Maton EM225

My Maton 225 is a June, 2006 guitar. I won it in a song writing competition. Unfortunately, it didn't come with a pickup, so I got the Maton AP5 system retrofitted into it.

Top is Sitka Spruce, with sides and back being QLD Maple. I run Elixirs on it and use it regularly in a church worship setting. It is my workhorse. It is my first Maton and certainly not my last!!

Ahhh sound. I'm gonna put it out there. All Matons I have played ALWAYS SOUND GOOD. I'm serious when I say that Maton offer the tone of the high end "boutique" USA stuff for budget prices. While some people will argue with me, this is my personal opinion. I have played Martins that are worth 5 grand. I've heard all about McPhersons and their crazy sound hole technology. I ALWAYS come back to the Maton. Americans, I dare you to try a Maton or Cole Clark. (Just ask Ben Harper,Jack Johnson & Josh Homme :D)

Maton guitars are very shimmery and bright in tone. I would imagine as mine starts to get older it will start to mellow out. The spruce top has started to darken in colour which looks beautiful.

I run the 225 through a basic setup. Either DI to system or Kustom KAA30 to system. I've been meaning to try different DI's, but don't know if it's really going to effect the tone much.

The AP5 pickup system is good for what I need. It's by no means overly "quacky" and suits worship music very well. I have an older Maton which is getting a Baggs pickup put in it, so it will be interesting to hear when it is done.

One suggestion I have is to always run at least 12-53's on it. I recently put Elixir Custom Lights (11's) on it and it's a tiny bit tinny. No worries, though. I'll just re-string it with 12's again next time!

From factory, the action was a little high. Again, no biggie, I just got it setup. Thats standard procedure with new Guitars anyway!

Pickup retro-fitting was done professionally and have no problems.

Finish was fantastic. I can really see how Australian woods have brought new light to luthiers worldwide.

At first, Maton's seem a little fragile. Not so. This thing is a beast. It's my workhorse so i'm glad it's not the top of the range Maton. It has a few dings in the neck from various bumps, but other than that it's fine. I would definitely gig it without a backup. I get comments all the time on the sound of it.

Yes, I have dealt with them a few times and they always respond to e-mails. I'm sure most of the people who have dealt with Maton have spoken with D'earne Whitelaw.

Friendly, Professional service.

Been playing 11 years. I own a 73' Maton Coolibah and a Seagull S6GT.

If it was stolen, I would get another Maton straight up! Probably a higher model. I would only reccomend the M225 to guitarists who are on a limited budget.

Save your money and buy a higher model!

Long live Maton Guitars!

Traditional guitar look without the cutaway. It is a really nice guitar to play with all the basic features expected of a high end guitar. The AP4 pickup is fine.

Every Maton I've ever played sounds good. They are bright and rich in tone and have a good resonance. I suggest playing as many as possible to find the best one for you (as they all have an individual sound) and compare with other brands. I played over thirty before settling on the one I now own. I also think they stand up very well against well thought of Martins and Taylors.

All good.

So far so good. I've had it for a few years without any issues.

Checked out the factory in Boxhill Melbourne. Well worth a look if you ever get the chance. Never had an issue in regard to maintenance.

I played a Yamaha and then an Ovation before moving onto this guitar. It was certainly a step up. I mainly play guitar for fun but also perform from time to time. I find this guitar fine for all occasions.
Overall a really nice guitar, a pleasure to play and to own.

good, very nice pickup AP4, basic features but good 4 the price, good finish nice look and good fret board

good for the price, doesnt carry or resinate as well as higher range matons, good pickup, nice high sound, fairly rich in tone

perfect action, good finish and well constructed

good durability like all matons, very solid, very reliable

good for the price, i recommend paying extra and buying the em325C but happy with the purchase

Basic, but great to look at ....always prefered blondes.

Very similar to low end Taylor's. eg 110, 310 etc. little 'jangly' but bright and responsive everywhere.

Action was too high from the factory..but thats usual. finish was nice.

This guitar will definately stand live playing. Do not be decieved by lightness. Its a beast when riled.

E-mailed Maton... no response.... yet?

Also own a Martin D-28, Gibson J-40, Yamaha L-A8 , Takamine GS330s and other assorted acoustics. This is my favourite. Love EVERYTHING about it. Would buy another in a heartbeat. BUY ONE ! Tommy Emannuel couldn't be wrong!

For the money the features on Maton's are unbeatable, especially given the fact that they're Australian made. Choice of woods and appearance is top class.

All guitars sound pretty good once you get to this point, but too be honest, I've never heard a Maton that didn't sound dead and dull. I've had my 225 for six years now, I'd never part with it, but it really is a below par guitar in comparison with the competition. Probably great as an wired up for the stage, but as a domestic guitar, youu can do much much better for your money. From what I've heard, this applies right across the range. Apologies to all Maton lovers, but they only ever sound good within a few days of a re-string.

Excellent. Plays great from the box, action stays put summer and winter with only the odd tweak. Not quite up to the standards of many brands from Korea, but still great.

Bombproof, mines gone everywhere with me and its fine. Genuinely tough guitars, in a different class to the competition. I wonder if the heavy construction is why Maton's sound so lifeless.

Not dealt with them apart form when I was orfering the guitar, and I asked them for the label in advance ( I was lucky enough to get it signed by John Fahey)...they couldn't have been more personally helpful or professional.

Maton's are great guitars to buy and keep...if you only own one guitar or gig a lot, I'm usre you'd be delighted with it. However, if you've got a few other acoustics in the house, it will always sound a little bland. I've got a Cort (cedar top) and Gibson J45. I don't expect it to be on par wity the Gibbo, but the Cort still sounds a lot nicer, brighter, fresher and better balance (at only half the cost). I bought the Cort for camping trips, but I generally prefer to play it than the Maton, I wish I didn't as the Maton has a strong sentimental value, and I really appreciate the fact that its not factory sourced in the far-east.

Dreadnought purchased June 2004 in Auckland, New Zealand NZ$900.00
Made in Melbourne, Australia.
Sitka Spruce solid Top.
Blackwood Back and Sides. (normally Australian Maple)
Australian Maple Neck and Headstock.
Rosewood Bridge and Frett Board.
Dot inlays.
Satin Finish (durable Nitro Celulose).

Unbelievable Chrystal clear cutting trebles.
Warm melow mids with full rich base.
Projects extremely well, really cuts through under hard strumming.
Best sound I have ever heard for the price after playing for 15 years.
Only guitars at twice the price come within range of this gem.

Absolute pleasure to play, reasonably fast action, superb neck.
No frett buzz anywhere.
No flaws, perfect finish, although the satin Nitro Celulose coating
takes a bit of getting used to. Is allegedly tough but definately
part and parcel of ultimate sound.

Again refering to the Satin Finish..
yet to be proved for durability, but guitar itself is assembled
to very high standard and very tough.
I feel guitar strap mounts should be chrome units in place if graphite ones supplied.
Likewise bone nut and sadle would provide even better sound than
graphite ones used, however these are easily replaced at low cost.

Too early to comment, but refering to Maton's internet homepage
and comprehesive history I would expect no problems.

I was stunned when by chance I went into my local music shop to view the lattest gear after a 7 year break of gigging.
I was attracted to this plain blond dreadnought on the wall with satin finish. Never played a Maton before but the sound blew me away and the neck just moulded into my hand.
I was offered a choice of another EM225 with Blackwood back and sides
which sounded even brighter. I bought it on the spot.
Turns out it is a rare unit, as they are normally manufactured with
Australian Maple back and sides.
I have rediscovered my musical soul!

Australian made, 2000
Silka Spruce Top,
Queensland Maple Sides, Back and Neck
Rosewood Fretboard, Jarrah Bridge
Satin Finish
Dreadnought

Sound is fantastic, only a $AU2000 plus Taylor can match.
Mellow and soft, yet also steely and sharp under hard strumming. Small amount of buzz on 6th string. Great Volume.

Finish and action are great. No flaws.

Hard to comment after one week! Appears structurally very solid, although the finish seems thin. I'm sure this improves the sound, and the natural would appearance is beautiful, but I'm not sure about its durability. I'm also losing some sleep over those warnings about humidity cracks in the Owner's Manual.

N/A, 12 month warranty.

I love the sound of this guitar, the fact that it is so light and yet feels realy solid.

Australian made, solid top, Ap4 pickup (piezo) , jarrah fingerboard, cedar top (normally spruce).

Great for fingerpicking, beautiful full tone.

Set up couldn't have been more exact.

Should last (only had it for a week or so)
Quality workmanship

There is a slight body vibration at some of the lower frets on the bottom E, i'm not sure if this is areal problem or just me being paranoid.

Made in Australia
Less than 5 yrs old
Solid spruce top
Black banding
Dreadnought shape
Lots of Australian woods used (neck, back and sides)
Has dots along the top of the neck which is a must for me
Being an accoutic, there is not much to say in terms of features

Sound is glorious.
Really projects and has beautiful harmonics
Rich/full sound

Finish is excellent
However I personally do not like the nitrite finish,
it is a bit thin.
Action is a personal pref. so i will not comment

I have not had it long enough to comment.
However see my comments on finish

Have not need any support yet.

If it was lost/stolen I would easily buy another.