Plastic guitars are not a new idea!
In comments to a recent post on 3D-printed guitars, we were discussing the pros, cons, and general aesthetics of instruments molded from plastic. But this isn’t exactly a new idea.
Back in the 1950s, luthier Mario Maccaferri conceived a line of plastic guitars and ukuleles. (This was many years after Maccaferri designed the D-hole Selmer guitars that will forever be associated with the Gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt.) These plastic guitars were never very popular, and they’re not particularly valuable today.
I bought the one pictured here a few years ago at one of the music shops in London’s Denmark Street (I forget which one). I paid a couple of hundred bucks, and felt like a chump.
But I’ve grown attached to this guitar. It’s lovely to look at, and it plays great. The neck is substantial yet comfy, and it intonates well throughout its range. The tone isn’t warm, complex, or rich. But the Maccaferri has a cool, lo-fi character this sits well in a mix. I also like using it to double conventional acoustic guitars — the sharp, percussive tone adds a rough, aggressive edge.
Have a listen:
One thing that fascinates me about this guitar is the contrast between its “modern” plastic fabrication, and its quaintly archaic design details. There’s something vaguely Art Deco about the bridge assembly:
And check out the detailing on the primitive friction pegs:
I tell you, man — they don’t make cheap-ass plastic guitars like they used to!
Sounds beautiful to my ears; suppose the mic (and player) might have a bit to do with that of course. Love the look too.
A couple of years ago I went on an unsuccessful internet quest to find a cheap Maccaferri and gave up. Damn your video, now I want one again.
Allegedly a plastic Maccaferri is Jeff Beck’s sit-around-the-house guitar of choice.
Bakelite baby!
Definitely! Modern plastic doesn’t have the rich, satisfying tone of vintage plastic. ;)
Looks like it’s actually “Styron”.
http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/News/Newsletter/August2010/StyronRevolution.html
^^^ I guess I wouldn’t play this next to the fire, then!
sorry, was thinking of celluloid!
Well, wood burns too. But I suppose it doesn’t melt all over your hands.
Wanted a Maccaferri since I first heard Django , never saw one that was actually in my price range till now .
A wacky but compelling tone from a wacky but compelling guitar. I can see how it would sit well in a lot of mixes, inhabiting eq points that would be empty otherwise. And ever so stylish!
Seems like every so often someone makes a new batch of guitars like these. I remember a pretty good run of them in the late 70′s early 80′s. I also remember seeing someone selling copies in the last 5 years or so. But AFAIR the original plastic is difficult to source so it is a somewhat different material. They do have a unique tone.