my better moves!

[mouldynudger]

just curious. was there anything in my response that would lead you to believe that i have no practical experience? cause i fancy myself as an all rounder!

Not at all. You may have more practical experience than anyone.

My reply was directed to your point that you could ask "anyone familiar with the principles of kinematics".

My point is that I`d take the direct, real world experience of someone who has used something, over just anyone who may have read a 1st year mech Eng text book.

Theory is a very poor substitute for experience ime.

You may well have both. I didn`t intend for my reply to apply to you personally, only to your statement.

Damian.

[mouldynudger]

Of course, the flip side of this is that when someone hears or knows something and they don't know why, people jump on 'em too...

Unfortunately, that can happen too.

Damian.

[Dave Klausner]

Knowing theory and principles only allow you to surmise how something may be. Practical experience tells you how it actually is.


The difference between theory and practice is that, in theory, there is no difference.

[hansoloist]

Guys, this is all rather silly. Matte, just send me the guitar. I'll spend a few years with it, and happily report back regarding any tuning issues.

peace
-jeff

[Scott Auld]

LOL: "With Schizophrenic Mojo"

D.A.G. has a nifty sense of humor.