Maton Phil Manning Custom Stereo

After a few years in the wilderness, she’s back home…

Before I started guitarnerd, I was what I thought a bit of a Maton fan. This was due to my band mate Fred, who educated me on their old electrics and how good they actually were. In 2005, while recording our album in Melbourne, I bought a near mint 1975 Maton Phil Manning Custom Stereo for a pretty good price. I played it a bit and then went back to my main guitar, my Les Paul Custom. After a year or two of this guitar sitting idle on my wall, I decided it was a waste having that much money hanging there so I traded her in on an amazing Ibanez Black Eagle Bass at Tym Guitars.

And there she sat for 2 years. Every time I walked into Tym’s I saw her hanging on the wall, lonely and unplayed. I felt guilty. For some reason I kept thinking she was my guitar. I tried to remember the reason I got rid of her and couldn’t really figure out exactly why.

And then I started guitarnerd.

After that my fascination with vintage Maton electrics went into overdrive. I knew now what I really had, and what an idiot I was getting rid of her. These were the pinnacle of Australian guitar design… and I got rid of her?! For a Japanese bass?!!!

Over the years, again and again I walked into Tym’s and there she was… taunting me. Enough was enough. I sold a heap of my gear and this week finally got her back, just in the nick of time. Apparently someone had come in to Tym’s the day after I said that I wanted her back, and was pretty pissed when Tim said she was on hold. I would of been gutted if someone else had bought her. Anyway, here she is…

This is a magnificent specimen of the PM Custom Stereo. The condition is outstanding, with only minor nicks and scratches. She is all original, with the only missing piece the tiny Maton badge under the fretboard. (Anyone have a spare?!)

The headstock is in great condition, with no scratches or chunks taken out. And the all important trussrod cover is still in place. That would be a nightmare trying to find one of those…

She also has what I assumed were replacement Grover machine heads, but since getting rid of her I found out some Phil Mannings came fitted with them instead of Schallers. I think it was the typical Maton policy of whatever was at hand at the time. She’s serial number 111, which makes her a 1975 I think.

Speaking of whatever was at hand, the biggest question mark over this guitar is the fretboard. Instead of the standard lacquered ebony board, she has a rosewood fretboard.

I’ve seen about ten PM Custom’s now, and they’ve all had the lacquered ebony. So either this was a custom order, or they used whatever fretboard material was at hand on the day. It’s certainly interesting and makes this example extremely rare. I actually prefer this as she’s plays like butter anyway… very similar to a 1960’s Les Paul Standard. And I’ve saved the best ’til last. Look at that back…

That is just a work of art. And although she’s hollow, she weighs more than any of my Les Paul’s.  As soon as I got her back in my possession, a knot that had been living in my nether regions for years instantly undid from my gut. I’ll never get rid of her again.

Here is a nice big photo of her for you to examine in all her glory…