Maton Guitars
Murray Adelman
looking seriously at on in the $1000 Australian Dollar range. It is a
small bodied job called the BG808L. It beautifully made and (IMHO) a
good size for fingerpicking. The fingerboard feels narrower than that
on the small bodied Martins.
With the A$ being so low, this axe will cost under US$600.
All that is probably not news to those who have been looking into the
subject but what I just learned is: If you do buy a Maton from
somewhere outside of Australia, keep in mind that it has a
non-conventional way to adjust the truss rod. You pull out the tail
button and use a gadget supplied by the company to access the nut that
way. I don't think there will be many people who have these, so order
one with your guitar.
Murray
Scss123
I just sold my Maton to a american and it also has an unconvention truss rod
adjustment, but doesn't take a special tool - a regualr hex wrench does fine
Steve
Murray Adelman
> I just sold my Maton to a american and it also has an unconvention truss rod
> adjustment, but doesn't take a special tool - a regualr hex wrench does fine
>
How do you get to the nut? On the little guitar it looks like the
neckblock(?) is in the way.
Murray
Scss123
I don't remember it being a problem with a regular socket wrench. I don't
think I used an extension...
claude dietrich
I would confirm that Maton guitars are very good value for money. I am
Australian and like many Aussies I have a Maton. For those lucky ones
living in a country with strong currency Matons are well worth considering.
In passing I have no link whatsoever with Maton. I just like very much he
one I have (I also have a Taylor which is better but cost about double the
Maton and has no pickup).
Hojo2X
Claude in Australia wrote;
>I would confirm that Maton guitars are very good value for money. I
am>Australian and like many Aussies I have a Maton. For those lucky
ones>living in a country with strong currency Matons are well worth
considering.
Like most Americans, I have never seen or played a Maton. Truthfully, the
first time I saw one mentioned on this newsgroup I thought some truly poor
typist had just misspelled "Martin." So this newsgroup has been my first, and
with the exception of the the Maton website, only exposure to Maton guitars.
Does anyone know whether they are imported to the United States? Who has them?
Wade Hampton Miller
Murray Adelman
> Does anyone know whether they are imported to the United States? Who has them?
>
I have been in contact with several American guitarists who would like
to try one out, and nobody has been able to find one there.
Bt the way. the guys in our local guitar shop pronounces it "Mayton",
perhaps so it doesn't sound like "Martin" with an Australian accent.
Murray
Ken Cavanagh
Now we're on my home turf here. I've owned several and one of my two "main"
instruments is a Maton. All bias aside, these guys make some of the finest
value quality instruments of any "factory" maker in the world.
The name is pronounced May-ton (after Bill & Reg May who founded the company
in 1946... it was originally an abbreviation of May-Tone).
Their prices for those lucky enough to buy in US dollars are sensational.
Top of the line Messiah flat-tops (rosewood back & sides, spruce top) go for
about $1600. Second hand you can pick up some incredible instruments under
$1000.
I know they are exporting some of their guitars to the USA, but I think
mainly the bottom end.
If anyone wants one, I'm happy to do the shopping and sending. I have no
connection to Maton, but I'm a fan of their work. And let's face it, guitar
shoppin' for somebody else is a great excuse to go play some new toys and
learn more.
Cheers
Ken
Scss123
Wade, I am not aware of anyone importing Matons, but they should as they really
make a great instrument.
I am an Aussie living in the States at the moment and I just sold my Maton here
locally and am in the process of buying a Lowden. My sister is coming over
here to visit and can bring her Maton M325 Cutaway. Spruce/mahog all solid,
great tone with HSC and will sell it for $600 if anyone is interested.
if so, please email me at
Steve Cuss
DickSchnei
In article <19980929143121...@ng149.aol.com>, scs...@aol.com
(Scss123) writes:
>I just sold my Maton here
>locally and am in the process of buying a Lowden.
I am not wanting to seem negative, but if they are so great why sell it to buy
a Lowden?
Dick Schneiders
Scss123
Ken,
I may stand corrected, but I am almost positive that this is a solid mahog back
and sides. It is part of Maton's natural series that I believe is no longer
made. I think it is around 5 years old.
Steve
Ken Cavanagh
The 325 is a nice rugged instrument. It's been the war horse of many Aussie
bands on the road for years, because you can just about use them as a
cricket bat without breaking them. But I wasn't aware Maton ever made a
solid wood version.
The regular 325 is a spruce top with back and sides made from a walnut
laminate. That's certainly what they were using when I was at the factory
about eight weeks ago. The first of the solid wood dreadnaughts are the CW80
and the A80.
When was this one made... I'd love to know more if it's a one-off.
I know Maton did visit the USA in the last three months meeting with several
of the major retailers about importing. I know several expressed large
volmes of interest, but don't know if/when they'll get guitars on the
shelves. Maton also just resumed production of solid body electrics which
will be on sale in about a month.
Cheers
Ken
Scss123 wrote in message <19980929143121...@ng149.aol.com>...
Ken Cavanagh
You may be right... but if it's mahogany back and sides, I think you might
have a special edition, which is normally noted beside the model number and
date.
The 325 these days certainly is made from the laminated walnut, and Maton
isn't known for using mahogany... mostly they use maple, walnut, blackwood
and rosewood for their bodies.
If it turns out to be mahogany, I'd reckon you might have something special
there that a collector would be keen to have a look at. I'd love to know if
you find out. I'm not a Maton collector, but it would be worth a look,
that's for sure. If you need to find out, email nev...@maton.com.au and
he'll be able to tell you from the serial and model numbers. Neville Kitchen
is the MD of Maton and married to Linda - daughter of Bill May who founded
the company. He's normally very happy to answer those sorts of enquries.
Anyway, enough already.
Have Fun
Ken
Scss123
Ken,
I'll give my sister a call and get the serial number off her. I am only going
from memory....
Steve
Tony Rairden
>> Bill May who founded the company <<
That just might have something to do with why the company's name is
pronounced as it is...
tr