Mini Maton???

[UrbanPaisleyFan]

Hey Guys...

Well I was really interested in buying a Mini maton. Maton is a austrilian based guitar company. Keith Urban plays the mini maton and not to sound too "cheezy" but has actually played it one on one for me.

It sounds GREAT. but im a little worried about importing it all the way across the world and not to mention in the colder temperatures coming (im from Canada).

Anyone have any experiences playing this guitar? or any advice? Any imput/debate is appreciated!

[PeteMac]

G'day from Oz.

Haven't tried that particular model . . .yet! (I'm on the scout for an acoustic at the moment.)
But I can tell ya', over the years I've played quite a few Matons that belonged to friends/aquaintances, etc, and have NEVER played, or heard, a dud Maton.
In fact, the finest, best playing, best sounding acoustic I ever played (including Martins, Taylors, Breedlove and lots of others ) was an older Maton CW model.

[Sleph]

I was playing one just yesterday jammin with some friends.

I first saw these a couple of years back when Diesel (Mark Lazotte) was doing a solo tour with a couple of them including a 12 string version.

They are extremely funky, easy to play little guitars that sound BIG when plugged in.

They are easy to get and quite cheap over here....but in all honesty, my experience with Maton is that there is a huge inconsistency with their guitars...not in build quality...but in tone. Pick up two or three guitars of the same model and timber combo....so much tonal difference....yes, you could say that is true of any guitar...but I would say more so with Matons than any other guitar I've picked up.

This is not a flame on Maton....I'll be buying another one of theirs very soon - but I'll expect to be playing quite a few before I find mine.

I've owned 6 Matons over the years and have played many more....a couple would rate as some best acoustics I've ever heard (plugged in or acoustic)....a few didn't impress me one bit....and these weren't cheap models either.

Listening to Tommy Emmanuelle and Keith Urban play these can be deceiving because those guys can make a rubberband on a cake tin sound good....plus they can get their hands on the pick of the crop.

If you're after a smaller bodied guitar my suggestion would be to not buy one of these unless you can play it first (I know that's probably hard where you are) or to check out the small Rainsong parlor guitars if you haven't already... I've played a few of those too and they very nice also....and probably easier to get your hand on.

...just my 2c.

[PeteMac]

I played one of the Mini"s today. Tha Deisel Special.

Boy, they are small!!! Body is about the size of a larger Uke.
I didn't plug it in, coz I'm primarily after an acoustic sound.
They do sound small.
Not bad, or cheap boxy small, but it is really a travel guitar, IMO.
Well balanced tone across all the strings, as you would expect.
Played really nice though. Nice neck, easy to play.

I came home with a Taylor 114ce.

Good luck in your search.