Maton Custom Shop W.A. May - Australia 2015

From Maton: 

“The WA May concept began in the office of David Steedman (Maton Director) many years ago. It was developed and designed as tribute to the late Maton founder – Bill May. You don’t have to look very far to see many of the ideas and concepts that were close to the heart of Maton’s founder in this beautiful Custom Shop model. 
  
The 000 or “Traditional” shape that this incarnation takes on is arguably its most classical and stylistic form to date. I just love this body style and everything it offers the player tonally and as a reliable, versatile and comfortable instrument. Bills signature 3 layered deco style headstock sits atop this model proudly as it did on Bills very first Maton guitar (still in the Maton Museum 70 years on). The W A May Features a Solid Spruce Top with highly-figured Fiddleback Blackwood back and sides. A stunning and so often favoured combination of timber that is truly symbolic of Maton’s Australian heritage. 
  
The body depth on the WA May Trad is the same as that of the 808 models. It is deeper than standard 000’s and as such creates a deeper voice with plenty of bottom end and all sonic ranges are on show. I am so happy with this guitar, even down to its Satin Box binding. Two timbers growing together in Mother Nature uniting to create a wonderful story in music. I am humbled to be able to tell just a small part of Bill's story through this model. A True Trailblazers guitar.” 

This Maton presents in great condition with some player wear evident – there is pick wear around the bridge on both the treble and bass sides. The gold grover tuners have tarnished over time but still work perfectly. The original frets display wear around the bottom half of the neck – a refret may well be on the cards for this one.  

This Maton Custom Shop W.A. May is exactly what you would expect out of one of the best guitar producers in Australia. A warm, resonant, articulate acoustic guitar that just encourages more and more playing. Hand-crafted with the finest of woods, this guitar looks and sounds incredible – the perfect addition to any collection or step-up into the world of Maton Custom Shop! 

Specs: 

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm 

Action at 12th fret: 2.25mm 

Model: W.A May 

Body Shape: Dreadnought/Traditional/808 

Soundboard: "AAA Select" Grade Solid Sitka Spruce 

Rosette: "AAA" Blackwood 

Bracing: Light Brace 

Back & Sides Material: "AAA Select" Grade Fiddleback Blackwood 

Outer Binding: Satinbox 

Inner Binding: Triple Black Pinstripe 

Neck:  Blackwood 

Headstock Veneer: Heritage Centre Piece 

Fingerboard Material: Ebony 

Fretwire: Dunlop 6260 

Number of Frets: 21 

Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm (12") 

Nut Width: 44mm (1.736" - 1 47/64") 

14th Fret: Width 55mm (2.165" - 2 11/64") 

Fingerboard Inlays: 4mm Pearl Dots 

Back & Sides Finish: UV Gloss 

Top Finish: UV Gloss 

Bridge Material: Ebony 

Bridge Pins: Ivory ABS 

Machine Heads: Gold Grover Pearloid Buttons 

Pickguard: No 

End Pin/Strap: Gold 

Nut & Saddle: Bone 

Case: Hiscox Flight case 

Pickup: AP5 PRO