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| I have been looking for a good one of these 31-fret wonders for many years, and finally here it is! This vintage Maton El Toro dates from 1968. Only 56 were ever made between 1968 and 1970, and this is number 10 (serial 010). Obviously the guitar is very much modelled on the 'longhorn' model from Danelectro, but is very different in actual fact, with a solid body (Honduras Mahogany, with a Northern Maple neck and Rosewood fretboard) and powerful humbucker-style 'Ultrasound' pickups with individually adjustable polepieces. Scale length is 705mm (27 3/4 inches!), and the 31 frets cover a full two-and-a-half octaves! With the long scale, it's possible to tune the guitar down a tone or two, and then play everything from seriously low twang to the highest 'tiptoe through the tulips' possible! This guitar is seriously good fun, and is certainly not a toy! The original El Toro Red finish looks cool, and is in good condition, with just some chipping (mainly to the edges) as you would expect. It was a very expensive guitar when new, and aimed at the higher-end professional. In fact, there were two options available when ordering an El Toro. For an extra 10% you could have a left-handed one made, or -wait for it - you could have the guitar 'personally endorsed'! Check out the image from the Maton archives at the bottom of the 'more pictures' link below. This vintage Maton is dead original, and even comes with its original plush-lined hard shell case - pictures in the 'more pictures' link below. The previous owner advised me that this very guitar was once owned by Col Joye, but I have not yet been able to verify this. Sold to Steve
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