Maton Guitars

Andy Allen established the custom shop within the Maton Guitar Company in Melbourne, Australia. The company was created by Bill May back in 1946 along with the help of his brother Reg. Since that time, the company has built a respected reputation around the world for acoustic and electric guitars. While working as a luthier for the company, Andy saw the need to create custom guitars for those players seeking unique designs and special materials. At the time of his NAMM interview, in 2017, Andy was closing in on his 1,000th guitar!

Dom Di Sisto made a humorous observation years after opening his music store, Holden Hills Music, near Adelaide, Australia: most of his instructors were the same bandmates he had rocked out with in his youth. Starting guitar at age 10, Dom quickly became a fixture in local bands, and after school, he saw a need to create a space for young people to learn rock instruments. His store thrived, offering lessons and locally crafted Maton Guitars, and eventually, Dom became the U.S. distributor for the brand. While attending a NAMM show in 1999, Dom met Joe Lamond, and their conversatio

Tommy Emmanuel played bass to his brother's lead guitar as a kid and knew playing music was his calling. Tommy has become a world renown player and songwriter who realized early on the importance of finding the perfect guitar. For him, the best guitar is the one that you can't put down, the one that inspires you to write and play. Since 1960, Tommy has played a Maton Guitar from Australia. The custom shop's luthier, Andy Allen, has built Tommy's signature models over the years and worked with Tommy on design ideas. Having found the perfect guitar, Tommy has encouraged players youn

Linda Kitchen is the daughter of Bill May, the founder of Maton Guitars. Bill established the guitar company in 1946, which has since become an important producer of acoustic and electric guitars. Since her involvement within the company in the 1980s, Linda has focused on the acoustic guitar models. The staff creates about 6,800 guitars per year and her main goal is to ensure the highest quality control possible. In 2007, she helped establish the company's custom shop.  

Neville Kitchen was a school teacher when he married Linda May in 1969. Her father, Bill May, the founder of Maton Guitars, soon asked for some assistance. Neville joined the company to help for a short time when he soon discovered he loved the staff and the products. He remains with Maton to this day and in 1987 Linda and Neville purchased the company when Bill May retired. The couple focused on their acoustic models and in the early 2000s opened their custom shop, which continues to produce innovative and creative instruments.

Vera May was the matriarch figure of the iconic Australian acoustic instrument maker Maton Guitars. Wife of the founder, Bill May, Vera worked in the business from 1954 until her retirement in 1987, organizing the administrative and financial aspects, while Bill built the guitars. The husband and wife team were an inspiration to many in the music industry due to their passion for the business, great customer service, and for creating a family feeling amongst their employees. Vera’s daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Neville Kitchen, continue the family business.