Aussie retro "wallaby" guitar

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:37 am

I picked up this beaut little Aussie-made Maton MS503 last night:

A lovely little guitar that's a very easy player and sounds nice and warm with a bit of growl from the humbuckers (coil tap at the bridge). Definitely no jangle but sort of "LP-ish" if you know what I mean.

string_along · Post by **string_along** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:21 am

I'm having a couple of Foster's with my lunch now but I'm gonna pop the crown on a fresh bottle to toast your "new baby"! Treat her nice!!

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:09 pm

That's a beauty! I love the controls. Cool or what?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:25 pm

Nice one! Do you have the clothes to match, Aitch?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:36 pm

I did back in the 70s, Sheena. My 'going away' gear when I got married was bright red 24" flares, white cotton shirt with tiny hand embroidered red roses, checked red, white and blue waisted jacket, 2" wide white leather belt and white platform shoes 'a la Elton John'.

All long gone, of course!! I'll have a good look in the musty, dark corners of the wardrobe to see if there is some appropriate garb......

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:22 pm

Wow! Very cool acquisition Aitch. You see those over here like you see Rics over there. Not a lot. What a great vibe! Love the monster selector on it, and the great colors!

Congrats.

...Dean

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:37 pm

Okay, to put it clearer: white shirt with red "inlays" is sort of a national "costume" here, i could get you one, so if you're interested... you know my email address, i suppose...

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:25 am

Indeed I do, Sheena. I'll send you one of mine if you send me one of yours.

Hmmmm..... not sure we have a 'national' costume as such but I'm sure I can find something typically 'Aussie'. Would you like koala bears and kangaroos or something a bit more 'out there' and less typical of the 'tourist souvenir' stuff?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:06 am

I'm afraid a kangaroo is a bit too big for my apartment...

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:03 am

Maton is what Tommy Emmanuel uses and endorses. Gosh some of the acoustics they make look gorgeous. But way out of my price range I’m sure, especially over in the States.

[See, a luscious guitar people OUTSIDE the U.S. have a better shot at.]

PS: I met Tommy last year (at the Ranch). Very nice guy and phenomenal musician.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:11 am

I could swear I've seen the Wiggles play those...

(DISCLAIMER... I have children... I don't watch them on my own freewill...)

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:39 am

Bob, they do. (I have kids too....;-o)

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:20 am

Correct all round, Mark. Maton are renowned more for their acoustics than electrics. Their top end acoustics are beautiful guitars and sound fantastic. Price wise they are not up there with the Taylors and Martins but Maton offers a high quality alternative to the more modestly priced of those brands.

I have never been fortunate enough to meet Tommy but I have seen him perform live and he is awesome! In 1999 Chet Atkins awarded him his 'Certified Guitar Player' award for 'finger style' playing. At that time only two others had received it - Jerry Reed and John Knowles.

Needless to say, I am a huge fan!

Here he is (on the left) with my guitar! Well...... almost.....

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:55 am

True, they are not AS expensive as some Martins or Taylors. The few times I've seen them available online in the States, they've been around $2,000 U.S. There is NO WAY I can justify, with my limited ability, spending $2,000 on a guitar.

I have a few shots of Tommy that I will post on Shutterfly and share.

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:30 pm

As promised, here is link to Tommy photos:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Ict2rlu0bP8A