More about Martin Guitars
All About Martin Guitars
As a name, few companies can claim the same status as Martin Guitar. The brand extends back with a throughline dating to early 19th century America, punctuating each generation following with a unified acoustic sound. Martin acoustic guitars are carefully crafted and built on close to two centuries of innovation and refinement – when you play a Martin acoustic guitar, a historic legacy of music comes with it.
Were there ever to be a proverbial American acoustic guitar, Martin fits the bill. Their guitars can be found across music history with more famous guitarists than you could shake a stick at being seen with one. Martin’s dedication to quality at all steps of design and assembly imparts a consistency and lineage to their instruments that cannot be replicated. To have a legacy like Martin’s, you’d have to have started, like them, next to two hundred years ago.
The History of Martin Guitar Co.
It’s a little bit of a hike from the start of Martin Guitar Co. to the name we know today, because, as you can expect, a lot can change in a century or so. In 1833, Christian Federick “C.F.” Martin arrived in New York City from Austria following an apprenticeship with well-known guitar maker Johann Stauffer. Martin set up shop on NYC’s Hudson St. and was quickly a success, eventually moving to Nazareth, Pennsylvania to focus on manufacturing and keeping up with demand for his acoustic guitars.
By the mid-1850s, Martin acoustic guitars started to evolve in their design from their distinctly European origins with new slotted pegheads, rectangular bridges and Brazilian rosewood tonewood entering the fold. The turn of the century brought new competition to Martin Guitar Co., along with the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Martin’s moves to stay on top of industrial and cultural shifts brought the 14-fret Orchestra Model at the start of the 1930s – one of Martin’s most enduring acoustic designs.
Moving into the times of the Second World War, the acoustic guitar was taking on a wave of popularity through the rise of country music. Gene Autry, Hank Williams, and Lester Flatt, among many others, adopted Martin acoustic guitars as their instrument of choice near the wartime era.
The new age of the post-war ‘50s was characterized by an explosion in folk music and a deepening of the connection between America and acoustic guitar music. Martin, throughout these ever-changing times, kept in step with the needs of popular music culture through the fiery ‘60s to the electronically infused ‘80s. MTV Unplugged eventually proved a cultural milestone for Martin Guitar Co. with two of its most successful episodes prominently depicting Eric Clapton’s and Kurt Cobain’s Martin acoustic guitars.
What Martin Guitar is Known For
Martin acoustic guitars make a rich lineup of instruments. Through the Martin family of guitars, one will consistently find a musical experience in every guitar offered. Martin utilizes quality tonewoods to construct their instruments, resulting in a lush and colorful sound with every strum. The most discerning of players can look back on Martin’s long history and be assured of the brand’s merit as guitar makers.
For any style of music, there is a Martin acoustic guitar to match. Whether laying down a twangy country ballad, a melodic folk tune, or anything in between, Martin Guitar meets the needs of any genre. Martin’s legacy with American musical styles and acoustic guitar design makes them distinctly qualified to be your acoustic of choice. If there ever were a musical moment needing an acoustic guitar, Martin Guitar Co. would have been there.
Martin Guitar Co. Today
Today’s Martin acoustic guitars are produced in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, as they have been for the better part of two centuries. Martin Guitar prioritizes being a leader and innovator in the musical instrument industry. Through their devotion to safe workplaces, charitable organizations, preservation of the environment, and artistic integrity, Martin pushes ahead to be a positive influence.
Martin Guitar Co. is a family-owned company proud of its heritage and traditions. As a premier manufacturer of fine acoustic guitars for generations, Martin is a historic name for a reason.
Martin Custom Shop
The Martin Custom Shop is one of Martin’s most prestigious concepts in their centuries as a company. Designed to unlock the imagination of any musician, Martin’s Custom Shop designs come from the players who love them. Martin Custom Shop guitars come through Martin Custom Shop Expert dealers who are well versed and skilled in Martin’s custom-building process. With the help of a Martin Custom Shop Expert dealer, Martin fans have the opportunity to make their dream come to life.
Through the Martin Custom Shop, nearly every aspect of a Martin acoustic guitar can be customized. Tonewood selection expands exponentially when creating a Martin Custom Shop guitar. Exotic tonewoods like flamed maple, Brazilian rosewood, and Hawaiian koa stand alongside traditional East Indian rosewood, mahogany, and spruce. Martin’s inlay artists utilize pearls, stones, and metals, among other materials to bring intricate patterns to life while Martin luthiers craft necks to custom specifications. Whatever the idea, Martin is ready for it.
The Best Martin Acoustic Guitars
Martin Guitar Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Martin Guitar dreadnought acoustic guitars play with a larger frame and great projection. This body style has been a historic favorite for players taking center stage.
Martin Guitar 000 Acoustic Guitars
Martin Guitar 000 acoustic guitars tighten up on size for a more concentrated voice. A 000 body style makes for an easy addition to any lineup.
Martin Guitar X Series Acoustic Guitars
Martin Guitar X Series acoustic guitars are designed to meet the demand for accessible, quality, and environmentally conscious guitars that anyone can enjoy.
Martin Guitar Custom Shop Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop acoustic guitars represent some of the finest acoustic guitar designs in the world. As individual pieces, they are stellar and treasures unto themselves.
You can’t go wrong with a Martin Guitar to your name. Reach out to us today with any queries and be one step closer to owning your ideal Martin Guitar!