Maton F-240 Supreme 1957

The Maton F-240 Supreme is a 17-inch cutaway acoustic archtop from Maton’s 1950s–early 60s “dance band / jazz” era. It’s quite a rare guitar, with a total of 96 instruments made between 1953 and 1962.

This example is serial number 830, which places it around 1957. It has the look you want from a well-kept vintage archtop: genuine patina, finish checking, and general wear around the edges that fits the guitar’s age and type.

It plays well, and importantly feels like a properly instrument rather than a fragile collector piece. The frets are in good condition with roughly 85% life left, so it’s ready to rock, swing, or whatever’s your thing.

As you’d expect from this type of guitar, F-240 Supreme features a spruce arched top and a maple body. It sounds really good unplugged for pretty much anything, while the floating pickup, which appears most likely to be a Benedetto or Kent Armstrong style unit, obviously takes things in a more jazz direction plugged in. There are no onboard controls, so you’ll have to run volume and tone from the amp or another type of external control.

Last but not least, Maton Supremes also have a serious place in rock history: Keith Richards is associated with a Maton EG-240 Supreme (same guitar with a different name) in the Let It Bleed era, including use on tracks such as “Gimme Shelter” and “Midnight Rambler”. It doesn’t get much cooler than that! Weight is 2200g. No case or bag is included.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Maton F-240 Supreme
• Type: Acoustic archtop, hollowbody
• Serial number: 830
• Year: 1957 (approximate)
• Production period: 1953 to 1962
• Total produced: 96
• Body width: 17 in
• Body length: 20 3/4 in
• Top: Spruce, arched
• Back and sides: Maple
• Neck: Maple
• Truss rod: Yes
• Cutaway: Single cutaway
• Soundholes: Dual f-holes
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
• Frets: 20
• Fret condition: Approximately 85%
• Bridge: Adjustable archtop bridge
• Tailpiece: Trapeze style
• Pickguard: Black, bracket mounted
• Tuners: Open-gear with cream buttons
• Electronics: Aftermarket floating pickup, most likely Benedetto or Kent Armstrong type (unconfirmed)
• Finish: Sunburst
• No case or bag included