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.

John Frusciante recording Breaking a Girl on a 12-string Guitar
The unknown Martin/Maton 12-string seen during the Funky Monks documentary.

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Alex Caminiti
Alex Caminiti
3 years ago

Hey! It’s a Maton 12 String. Check out my in depth video on BSSM!

https://youtu.be/2vCCGhCBw7I

Jason
Jason
3 years ago

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.

Raja
Raja
4 years ago

This song is such a legendary, always feels fresh, and make you feel like your on a mission

Matt Donoghue
Matt Donoghue
3 years ago
Reply to  Raja

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.

Jason
Jason
5 years ago

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.