After 23 years of playing mainly electric (1974 Strat), then 10 years playing only nylon string (Alhambra 9P CW E2), I decided to give a try and transition to acoustic steel string.
The reason was my encounter with two Matons, the SRS808C and the EBG808C Nashville that a friend has and I had the chance to try. Both very nice, but the Nashville is of course superior.
I have to mention that I have tried many high end acoustic guitars from other friends, mostly Taylors, a few Martins and a couple of Lakewood, but none of them really spoke to me, especially plugged in.
After going through the different Maton models I found the J.R. model that ticked all the boxes for me.
First of all it has a simplistic beauty, that suits perfect my taste.
Many people say that Matons suck unplugged, but I have a different opinion. The guitar has a deep, balanced and already mature sound, with rich overtones and great sustain! Also very good articulation and note separation. It really sounds like a piano!! Excellent in any aspect!!
Plugged in, is crazy good! I have been reading about how good the AP5 PRO pickup system is, but I am really blown away!
I play professionally, so a very good amplified sound is important to me.
Of course I don't have a reference and no way to know if the one I received, is a very good, a not good or somewhere in the middle, since I didn't have the chance to compared it with two or three others of the same model.
But it sounds so good to my ears and I like it's unique"character", compared to the SRS808C and the EBG808C Nashville.
I couldn't be more happy with this guitar and I am looking forward to use it on stage!!
I highly recommend it!!