John Tracey
John Tracey
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Long-term Maton EBG808 Artist review: A love letter to 'Skippy' the guitar
I've had this old guitar for 17 years now, and it's still going strong! This is my long-term review and thoughts on the Maton EBG808 Artist, built in 2007.
Here's my love letter to Skippy!
Chapter markers:
00:00 "This Old Guitar" performance
00:41 Introduction
03:17 SECTION 1: The Maton EBG808 Artist
05:42 The APMic vs AP5 Pro pickup system
07:13 SECTION 2: Long-term review
07:59 Honest thoughts on Maton
09:34 Rhythm guitar and 'big strummy' gigs
11:02 'Big strummy' rhythm demo
11:58 Skippy's second hole and a luthier's advice
13:33 My thoughts on the guitar now
15:07 You could play hurling with these
18:23 SECTION 3: Gigs over the years and 'tough love'
20:26 Old footage from Belfast gigs
22:06 Supporting Horslips, melting bridges
26:25 "I'll take your medical advice onboard"
28:56 Guinness in the hole!
30:12 "Blood, sweat, piss and tears" - outro
(Please note that this is not an advertisement video. I am not sponsored or endorsed by Maton, nor did I receive any request from them to create this video. This video is purely for entertainment and educational purposes, and all of the content is based entirely on my own opinions.)
Переглядів: 3 495

Відео

Pure Imagination (Willy Wonka) - Fingerstyle guitar
Переглядів 644Місяць тому
"Hold your breath...make a wish...count to three" Guitar: Maton Custom Shop Camera: Sony A7RV Audio: Tascam X8
John Tracey LIVE - Anthony's Song (Billy Joel)
Переглядів 4972 місяці тому
JT performing "Anthony's Song (Movin' Out)" by Billy Joel, live at a double album launch event with Diarmuid Johnson, Brussels
Baby's Coming Home || John Tracey and Shota Enoshima
Переглядів 8333 місяці тому
Shota Enoshima (江の島 翔太 @ShotaEnoshima) and John Tracey perform "Baby's Coming Home" by Jerry Reed/Chet Atkins, on Maton EBG808 Artist and Maton SRS808 @matonguitars @matonguitarsjapan
Guitar Rag || John Tracey and Shota Enoshima
Переглядів 3173 місяці тому
Shota Enoshima (江の島 翔太 @ShotaEnoshima) and John Tracey perform "Guitar Rag" by Merle Travis, on @matonguitars Maton EBG808 Artist and @matonguitarsjapan Maton SRS808
This Is Home (2024)
Переглядів 4484 місяці тому
The title track of my new album, "This Is Home", releasing on 28 February 2024. Thank you to my wife Gill for helping me with the video! Guitar: Maton Custom Shop "JT Custom" @matonguitars Camera: Sony A7RV, Fujifilm X-S20 © JOHN TRACEY 2024
"Belfast" (Barnbrack) || Acoustic cover
Переглядів 3627 місяців тому
A beautiful ballad written for the city of Belfast by the renowned Belfast band "Barnbrack" @alexquinnbarnbrack4728. This song means all the more to me now that I no longer live there. (I've shot this video in portrait mode to make it a bit easier to share on other social media platforms!) Shot on: Sony Xperia IV Audio: Tascam X8 (onboard mics) Guitar: @matonguitars EBG808 Artist
Cannonball Rag || Fingerstyle guitar
Переглядів 3,8 тис.7 місяців тому
The renowned fingerpicker's anthem, "Cannonball Rag" by Merle Travis. Heavily influenced by Tommy Emmanuel's version. Enjoy! Camera: Fujifilm X-S20 Guitar: @matonguitars EBG808 Artist Audio: Tascam X8 (onboard)
Sleepwalker (Ava Max) | Fingerstyle guitar version
Переглядів 6709 місяців тому
(REUPLOADED: There was an issue with the audio. Fixed!) My fingerstyle guitar arrangement of Ava Max's earworm "Sleepwalker" (2023). That tasty synth guitar solo was a lot of fun to work out and learn, although fairly challenging to play on acoustic! I had to adapt it a bit for playability as well. || Gear used || GUITAR: Maton EBG808 Artist CAMERA: Fujifilm XS-20 (kit lens) AUDIO: Tascam X8 (o...
"Sí Bheag Sí Mhór" (Turlough O'Carolan) on an ANCIENT BOG OAK guitar!
Переглядів 67110 місяців тому
Turlough O'Carolan's well-loved piece "Sí Bheag Sí Mhór" arranged for fingerstyle guitar. Sometimes known as "Sheebeg [and] Sheemore" in English. A beautiful, timeless melody which blends aspects of Irish traditional and classical music. Here I'm playing a custom Irish-made Avalon guitar - featuring ancient bog oak back & sides and bearclaw sitka spruce. Gear I'm using: CAMERA || Fujifilm XS-20...
An Dornálaí || 'The Boxer' as Gaeilge || Irish Gaelic version of 'The Boxer'
Переглядів 79611 місяців тому
(ENGLISH DESCRIPTION BELOW) Mo leagan Gaeilge féin den amhrán mór le rá "The Boxer" le Simon & Garfunkel. D'aistrigh mé an t-amhrán seo go Gaeilge blianta ó shin ach níor taifeadadh riamh é. Seo chugaibh anois é, beo ó bhalcóin ghrianmhar an cheoil! Tá na liricí ar fáil thíos faoi más spéis leat iad. My own Irish-language version of "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel. I translated this song to Ir...
Can You Feel The Love Tonight | Disney Fingerstyle Guitar
Переглядів 615Рік тому
Can You Feel The Love Tonight | Disney Fingerstyle Guitar
Michael Kerr & John Tracey | Buckets of Rain (Bob Dylan)
Переглядів 294Рік тому
Michael Kerr & John Tracey | Buckets of Rain (Bob Dylan)
My top 5 Tommy Emmanuel licks || Onscreen TAB lessons
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
My top 5 Tommy Emmanuel licks || Onscreen TAB lessons
What if the Legend of Zelda sounded Irish? ['Romance in the Air' theme from Skyward Sword]
Переглядів 994Рік тому
What if the Legend of Zelda sounded Irish? ['Romance in the Air' theme from Skyward Sword]
Why I play these guitars || Maton and Avalon guitar reviews
Переглядів 2,9 тис.Рік тому
Why I play these guitars || Maton and Avalon guitar reviews
Cannonball Rag (live)
Переглядів 363Рік тому
Cannonball Rag (live)
Down By The Glenside // Irish Ways and Irish Laws (Irish fingerstyle guitar)
Переглядів 924Рік тому
Down By The Glenside // Irish Ways and Irish Laws (Irish fingerstyle guitar)
Return To Form | John Tracey | original fingerstyle guitar
Переглядів 488Рік тому
Return To Form | John Tracey | original fingerstyle guitar
El Vaquero (Tommy Emmanuel) | John Tracey
Переглядів 941Рік тому
El Vaquero (Tommy Emmanuel) | John Tracey
Citrus Coast | Hybrid picking guitar | John Tracey
Переглядів 353Рік тому
Citrus Coast | Hybrid picking guitar | John Tracey
Raglan Road | Irish fingerstyle guitar | John Tracey
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
Raglan Road | Irish fingerstyle guitar | John Tracey
Dangerous To Go Alone | Fingerstyle guitar | John Tracey
Переглядів 268Рік тому
Dangerous To Go Alone | Fingerstyle guitar | John Tracey
When You Wish Upon A Star | John Tracey | Disney fingerstyle guitar
Переглядів 619Рік тому
When You Wish Upon A Star | John Tracey | Disney fingerstyle guitar
King of the Swingers | Acoustic fingerstyle guitar
Переглядів 193Рік тому
King of the Swingers | Acoustic fingerstyle guitar
A Voice Beyond The Verge | John Tracey | Live performance in Brussels
Переглядів 2022 роки тому
A Voice Beyond The Verge | John Tracey | Live performance in Brussels
Do You Hear Footsteps?
Переглядів 2512 роки тому
Do You Hear Footsteps?
If You Ever Had To Leave Me | Original
Переглядів 2792 роки тому
If You Ever Had To Leave Me | Original
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | Fingerstyle Guitar
Переглядів 4352 роки тому
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | Fingerstyle Guitar
Samhain - Irish traditional jig (original)
Переглядів 1,9 тис.2 роки тому
Samhain - Irish traditional jig (original)

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @victorb6293
    @victorb6293 День тому

    John, this is a magnificent story - you've taken us on a journey with 'Skippy' and what this important guitar has meant for you over the years. I totally understand this and feel a similar way about some of my guitars that have been so important to me over the years. Incidentally, I met the owners of Maton guitars at a recent Tommy E camp I attended. Theirs' is another captivating story as well. Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Melbourne, Australia.

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic День тому

      That was a joy to read, thanks for the kind comments Victor!

  • @matthewrogersmusic
    @matthewrogersmusic 2 дні тому

    Wow. Don’t know if you know Tony Rice the flatpicker, but this reminds me of some of his solo work.

  • @classiccorporation5278
    @classiccorporation5278 16 днів тому

    This made my morning. Thank you. 💯

  • @rickeydenler4272
    @rickeydenler4272 22 дні тому

    When you get older that hole will get bigger ask Willie Nelson

  • @FenderBender34
    @FenderBender34 24 дні тому

    That was legendary. Did this ever get tabbed?

  • @BertisGuitar
    @BertisGuitar 24 дні тому

    Nice one, John - how about a video on rhythm tips you've picked up over the years..? Especially for Celtic stuff.

  • @aussiecue
    @aussiecue 24 дні тому

    If you like these Maton factory guitars, You should look into Gilet guitars. Far superior Australian made custom guitars. I had a few projects made by Gerard since the late 1980's

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 24 дні тому

      Nice one, thanks for the suggestion! I'll check out Gilet guitars now 👍🏻

  • @lozirullo
    @lozirullo 24 дні тому

    nice "Trigger", Willie Nelson would love it, sign of real many time spent together with your guitar

  • @declanbrady8045
    @declanbrady8045 25 днів тому

    Beautiful - lovely arrangement. 🤟

  • @declanbrady8045
    @declanbrady8045 25 днів тому

    Great presentation of 3 different guitars. Personally, I liked the tone of the Maton TE1 the best - very crisp and clean yet warm. Thanks John. Have you tried the Australian Cole Clarke guitars? They are also awesome value for money and give the Maton's a serious run for their money.

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 25 днів тому

      Thanks Declan! The TE1's a great guitar, I'm not sure why Maton have discontinued it. Probably wasn't selling as well as the TE 808s? The CC guitars are lovely, very similar to Maton which makes sense of course. I've only ever played one once though. David Browne Murray plays one, and his sound is exceptional.

  • @briandefusco1544
    @briandefusco1544 26 днів тому

    Absolutely beautiful! What are you using for audio recording? It sounds sooooo good!!!!!

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 25 днів тому

      Thank you Brian! That's actually the studio recording you're hearing, I recorded the album in Stiúideo Feirste in Belfast. I think they used a Blue Hummingbird condenser up close on the guitar, and a matched pair placed slightly further away from me.

  • @SergeUnplugged
    @SergeUnplugged 26 днів тому

    Inspiring story, many thanks for sharing!

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 26 днів тому

      You're more than welcome Serge, and thank you for watching!

    • @SergeUnplugged
      @SergeUnplugged 7 днів тому

      @@JohnTraceyMusic I hope UA-cam algorithms will finally have mercy on you

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 4 дні тому

      🤞🏻😂

  • @dieselman7453
    @dieselman7453 27 днів тому

    Great video John really enjoyed your story s .. the guitar sounds amazing.. I have a maton performer with cedar top it sounds great with heavy strings through an 414 mic in the studio.. I also have a mint condition sliver series Avalon that I bought in the Uk .. take care .. Brian Armagh 🎸🎸

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 27 днів тому

      Class Brian, the Performers are great machines. I'd say the thinner body makes them very comfortable for long gigging hours. The Silver Series were belters!

    • @dieselman7453
      @dieselman7453 26 днів тому

      That custom shop maton of yours sounds divine John I seen some of your other videos your an excellent player with that special touch .. I would be interested in looking into a custom built maton . Is it hard to organise with maton to do that .. I have a few guitars I’d sell to do so , including a mint 1972 guild f50r .. it just had the neck reset on it by lowden I know one of the luthier s there his name is John he lives in Moria he’s dead on ..I’ve been considering a lowden for a while now but I like that custom shop maton you have it’s hard to decide.. it would be a studio guitar not for giging .. I have plenty of takimines for that 😀do u like lowden s I know u had a Avalon .. its hard to know sorry for all the questions John but you seem to know wat your talking about cheers Brian

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 26 днів тому

      Good questions Brian! As far as I know the Maton custom shop isn't in action anymore because Andy is now retired from Maton. But who knows what might happen in the future, keep an eye on the Maton website and social media. Lowdens are incredible machines, if it's specifically a good high-end studio guitar you're after, you couldn't go far wrong with a Lowden or Avalon! 👍🏻 Edit: I've just seen this on the Maton Guitar Group on Facebook, you might be very interested in what TE has to say about the custom shop situation 😉: facebook.com/share/v/PopgGWKuWcRpbeXq/?mibextid=oFDknk

    • @dieselman7453
      @dieselman7453 25 днів тому

      Oh I forgot about Andy Allens retirement , joe Robinson told me that I’m part of his invisible technique course for fingerstyle music .. my cousin has an Avalon they are very similar to lowden for all the reasons we Irish know about the history of the two companies.. thanks John for replying to me I appreciate it .. lots of choices 😀your playing is amazing and continues to inspire me take care .. ur in Brussels I have two friends there that play music .. Sheamus Mc Allister and Nial Mc Guigan .. they mostly into electric guitars.. anyway John thanks .. Brian.. ps my maton is not a performer it’s a srs808 road series all solid wood cedar top 🙋

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 25 днів тому

      Not at all Brian you're more than welcome. Thank you for your kind words too, it's much appreciated!

  • @TheMrRussell
    @TheMrRussell 27 днів тому

    About the better sound, I think that the fact you have over time removed material from the top you have made it thinner and more resonate. A lot of factory guitars are just over built and the tops are made thicker for strength.

    • @TheMrRussell
      @TheMrRussell 27 днів тому

      But you’re right. They make great “working” guitars. My luthier guitars wouldn’t last a month in those conditions

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 27 днів тому

      A very good point, never thought about it that way but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the comment!

  • @ShotaEnoshima
    @ShotaEnoshima 27 днів тому

    Amazing. What a great guitarist, room, music and guitar. I miss this room, I will come back to Belgium again someday🇧🇪

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 27 днів тому

      Thank you very much Shota - you are always welcome! 😄🎶

    • @ShotaEnoshima
      @ShotaEnoshima 27 днів тому

      @@JohnTraceyMusic Thank you John☺️ i love you!!🌍

  • @_theloremaster
    @_theloremaster 29 днів тому

    Excellent cover!!!

  • @Mr.NobodyOfficial
    @Mr.NobodyOfficial Місяць тому

    I was expecting you to have more subscribers, you are truly underrated.

  • @Mr.NobodyOfficial
    @Mr.NobodyOfficial Місяць тому

    I love how soft it is. Well done, you are very talented with the guitar. It’s hard for me to control string volume.

  • @tecentral7564
    @tecentral7564 Місяць тому

    Can you do a tutorial of this piece, oh man I’d love to have this one learned. Gorgeous

  • @MerryChrom
    @MerryChrom Місяць тому

    This video makes me smile 😅. It reminds me my childhood. I loved it.

  • @FogUpOnALake
    @FogUpOnALake Місяць тому

    Why are we gonna butcher good songs now 😢

  • @mr.freeman600
    @mr.freeman600 Місяць тому

    Невероятно 👍👍👍

  • @Gerry2210
    @Gerry2210 Місяць тому

    Lovely.

  • @Gerry2210
    @Gerry2210 Місяць тому

    That was beautifully played John, nobody can sing it as well as Luke did, but you certainly put a lovely voice to it. Thanks.

  • @SergeUnplugged
    @SergeUnplugged Місяць тому

    UA-cam algorithms please have mercy on John!

  • @rafaeloman1
    @rafaeloman1 Місяць тому

    This is incredible, by far the best fingerstyle cover here in YT. You're amazing man keep up the great job!

  • @1patcraig
    @1patcraig Місяць тому

    Brilliant playing.

  • @ShotaEnoshima
    @ShotaEnoshima Місяць тому

    great work!! I support you🇯🇵

  • @tokmind
    @tokmind Місяць тому

    Great upload!!

  • @jaumemartinezguitarrista
    @jaumemartinezguitarrista Місяць тому

    Beatiful John ❤. Thank you!

  • @NeilOBri
    @NeilOBri Місяць тому

    chomh milis le drúcht meala

  • @metalgearsolidiscool
    @metalgearsolidiscool Місяць тому

    As usual, stunning arrangement and playing

  • @HT-pv6wq
    @HT-pv6wq Місяць тому

    😍

  • @BrianCanMusic
    @BrianCanMusic Місяць тому

    Savage playing!! Beautiful guitar! I just started to try and work out your song 'Dangerous to go alone' I love it but its tricky. Big fan 🙌

  • @ShotaEnoshima
    @ShotaEnoshima Місяць тому

    brilliant!!

  • @listairgin
    @listairgin Місяць тому

    Excellent composition John, what are the wind instruments? I think perhaps ( Irish pipes) but perhaps something else also. Who is it playing the other instruments ? Thanks for a reply if possible. 🌌🌅🕊

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic Місяць тому

      Thanks a million! Believe it or not that's just an acoustic guitar, and a "digital" accordion! I wrote the entire piece in music notation software, then just applied an accordion patch to the MIDI file, took that audio file and layered it with the guitar recording.

    • @listairgin
      @listairgin Місяць тому

      @@JohnTraceyMusic Thank you so much for replying to me because it was kinda getting to me not knowing exactly what instruments I was hearing. You are so considerate for taking the time to explain this. Still checking out your channel as I’ve only found you today. Thank you John. 🌌🌅🌠

  • @listairgin
    @listairgin Місяць тому

    Wow John! You made me feel very emotional when I listened to you playing this just a few minutes ago. I need more music like this in my life right now. You are such a tasteful player, thanks for sharing this with us all. Kindest regards from the County Antrim coast where I live. Subscribed 🌌🌅🌠💕🕊.

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic Місяць тому

      What a lovely comment to read, thank you very much!

    • @listairgin
      @listairgin Місяць тому

      @@JohnTraceyMusic🌌💕🌠🌅🕊

  • @ShotaEnoshima
    @ShotaEnoshima Місяць тому

    よすぎる!大好きだぜ、このビデオ!!(That's good! I really like this video!!)

  • @ZarekSilberschmidt
    @ZarekSilberschmidt Місяць тому

    Nice lesson John!

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic Місяць тому

      Thanks very much Zarek - it's certainly not something of use to you! 😂

  • @mountainhermit5273
    @mountainhermit5273 2 місяці тому

    Somewhere in the Darjeeling Hills, a Young boy picked up his guitar and tried following this . Thank you for making sure that the soul of this beautiful song remained as fragile and bright as ever

  • @tcoudi
    @tcoudi 2 місяці тому

    great picking. is it inspired by jethro tull version?

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic Місяць тому

      I've never heard it! I'll check it out, thanks 👍🏻

  • @luidica7018
    @luidica7018 2 місяці тому

    Grandes los coros

  • @cristobal5570
    @cristobal5570 2 місяці тому

    Oh, man

  • @Shadowhaz
    @Shadowhaz 2 місяці тому

    Fantastic job. so much life in your version

  • @RadicalTrivia
    @RadicalTrivia 2 місяці тому

    I feel like this is EXACTLY the way I thought it would be played in real life while I was playing this game as a kid. It actually brought a tear to my eye. ❤

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 2 місяці тому

      What a lovely comment to read, thank you! We're clearly both as nostalgic about it as each other 😌 🎮 🎶

  • @crimsontri4ls
    @crimsontri4ls 2 місяці тому

    Help this is so good ❤

  • @Manicpanicanticant
    @Manicpanicanticant 2 місяці тому

    Can't tell which version is better but both are beautiful. I'm gonna look through your channel and see if there's any tabs or lessons of this because I seen a comment you said you'd tabs etc. again this is very beautiful

    • @JohnTraceyMusic
      @JohnTraceyMusic 2 місяці тому

      Thanks very much! The lesson video is there, look for "Larry's Lockdown lessons". Enjoy!

  • @michaelosullivan2305
    @michaelosullivan2305 2 місяці тому

    🇮🇪🤐😞🇮🇪👌👍

  • @inchnon
    @inchnon 2 місяці тому

    Deadly man! First time seeing your stuff. So good.

  • @adamsteele8603
    @adamsteele8603 2 місяці тому

    This video is incredible! it has a wonderful "country" feel to it that doesnt sway from the original at all. i wish the first guitar part was tabbed or had chords with it lol