Maton Custom Shop 808 Debonair with Torrefied Spruce and Blackwood ID-10014
Maton Custom Shop 808 Debonair with Torrefied Spruce and Blackwood
All timbers selected for the Maton Custom Shop guitars are hand picked from Maton’s vast stocks and then thoroughly checked for structural integrity. This ensures that only top quality materials find their way into a Custom Shop guitar. The timber’s visual appeal and tonal quality also form an important part of the selection process. All the chosen components are then individually ‘voiced’ to ensure they can produce maximum acoustic performance. This is done by ‘tap testing’ and flexing each piece to determine maximum strength and minimum weight, the recipe for great tone. It is a process that requires deep experience and construction knowledge and can only be done by an extremely skilled craftsman.
As the head of Maton’s Custom Shop, Andy Allen has the ability to build a guitar that will produce the sound that the customer has ordered and wants to hear. The construction of a Custom Shop guitar is performed by a single, skilled luthier and this ensures every detail mirrors precisely the customer’s requirements. It also ensures the look as well as the sound matches the buyer’s dream. Each operation is done by hand, the way Maton Guitars have been built since 1946, with no deadline. The process will take however long is required to meet the customer’s expectations. A masterpiece cannot be rushed!
Andy calls this instrument the “Traditional Deep”, referring to it being based on a traditional Martin 000 body with some extra depth similar to a Maton 808. The forward shifted X bracing allows the top to move and is helped along by some new technology used in the creation of the top. The spruce is dried in a special room which is heated to over 120 degrees celcius. All the oxygen is removed from the room to prevent the timber from catching fire. This allows all the moisture to be driven from the spruce creating a final product which has very similar properties to the top of a 60 year old guitar.
Apart from the amazing tone of the guitar, the appearance is absolutely gorgeous. The beautiful blackwood has been selected by Andy especially for this guitar from timber sourced from the Otway Forest in Victoria. Only Maton has access to this timber and are therefore the only manufacturer able to make a guitar of such beauty.
Other features include nickel Grover machine heads with pearloid buttons, a high gloss finish, and Maton’s brand new AP5 Pro Pickup with built in microphone.
What we know...
This is not your dad's 808. Torrefied power is what first comes to mind. Strum gently on this guitar and expect a warm response, but dig, and find a voice that rivals a vintage dreadnought.
Why it matters...
The custom shop at Maton guitars continues to impress, marking this our favorite so far. We were informed this guitar will be the last with a torrefied top Maton will ever build.
What to expect!
Built to perform, it's stunning sound and gorgeous back and sides will be worth bragging about.
Includes Original Hardshell Case.
Check out some of our other Maton Guitars
Specifications:
Shipping Weight: 20
Serial: 679
Top Wood: Torrefied Spruce
Back Wood: Australian Flamed Blackwood
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Scale: 25.5"
Bracing: Forward Shifted X
Inlays: White Dots
Rosette: Backwood and Abalone Rings
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood
Nut Material: Bone
Saddle Material: Bone
Bridge: Rosewood
Bridge Pins: White with Black Dots
Tuners: Nickel Tuners with Pearloid Buttons
Purfling: Herringbone
Body Binding: White
Pickguard: None
Headstock Shape: Custom Shop Shape
Headstock Overlay: Ebony
Headstock Inlay: Maton Logo / Custom Shop Logo
Frets To Body: 14
Pickup(s): AP5 Pro Pickup with built in microphone
Case: Hardshell Case Included