Dempsey's Acoustic

[bake]

I'm hoping to buy a new acoustic soon - I know Paul plays a Maton - does anyone know which one?

I'm probably not in the same price range as him (ie I'm looking more at the EM-225C), but it would be nice to know.

Also, does anyone know of a compelling reason why I shouldn't buy a Maton (eg should I buy Cole Clark or something else?)

[sheeps]

Both Maton and Cole Clarks are great guitars. I'm a maton fan myself but I wouldn't turn a Cole Clark down. Heaps of people rave about Cole Clarks as if they're four million times better than Maton, I tend to disagree, they're both different instruments and I love my Maton to death.

I'm fairly sure Paul plays a BG808 maton.com.au/acoustics/bg808.asp or something similar.

I have an ECW80C myself. Great guitars.. chuck on some Elixir Nanoweb Lights and you're set. I've had mine for around two years now and still haven't set it up and it sounds gorgeous, a great, woody, sound.

Go to the store, play the cole clark, play the maton, check the prices, decide which one you like the most, get it.

[Jurds]

Hi Blake,

Paul's acoustic is a Maton EGB808 which puts its price a little higher than the 225c. The body is also different being more of a Martin 000 size rather than the bigger dreadnaught size of the 225.

Why you shouldn’t? Well, they spend a LOT of money on marketing and endorsements which in the end the customer pays for. They have been known for some quality control issues (but I have been told these seem to be ironing out). There are other alternatives at often cheaper prices which better materials. On the upside do they do present pretty good value in the price range you are looking at, especially if you can find one 2nd hand. On the whole they make pretty good guitars and sit pretty well amongst the competition in the mid-level range. Plus, it feels nice supporting an Aussie company.

Cole Clark is a good option and by all accounts they make cracking guitars. And I believe their pick-up system is world class too.

Other contenders you may wish to consider are Cort and Yamaha. While probably not as cool to have their name on the headstock they have produced very high quality gear for a long time (Cort make approx. 30% of the world guitars including some high end models for other brands) and you will get a fantastic guitar in the same price bracket as the maton.

In the end if you stick to these brands there isn’t much that can go wrong. I would recommend taking a few days and head out to your fave music shops and just have a play around with them to see what you like.

Hope that makes sense

[Jurds]

One last thing, you might want to also check out Tanglewood guitars. Very good materials for very good price. Heard one being played in a shop one day and was blown away.

Very lastly, If you feel that you want to up your budget to get a fiddle like Pauls, I would recommend you take a look at Gilet guitars. An aussie company who make guitars in Botany, Sydney. There "000" model (closest the the M808) is the the most beautiful guitar I have ever played. I like my maton and it shat all over it.

cheers

[equalheights]

I found when I was buying an acoustic that Cole Clarks had this annoying stringy sound that got to me a bit. I was looking for low middle range stuff though so I'm probably not the most reliable source.

I ended up buying a Simon & Patrick (canadian brand) guitar, but I'm pretty sure you're looking at something higher. In my band one guitarist has a Martin and the other has a Maton. They are both very nice guitars and both had about the same retail value (around $2000). I cant remember the exact models. I prefer the Maton because it has a more smooth, mellow sound which I'm partial to. However, it gets feedback problems sometimes so we don't use it on stage very often. Make sure you check out thoroughly how it performs through an amp if you're looking for something with pickups!

[bake]

Thanks for your help guys

I am now the proud owner of a brand new Maton EBG808L - not because Dempsey has it, but because it sounds totally awesome!

;D

[twentysomething]

Awesome choice.

Have to agree with Jurds on the Gilet, had a play of the same guitar Jurds was talking about and it was probably one of the best acoustics Ive played.

I've always had a Maton EBG808 which I love playing, however about 2 years ago I bought a Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 and to me it feels a lot easier to play than my 808. I regularily switch between the 2 but at the moment the Cole Clark is my pick. The pick up system on the CC is awesome......one of the best I've heard!

Once again......great pick up on the Maton!

Cheers
Matt

[Jurds]

bake said:

Thanks for your help guys

I am now the proud owner of a brand new Maton EBG808L - not because Dempsey has it, but because it sounds totally awesome!

;D

Awesome dude

[littledigger]

Paul Dempsey has a Jumbo Maton I've got the same model as seen when he did his solo in Melbourne Hi-Fi Bar

[littledigger]

Paul Dempsey has a Jumbo Maton I've got the same model as seen when he did his solo in Melbourne Hi-Fi Bar