A few years ago, Phil Haworth sat down with the team at Maton and gave them a list of specifications with which he wanted a "Haworth Custom" Acoustic/Electric Dreadnaught Guitar made. The guitar was to be made from 'select timbers' including 'A' grade solid spruce top, Queensland maple back and sides, Queensland maple neck, flame maple headstock veneer, rosewood fretboard and bridge. Having made hundreds of guitars himself, Phil was extremely pedantic about getting the timbers right!
The guitar was also to have a keyhole headstock, a custom 'honey stain', cutaway and a Maton APmic pick-up system, which had never been installed on a dreadnaught guitar before.
The APmic pick-up system can be found on Maton's Signature Tommy Emmanuel 'Finger style' EBG808TE guitar. The APmic had never been installed on a full size dreadnaught acoustic guitar before but Phil was determined to see how it sounded.
Sure enough, months later Maton returned to Phil with his "Haworth Custom" guitar! Phil was ecstatic with the look, feel and the sound of the "Haworth Custom". The APmic pick-up sounded fantastic with about 30% microphone and 70% piezo. Phil told Maton to make more of this guitar!
Now, the "Haworth Custom" is a Maton production line guitar that is only available through Haworth Guitars and Haworth's Shellharbour Music Centre. The "Haworth Special" is also another make of Maton that is exclusive to the Haworth's chain. The Maton "Haworth Special" is the same guitar as the "Haworth Custom" but with the AP5 pick-up system rather than the APmic.
Phil ALWAYS makes sure that he gives every Maton "Haworth Custom and Haworth Special" a personal service, lowering the action and giving the neck a tung-oil finish.
By purchasing the Maton "Haworth Custom" or "Haworth Special" you are not only buying a piece of Australia, but you are buying a piece of Haworth Guitars; the music franchise that started over a decade ago by one man in his garage building and repairing musical instruments.
The story of 'Haworth Guitars' is a true Aussie success story that YOU can be part of too!
The Maton "Haworth Special" Guitar features:
- Maton's AP5 Pick-up System
- Keyhole headstock with flame maple veneer
- 'A' grade Solid Spruce Top
- QLD Maple back and sides
- QLD Maple neck
- Herringbone Binding
- Rosewood Fretboard
- Rosewood Bridge
- Graphite nut and saddle
- Tung-Oiled neck
- Custom set-up by Master Luthier Phil Haworth
**For more pics and info, email Daniel at haworthguitars@haworthguitars.com.au**
