j45nick Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 I'm working in Sydney AUS for a couple of weeks, and had promised myself to see if I could find a guitar shop, specifically to look at Matons (now I know it's pronounced May' tahn). Miraculously, a dealer is only two blocks from my hotel downtown. They close at 5:30 pm daily, so I left work a bit early one day, hopped a ferry back to town, and practically ran to the shop to make it before closing. So the owner sees this sweaty old greybeard in shin-length black shorts, a grubby T-shirt, and a ballcap, and still talks to me and lets me play his guitars. Robert Bramley, owner of The Guitar Lounge, has been in the trade for 30 years. He has a picture of him with Leo Fender taken back in the 80's. He has met Henry J at a US show. His stock is largely Fender and Gretsch, plus Matons. I played several of the Maton "standard" series dreadnoughts, one in native maple and one in blackwood. These guitars are about $1600-$2000 AUS, and would be roughly analogous to the price and market placing of a J-45 standard in the US. The body shape is more like a Martin dread than a slope J, although the headstock on that series is very Gibson-esque. The guitars are all solid native woods, except for what they say is sitka spruce soundboards, although those are a bit streaky in color, which I'm not used to in spruce. Necks are native maple, they are long-scale, and have about a 1.73" (44mm nut width). Board radius is 12", so the neck feel is similar to a modern Gibson, and quite comfortable and familiar-feeling. Most Matons are sold with onboard electronics. All are satin clear satin nitro lacquer finished. Top bracing is scalloped but seemed a bit thick. Back bracing is fat, like a Martin. Bone nut and saddle are standard, The weight of the guitars seems similar to that of a heavier J-45. Strings were Elixir nano 12's, which is what Maton recommends. The all-maple guitar sounded a bit thin--almost Taylorish--to my ear, although it has a pleasant upper register ring. The blackwood version sounded more like a mahogany guitar, but still seemed a little weak in the bottom. Both played pretty easily for me, despite the fact that I hadn't touched a guitar in more than a week. Maton builds custom versions of these guitars (and others) with more traditional woods, but the cost more than doubles. Then we talked the market. The owner said there is very little market for US guitars, because of the very high price compared to Australian-built Matons. A standard Gibson like a J-45 would be over $4k AUS. But at least according the this guy, Gibson does not have a good reputation in Australia, which he attributed largely to poor distributor support as much as anything else. He also made the traditional complaints about quality control, etc, which I largely consider prejudices rather than reasons. He wasn't even familiar with most Gibson models. There is simply little market for them, at least in this geographical region. And, of course, if they're good enough for Tommy E, they're good enough for the average Australian player. Obviously, this is just one dealer's opinion. Others may vary. Anyhow, the Matons had good apparent construction quality, but the standard line would probably not be appealing to the average Gibson or Martin player tone-wise. The cost of any higher-end US guitar is a killer here. He said for the same price as a solid-wood standard Maton, he couldn't even get a laminate Martin, which he couldn't sell. I'm going to try to get back to the shop again before leaving in another week, as I literally had about 15 minutes to sit down with the guitars. It was worth the effort, and now I at least know how to pronounce the name!
QuestionMark Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 The thing is, to me (here in the US as primarily a guitar instrumentalist), if it’s good enough for Tommy Emmanuel, it’s good enough, actually holds true although a) I am a Gibson or an Epiphone player, and B) if it wasn’t for Tommy Emmanuel and Bluesking on this forum (if he is still on this forum) and now your down under report, I would never even know that Matons exist or what they are. Just my perspective. QM aka “Jazzman” Jeff
bobouz Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 The cost of any higher-end US guitar is a killer here. He said for the same price as a solid-wood standard Maton, he couldn't even get a laminate Martin, which he couldn't sell. We are indeed fortunate in the USA to have access to so many fine new, used, and vintage pieces. Which makes it darn hard to turn off the GAS!
sparquelito Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 Thanks for the detailed trip report, j45nick. Well-written, entertaining, and informative. I enjoyed learning more about Matons!
blindboygrunt Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 Your review kinda matches what my take on them is also They’re a good guitar for the money Lots of guys here in Ireland are playing them out at gigs . As Bk pointed out the pickup system in them is great. 10 years ago everyone had a takemine for similar reasons. Then Taylor etc. Good tough guitar that plays well in a live setting , can pick a second hand one up real cheap Doesn’t do any harm that Emmanuel plays one But they’re not for me
jedzep Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Trusting your assessment of these high end Matons, and acknowledging the whining of a couple 'cowboy chord flatpickers', I'm thinking you're rubbing on Nick a little hard for his casual first encounter. Did you run out of Yellow Tail? Andy's in Rochester is offering pre-orders on the Custom Shop 000. https://www.andybabiuksfabgear.com/guitars/maton-guitars/
jedzep Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 That's effin sweet. Not a cowboy chord or flat pick to be seen.
j45nick Posted February 10, 2019 Author Posted February 10, 2019 I wasn't pretending for a moment to be offering definitive comments on Maton. I wasn't trying to wind anyone up or stir things up, and anyone who thinks I was is welcome to take a long walk off a short pier into a pool of hungry crocs as far as I'm concerned.The fact is that I was pleasantly surprised with the general build quality and tonal quality, after the way some here had trashed the brand. I know a reasonable amount about dreadnoughts of various types, and play three different Gibson slope-J's, so I'm not a complete effing idiot. The dealer said that the custom shop guitars were a whole different animal, and were priced accordingly. He didn't have any, and I am not in a position to go looking. Look, I said I would try to at least check them out while I was here. The dealer said that the standard-issue native wood models with on-board electronics constitute the overwhelming percentage of sales, and that's what he carried. Jeez, some people need to get a life. There seem to be some well-balanced lads here, with a chip on each shoulder.
blindboygrunt Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 BK what has happened to you ? I’m starting to get flashbacks of Gerry
Murph Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 .... so the locals all play Matons and Cole Clarks and throw things at visiting Americans on the harbour....that may be political and Nick may have noticed the locals are not as friendly as last time.... Rocks? Do they throw rocks? Why are they mad at Americans?
blindboygrunt Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Rocks? Do they throw rocks? Why are they mad at Americans? Ah murph everyone’s mad at Americans 😂
EuroAussie Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 BK what has happened to you ? I’m starting to get flashbacks of Gerry Wasnt he telling us before he will bugger off for good and not return ?
jedzep Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Love my Gibsons, but I still like discussions of other guitars here. I never feel the urge to hassle that. BK welcome fer sure.
uncle fester Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 everyone’s mad at Americans 😂 ...everyone's mad at the patriots.
JWG4927 Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Ah murph everyone’s mad at Americans just like all of the americans are mad at the american football team who hold the dynasty on the Superbowl, the boston patriots ...everyone's mad at the patriots.
QuestionMark Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 Bluesking-I hope you keep posting here. Your comments are welcome on this forum and are interesting. QM aka “Jazzman” Jeff
EuroAussie Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 I wasn't pretending for a moment to be offering definitive comments on Maton. I wasn't trying to wind anyone up or stir things up, and anyone who thinks I was is welcome to take a long walk off a short pier into a pool of hungry crocs as far as I'm concerned.The fact is that I was pleasantly surprised with the general build quality and tonal quality, after the way some here had trashed the brand. I know a reasonable amount about dreadnoughts of various types, and play three different Gibson slope-J's, so I'm not a complete effing idiot. The dealer said that the custom shop guitars were a whole different animal, and were priced accordingly. He didn't have any, and I am not in a position to go looking. Look, I said I would try to at least check them out while I was here. The dealer said that the standard-issue native wood models with on-board electronics constitute the overwhelming percentage of sales, and that's what he carried. Jeez, some people need to get a life. There seem to be some well-balanced lads here, with a chip on each shoulder. Nick, so did you go back in and took another spin on the Matons, this time with more time ? I played a few when I was there and I still find them very underwhelming. btw: looks like BK's comments got the med arsee ..
blindboygrunt Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 Nick, so did you go back in and took another spin on the Matons, this time with more time ? I played a few when I was there and I still find them very underwhelming. btw: looks like BK's comments got the med arsee .. Oh he’s vanished !
j45nick Posted February 13, 2019 Author Posted February 13, 2019 Nick, so did you go back in and took another spin on the Matons, this time with more time ? I played a few when I was there and I still find them very underwhelming. btw: looks like BK's comments got the med arsee .. Not yet. Trying to find more time. The problem is the shop isn't open late. I leave for work just after 0600 to catch a ferry, and generally don't get back until about 1800. I pass a lot of early evening buskers on the 20-minute walk back to the hotel. That 20 minute walk can become an hour if I stop and listen to a few. Amazingly, a lot of them are hawking their CD's out of their guitar cases, as well. Haven't seen such an active busker scene since living in San Francisco for three months about six years ago. There are a ton of buskers on the streets of Sydney, some pretty good, other less so. Some get some pretty good crowds as well. It's amazing the fairly sophisticated battery-powered portable sound systems some are using. It goes along with the guitar shop owner telling me that everyone here wants on-board electronics with their guitars, not just with Matons. I haven't yet heard a guitar here that makes me say "wow". Most are depending on the electronics for volume, and various pedals for effects, even on amplified acoustics. At least they're fearless at putting themselves out there.
OldCowboy Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 Well, hell, Nick - all I can say is keep your head down and your, uh, back covered! Maton Madness is surely upon us. I've always enjoyed buskers/busking - wish we saw more in my neck of the woods.
EuroAussie Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 Not yet. Trying to find more time. The problem is the shop isn't open late. I leave for work just after 0600 to catch a ferry, and generally don't get back until about 1800. I pass a lot of early evening buskers on the 20-minute walk back to the hotel. That 20 minute walk can become an hour if I stop and listen to a few. Amazingly, a lot of them are hawking their CD's out of their guitar cases, as well. Haven't seen such an active busker scene since living in San Francisco for three months about six years ago. There are a ton of buskers on the streets of Sydney, some pretty good, other less so. Some get some pretty good crowds as well. It's amazing the fairly sophisticated battery-powered portable sound systems some are using. It goes along with the guitar shop owner telling me that everyone here wants on-board electronics with their guitars, not just with Matons. I haven't yet heard a guitar here that makes me say "wow". Most are depending on the electronics for volume, and various pedals for effects, even on amplified acoustics. At least they're fearless at putting themselves out there. Take a flight to Adelaide and visit Twang Central and ask Terry to show you his '34 and 37' D-18 and 30's D-28 and a Banner J-45 amongst others, includeing '56 Les Paul. Worth the trip.
BluesKing777 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Melbourne is closer - and this could probably be yours for 8000 of your Yankee Pesos in cash: https://www.acousticcentre.com.au/collections/used-guitars/products/preowned-1946-gibson-southern-jumbo BluesKing777.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.