Bill May and the early history of Maton Guitars

A display of guitars and paraphernalia relating to Maton guitars.
A bay from the Instrument of Change exhibition dedicate to Maton

Grainger Museum
Gate 13, Royal Parade
Parkville

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Grainger Museum

grainger@unimelb.edu.au

T: 0383445270

Presented by Susan Ellis

The Maton guitar company is one of the most recognizable and enduring Australian musical brands. The founder Bill May played double bass and guitar in dance bands and Hawaiian groups and made his first guitar as a teenager in 1932.  He began with flat top acoustic guitars and later diversified with archtop instruments and an extensive range of electric guitars. While American instruments were his examples, May was committed to making an Australian product that could compete with the best in the world. His daughter Susan Ellis has been a central figure in the development of classical guitar teaching and performance in Australia. In this talk Susan will reflect on the early history of Maton guitars and Bill May’s vision for the guitar in Australia.

Free admission, bookings via Eventbrite.