Maton Custom Shop W.A. May Custom Dreadnought Natural 2009
Maton W.A. May Custom, natural satin, made in Melbourne Australia 2009. This is a pretty remarkable thing, it's certainly not something you see everyday. Maton Custom shop stuff is always nice, but this on was a limited run model bearing the name of founder William 'Bill' May, made using the best of their best timbers in 2009. It's a classic dreadnought cutaway shape, with a cool solid Blackwood neck that feels super sturdy and resonant in the hands. The top is proper AAA-grade Sitka Spruce: tightly grained, very consistent, plenty of natural volume and liveliness. The back and sides are made from the most highly figured Blackwood I've ever seen: this is some amazing timber. Blackwood has a breathy, crisp midrange to it that's similar to it's cousin Hawaiian koa. The clarity and articulation on offer here is quite something; it's still got that Maton jangle, but there's some much complexity and airiness through the midrange and so much power down low to round out every note that this really is it's own thing. It's been played and has the wear to show it, but it's been loved and looked after and presents pretty well. If you're after a Maton and want to buy one that sorts you out for life, this is a the real thing.
Model: Maton Custom Shop W.A. May Custom
Made: Melbourne Australia, Sep 2009
Serial: 305
Finish: natural, satin nitro
Body: solid AAA Sitka Spruce top, solid figured Victorian Blackwood back and sides, dreadnought cutaway shape
Neck: Victorian Blackwood, Indian rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 12" radius, 45mm nut, medium C shape
Weight: 2.215kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Maton AP5 piezo + preamp
Accessories: original Maton case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dents and scuffs on the end, scuffs on the back near the top and some scuffs around the tuners on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples, scuffs and rub wear on the back only. The back has scuffs and rub wear on the shoulders, rub wear along the top edge and some dimples along the back edge. The sides have minor scuffs around the preamp, rub wear in the elbow area, dimples near the jack and some rub wear along the bottom shoulder. The front has dimples around the bridge and along the bottom edge, dimples abd rub wear in the elbow area, dimples on the shoulders and play wear around the sound hole.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only