Here's one for all you musicians..I'm looking to upgrade to an Acoustic Electric guitar...I have only been playing(read plucking) for a very short time but want to buy a better quality guitar..I have been thinking Maton but what other brands would you guys recommend?

hey Sparra,

Maton are excellent guitars & Aussie made. If your budget allows then youd be very happy with one.

Personally, My acoustic is a Yamaha which ive had for over 25 years and is just used for noodling about at home as im an electric player (Gibson & Ibanez) 

Regardless of whatever brand you go for one of the most important things is to have it setup properly so that the string action and playability is comfortable and consistent across the fretboard......it will also encourage you to play more as its less demanding on your fingers.

rock on

rob

Hi Sparra, hope ya well mate.

Can't offer an alternate recommendation ( don't get out much) sep on the bike.

I have a Maton ''Wildcat'' that I bought in 91 and have never felt the need t upgrade again.

It cost me over 2 grand, that was a lot for me back then but one of my better moves,

moving up from a conga line of shit boxes, the tone was a dream.

What Rob said about the action and try t get ya self t a store and test drive a couple.

Mate you know your interests but I do recommend you get into some cords and strum patterns,

then add the plucking t that. Keep having fun mate and I hope arthritis don't beat ya.

Thanks for the reply's..yeah Rob,some of the Maton's are expensive but there are a few used ones not too far from me that are for sale but I think I am better off buying new. Hey there Gnoo,I'm fine mate...Just turned 60 and have wanted to learn the guitar for as long as i can remember so after a trip to Nashville earlier in the year I booked in for lessons when I got back.I know basic chords and can knock out a bit of a tune(barr chords are a different story).This is something that I am doing for myself and no one else and so far I am loving it. Might try and catch up at one of the NSW rides in the new year if I can get the new house finished..

Good stuff mate, it only gets better.

Don't fret (sorry ha ha ) about barr chords, they will happen in time,

there is still shit loads of fun t b had on a guitar without them.

Hope t catch up soon mate.

I wouldn't listen to anyone's opinion unless I didn't have a choice.  I'd go to a guitar shop and play them.  Matons got a good name, I always liked Washburn, but there's a shitload of good guitars out there - I was surprised how good some of the Yamaha one's were.  If you're buying new Gibson has been copping a pounding by critics lately btw.  There standards seem to have dropped, so (as always) best to cast a careful eye (and fingers) over anything you buy.

I started on an electric, went to acoustic, went back to electric to learn everything easier (barre chrods, picking etc)- plus I like rock rather than country. 

I've had quite a few major brands (my favorite was an American Standard, Strat plus with the lace sensors) but right now I'm playing a Fender squire bullet...the elcheapo of the Fender, fully electric range.  I've messed with it a bit (changed the pickups and made the fret board/frets more "quality fender" like, but even before all that it was a great little guitar.  Just shows you don't have to pay big bucks to get something good.

Hey mate - so many good quality acoustic guitars - just make sure it has a 'solid top' - usually anything over $600 is going to be decent- I'm a guitar teacher by trade (I have a few...)

I've got a question for the guitar heads, separate of the op's query if ok. 

Check out the Cole Clark guitars mate. Australian made, beautiful timbers, good pick ups etc but most importantly you just need to get into a good shop and get as many guitars as you can in your hands - you will know once you play it

Thanks Gnoo and Bonkerz. I'll have to find mine and check out the model although I'm sure mine will be worth closer to $300 than $1,500 as I think it's a later one and I'm never that lucky 

Hey guys good thread. Ok going to say something here and don't laugh. Myself and my wife play ukuleles and enjoy it very much, so how does it relate to this thread . Well we started of on cheap uke's but found if you want the best sound you are chasing you must be prepared to pay for it. Just to give you all an idea my ukulele and my wife's ukulele and another we own the replacement value is worth well over $1500 and we got rid off our cheaper uke's a long time back.

Martin, Huss & Dalton, Collings... All acoustics. Use great timbers. My pic of the bunch is a Martin D45.

Hey fella's...I forgot all about this thread..Over the last couple of years I have bought and sold a few guitars but have now settled on a Maton and a Lag as my go to acustic's and am in the process for looking for a Fender Tele for an electric...Still don't play very well but really enjoy it.. What I have found is that it is a practice,practice and practice some more thing..Anyway I will never be a world beater but it does help keep my sanity in these trying times...Cheers and thanks for the reply's. 

yep, practice, practice & more practice

my fretting finger tips dont work on my iphone......

I have an Ibanez and a Faith (Faith in the Pic)  and a couple of other cheapys.  The faith sounds amazing.  Oh and Im a lefty !!