John Frusciante’s Martin/Maton 12-String
This guitar was used on the song Breaking the Girl, from the Peppers’ 1991 album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The process of the actual recording of the acoustic part was filmed and can be seen in the Funky Monks documentary.
Around the time we did ‘Breaking the Girl,’ I was listening to Led Zeppelin III- I really like that song ‘Friends’- and I was playing 12-string a lot. The chords for the chorus came from a Duke Ellington book. I was trying to learn one of the songs, and I learned like three chords of a song that probably has 50 chords in it, and I took those three chords somewhere else.
Guitar One (USA), September 1999
Martin, Maton, or Something Else
Unfortunately, at this time, this guitar is somewhat of a mystery. Based on the overall body and headstock shape, it seems to be a Martin, but the fact that the sides of the body are made of some kind of light-colored wood is a bit confusing. On most of their 12-string models, like the D12-28, Martin uses mahogany back and sides, which are of course dark in color – but perhaps there’s a custom version of it out there.
It could also be a Maton, which seems to be the common understanding for some reason, but many things on the guitar don’t match any stock Maton model. For instance, two dot markers on the third fret is nowhere to be seen on a 12-string Maton from around this period, and the headstock shape is just not right for a Maton guitar.
So, if you happen to know what guitar this is exactly, or know something that would be of help in identifying it, be sure to leave a comment below.
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This may be a Maton 12 string, I’ve seen some pics of vintage with lighter color sides. I think he mentioned in an interview it was a Maton.
I think I recall reading that as well, but I can’t match the guitar to any guitar made by Maton. It’s a tough one.
This song is such a legendary, always feels fresh, and make you feel like your on a mission
Thats Dead right, it doesn’t matter how many Jb’s you have had, or how few because you are nickle and dimed… this song has you covered.
After viewing the video I don’t believe this is a Martin. It does have many “Martin” features but the lack of a neck heel and the double dot inlay at the 3rd fret make me think this. It also doesn’t look like a vintage Maton. The shapes of the headstock, bridge and pickguard don’t look correct.
Agree. I couldn’t match it to any Martin or Maton when I did research on this – but I looked at some other sources, and everyone guessed it’s as a Martin, so I left it there. Unfortunately, I still haven’t figured out what it is.
Hey! It’s a Maton 12 String. Check out my in depth video on BSSM!
https://youtu.be/2vCCGhCBw7I
Hey Alex. That’s a great detailed video, props. I’ve read that its a Maton, I’ve read that it’s a Martin, but I have yet to see someone match it to anything made by either of these two companies. Notice the double dots on 3rd and 7th frets, straight headstock, the rosette, light colored wood on the sides. Those don’t fit any vintage Maton I was able to find.