{"product_id":"maton-el-toro-4-striong-eklectric-bass-black-1969-made-in-australia","title":"Maton El Toro 4-String Electric Bass | Black | 1969 Made in Australia","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere’s a seriously rare piece of Australian bass history — a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1969 Maton El Toro Bass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, now upgraded with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEMG pickups and an active 2-band preamp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe El Toro was one of Maton’s most distinctive designs of the late ’60s, with its wild double-cutaway body and unmistakable Longhorn-inspired shape. Built here in Australia, the original El Toro Bass featured a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHonduras mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard and medium 32¼\" scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, along with Maton’s adjustable bridge and distinctive gold hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese were produced in extremely small numbers, with contemporary collector information suggesting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efewer than 50 El Toro basses were made\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making surviving examples particularly hard to come across. The model was also closely associated with Melbourne band \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Strangers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who used matching Maton El Toro guitars and basses during the period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis particular 1969 example has been modified from its original electronics with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEMG pickups and a 2-band active preamp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It’s obviously not one for the collector chasing a completely untouched museum piece, but the modifications turn it into something arguably more interesting — a genuinely rare vintage Australian bass that can still be used as a serious working instrument.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe EMGs bring extra output, clarity and punch, while the 2-band EQ gives you quick control over the lows and highs without taking away from the unique character and feel of the old Maton.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare, weird, Australian and built to be played.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51259850653863,"sku":"CON880B","price":3999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/9159\/5119\/files\/IMG_4503.heic?v=1787711902","url":"https:\/\/bassworkshop.com.au\/products\/maton-el-toro-4-striong-eklectric-bass-black-1969-made-in-australia","provider":"Bass Workshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}