Tommy Emmanuel is one of the world's most impressive guitarists. On the stage, he's an absolute force—an electrifying soloist who captivates the audience with the same energy and stage presence as a full band. It takes a great guitar to meet the demands of such a great player. Through a direct collaboration with Mr. Emmanuel himself, Maton Guitars of Melbourne, Australia have introduced the TE Series—a signature line of guitars built to Tommy's discerning specs. The Maton EBG808TE features a small, but deep body with a Sitka Spruce top and Queensland Maple back and sides. As an Australian builder, Maton is committed to using Australian woods when possible, so Queensland Maple is a great choice. But it's not a true Maple (it's actually part of the Citrus family), and it looks more similar to Mahogany. Soundwise, it is balanced with nice clarity—somewhere in between the sound of Mahogany and Rosewood. This 2016 Maton EBG808TE produces rich tone that is versatile and well-balanced. It is capable of the most delicate expression as well as the most ferocious attack. It's a small body, similar to a 00, but it's fairly deep. That gives it tight, articulate bass which balances out the shimmering high end. It has slightly wider string spacing to facilitate fingerpicking (1-47/64" at the nut, so 1/64" shy of 1-3/4"). Nevertheless, it's not just a fingerpicking guitar—it is well voiced, so it will follow you when you dig in with a pick. At the 12th Fret, this EBG808TE has a Mother of Pearl block inlay that is engraved with "C.G.P." This acronym stands for "Certified Guitar Player," and it is a title bestowed on Tommy by Chet Atkins. This 2016 Maton EBG808TE shows some minor play wear, but it is free of dings, scratches, repairs, or any issues. It has Maton electronics on board, and it sounds just as good plugged in as it does unplugged. It includes its original Maton hardshell case.
