Maton MS2000SD Mastersound Deluxe

2002 model, Australian made, 21 frets, laminated silkwood AAA grade flamed top cap, 2 x vol & Tone controls (same as les paul) plus 3 way selecttor switch, 2 x Seymour Duncan humbuckers (splitable SH-4 in bridge, SH-1 in neck), body and neck timber unknown (either silkwood, blackwood or rock maple, but not sure which one), Trans black burst gloss finish w/ solid black on back of body and neck, original body shape (mastersound shape), Chrome Grover tuners (non-locking), Neck timber unknown (but has ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl inlays), jumbo fretwire, tune-o-matic bridge.

purchased with a genuine Maton case (manufactured by AP, with a Maton badge riveted onto it)

This is basically Maton's version of a Les Paul.

Great for anyone wanting that Les Paul sound. Has those JB (Jeff Beck) pickups that everyone is using lately.

I play it through a Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 Head and JCM 900 Quad. Sounds fantastic clean or dirty, and there's so many sounds that can be made with the pickups by flicking between the two and using the tone knobs. It has a sound for everyone. It isn't noisy, only a tiny bit of buzz on the bridge pickup when it is split to single coil but that is normal.

Summary: A great variety of sounds can be made on this thing.

I Don't like the strings it came with (too heavy; 010 guage) but I can change that when they wear out.

There is a little bit of fret buzz on some positions but it has a very low action at the moment. I like the action but it may need to be raised just a smidgeon.

It's a little nore difficult to play than some other guitars I have played. This may be because of the strings though, I'm not used to such a heavy guage.

Can't comment on it's reliability or durability as I've only had it for a day. It does have good quality hardware though, and I'd expect it to last a very long time.

Strap buttons are nice and chunky. I went to change it to straplocks for safety but the screws in the straplocks were too small to fit in the original holes. Maton use 12g screws in their strap buttons!

I reckon I could use this at a gig without a backup, no worries there.

Features 12 months warranty.

Maton are good to deal with, but they need to put out a brochure on this guitar for colours, timbers, etc. I waited way too long to decide on a colour, as I wanted to see an example of a black one before I commited to ordering one. In the end I got so sick of waiting to see one (about 9 months), so I sent an email to them with a picture of a PRS finish that I liked and they were able to finish it for me in a similar fashion. I'm pleased with their ability to customise.

If this was stolen I'd definitely get another one. My favourite thing about it is the colour. You will not see another one like this, that is unless they liked mine so much that they start making it a standard colour! I love this guitar. It's almost perfect. If I could change anything, it would probably be the neck, which I'd make a little narrower. The only thing I really don't like is that the serial number can't be seen due to the copious layers of paint sprayed over it(which could be a hassle if it got stolen, but they can x-ray it anyway) I called Maton and the lady chased it up for me straight away so I could fill out the warranty card.

These guitars really are cheap for what you get (compared to Les Pauls or PRS's that I was originally lokking at; they are twice the price and still don't look nearly as good)