I think I like this Maton ... even unplugged!

[Brucebubs]

I thought I was finished with Maton.
I had 2 new guitars from them and it was not a positive experience.
But this new W.A. May 'T' (Traditional) has me interested again.



Here's the specs;
The WA May concept began in the office of David Steedman (Maton Director) many years ago. It was developed and designed as tribute to the late Maton founder – Bill May. You don’t have to look very far to see many of the ideas and concepts that were close to the heart of Maton’s founder in this beautiful Custom Shop model.

The 000 or “Traditional” shape that this incarnation takes on is arguably it’s most classical and stylistic form to date. I just love this body style and everything it offers the player tonally and as a reliable, versatile and comfortable instrument. Bills signature 3 layered deco style headstock sits atop this model proudly as it did on Bills very first Maton guitar (still in the Maton Museum 70 years on). The W A May Features a Solid Spruce Top with highly figured Fiddleback Blackwood back and sides. A stunning and so often favoured combination of timber that is truly symbolic of Maton’s Australian heritage.

The body depth on the WA May Trad is the same as that of the 808 models. It is deeper than standard 000’s and as such creates a deeper voice with plenty of bottom end and all sonic ranges are on show. I am so happy with this guitar, even down to its Satin Box binding. Two timbers growing together in Mother Nature uniting to create a wonderful story in music. I am humbled to be able to tell just a small part of Bill's story through this model. A True Trailblazers guitar.


W.A. May SPECS

Model: W.A May
Body Shape: Dreadnaught/808/Traditional
Soundboard: "AAA Select" Grade Solid Sitka Spruce
Rosette: "AAA" Blackwood
Bracing: Light Brace
Back & Sides Material: "AAA Select" Grade Fiddleback Blackwood
Outer Binding: Satinbox
Inner Binding: Triple Black Pinstripe
Neck: Blackwood
Headstock Veneer: Heritage Centre Piece
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fretwire: Dunlop 6260
Number of Frets: 21

Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm (12")
Nut Width: 44mm (1.736" - 1 47/64")
14th Fret: Width 55mm (2.165" - 2 11/64")
Fingerboard Inlays: 4mm Pearl Dots
Back & Sides Finish: UV Gloss
Top Finish: UV Gloss
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Pins: Ivory ABS
Machine Heads: Gold Grover Perloid Buttons
Pickguard: Optional
End Pin/Strap: Gold
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Case: Hiscox Flight case
Pickup: AP5-Pro Optional

-I think they could have chosen better tuners than Grover Rotomatics.
-Price here is just over Aus$5,000.00 or around US$3800.00

Here's some clips;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPnrcZXo6iY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y6E04ITjSM

What do you think guys?

[LSemmens]

If it plays as well as it looks, you've got a keeper. Their cheaper guitars (haven't had recent experience with new Matons, so my comments may be completely out of date) were a bit hit and miss. My niece had an early (60s) Maton that was ok, but nothing spectacular. Another mate had an identical model to mine that was good, but not great. Mine, OTOH, has always drawn compliments from other musos that have played it, and I am certainly keeping it. I've played a few others over the years that have not particularly excited me, but that, said, I wasn't seriously playing them so I may not have given them a true test.

[mirwa]

The headstock has got a bit of a Cole Clarke influence as well.

Steve

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by mirwa

The headstock has got a bit of a Cole Clarke influence as well.

Steve

More than likely the other way round.
Adam Cole and Brad Clark both worked at Maton together before leaving and forming their own business.

[ukejon]

Congrats, that's a beauty. Did you get the AP5?

[BrunoBlack]

That's a handsome guitar Bruce.

[imc2111]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I thought I was finished with Maton.
I had 2 new guitars from them and it was not a positive experience.
But this new W.A. May 'T' (Traditional) has me interested again.



Here's the specs;
The WA May concept began in the office of David Steedman (Maton Director) many years ago. It was developed and designed as tribute to the late Maton founder – Bill May. You don’t have to look very far to see many of the ideas and concepts that were close to the heart of Maton’s founder in this beautiful Custom Shop model.

The 000 or “Traditional” shape that this incarnation takes on is arguably it’s most classical and stylistic form to date. I just love this body style and everything it offers the player tonally and as a reliable, versatile and comfortable instrument. Bills signature 3 layered deco style headstock sits atop this model proudly as it did on Bills very first Maton guitar (still in the Maton Museum 70 years on). The W A May Features a Solid Spruce Top with highly figured Fiddleback Blackwood back and sides. A stunning and so often favoured combination of timber that is truly symbolic of Maton’s Australian heritage.

The body depth on the WA May Trad is the same as that of the 808 models. It is deeper than standard 000’s and as such creates a deeper voice with plenty of bottom end and all sonic ranges are on show. I am so happy with this guitar, even down to its Satin Box binding. Two timbers growing together in Mother Nature uniting to create a wonderful story in music. I am humbled to be able to tell just a small part of Bill's story through this model. A True Trailblazers guitar.


W.A. May SPECS

Model: W.A May
Body Shape: Dreadnaught/808/Traditional
Soundboard: "AAA Select" Grade Solid Sitka Spruce
Rosette: "AAA" Blackwood
Bracing: Light Brace
Back & Sides Material: "AAA Select" Grade Fiddleback Blackwood
Outer Binding: Satinbox
Inner Binding: Triple Black Pinstripe
Neck: Blackwood
Headstock Veneer: Heritage Centre Piece
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fretwire: Dunlop 6260
Number of Frets: 21

Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm (12")
Nut Width: 44mm (1.736" - 1 47/64")
14th Fret: Width 55mm (2.165" - 2 11/64")
Fingerboard Inlays: 4mm Pearl Dots
Back & Sides Finish: UV Gloss
Top Finish: UV Gloss
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Pins: Ivory ABS
Machine Heads: Gold Grover Perloid Buttons
Pickguard: Optional
End Pin/Strap: Gold
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Case: Hiscox Flight case
Pickup: AP5-Pro Optional

-I think they could have chosen better tuners than Grover Rotomatics.
-Price here is just over Aus$5,000.00 or around US$3800.00

Here's some clips;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPnrcZXo6iY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y6E04ITjSM

What do you think guys?

I think I'm going to order a Wa May 808 soon.

Did you have a bad experience with their standard line or their custom shop models (I've heard nothing but great things about their custom shop)?

[Greg Ballantyne]

Great looking guitar. I'd like to hear that tonewood combination, and others from Aussie makers. I can't seem to find any of these Aussie guitars in my area.... but then I don't get out enough, and haven't really looked real hard.
Unplugged is the only way to evaluate an acoustic guitar. IMO, amplifying a poor sound doesn't improve it.....

[drive-south]

Nice guitar but doesn't look anything like a dread. What does WA stand for.

[stevecuss]

Originally Posted by drive-south

Nice guitar but doesn't look anything like a dread. What does WA stand for.

I'm not sure about the "A," I assume its Bill's middle initial. Maton was founded by William "Bill" May, So WA May is named after Bill.

Maton is a play on "May Tone" guitars. Bill was a pioneer Aussie luthier and for many of us, our first foray into a decent guitar. I'd love to own a small body blackwood Maton some day.

[GibbyPrague]

But, but .... its not a jumbo ??

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by imc2111

I think I'm going to order a Wa May 808 soon.

Did you have a bad experience with their standard line or their custom shop models (I've heard nothing but great things about their custom shop)?

No, I started with a new 425/12 which I thought was reasonable so I ordered a country jumbo in 12-string - not a custom shop but a special order ($600 extra) of a production model as the existing country jumbo was only a 6-string. Looked beautiful but sounded weak and thin. It sold quickly.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Congrats, that's a beauty. Did you get the AP5?

I haven't bought one but I'm planning to go try these out sometime.

[drive-south]

Body shape: Dreadnought/808/traditional.

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting. Is this available in more than 1 body size/shape?

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by GibbyPrague

But, but .... its not a jumbo ??

True but this line caught my eye; 'It is deeper than standard 000’s and as such creates a deeper voice with plenty of bottom end'.
Don't worry, they have a new CS Grand (pictured below) I'll try if the WA Mat 'T' falls short of expectations.
A little plain looking but I'll give it a try.