In a message dated 11/1/2004 10:25:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, LouDeeter@aol.com writes:
<< As I recall, Isaac was a major push behind the early 1980s Trek frames and then later built for both Rivendell and Schwinn. He formed the Match framebuilding company in the late 90s and made some very nice Paramounts. I have never been able to tell the difference between a Match built Reynolds 853 Paramount and the other 853 Paramounts however. Does anyone know whether there is a letter in the serial number or other distinguishing characteristic that would tell that it was made by Match? >>
I am pretty sure that the frames you are seeing from John are early, pre-Trek bikes. Isaac had a frame building biz going in Colorado before Mexico, before Trek, before Match, before Litespeed (in that order.) All Match bikes had the low-on-the-back-of- the-seat-tube fast back style seat stays, with a medallion on the front of the seat lug. They are very distinctive (different) and differ substantially from Waterford frames in the details.
Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC