Vintage Maton guitars can be slightly trickier to date because early records were occasionally inconsistent. However, they generally followed a format.
Modern Maton labels use a seemingly cryptic combination of a number and two letters. A guitar with the label code 2FA provides the following information: maton serial number search
To properly insure your musical instrument, insurance companies require the exact model name, year of production, and serial number. What to Do If Your Serial Number Doesn't Match Vintage Maton guitars can be slightly trickier to
This is where a becomes detective work. Before 2001, Maton used at least four different systems, sometimes overlapping. A guitar with the label code 2FA provides
For immediate, though less authoritative, results, the Oz Guitar Forum and Maton Collectors Facebook groups are invaluable. Enthusiasts have crowdsourced extensive lists of serial number ranges. For example, it is widely known that serial numbers starting with M1000 to M2500 generally correspond to the late 1970s, while A100 to A500 often indicate early 1980s acoustics. Cross-referencing a number with these community-led tables can provide a “best guess” year within minutes.
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.
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: