Product: Maton CW80D/12
Price Paid: 1050 ((AUD)) used
Submitted
01/20/2006
at
10:42pm
by
Dave
Features
:
9
This is a 1981 12 string all solid timber Maton. Sitka spruce top (not graded way back then...but is quality), the back and sides are apparently solid maple, but look more like rosewood. This is a heavy guitar (especially in comparison to my Maton 325), and quality of the build and the neck is apparent. It has chrome tuners, a rosewood fretboard, and an old pickup which is the only real drawback. It has been used and abused and obviously well played, but despite it's slightly beaten up appearance, it sounds incredible, almost to good to believe.
Sound
:
10
I play blues/rock and some folk, using both pick and fingers. The sound has been described as being "like listening to a whole orchestra", and it invariably impresses all who listen. I have played many acoustic 12 strings in the shops, and this has the best and truest tone right down the fretboard. The inbuilt pickup is not so good (thinking of upgrading to a newer Maton AP5), so prefer to play it unamplified, and it's volume is such that I can play along with other amplified guitars!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
It has a pretty low action, and was set up obviously very well by the previous owner, who used it professionally. It has a very beaten up look to it, with numerous scratches, grazes, and wear on the spruce top. The neck is perfect, and the tuners work brilliantly. It stays in tune all the time without needing any adjustment.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This guitar has obviously passed the test of time, and it could still perform live. It has gone near on 25 years already. With a new pick up I would use it live without hesitation.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing about 4 years. I have a Maton 225, Maton EC325, and a 1981 Ibanez AS100 (Gibson ES-335 copy, only much better!!). Have always wanted the fullness and harmony of a twelve string, and after looking for around a year, playing old Gibsons, other Matons, and Guilds I finally made the plunge.
The sound is truly too good to be true. If it were lost or stolen it would be difficult to replace, as even the same model and nearly as old (1983) doesn't have anywhere near the same sound quality.
I only wish it looked a bit better....it looks like a beat up old VW, but plays like a Porsche!
