By: Ned McIntosh

On: 2006-12-26 05:26:02.000

 

Got this one new a few months ago. Initially it is sounding slightly brighter than my Larrivee D10, with less depth in the bass and a definite "Maton sound" which is clear and clean with excellent tonal balance right across the strings and all the way up the neck as far as you would want to play. As received, the action was perfectly playable and the instrument has a nice ringing tone and good sustain, especially when flat-picked. The appearance of the light Satin Boxwood sides and rear contrasts well with the Victorian Blackwood inlays, neck and rosette. The overall appearance of the Lyrebird is certainly very striking compared to the more traditional dark back and sides of Rosewood or Jacaranda-built acoustics. The Sitka Spruce soundboard is not fitted with a pickguard, leaving it totally free to vibrate without impediment. No electrics are fitted, although there is what seems to be an internal reinforcement piece on the upper bout where the hole for a pickup would have been routed out. The guitar comes from the factory with the standard Maton phosphor bronze string set fitted and the truss-rod adjusted for a very playable action with no signs of undue stress around the bridge or soundboard adjacent to it. The Hiscock flight case is a perfect fit and the purple plush adds an almost "royal" touch to the way the guitar presents in the case. I bought this both as a playing guitar and an investment. Although it is still very much in the "playing-in" stage of its life, already it has projection, power, volume and balance which augur well for the tone development as the instrument ages. The bridge-pins, nut and bridge are all just right, the tuning-machines silky-smooth in operation and the overall feeling is one of quality and durability. There are only fifty of these guitars in existence and very few remain for sale. If you want a top-grade acoustic to play and as an investment, the Lyrebird has impeccable credentials and will not dissappoint.