Product: Maton EM100 Messiah
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
09/28/2006
at
02:30am
by
Ryk Rostron
Email: rrostron at bigpond<dot>net<dot>au
Features
:
9
Was Maton's top of the line model when I bought it in 1989. AAA Sitka spruce top, maple back and sides, gloss finish with optional hard case. Came with what was state of the art preamp and pickup.
Sound
:
9
I play a variety of styles and was solo gigging when I bought the guitar. The maple tended to a softer acoustic sound than the optional rosewood but when played thru a PA made very pleasant musical sounds, considering the EQ was only hi/lo, no mids. I used it in conjunction with my Takamine EN10 which had much more up-front aggresive characteristics.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
8
The action was adjusted during the guitar's manufacture. Maton went out of their way to ensure I was happy with it as I was leaving Victoria for Queensland once construction was complete. When I arrived in Townsville the guitar developed some issues which I believe is common in tropical areas. The guitar was returned to Maton under warranty and adjusted/repaired at no cost. Over the years the action has remained comfortable but the bridge has been refitted twice. The top has a number of cracks which have not been repaired. The gloss finish has lifted in places but has not craized.
Reliability/Durability
:
7
The guitar has been regularly gigged especially over the first ten years. The gold plate machineheads are craized. It is on it's third preamp which caused considerable problems as the later preamps from Maton changed shape over the years, and location, which means the latest preamp had to be retrofitted over a new timber moulding. Overall, the guitar has stayed together pretty well for a stage guitar, apart from the issues above.
Customer Support
:
7
Maton was very helpful while the guitar was in its initial warranty period but less helpful with the later problems. Since Maton became iconic they seem to be a lot less inclined to go out of their way to assist. It's all user pays now. I contacted Maton at one point a couple of years ago about a possible refurb and was told existing warranty and celeb repairs came first and to try again in a year. The guitar is now relegated to an occasional play and is currently on loan to a friend as it is still reliable enough to venture to the stage.
Overall Rating
:
8
Considering the price of the guitar when it was new in 1989 I think I expected something a little more durable. I now have a number of other acoustic guitars that I prefer to play as the Maton has lost quite a bit of tone over the years which is really surprising when guitars of this quality normally seem to get better. If it were stolen I would not replace it. I bought it because the only Martin I liked available at the time was $2000 more.
