Maton v Cole Clarke v Ayres

[Misty Bee]

I'm in Australia seking my first decent accoustic. I know this is primarily a US based site, but still I'd love an opinion and advice from those of you familiar with the above.

 

Firstly, about me. I've been a hard rock player for about 30 years, trying to do stuff from Van halen to Blackmore to SRV etc. on Strats. I've been banging around on the old Cimar nylon string that I got when I was a kid, until it fell apart last year. I've been looking to replace it, when my wife told me that I deserved a decent accoustic.

 

The Cimar was my Strat when I was in the bedroom, camping etc.

 

I don't play live any more - except for church, which isn't necessarily the place for the Strat and the Digitech. I also do home recording, so I'd like something with a decent, if plain, pickup.

 

My search started at cheap stuff, and has ended up at the absolute limit of my finances - $2000 AUD ($1600 US?).

 

I love the sound of the Maton. I favour the ECW80, but I first played a 325 in a shop, and I realised that it could be the guitar that makes me accept country music as acceptable (blame the metalhead upbringing!).

 

However, the Cole Clarke Fat lady 2 plays so much better. Easier on the fretboard, and a slightly better action, which saddens me about the Maton. And it's cheaper.

 

Finally, today I discovered Ayres, a cheaper all solid guitar that sounds frighteningly like the Maton.

 

However, I have to admit, the thought of owning a guitar that has Australian timber in it appeals in a patriotic way - all my life I've owned the best crafts of luthiers frmo the US, and Japan, the engineers of Marshall from the UK etc. The only Australian instrument I have owned was the 8watt amp Dad made me back in the late 1970's!

 

At this point in time, I'm thoroughly lost. With my background, use and desires, could anyone give me some advice?

 

Thanks heaps in advance.

[Fade2Grey]

hey misty...

 

I've actually been to Sydney lately and tried out a whole bunch of guitars. For what it's worth, I've worked at an instrument store before and have played many non-boutique acoustics before (though sadly all outta my budget's reach).

 

I've always liked the thought of Matons. I mean, a non-american brand that comes good. However, try as I might, I just can't like the tone. I've tried many many Matons and I can say that none comes close to my Takamine. But don't worry no Tak glorification here, i'll stick to your own suggestions. Anyway, in short, I just don't rate the Matons in terms of tone, even the Messiah (Tommy Emmanuel Sig) didn't tickle emy fancy. I mean the tone is good, but it's nothing to shout about; it's not rich enough for my ears. Having said that, my ears have tuned itself to Rosie guitars.

 

I've also managed to try some Cole Clarks while I was at Sydney. I'm impressed. I rate them higher than Matons though. From what I remember, the Clarks sounded richer and are more playable.

 

Don't know anything about the Ayres

 

Anyway, for AUD2000, your choices are very very wide... don't limit yourself. You can get the top of the range from mass manufacturers such as Alvarez, Takamine, etc and still get some decent starter models from the big boys like Taylor, Martin, etc. Don't for get the Canadian boys like Godin group (Seagull, Norman, Art & Lutherie) and Larivee, I'm saying this despite never liking their tone.

 

Also, you might want to bear in mind that you might want a pickup (Church playing reference)... You'll have to think of buying a guitar that comes with a factory pickup or buy an aftermarket one... for that, I think the best balance of playability, tone and electronics for your price still belongs to Taylor (314ce to be exact). The sum of the parts are greater than the individual. Also, they're great for you especially if you're an ex electric player, crazy playability there. However, if you want tone, I'd say the Taylors are a little thin to my ears except when you come to the higher end ones (700 series and above).

 

So there's my 2 cents.

 

Cheers, Mate!

Have a Tooheys on my behalf!

 

edit: hmmm... i suggest trying some Rosies too...

[FingerBone Bill]

Hi Misty,

 

Tone is so subjective - Fade2Grey's opinion is as valid to him as mine is to me - for my money my Maton sound better than most Martins that I've played. The only thing about as variable as players opinions on the "perfect tone" is the variation between guitars themselves.

 

I've been a Maton player for quite a few years myself owning a CW80 - I've been very happy with it. Other Matons I've played recently haven't inspired me too much.

 

I have found Cole Clarkes tone to be extremely variable. To my ears the Fat Lady I's I have tried have sounded better than the Fat Lady II's.

 

Ayers is the Vietnamese Factory of Aussie luthier Gerard Gilet. Now Gerard makes some amazing guitars - if you deal with him direct you may be able to snap up a bargain. (A Gilet not an Ayers.)

 

As for playability - don't let a slick set up sway you too much - decent guitars can be tweaked to your taste.

[pipedwho]

A Maton made out of the right wood can sound fanastic - Qld maple can sound a bit tinny depending on the soundboard material (but some people like that sound). The AP5 pickups rival the best.

 

Cole Clarkes have my vote, but you may have to play two or three before you find one that sounds right (as Deep South said, they can be pretty variable). The ColeClarke is the best plugged in guitar I've ever heard (this includes top of the line Taylors and Martins). If you are primarily using it for plugged in use (ie. Church - these sound awesome) this is the one to go for. Make sure you have a bunch to pick from, because they all seem to sound a little different.

 

I didn't really go for the Ayers, didn't like the sound unplugged and was worse plugged in. Actually, for an unplugged sound I was extremely impressed with the Garrisons - unfortunately they have an UST pickup that defines the whole concept of piezo quack.

 

Also, playabilitywise any guitar can be setup exactly to your liking, so I wouldn't worry too much about this (within reason).