This vintage Maton El Toro Bass looks at first glance similar to the Danelectro Longhorn, although perhaps slightly beefier in shape. It's certainly beefier in construction having a solid Honduras Mahogany body rather then Danelectro's masonite front and back stapled to a pine frame. The El Toro Bass has a medium scale length of 32 1/2", and were produced by Maton in Australia between 1968 and 1973. According to Maton's website the El Toro bass had serial numbers from 001 to 077, which doesn't quite tally with their claim that only 45 examples were made. The example being sold on eBay has serial number 072 making it one of the last ones built, and I'm guessing dating it to 1973.
1960s Australian pop band The Strangers were Maton endorsees and used the El Toro bass plus matching guitars as can be seen in the You Tube clip below.
This bass is currently listed on eBay with a starting price of US $850.
G L Wilson
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