Maton EBG808TE Tommy Emmanuel Acoustic Electric Guitar

First off, the EBG808TE (like the EBG808 Artist, EBG808C and other EBG808 models) is best for fingerstyle guitar. If you were to compare this to a similar Taylor, for instance, it would be one of Taylor's Grand Symphony body styles or even a Grand Auditorium. Anyway, the Maton EBG808TE is the Tommy Emmanuel signature model and any fan of Tommy Emmanuel will know how incredible his guitar work is. This guitar is built to his specs and it truly is wonderful. The guitar is so solidly built that you would probably have trouble destroying it with a sledgehammer. And, trust me--this guitar has such a great unplugged tone that I like it more than any Taylor, Martin, Gibson or Breedlove I've played regardless of price. That's not the only reason I consider the EBG808TE to be the nicest guitar I've ever played though. The pickup system in this particular model (as well as various other Maton acoustic-electrics) is called the AP5 Pro. This particular lick up system pairs a Maton AP5 undersaddle bridge pickup with a high-quality microphone. The EBG808TE I played was an older model that still had the APMic system, which was improved upon and became the AP5 Pro a few years ago now. No other acoustic-electric I have played has sounded even half as good when plugged in as the EBG808TE. It is simply incredible how good it sounds plugged in. Do keep in mind that some EBG808 models only have the AP5 pickup system and not the AP5 Pro. Those ones will cost quite a bit less but, in all honesty, the AP5 Pro is one of the EBG808TE's best features. If you play live, you'll most likely love this guitar for that reason. If you're not a fingerpicker, Maton does offer guitars in different body shapes that come equipped with the AP5 Pro as well. I've.only played this guitar once but, one day, I will certainly buy one (perhaps the EBG808 Artist instead though, as I would personally prefer to not have a signature model). If you want this model with a cutaway and the AP5 Pro lick up system, look for the EBG808C which is the Michael Fix signature model. Its specs differ from the EBG808TE a bit and, even though I haven't had the chance to try that one out, I'm sure it's another great guitar.Anyway, the Maton EBG808TE is the ultimate fingerpicker's guitar, in my opinion. No other acoustic-electric I've played has sounded as good plugged in or unplugged. Australians know how to make extraordinary guitars...Matons are proof of that.