Maton

Maton p/l,
Canterbury Rd,
Canterbury, Melbourne.
(Moved to Bayswater, then back to Box Hill, enlarging with each move)

Current address;
6 Clarice Rd,
Box Hill,
Victoria Australia 3128
Email: sales@maton.com.au - This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Java enabled to view it
Telephone: +61 3 9896 9500
Fax: +61 3 9896 9501
Link to Maton website http://www.maton.com.au/

Early suitcase models AM-1 13 watt, AM-2 10 watt, AM-3 4.5 watt. 102kb gif
Tremolux Super 30X, Tremolux 30X, Hi-Mark 15, Super 6 Special. 300kb gif
Starline T.506 Power Pack combo, Professional V.707 Power Pack Head and cab. 526kb gif

Serial and Date table

Feel free to send yours.

History

Contributing Editor Ken Palethorpe has been digging into the background of Maton amps.
This is what he turned up. (Note: 1 pound = $2)

The history of Maton is well documented on Matons' own website www.maton.co.au.

For a manufacturer who began in 1945, went through the crazy times of the sixties and continues to this day, their records are amazing considering the industry standards of the time.

The amount of information on guitars, whilst Maton would admit to not be perfect, is a great source for collectors; the amps however are another story.

This may be explained in part by the fact that some of Maton amps were possibly made by Phillips Electronics in Melbourne and therefore the records of serial numbers, production numbers and dates probably rest with them.

One story goes that after making an initial production the supplier wanted a large order to continue and that Bill May was unwilling to make the substantial commitment.

However like all history there is always a twist or at least a good story. It is strongly rumoured that the amplifier records were burnt. We won't add to the rumour other than to understand it may not have been accidental.

Whilst we believe that early Maton amplifiers were made by others equally Maton had their own production facility. Two names emerge from the mists, Jim Henderson and Gordon Bell. Wheelchair-bound Jim did the wiring and Gordon the design.

All in all Maton made around 22 to 24 different models most of which are detailed here.

When did they start?

The best we can ascertain to date is around 1960.

We can debate the start date of Maton amplifiers but we do know when production ceased, 1974, and one of the last range of amplifiers made were the CPA80's.

PDF sheets are available from the Maton web site for most amps.

Maton amplifier model listing

The AM series of amplifiers are believed to be the first of the Maton amps. These amps were often sold in combination with lap steel guitars.

Built as a completely contained unit, to use the amplifier you remove the rear cover which has two metal locating pins that lock it into the base of the cabinet and a spring catch at the top. A hole at the top lets you insert a finger to remove the back.

Covered in “Leatherette”, (Tan and Maroon are known colours) which is beautifully fitted and contoured. The Maton brand is stencilled in black or white lettering on the front. The speaker covering is not fabric but a bound piece of basket weave.

Serial numbers are stamped into the rear of the chassis and follow an Alpha followed by four numbers. Example is an A.M.3 with serial number i.e. A4217. No explanation of the serial numbers has yet been documented however one ex Maton employee believes that it is A = Amplifier, 4 = Month of manufacture, 217 serial. This is still to be confirmed.

[we have now identified a “B” series, see table above - rr]

AM1
Description: (Maton catalogue 1956(? date uncertain)) Twin inputs
13 watt Push-Pull Amplifier
Chassis mounted on Rubber
1 x 12 inch Heavy duty Jensen speaker, double inputs, independently controlled, to suit two instruments, Volume and Tone
17 inches x 17 inches x 6.5 inches, weight 27 lbs
Original price: 78 pound
Years manufactured: Maton records show that production commenced in 1960 and discontinued in 1960.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

AM2
Description: (1956 catalogue) Single Input
Ideal amplifier for the professional and amateur guitarist, fitted into a case similar to the A.M.1 model
10 watt, Single Input, Volume and Tone
1 x 12 inch Jensen Speaker
Size 17 inches x 14 inches x 6.5 inches, weight 18 lbs
Original price: 38 pound
Years manufactured: Maton records show that production commenced in 1960 and discontinued in 1960.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

AM3
Description: (1956 catalogue)
Suitable amplifier for the beginner of both Spanish and Hawaiian Guitar. Special lightweight case for portability.
4 1/2 watts Single Input, Volume and Tone controls (KT61, 5Y3-GT)
Magnavox 8P2 8 inch speaker1 x 8 inch speaker
Tone control markings = “Mellow - Normal - Brilliant”, Volume markings = “Soft - Medium - Loud”
Size 12 inches high x 12 inches long, 5.75 inches deep
Original price: 38(?) pound
Years manufactured:
Maton records show that production commenced in 1960 and discontinued in 1960. This is under a question mark as other Maton catalogues suggest an earlier date.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Compact Professional Amplifier - CPA80
Description: 80-watt combo, dual channel 4 input, 1 output.
Channel 1: Dual inputs high and low gain.
Channel 2: Dual inputs high and low gain with volume pull out for bright.
Extension speaker socket, reverb, tremolo
Speakers: two by 50 watt RMS Plessey (Rola) [likely 12U50EG's a.k.a. UEG's - rr]
Valves: 5x 12AX7 dual valves, 1x 12AT7 dual valves, 2x 6DQ6 B valves.
Years manufactured: Production ceased 1974, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in kg, it would appear to be 1966 or later.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Tremolux - Super 30X Description: 30-watt, 6 valves, 3x 12AX7, 2x EL34 and 1x GZ34 four inputs through 2 channels with separate volume controls. bass and treble presence and standby switch, tremolo and two 12 inch speakers and one 8 inch heavy duty wired in crossover.
Original price: 135 pound
Years manufactured: Commenced in 1960 discontinued in 1963
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Temolux - 30X
Description: Same as above but designed for four 8 inch speakers
Years manufactured: Commenced in 1960 discontinued in 1963
Serial numbers: (see table above)

High Mark Temolux - HM15
Description: 15-watt, 4 valves, 1x 12AX7, 2x 6GW8 and 1x EZ81, two inputs with volume bass and treble, tremolo
Speakers: two 8 inch speakers
Years manufactured: Commenced in 1960 discontinued in 1963
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Super Twin Bass and Guitars Amplifier - STB75 (also SRG75)
Description: Piggy back head and speaker unit, four inputs into two separate channels with separate treble and bass controls. Additional speaker jack, standby switch and a fully enclosed “acoustically packed” speaker box.
Speakers: three 50-watt RMS speakers.
Years manufactured: Unknown, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in kg, it would appear to be 1966 or later.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Super 6 Series Amplifier
Description: 4.5-watt output, 2 valves, 1x 6GW8 and 1x 6V4, two inputs with volume and tone control.
Speaker: One 8 inch speaker
Years manufactured: 1963
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Super Twin (T100) - Mastersound (T50) - Opal (T30)
All solid state amplifiers and all combos.
T100 two 50-watt units in tall boy configuration driving four speakers.
T50 Mastersound combo 50-watt.
T30 Opal a tallboy combo of 30-watt for organ and bass. The T30 also carried the later MATON Power Pack name. It had a single 15 inch Jensen Concert speaker.
Years manufactured: Unknown
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Opal T30 - Power Pack series = 35078A, Speaker Jensen USA Concert Vibranto 2207302/LMI152/C8505 (Source Ken Palethorpe)

V707 Professional
Description: Piggy back 70 watt RMS, two channel four input with separate volume controls with push pull brilliant switch. Bass and treble controls with suppression and boost for each channel.
One separate channel for microphone or organ and RT recording output.
Speakers: two 15 inch heavy duty speakers, inclined.
Years manufactured: Unknown, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in inches, it would appear to be pre 1966.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

V606 Professional
Description: Piggy back head and speaker box, 60 watt valve.
Two two input channels, separate single input (mic) channel with RT output.
Years manufactured: Unknown, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in inches, it would appear to be pre 1966.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Vibrasound - V202
Description: Single channel, three input (high and low gain), speaker jack.
Tremolo, volume, bass and treble controls.
Valves: 1x 12AX7, 2x 6GW8.
Speaker: One 12 EP model 30 watt RMS
Years manufactured: Unknown, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in kg, it would appear to be 1966 or later.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Starline - T506
Description: Tallboy combo, Hybrid valve / solid state.
Two channel, two inputs high and low gain, channel two single input. RT recording output.
Speaker: two x 12 inch speakers
Years manufactured: Unknown, however as the Maton data sheets quote weight and dimensions in inches, it would appear to be pre 1966.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

Starline - T406
Description: solid State combo 40 watt.
Years manufactured: Unknown, the Maton data sheets do not quote weight and dimensions for the T406 but the do show the V606, T506 and T406 as a series, it would appear to be pre 1966.
Serial numbers: (see table above)

We can also look at the data sheets for the T100, T50 Mastersound and the T50 Opal and see that all dimensions are in inches and all are solid-state amps. We would assume that solid state production began before 1966.

If you have a Maton amp we'd love the model and serial number to add to this list.

Maton amps before 1960

Contributing editor Ken Palethorpe discusses some of the problems accurately dating early Maton amps.

Were Maton's first amplifiers made before 1960?

The AM-1, AM-3 and the lesser known AM-2 would appear to be Maton's very first amplifiers. Maton's records of production would indicate that they commenced in 1960 and discontinued in 1960.

Certainly few were made or should I say few if any survive as we are yet to have photo's grace this site. What we see from the catalogue provided by Rodger Lewis an unmistakably 40's / 50's look with a “Leatherette covered luggage style case”.

I had previously accepted the Maton dates as correct, and they may well turn out to be, however I have another complete brochure of Maton guitars and artists which features the same description of the amps as in Rodgers catalogue but this time without the pictures.

What made me do a double take was the range of 10 featured guitars one of which, according to Maton records, (Starline S.E.90) was discontinued in 1955, the Coolibar F.T.6 in 1958 and the Goldtone G210 as 1959. Now the Premier E.G.45A was 59-60.

But just to confuse the issue another five show 1959 as their first production date and one the Supreme F.240 as 1960. Some of the featured guitars remaining in production until 1966.

So the date range of the guitars in the brochure spans some 20 years from 1946 to 1966, confused?

Ok let's try this, the earliest discontinue date is 55 the latest start date is 60 so a five year Mexican standoff. Only one the Premier E.G.45A was 59-60.

Now I draw the jury's attention to the picture from the Maton site of the Hi Mark 15 supposedly made from 1960 to 63.

Amps Tremolux 30X, Himark 15 & Super 6.pdf (Note: PDF)

The Hi Mark certainly looks more modern than the AM series and the PDF of the Tremolux series are from 1960-63 and have a clear sixties look.

Conclusion: On face value 1960 would appear, as per Maton records to be correct. But the skeptic in me keeps looking at the brochure and the look of the thing screams earlier just as the pictures in Rodgers catalogue look earlier than 1960. Might I humbly suggest that 1959 - 1960 represent a serious contender for the discontinued date and 1955 or earlier as the start date?

Ken Palethorpe

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