Members studyscoot Posted October 30, 2005 Members Posted October 30, 2005 I've heard great things about Maton guitars. I spent some time reading through the user reviews. Does anyone here own one or does anyone have experience with one? Are all the models all solid wood? Which are the best to go with for about $700-$800 US?
Members Cldplytkmn Posted October 30, 2005 Members Posted October 30, 2005 i can't honestly give you a positive opinion of the Maton's that i've played. A guy i know has one in blackwood/spruce that is pretty nice, but i played about 6 one time in a shop and thought they were just okay. i picked one up and played it and thought that it felt like a really good 5-600 dollar guitar, looked at the price tag and it said about $1100... and that wasn't list either. I do like their simple looks though, and plenty of people like them. Tommy Emmanuel included (I didn't even like his sig. model though). My experience could be due to the shop conditions, but their other guitars seemed ok. YMMV
Members jasevenny Posted October 30, 2005 Members Posted October 30, 2005 Not all models of Maton are solid wood. I think all solid wood models starts from the CW80. I have the EA80C which has blackwood back and sides. It sounds really nice but I'm still looking for a rosewood dread.
Members FingerBone Bill Posted October 31, 2005 Members Posted October 31, 2005 For a long time Maton was "the" Australian guitar. We're quite isolated down here you know! That means that the Maton range covers the spectrum from budget instrument to top of the line. I'm assuming studyscoot that you are in the USA? The same thing happens to Aussie guitars going to America as happens to American guitars coming to Oz - the price gets inflated by the importers. You wouldn't believe what we have to pay for Martins downunder. The same is true for Matons in the USA - they're overpriced! The 225 and the 325 would be the budget models and they'd be what you are looking at in your price range (in Oz the 325 goes for approx. $975 US, expect to pay more in the US) I own a CW80, a really nice sounding guitar and a joy to play. Nothing fancy; no bling; just good tone! (As the previous poster says - the all wood construction starts at the CW80. I'm pretty sure the 225 & 325 are lam back & sides but both have solid tops. Unless you plan to go to Australia for a holiday I recon ebay (australia) would be a good bet. Checked today - nothing much around at the moment.
Members studyscoot Posted October 31, 2005 Author Members Posted October 31, 2005 Yeah, I can't see spending more than $500 on a guitar that isn't all solid wood.
Members FingerBone Bill Posted November 1, 2005 Members Posted November 1, 2005 Originally posted by studyscoot Yeah, I can't see spending more than $500 on a guitar that isn't all solid wood. Buy a Smallman - you'll be getting lam back and sides for your $20,000 - you don't see his customers complaining!
Members studyscoot Posted November 1, 2005 Author Members Posted November 1, 2005 $20,000? For serious? It better be able to take out the trash and make me pie!
Members FingerBone Bill Posted November 1, 2005 Members Posted November 1, 2005 Originally posted by studyscoot $20,000? For serious? It better be able to take out the trash and make me pie! Deadly serious! Sometimes as much as $30,000. (At that price, you take god care of the guitar - it doesn't take care of you )
Members Herb Hunter Posted November 2, 2005 Members Posted November 2, 2005 Tommy Emmanuel was kind enough to let me try his maple guitar unplugged. I was astounded by the tone not because it was good but because it was so bad. The action was great, however, much better than the two Matons I tried in a store. Keep in mind that my idea of a good tone may be quite different from yours. I had the opportunity to play an Australian guitar that was excellent in every way: tone, action, intonation,etc. It was a spruce/Indian rosewood that deserves exposure in the USA. It was a Melville (Some weeks ago I mentioned it in this forum but incorrectly called it a Merril. I later found a video I took of it and saw that the name on the headstock was Melville).
Members FingerBone Bill Posted November 2, 2005 Members Posted November 2, 2005 Originally posted by Herb Hunter Tommy Emmanuel was kind enough to let me try his maple guitar unplugged. I was astounded by the tone not because it was good but because it was so bad. The action was great, however, much better than the two Matons I tried in a store. Keep in mind that my idea of a good tone may be quite different from yours.I had the opportunity to play an Australian guitar that was excellent in every way: tone, action, intonation,etc. It was a spruce/Indian rosewood that deserves exposure in the USA. It was a Melville (Some weeks ago I mentioned it in this forum but incorrectly called it a Merril. I later found a video I took of it and saw that the name on the headstock was Melville). Well, wouldn't you agree Herb that a low action is often achieved at the loss of acoustic tone? I would imagine Tommy had his guitar set up perfectly for what he wanted. The best acoustic guitars do not make the best amplified acoustics. Maton make some great sounding guitars nonetheless. I think it's a little unfair to compare a factory built guitar to a handcrafted Melville - nor would I like to see Tommy "do his thing" on such beautiful instruments. What sort of state was the Maton in that he let you play? Usually he rips them up pretty bad!
Members ashstralia Posted December 20, 2005 Members Posted December 20, 2005 g'day mates! bump.. hehe i've got a 325 cutaway sunburst bought new in '94. it's {censored}ing magnificent.
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