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Martin Guitars, which have been around for many generations, have a reputation for being blues, folk, jazz and country guitars. They have a classic quality to them and a unique guitar tone that many owners say progressively improves with age. And with the firm's deep, rich history, it's no wonder that the company has remained a family business since its inception.
Christian Frederick Martin, Sr.
The year was 1796. In Marneukirchen, Germany near the turn of the century, Christian Frederick Martin was born on January 31st to his cabinet maker family. Like his father, Christian was good with his hands at a young age but also displayed a love for instruments, even as a child.
As a young adult, Martin became an apprentice in Vienna, Austria to a guitar maker named Johann Stauffer. His apprenticeship there caused a dispute between the Cabinet Makers Guild and the Violin Makers Guild, both of which Martin was a part of. To escape the dispute and the impact it might have on his vision, Martin moved to the United States in 1833.
Martin set up shop on Hudson Street in New York City. He was fortunate enough to acquire a small production workshop in the back of his building attached to a store front near the street for instrument retail. His business grew and Martin had made a life for himself.
After meeting his wife, Lucia Kuhler, the daughter of well-known guitar maker, Karl Kuhler, Martin was convinced to move to Nazareth Pennsylvania in 1838, where his company has remained since. In fact, CF Martin & Company is still owned and operated by the family. Their current CEO is the great, great, great grandson of Martin, Christian Frederick Martin IV.
Setting Martins Apart
Though Martin Guitars are not known for making superior electric guitars, their reputation in acoustic guitars is astounding. Martin himself created innovative bracing patterns to support stress on the inside of his guitars while lengthening sustain. and he was also responsible for creating a flat top design, which is still used today in many popular guitar brands.
Besides their unique design and patterns, Martins guitars are always made from the highest quality woods to insure the best possible tone and longevity of the instrument. Martin & Co. only uses Mahogany, Koa, Ebony, Spruce and Rosewood, all of which positively affect the quality of the tone and the length of the resonance as well.
The Martin Line
Throughout the years, like any other business, CF Martin and Co. has released guitar lines that, for one reason or another, did not stay on the market. Some of these would include, of course, the 1 Series, 15 Series, 17 Series, Backpacker Series and several others as well. However, Martin also has an incredible line that has been tried throughout and remained on their product lists. Here are the Martin Series and their top features:
Authentic Series
- T-Shaped neck and hide clue
- Red Spruce body
- Pick guard
Golden Era Series
- Mahogany Back and sides
- Brazilian Rosewood headplates
- Adirondack Spruce Tops
- Patented X bracing
- Ivoroid Bindings
Marquis Series
- East Indian Rosewood tone plates
- Adjustable Truss Rods
- V-Shaped neck
Special Edition Series
- Special woods
- CF-1 American Archtop
- D-28 Clarence White
- OMJM John Mayer and Ditson Dreadnought 111
Vintage Series
- Grained Ivoroid binding
- Herringbone trim
- Dreadnought X-bracing
- Modified V-neck
- Pick Guard
- Dovetail neck
- East Indian Rosewood Fretboard
- Mahogany neck
- Sitka Spruce body
- Ebony
Standard Series
- Dreadnought line since 1931
- Traditional
- Affordable
16 Series
- X bracing
- Affordable
- Mahogany
- Sapele
- East Indian Rosewood
- Koa
- Maple
15 and Road Series
- A Frame X-bracing
- 3 ply Mahogany back and sides
- Solide Spruce Top
- Beveled rear block for sustainability
- Affordable
X Series
- Environmentally Friendly
- Sturdy
- Affordable
Stars Can't Lie
When all is said and done, the only thing that CF Martin & Co. can be faulted for, is being overly traditional and old fashioned. The Martin Company doesn't waver, however, as they seemingly care not to compete largely with the modern world of guitars. The company stands true to its family-oriented ways and it shows with their long list of stars who prefer the Martin guitar.
- Eric Clapton
- Stephen Stills
- John Mayer
- Johnny Cash
- Paul Simon
- Sting
- Norman Blake
- Jimmy Buffett
- Beck
- Tom Petty
- Steve Miller
- Clarence White
- Nancy Wilson
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