#1
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I think I like this Maton ... even unplugged!
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?
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#2
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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.
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Maton CE60D Ibanez Blazer Washburn Taurus T25NMK |
#3
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The headstock has got a bit of a Cole Clarke influence as well.
Steve
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Cole Clark Fat Lady Gretsch Electromatic Martin CEO7 Maton Messiah Taylor 814CE |
#4
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Quote:
Adam Cole and Brad Clark both worked at Maton together before leaving and forming their own business.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#5
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Congrats, that's a beauty. Did you get the AP5?
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My YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/ukejon 2014 Pono N30 DC EIR/Spruce crossover 2009 Pono koa parlor (NAMM prototype) 2018 Maton EBG808TEC 2014 Hatcher Greta 13 fret cutaway in EIR/cedar 2017 Hatcher Josie fan fret mahogany 1973 Sigma GCR7 (OM model) rosewood and spruce 2014 Rainsong OM1000N2 ....and about 5 really nice tenor ukuleles at any given moment |
#6
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That's a handsome guitar Bruce.
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#7
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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)? |
#8
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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.....
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In order of appearance: Aria LW20 Dreadnaught Seagull Maritime HG Dreadnaught Seagull Natural Elements Dreadnaught Taylor 418e Taylor 514ce LTD |
#9
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Nice guitar but doesn't look anything like a dread. What does WA stand for.
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"Vintage taste, reissue budget" |
#10
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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. |
#11
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But, but .... its not a jumbo ??
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The Big Fat Lady 02' Gibson J-150 The Squares 11' Hummingbird TV, 08' Dove The Slopeys 11' Gibson SJ (Aaron Lewis) The Pickers 43' Gibson LG-2, 09' Furch OM 32SM (custom) , 02' Martin J-40 The Beater 99' Cort Earth 100 What we do on weekends: http://www.reverbnation.com/doubleshotprague |
#12
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Quote:
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#13
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I haven't bought one but I'm planning to go try these out sometime.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#14
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Body shape: Dreadnought/808/traditional.
Perhaps I'm misinterpreting. Is this available in more than 1 body size/shape?
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"Vintage taste, reissue budget" |
#15
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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.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird Last edited by Brucebubs; 03-05-2017 at 02:54 PM. |