In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary guitar playing, few artists have captured the hearts and ears of musicians worldwide quite like Mateus Asato. With his captivating blend of soulful expression, virtuosic technique, and a unique melodic sensibility, Asato has become a true force in the guitar world. It’s no surprise then that his collaboration with Suhr Guitars has yielded instruments that are as exceptional and inspiring as his playing: the Suhr Mateus Asato Classic T Signature Series, with the 2023 model standing out as a particularly striking evolution.
Mateus Asato: The Melodist with Midas Touch
Born in Brazil, Mateus Asato rose to prominence through social media, where his short, impactful videos quickly garnered a massive following. But his fame isn’t just about viral clips; it’s about a deeply musical approach to the instrument that transcends genres.
What defines Mateus Asato’s playing?
Emotional Phrasing and Lyrical Melodies: Asato’s guitar playing is often described as “vocal-like.” He weaves incredibly expressive melodies, using micro-bends, slides, and tasteful vibrato to imbue every note with feeling. His phrasing is never rushed, allowing the music to breathe and resonate.
Neo-Soul, R&B, and Beyond: While he has roots in shred and traditional guitar heroes (like Steve Vai and John Petrucci), Asato has masterfully blended these influences with elements of neo-soul, R&B, jazz, and even gospel. This fusion creates a unique sound that is both modern and deeply soulful.
Dynamic Control and Touch Sensitivity: Mateus is a master of dynamics. He can transition seamlessly from a whisper-quiet clean tone to a harmonically rich, slightly overdriven sound with just his pick attack. His touch is incredibly precise, allowing for subtle nuances and expressive swells.
Hybrid Picking Prowess: A cornerstone of his technique is hybrid picking, where he seamlessly combines traditional picking with fingerstyle, allowing for complex arpeggios, intricate double-stops, and flowing lines that would be difficult to achieve with a pick alone.
Creative Chord Voicings and Harmonics: Asato often employs unique and sophisticated chord voicings, adding a rich harmonic tapestry to his compositions. He also makes brilliant use of natural and artificial harmonics, adding a shimmering, ethereal quality to his sound.
Beyond the technical brilliance, what truly sets Mateus apart is his unwavering focus on musicality. He always serves the song, letting his technique enhance the emotion rather than overshadow it.The Suhr Mateus Asato Classic T Signature Series 2023: A Guitar Born from CollaborationSuhr Guitars, known for their exceptional craftsmanship and modern takes on classic designs, has been Mateus Asato’s partner in creating instruments that perfectly articulate his vision.
The 2023 Classic T Signature Series is the latest iteration, building upon previous models with refined aesthetics and optimized playability for Mateus’s demanding style.While specific wood choices can vary between production runs (some feature alder, others swamp ash), common elements that make this guitar so special include:
Classic T Body Shape: A nod to the iconic T-style, providing that familiar comfort and resonance. The 2023 models often feature a striking top-bound finish, giving them a sleek and elegant appearance.
Roasted Maple Neck with Mateus Asato Custom Profile: This is a crucial element. Roasted maple enhances stability and resonance, while Mateus’s custom neck profile (often an “Even C Medium”) is designed for optimal comfort and speed, accommodating his fluid playing. The satin finish on the neck ensures a smooth, non-sticky feel.
Rosewood Fingerboard: with a compound radius (e.g., 9″-12″) for comfortable chording in lower frets and effortless bending up high.
Heavy Stainless Steel Frets: Stainless steel frets offer exceptional durability and a silky-smooth feel for bends and vibrato, ensuring years of trouble-free playing.
Custom Mateus Asato Signature Pickups: Developed in collaboration with John Suhr, these pickups are voiced specifically to capture Asato’s desired clean tones, responsive crunch, and singing leads. They are designed to be articulate and dynamic, translating every nuance of his playing.
Suhr Locking Tuners and Bridge: High-quality hardware ensures excellent tuning stability and reliable performance, whether it’s a Wilkinson 3-saddle Classic T bridge for traditional feel or a Gotoh 510 tremolo for those who need more expressive pitch modulation (depending on the Classic T or Classic S model).
SSCII (Silent Single Coil System): This ingenious system eliminates the hum typically associated with single-coil pickups, allowing Mateus to achieve pristine, noiseless clean tones even in high-gain environments.
Striking Aesthetics: The 2023 models have featured beautiful finishes like “White Foil” or a clean “Piano Black” with an all-new gold pickguard and often a reversed headstock, adding a touch of modern elegance and a unique visual flair. More Than Just a Signature: A Tool for InspirationThe Suhr Mateus Asato Classic T Signature Series 2023 is not just a collectible for fans; it’s a finely tuned instrument built to facilitate the kind of expressive, dynamic playing that Mateus Asato himself embodies. It’s a testament to Suhr’s commitment to precision and Mateus’s dedication to his craft.For guitarists looking to explore modern blues, neo-soul, R&B, or simply seeking an incredibly versatile and inspiring T-style guitar with an impeccable feel and a rich tonal palette, the Suhr Mateus Asato Classic T Signature Series 2023 is a profound statement. It’s a guitar that invites you to dig deep, find your own voice, and perhaps, like Mateus himself, redefine what’s possible on six strings.
