Maton FyrByrd FB70 Cherry 1969
Maton FyrByrd FB70, cherry red, made in Melbourne 1969. The FyrByrd is probably the most iconic 60s-era electric guitar line to come out of Australia. The model debuted in 1963 and evolved through six different body shapes and configurations before vanishing forever in the early 1970s. This FB70 version was made from 1968-70, and going off the serial number data on the Maton archive, they made 63 of them total. This is a later 'Series II' example, so it got two single coil pickups a Fender-ish headstock. This one has spent some time with a prominent Australian musician, actor and comedian; he bought it from a pawn store in Newcastle in 1984 and has owned it ever since, before it landed with us to sell. It's been modded: re-wired by Maton around 1990, converted to a hardtail with a wraparound bridge, tuners replaced... it's seen a few things. There's plenty of play wear, finish checking and fading on the finish too, but dang... it looks so classy now. Needless to say, you've got one shot at this one, so if you're keen to land a rare Byrd, shoot straight friend!
Model: Maton FyrByrd FB70 (Series II)
Made: Melbourne Australia, 1969
Serial: 056
Finish: Cherry, formerly gloss nitro
Body: Queensland Maple
Neck: Maple, Rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 43mm nut, 16" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 2.990kg
Mods: Gotoh tuners installed, neck pickup possibly replaced, re-wired at factory circa 1990, bridge replaced, vibrato tailpiece removed; original parts not included
Controls: volume, tone, 3-way pickup selector, mute switch (top horn)
Pickups: Maton single coil x2
Accessories: vintage hard case, fair condition
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs and and dimples all over, as well as holes on the back from former tuners and checking and scratches and some balding near the nut and bottom edge on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, plenty of rub wear, scuffs and minor scratches on the back. The back has bald patches in the middle of the body and the bottom edge, as well as widespread scuffs, checking, dimples and minor scratches. The sides have scratches, scuffs, dimples and checking all over, but no especially nasty marks. The front has filled holes from the removed tailpiece, rub wear in the elbow area, widespread checking and surface scratches all over the body and play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only