Maton EM225C

Usual EM225C

Excellent sound - good bass and excellent highs. Pretty close to the best sounding guitars I have played.

The initial factory set up was a bit high - but with playing it was easy to adjust to the higher action. But am still considering getting a pro to adjust when I can get the time and can bear not having the guitar for a while.

The finish was exceptional - usual maton high standard of workmanship.

Solid guitar - stays in tune really well. Even though it feels light in the hand the excellent construction indicates that it should be very hardy. Haven't gigged with this one yet so can't comment on that aspect of the guitar.

Haven't had to contact as have only had the guitar 2 months

I've been playing for 30years - and have owned and played a wide range of acoustic guitars (mainly Martin/Yamaha etc.) This guitar would have to have the nicest sound across such a broad range as any guitar I have owned. For the price it is absolutely unbelievable.

An indication of how much a I like this guitar - have just returned from a 6week family holday and the first thing I did when I got home was pull the Maton out and have a strum. I have to say it sounded even better than I had recollected. Another indication is that aside from the first day I brought the Maton home and played it against my other guitars to compare, I haven't pulled my other guitars out of their cases.

Love the Elixur strings too by the way - they hold their tone and brightness better than any other string I've used

Made in Oz, paid $850 SH but it is in as new condition
features are the same as all previously mentioned, it is a thing of beauty.

I am a amature player, strum a bit , sing a bit and this guitar is certainly the star of the show. Beautiful tones whatever style, I had it prof. set up to lower the strings and put a new set of Elixir 12's on, well worth the $ as it plays like a dream all over the neck.

Guitar is in perfect order, set up recommended as the action is too high out of the box. Finish is awesome al over the guitar but the neck is spot on pick up is superb good lows and high and mids.

This guitar will last if looked after, feels light but I am sure it will take a bit of a beating...but why would you beat this georges thing???

Never needed to deal with them

This is the thing, I had one of these before and sold it to my Nephew as he is a better player but I missed it so much I had to get another, I Will Never Sell this Guitar!!! if it was stolen I would buy another Maton or Cole Clark for sure. A friend for life (doesn't answer back either!!)

People have told you all you need to know about the standard features of this guitar. Mine is a little bit special. I bought it while honeymooning in Oz July 2007 and I was lucky enough to get one that had been hand painted by Kel Williams a local Aborigine artist with kangaroos etc. It looks just amazing!!!

Here is the funny part! This guitar is a wolf in sheeps clothing. It is pitched as an entry level Maton and not to expect too much, blah de blah blah...! Well I took it to one of my gigs for the craic to try it out and holy magolies!!!! I brought me Takamine EF360sc workhorse with me just in case the Maton was not up to it. The sound throught eh AP4 was terrific, ballsy, warm, bright and powerful!!! It wiped the floor with the Tak. My PA is a Dynacord PM1000 powered desk (the new 1400watt version) and two Electrovoice ZX5's (15inch 600watt whoppers!) and the sound from the Maton was superb

I am so impressed with how the guitar feels. It is as light as a feather and smooth as a freshy shaved dog. The neck is just perfect width, thickness and playability. Sometimes a neck can seem dry and sticky but not on the Maton. The Queensland maple is new to me so I don't really know what I am expected to hear from it, but for such a light guitar it produces plenty of bass. The inner bracing looks cheap and cheerful though but I suppose it serves its function. One thing that I would prefer is to have the input jack in the end pin. The adjusting of the truss rod through the end pin is not an easy option.

Overall though I am pleased

The guitar should outlast me, but I think because of the handpainted soundboard I will keep her for her aesthetics instead. The standard tuning head do the job. I am going to use it tonight at my gig in Sligo but am in two minds whether to bring the Tak as a back up.

This is where Maton excel! I got so excited with my EM225c that I have ordered a EA80C direct from the factory (there is no dealer in Ireland) and because Maton hand build there guitars I am opting for a AAA spruce top instead of the standard AA grade and my 'name' engraved in abalone on the 12th fret and a hiscox hardcase - In 10-12 weeks I'll let you know how she went!! Each email request and question was replied in hammer time with all the details I needed to make my decisions.

I have been playing acoustics for nearly 20 years now and although the best acoustic guitar I have in my collection is an Irish made Avalon D32e all solid wood acoustic, the Maton is incredible for the money I paid. If this guitar were stolen and I didn't have my EA80C then I would defo buy another one or maybe the EM325c with the Walnut back and sides.

I chose this guitar because the lady in the music shop in Cairns asked me did I wish to buy the 'ultimate Australian souvenir' amd pointed to this gorgeous handpainted guitar! I got to meet Kel Williams too which was a real treat.

The guitar cost less than ???1000 and for the money, its a winner!

Piezo pickup, AP4 preamp/EQ, Spruce top (top only), replaced bridge withg bone (highly recommended, do not like maton's graphite bridges. They don't last. Also - action came too high from factory, good opportunity to change to bone when lowering it.)
Good features for the price. General quality all round.

Unplugged sound is excellent.
Plugged-in sound is however quite ordinary. AP4 preamp has a crude EQ and the mids just don't shape. With a bit of mucking around a decent sound can be fashioned, but definately sub-par.

Action too high at factory. Open chords play fine, at the 7th fret things get a little tricky. Came with Maton brand strings. Finish of guitar excellent in all regards, top workmanship.

Tough guitar. Looking at it now, mine has taken quite a bashing but it has played probably 100 gigs and counting, no sign of giving up yet! A few dings add character anyway. No problems with burs at the nut. Stays in tune well.

Never dealt with the Maton factory.
I looked into retrofitting a better pickup/preamp, nearly to have a heart attack at the price, i'll be better off just buying another guitar.

Been playing 3 years. Have played better guitars but few worse for the money. Very few. For the money these guitars are excellent. However if you want to play live a lot, spend the extra and get a 325, the pickup/sound reproduction is far superior.

** Don't just buy the first guitar you're handed by staff! Get them to bring a few of the same model in and play them all. Every guitar is an individual, despite the models being the same. This applies to everything - tone, neck thickness, fretboard feel.

Basic features of the emc225c are: solid sitka spruce soundboard, Queensland maple back, neck, sides and headstock, rosewood fingerboard, satin finish and AP4 pickup system. The woods used in this quitar seem of very good quality and for the price no other guitar (perhaps with the exception of the Cole Clark 'misstress') competes.

The sound produced by this guitar is one very caracteristic of most Maton guitars. Maton's have this very distinct gutsy low down growl that i have never heard in any other guitar (possibly due to the use of Australian timber) yet also manage to do this without dampening the high end. Overall, the reason i bought this guitar was for the sound and yes it is truely amazing!

This guitar came factory set up with maton strings and was ready to play straight out of the box. The finish was perfect with no blemishes. The action on this guitar was perhaps a little higher than i am used to but it was still easy to play. The only gripe was the strings, these were either very old or too heavier gauge and did not allow the true potential of the maton's playability to be exposed.

I have only had this guitar a couple of weeks, but it looks very solid. It would be fine for gigging.

N/A

I have been playing for six years now and this is the first decent acustic i have perchased. Whether played on its own or plgged into an amp this guitar sounds awsome. I play a wide range of music, including eric clapton, days of the new, pearl jam, the waifs, ben harper etc. In all cases this guitar suffices nicely. Before i bought this guitar i compared it with others and it won hands down for value for money. The only guitars that were nicer were the more expensive Matons! and yes, if it was stolen i would replace it, well at least eventually, i'm a uni bum and it would take me a year or two!

Manufactured in march 2003, spruce top, usual sides, back and neck etc. You would have got an idea of most of the features in previous reviews.

The inclusion of Elixer strings is a bonus, and the fitting of grover tuners keeps the tuning rock steady even under rough playing conditions.

One gripe is the lack of an included case, I think guitars are the only instument that does not include one.

I am a really a hack guitarist, mainly playing for myself (if you heard my voice you would understand!) or in church where the style is very laid back with soft strumming or picking the norm.

The sound of this guitar is to say the least distinct. I use 12-52 strings and the guitar sounds really gutsy, a really full sound that is very distinctive and can easily be picked out from the Fenders and Takamines I play along with.

The bass is very solid and the highs are bright and cutting. Clarity of sound is a real strength of this guitar

PLEASE make sure you try a number of guitars out, I got the store manager to play three different ones and they all sounded very different. (Guitars sound very different to an audience than the player)

The pickup is the AP4 and is very crisp and clear, I tried the upgraded AP5 and in general playing they are alike. Sure the AP% is a better pickup but unless you require the marginal functionality and possess a really good amp save your money.

The action was a little high at first as I got the shop to install new Elixir strings in the price, the neck at the nut is wider than most Asian sourced giutars and suits my thick fingers.

Barre chords are easily formed all the way down the neck and this is the first guitar I have owned where the combination of thick fingers and poor playing technique did not induce buzzing!

(I own a Takamine gs330s and an old Fender)


The finish is superb but a word of caution, DO NOT polish the nito finish, Do NOT let it near vinyl or plastic (even the plastic on Capos) and do not rest your bare arm on the body as these can damage the finish of expensive guitars)


A real problem for me is the neck torsion nut, you need to access this by removing the strap lug at the bottom of the guitar and using a rod to alter the neck. This is definately a shop job.

The guitar is wonderfully finnished for the price, and dollar for dollar is up there with the best.

Played it coninuously for 6 mths and it looks like the day I brought it.

I am careful about protecting the finish (see previous comments)and clean it only with a damp cloth

this is a well built guitar and seems to like being played as it seems to sound better today than in the shop.

The Grover tuners are great and keep in tune throughout a whole gig

Never Needed it but I wanted to talk to the production manager at Maton about the wood markings and he spent over 15 minutes just talking guitar woods to me!

I hope this is an indication of their commitment if something goes wrong

Overall I tried a large number of guitars and even though I can afford to spend double the price this particular guitar was what I wanted.

I bought this guitar for the long term, and don't think I will change evend fellow guitarists at church (Fender and Takamine lovers) love the sound and the action.

Would I recommend it???

Depends, I would recommend you try one, the sound is distinctive and may not suit everyone (how do you debate taste!!)


For the price I could not find a better guitar.


One last thuoght, I tried a Cole Joy and found it similar to the Maton but with a different sound.

When deciding I would recommend giving these a try as well.

SOUNDBOARD: Solid Spruce, BACK & SIDES: Laminated Queensland Maple, NECK: Queensland Maple, FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with dot inlays, BRIDGE: Rosewood, HEADSTOCK: Standard, BINDING: Black, ROSETTE: Concentric Circles, FINISH: Satin Nitro Cellulose, MACHINE HEADS: Chrome diecast, PICKUP: AP4

This is just a fantastic guitar to play, only started a couple of years ago and the difference when I bought this to the first acoustic I had was light years apart. Although at the lower end of the Maton range it is a serious guitar - so all my proper musicians keep telling. The sound are rich and the ability to get different tones etc are easy - even for a relative beginner.

The action was a little high and hard for me initially, but a bit of practice and patience, I find it as easy to play as my electric (Epiphone Les Paul). Being a dreadnought style, it is a litte large to be lazing around the sofa trying to play, but again you get used to it. The finish is pure Maton, everything is perfect and crafted as if it were tripple the price.

My first week I trip over with the guitar in my hand (one of those slow motion moments in life, thinking sh*t I'm about to break this beautiful thing and I've hardly even played it). To the credit of the makers not only did it withstand the fall it put a scratch in the floor and there is absolutley no mark on the guitar and no damage in any way to the neck. The pickups, although a lesser quality to the higher end versions seems to do the job well. I've been recommended that at some point I should upgrade them to the AP5.

No required to date.

If I lost this I would be sorely disappointed, and would seriously consider replacing it with the same, although that said might just go up to the next model which has gold plated heads. This guitar has become a friend - comes everywhere with me - although I'm by no means a musician - so no gig experience to reflect.

Its a Maton EM225C the usual for this model AP4 electronics, solid spruce top etc. Paid $1180 with a hard case.

My style is blues/rock with a bit of fingerpicking. This guitar has a beautiful full rich sound, loud unplugged too but not harsh. Overall I would say very balanced sounding, the bass is nice and loud but the highs cut through without sounding twangy.
Plugged in it sounds great even through my small practice amp, played through a nice acoustic amp in the shop and it was unbelievable.

Set up was spot on, action is set just right for me, easy to play but no fret buzz. Intonation is superb, and the general construction is flawless. I played a few of these before choosing my particular guitar and there was a prettier one with a nicer looking top, but I didn't like the sound quite as much as the one I chose when I played with my eyes closed.

I have only had this guitar home for a week so cant say for sure, it seems very solid though, the nitro finish looks as though its would wear well. As for a gig without a backup, I dont think you would need a backup but it would be silly not to have one hey.

Dont know yet but the 12 month warrantee is there. I dont envisage any problems going on what Ive heard from others.

Been playing for about 5 years, I have to give it a 10 overall. I tried Takamine and the other usual suspects before deciding on this guitar. I just couldnt beat it in this price range. Would definately replace it. I love the sound, playability and build quality.

Ap-4 pickup rosewood sides with what seems like a cedar top.chrome hardware.. made in australia ..free case.

I use effects with this guitar as follows
Ibanez Turbo Tubescreamer
Boss Digital Delay
Boss Chorus
Dunlop Crybaby

I have run this setup through nurmerous guitar amps and havent had a problem...

This thing has deep and dark buetifull sound with handles the lower detuned and open chords easily. It has so many sweet spots on this fretboard its not funny.....It reacts beautifully with soft strumming and picking....i play alot of diffrent styles of music and use many diffrent effects with this guitar which it has reacted really well with.

Just a superb guitar really well made thought i wouldve like a more glossy finish to bring out the amazing wood thats been put into this guitar.

Ive played nermourous gigs with this guitar straight into a Pa with mixer and nothing had ever gone wrong....ive only had to change the batteries once..

Ive never tried to contact them for repairs because i baby this guitar so its in mint condition....

This guitar i will have for life cause the sound just seem to be getting better with age. If it was lost stolen or destroyed though i might think about buying a something abit more expensive but definitly a Maton cause the sounds that they produce it quite amazing

Maton EM225C Cutaway with AP4 bridge mounted pickup, second hand it cost me $950.00 with a case..
EQ with Bass, Treble and Middle, takes 2 AA batteries which can be changed in an instant.

My style, I like blues and rock, this guitar is great for these styles, but the strings are nicely spaced for finger picking..

Sound.. this thing is pure as the driven snow.. So rich and Bright, i'm using Martin phosphor Bronze strings that really sing. It sounds great with used strings.. sounds absolutley gorgeous with new strings..
INTONATION!!!! try an E chord on the 7th, 9th and 12th fretts, listen to the tone and you'll understand why Tommy Emmanuel and Ben Harper amongst others play Matons. My EM225C also sounds really lush in any open tuning.

The Action is nice and low, plays clean and allows some nice Pull Off's and Hammer On's.
No Buzzes anywhere on the frettboard.
Aparantly it's a cedar top, it's slightly darker than some, but looks right, smells right and thats's what it said on the docket, although on the maton web site it says the tops are sitka spruce with an option for a different wood that I know was not cedar.
I love the Cellulose wood finish, I think this is why the tone is so bright, Laquer or hard Varnishes lock the sound in.
The Tuning pegs are excellent, no slippage

I have not had my guitar to long, but have not had any problems. From what I have heard, Maton are only to happy to lend a hand to any Maton that needs some TLC. Apart form the normal frettware and a bruise or two from it's original owner which only really show up under light, I suspect my Maton is in as good a condition as when it left the factory.

Well I have not actually contacted Maton for service or inquireies so I can't comment on this bit.

Over all rating... This is the best Acoustic Guitar I have ever played or layed eyes on. I have been playing for 16 years, own a La Grange accoustic that I started learning on(just no-where near the level of my lovely new EM225C), a Jackson PS1 Performer Electric with Floyd Rose, a Boss ME5 and a MusicMan 210-65. I also play Bluse Harmonica as well.

Any questions I had dissapeard after I heard it and my hands touched the strings.

I have ABSOLUELY NO REGRETTS about buying this guitar, it's perfect. If it were lost( hope it never happens) I'd get another one for sure.. if it was stolen, I would do everything humanly possible to track down the theif and give them a slow and painfull death.. Thats how much I love my EM225C

My favourite features is the playability and tone. No other guitar is has as smoother a frettboard or sounds as silky, the raw unpluuged volume is great.. this is a loud guitar, the only thing I dislike is the price...Expensive, but you get what you pay for. The Maton EM225C is a guitar well worth shelling out for.
I cannot think of a single gripe about this guitar.