Peerless Martin Taylor Maestro

**Woody Sound** · 05-02-2021, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Gcat

I know it's an old thread now, and Peerless stopped making the Martin Taylor Maestro and Virtuoso models. Not sure if Peerless is still in business any more.
However, I'm looking to acquire a Maestro model and would appreciate any help I could get.

"Guitars 'n Jazz" in New Jersey seems to have a bunch still available. Here's a link, I hope it works.

Archtop Guitars | Guitars 'n Jazz

**jads57** · 05-02-2021, 10:21 PM

I believe Fibonacci is making Martin Taylor's guitars currently. If not they have some similar style offerings at fair prices.

**Gcat** · 05-03-2021, 09:54 AM

Thanks. I checked with Lou and they're out of MTs.

**Gcat** · 05-03-2021, 09:56 AM

Thanks but the Joya is a very different ax and at 4k+, too much.

**Woody Sound** · 05-03-2021, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Gcat

Thanks. I checked with Lou and they're out of MTs.

Wow, I wonder what happened with MT and Peerless. He just raved about the guitars.

**Gcat** · 05-03-2021, 11:26 AM

MT raved about them with good reason, the sound is great (for me). They are the best (piano) of archtops for the price point. Not sure about why the change came about. The Peerless website has been down. I have found a Virtuoso for sale but I'd like to hold out for a Maestro to show up. If you hear of one...

**citizenk74** · 05-03-2021, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Gcat

I know it's an old thread now, and Peerless stopped making the Martin Taylor Maestro and Virtuoso models. Not sure if Peerless is still in business any more.
However, I'm looking to acquire a Maestro model and would appreciate any help I could get.

**blackcat** · 05-03-2021, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Wow, I wonder what happened with MT and Peerless. He just raved about the guitars.

Peerless continue in S.Korea to the best of my knowledge, but without the marketing and distribution network formerly provided by my good friend Graham Esson who established Peerless EU. After QC issues became a central factor, Graham moved on to establish Fibonacci Guitars in London with an exciting and dynamic design policy. Martin has had significant input in the development of certain models, notably the Joya and was ( I think ) the first of several Fibonacci endorsees. Not sure if Doc Dosco continues to distribute Peerless in the US.

David

**2bornot2bop** · 05-03-2021, 02:47 PM

There’s a brand new one for sale. But it’s in Turkey. No worries, they’re on the Black Sea. The seller has over 70 positive feedback.

Peerless Martin Taylor Maestro Carved Top Jazz Guitar with | Reverb

**2bornot2bop** · 05-03-2021, 03:12 PM

I gave Doc Dosco a call and waiting for a callback. No callback from Doc. Not a good sign.

**DRS** · 05-04-2021, 10:37 AM

The Fibo MT's are $6K US. Liked the Peerless pricing better

**dws0821** · 05-05-2021, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Gcat

I know it's an old thread now, and Peerless stopped making the Martin Taylor Maestro and Virtuoso models. Not sure if Peerless is still in business any more.
However, I'm looking to acquire a Maestro model and would appreciate any help I could get.

Hi, I happen to have a new one I just bought in March from Lou at Guitars and Jazz - he told me it is the last new one he had (or will have!) I don’t play it (I bought a new buscarino the week after, and prefer the larger scale). If you are interested, I’ll give you a good deal on it (below what I paid lou)…send me a PM and we can go from there….

**blackcat** · 05-06-2021, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

The Fibo MT's are $6K US. Liked the Peerless pricing better

Understandable, but these are entirely different animals - of a different order.

David

**DRS** · 05-07-2021, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by blackcat

Understandable, but these are entirely different animals - of a different order.

David

How different?
The website is a bit vague on how much of the guitars are made overseas (where?) and how much is done in the UK?
Final assembly on the UK - what does that mean?
Finishing and set up in the UK - that's good.
But I liked the sound of Martin playing the old ones - and half the price.

**Gcat** · 05-10-2021, 11:11 AM

Acquired a Peerless MTM over the weekend (You've all seen it). Sounds and plays great. Love it. Now if the tune sucks, it's MY fault.

I'm sure the Joya is a wonderful guitar but I'll have to significantly up my game just to honor this instrument.

**blackcat** · 05-10-2021, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

How different?
The website is a bit vague on how much of the guitars are made overseas (where?) and how much is done in the UK?
Final assembly on the UK - what does that mean?
Finishing and set up in the UK - that's good.
But I liked the sound of Martin playing the old ones - and half the price.

Sensitive subject for some ( see the previous thread on this ). That said, the guitar bodies with necks attached from inception are sourced from China as 'white' wood. Everything else is done in the UK to a very high standard - fretting, painting/nitro, electrics, pickups and all fittings ( usually Switchcraft and CTS ). Mostly fitted with TI flats as default. Stringent quality control is overseen by Graham Esson ( CEO and former CEO and distributor for Peerless in Europe ) and a team of expert luthiers in London. As you know, Peerless are made entirely in South Korea and can be excellent. Two entirely different scenarios. Peerless are wholly Asian.

**blackcat** · 05-11-2021, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by blackcat

Sensitive subject for some ( see the previous thread on this ). That said, the guitar bodies with necks attached from inception are sourced from China as 'white' wood. Everything else is done in the UK to a very high standard - fretting, painting/nitro, electrics, pickups and all fittings ( usually Switchcraft and CTS ). Mostly fitted with TI flats as default. Stringent quality control is overseen by Graham Esson ( CEO and former CEO and distributor for Peerless in Europe ) and a team of expert luthiers in London. As you know, Peerless are made entirely in South Korea and can be excellent. Two entirely different scenarios. Peerless are wholly Asian.

In fact ( my memory ), Graham has just corrected me thus re- 'carcasses' only, necks not attached, since custom requirements require different neck profiles and more................

'When bringing in carcasses, they usually come in without the necks attached. This allows us to do more custom work here as more and more people are asking for custom necks. We have started building full guitars also.'

**blackcat** · 05-11-2021, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Gcat

MT raved about them with good reason, the sound is great (for me). They are the best (piano) of archtops for the price point. Not sure about why the change came about. The Peerless website has been down. I have found a Virtuoso for sale but I'd like to hold out for a Maestro to show up. If you hear of one...

I understand that the Lee family, who founded and ran Peerless until quite recently have sold out to a Korean firm who make tuners and other accessories which could explain the lack of marketing visibility. This would also explain the lack of availability of earlier Peerless models. Shame if this is the end of an era. Doc Dosco knew the Lees very well. He would know.

**blackcat** · 05-12-2021, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by blackcat

I understand that the Lee family, who founded and ran Peerless until quite recently have sold out to a Korean firm who make tuners and other accessories which could explain the lack of marketing visibility. This would also explain the lack of availability of earlier Peerless models. Shame if this is the end of an era. Doc Dosco knew the Lees very well. He would know.

For the record, Peerless was established as an independent marque in 1970 having made for the likes of Epiphone, Gretsch et al as an OEM manufacturer. The Cremona, two MT models and the Leela probably represented a high point.

**blackcat** · 05-12-2021, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by blackcat

For the record, Peerless was established as an independent marque in 1970 having made for the likes of Epiphone, Gretsch et al as an OEM manufacturer. The Cremona, two MT models and the Leela probably represented a high point.

Good luck with your search. This guy in SW France was one of our appointed dealers, but looks like he has run Peerless down to a handful of models now: PEERLESS. GUITARE ELECTRIQUE
Thomman no longer stock Peerless, so not sure where I would look for new models. Lots of choice second hand on Reverb of course.

**2bornot2bop** · 05-12-2021, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by blackcat

I understand that the Lee family, who founded and ran Peerless until quite recently have sold out to a Korean firm who make tuners and other accessories which could explain the lack of marketing visibility. This would also explain the lack of availability of earlier Peerless models. Shame if this is the end of an era. Doc Dosco knew the Lees very well. He would know.

Doc didn’t call me back. I wonder if that means he’s not selling Peerless any more.

**blackcat** · 05-12-2021, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Doc didn’t call me back. I wonder if that means he’s not selling Peerless any more.

Hope Doc is OK. Lovely guy who first put me in touch with the Lee family when I ordered a Jazz City from Korea - ex-factory over 13 years ago. Certainly looking as though this may be the end of Peerless as we knew it. Cannot find any new stock with dealers over here that we used to supply and they report that communication is less than ideal.

**Jx30510** · 05-25-2021, 01:43 AM

Just by curiosity, what is the bracing like on the Virtuoso?
Parallel or another style?

**panxacontent** · 03-05-2023, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by Gcat

I know it's an old thread now, and Peerless stopped making the Martin Taylor Maestro and Virtuoso models. Not sure if Peerless is still in business any more.
However, I'm looking to acquire a Maestro model and would appreciate any help I could get.

Can you compare Peerless Martin Taylor Maestro to Peerless Imperial?

Thanks in advance.