The rain in Ft. Worth didn’t wash things clean; it just made the grime slicker. It coated the neon signs of the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway and turned the parking lots of the guitar shops into shimmering mirrors of streetlight.
Very early guitars (pre-Fryer acquisition) used simple sequential numbers stamped on the headstock or heel plate. Ranges: 100 to roughly 1500.
This paper explores the methodologies and challenges associated with serial number searches for Maton guitars, Australia’s premier guitar manufacturer. Unlike American manufacturers such as Gibson or Fender, whose serial number archives are extensively documented and publicly decoded, Maton’s serial numbering system has undergone significant variations throughout the company’s 75-year history. This research delineates the chronological eras of Maton serialization, analyzes the efficacy of current identification tools, and highlights the critical role serial numbers play in the authentication, valuation, and historical preservation of Australian musical instruments. maton serial number search
While Maton does not currently offer a "type your serial number and get instant results" tool online, their Museum is incredibly effective for models before 2000. It is organized by model, providing the specific serial number ranges for the years each model was manufactured.
If your Maton has electric components (AP5 pickup, or an electric solid body like the MS500), pull the control cavity cover. The volume/tone pots have date codes (e.g., 137 7829 = 1978, week 29). The guitar is usually built 3-6 months after the pot date. The rain in Ft
Older Matons often used simpler sequential numbers, making them harder to date without a reference chart.
Depending on your model and age, the number is usually in one of three places: Unlike American manufacturers such as Gibson or Fender,
The most authoritative source is Maton’s customer service department in Melbourne, Australia. Via their official website, users can submit a serial number enquiry. The company maintains a handwritten and digital ledger dating back to 1946. A successful query typically returns:
for specialized authentication.
