Fishman Matrix Infinity VT | Part 1

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Matrix Infinity VT - Introduction

In this post, the first of three, we begin an in-depth visual examination of the Fishman Matrix Infinity VT Pickup & Preamp System. This system was installed in a Yamaha F-210 acoustic guitar more than three years ago by a renowned KL tech. As it's been quite a while since it was last looked at, the F-210 is now in the shop for servicing. However, before we go any further, allow me to share three links to valuable sources of information on the Matrix Infinity VT.

• Matrix Infinity VT Pickup & Preamp System
• Matrix Infinity VT User Guide
• Matrix Infinity Install Guide

Main Components and Signal Flow

First, let's look at a collage of the four main components that make up the Matrix Infinity VT Pickup & Preamp System. Going clockwise, from top left, we have the Fishman Acoustic Matrix® Undersaddle Pickup, Matrix Infinity VT Preamp Module, Matrix Infinity VT Control Module; and 9V Battery Bag. The next image shows Fishman's recommended installation locations for these four elements. Finally, the third image is a simplified signal flow diagram that sums up the correlation between components. 

Matrix Infinity VT - Components

Recommended Location of Components

Matrix Infinity VT - Signal Flow

The Acoustic Matrix® Undersaddle Pickup, as the name implies, is installed in the saddle slot of the bridge, directly underneath the saddle. Next comes the Matrix Infinity VT Preamp Module. As this module is mounted to the Switchcraft® endpin jack, it must be installed through a hole in the tail block. Third on the list is the Matrix Infinity VT Control Module, which controls volume and EQ of the signal from the Acoustic Matrix® Undersaddle Pickup. Fishman recommends that the Control Module be mounted underneath the bass side of the soundhole, flush with the edge. 

Acoustic Matrix® Undersaddle Pickup

Preamp Module Endpin Jack

Infinity VT Control Module

Last but not least is the 9V Battery Bag. This is basically a black fabric bag with a Velcroed flap and underside, and is where the 9V battery is secured. This battery powers up the system whenever a guitar cable is plugged into the endpin jack. Therefore, to conserve battery life, the guitar cable should be unplugged when the system is not in use. As per Fishman's recommendation, the tech who installed the Infinity VT System attached the battery bag to the the neck block with Velcro. However, as the bag kept falling off the neck block, I've reinstalled it right over the soundhole label.

Battery Bag - Original Location

Battery Bag - Current Location

Jackson Dinky® JS11 | Part 2

◀ Part 1

YouTube Demo

Body - Rear View

As one would expect, the bolt-on neck joint, four-screw neck plate, tremolo cavity cover, and control cavity cover are located at the back of the body. Among the outstanding features here are the sculpted upper and lower back bouts, as well as the low profile neck joint. Presumably, these two design elements serve to enhance upper fret access and playability. Further down, the tremolo cavity houses the tremolo claw, three springs, and what appears to be a die-cast zinc tremolo block. This tremolo block is nothing like the skinny ones often found in Asian guitars. Measured with digital calipers, its thickness is an impressive 0.531 inches. Right on, Jackson!

Body - Rear View

Neck Plate/Serial Number

Sculpted Upper/Lower Bouts

Tremolo Cavity

Thick Tremolo Block

Pickups

The JS11 features two ceramic "Jackson® High-Output Humbucking" open-coil pickups. As these humbuckers are virtually identical save for the coaxial leads, no pictures of their brass base plates have been taken. In any case, the neck has a white hot lead, and the bridge; red.  I have, however, measured both pickups' DCR values. The neck reads 8.25K, and bridge; 15.89K. It's rather interesting that the bridge humbucker's DCR is nearly double that of the neck. Subsequently, the pickups are wired to a three-way blade switch, volume and tone controls, and output jack.

Jackson® High-Output Humbuckers

Controls/Three-Way Switch

Output Jack/Jack Plate

 

Control Cavity

The control cavity cover is shielded on the underside with aluminum foil, and the cavity, with black conductive paint. Control cavity components include two A500K mini pots, a 0.022uF tone cap, a three-way PCB selector switch, and mono output jack. Soldering is, on the whole, of an acceptable standard. For one, there aren't any messy solder blobs to be seen anywhere. Much the same can also be said about the wiring. No burnt or melted insulation, cables have been cut to length, and a plastic zip tie used to keep things tidy. On the other hand, I am rather disappointed with the unshielded hot and ground cables to the output jack. 

Shielded Control Cavity Cover

Control Cavity Components

Volume Pot

Tone Pot/0.022uF Cap

Three-Way PCB Switch

Mono Output Jack

  

Shielding Upgrades

The electronics have been disassembled, leaving the pickup and control cavities completely bare. Looking at the two images below, you might notice two shortcomings concerning the conductive paint shielding. The first is incomplete and therefore, patchy coverage. Worse still, the walls of all three cavities have not been painted at all. As for the second shortcoming, it's the absence of grounding. There are no cables connecting control cavity to pickup cavity shielding, or control cavity shielding to the back of a pot. On the whole, this is highly unacceptable and needs to be remedied.

Inadequate Pickup Cavity Shielding

Inadequate Control Cavity Shielding

I'm pleased to report that the aforementioned shielding anomalies have been corrected, and both coverage and connectivity achieved to my satisfaction. The pickup and control cavities have received extra coats of conductive paint, from the floors to the walls. Additionally, each pickup cavity now has a ground tab screwed securely to the floor, with a cable running into the control cavity. Then, in the control cavity, the ends of both pickup cavity shielding grounds have been soldered to a common ground tab, which has, in turn, been screwed onto the the control cavity wall. Yes, we now have a reliable connection between pickup and control cavity shielding. Also soldered onto the common ground tab is another cable, which will be soldered to the back of a pot. To complete the picture, I've installed two strips of self adhesive copper foil. These strips of foil run from the control cavity floor and upwards along the walls; finally overlapping the edges.

Pickup Cavity Shielding Grounds Installed

Shielding Upgrades Completed

 

Electronics Upgrades

The owner of this JS11 does know quite a lot about guitar electronics and has requested full-sized pots, as well as a high quality selector switch, tone cap, and output jack. Yes, he be speaking my language! And so, I've done the best I can to fulfil his wishes. Seen below are 24mm Alpha A500K volume and tone pots, a Mallory 150M 0.022uF tone cap, an Oak Grigsby three-way blade switch, and a Switchcraft output jack. Testing has just concluded, and everything is working as it should.

Electronics Upgrades Completed

Jackson Dinky® JS11 | Part 1

Part 2 ▶

YouTube Demo

Preamble

The striking JS Series Dinky® JS11 "superstrat" you see below was sent in for general servicing and electronics upgrades. Jackson has provided quite a lot of information on this guitar online, so do head over to their website if you'd like to learn more about this fine instrument. Once you're at the start page, click the "JS Series Dinky® JS11" image hotspot.  

Basic Information

Model: JS Series Dinky® JS11 

Model #: 2910121552

Color: Metallic Red

Serial Number: CWJ2159741

Origin: China

Production Date: December 2021

Jackson JS Series Dinky® JS11

Dinky® JS11 - Rear View

Headstock

The gloss black headstock on this JS11 features the typical Jackson profile, black six-in-line Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast tuners, and stylized Jackson logo prominently displayed in white. The headstock is angled, and attached to the maple neck via a scarf joint that spans the first and second frets. This tilt-back headstock design makes string trees totally unnecessary, so the only other appointments on the front are a three-screw black plastic truss rod cover and black plastic nut. Beneath the truss rod cover are the truss rod channel and truss rod adjustment socket, which accepts a 5/32" hex wrench. Do note that the truss rod on this guitar is of the "dual-action" variety.

Gloss Black Headstock

Truss Rod Socket/Black Plastic Nut

Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast Tuners

Close-Up of Tuners

Neck

The bolt-on maple neck features a natural satin finish and according to the literature, is reinforced with graphite. Although rather pale in comparison to necks finished in tinted poly, the grain pattern is quite distinct all along the back. Interestingly enough, this grain pattern features lines that are tight, straight, and parallel to each other. In my humble opinion, this, coupled with the almost perpendicular grain pattern at the butt end; indicates a quarter sawn neck. 

Maple Neck/Scarf Joint

Close-Up of Grain Pattern

Neck Heel - Underside

Neck Heel - Left Side

Neck Heel - Right Side

Butt End Grain Pattern

Headstock End Grain Pattern

Fretboard

The fretboard on this JS11 is amaranth, a Latin American hardwood. Based on my observations, amaranth does not appear to differ all that much from rosewood. This fretboard features a 25-1/2" scale length, 12" radius, 22 jumbo frets, white pearloid dot position inlays; and white dot side markers. 

Amaranth Fretboard

Fretboard Radius is 12"

Jumbo Frets/Pearloid Dot Inlays

White Dot Side Markers

Body - Front and Sides

Finished in Metallic Red, the poplar body features the patented Dinky® shape. As there's lots of overspray in all body cavities, the only glimpse of poplar is to be found in the neck pocket. Hardware on the front and sides of the body keeps to the all-black format, and this includes the pickup rings, various screws, strap buttons, two-point fulcrum tremolo, snap-in tremolo arm, control knobs, switch tip, and output jack plate.

Metallic Red Finish

Neck Pocket

Two-Point Tremolo Bridge/Tremolo Arm

Close-Up of Tremolo Bridge

Strap Buttons

Does Anyone Recognize This Cat?

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