For well over a century and a half, The Martin Guitar Company has
been continuously producing acoustic instruments that are acknowledged
to be the finest in the world.
The Martin Guitar Company has, through the years, managed to
survive with each succeeding generation from C. F. Martin, Sr.’s
Stauffer influenced creations of the 1830s to recent developments
introduced by C. F. Martin IV. Continuous operation under family
management is a feat bordering on the remarkable, reflecting six
generations of dedication to the guitarmaker’s craft. In or out of the
music industry, C. F. Martin has few rivals for sheer staying power.
Throughout its colorful history, the company has adapted
successfully to continual changes in product design, distribution
systems, and manufacturing methods. In spite of the many changes, C. F.
Martin has never veered away from its initial commitment to quality.
The concern for producing the finest instruments possible in 1833 is
especially evident today at Martin’s expanded facility in Nazareth,
Pennsylvania.
The story behind one of America’s most famous guitars began on
January 31, 1796, in Markneukirchen, Germany, with the birth of
Christian Frederick Martin, Sr. Born into a long line of cabinet
makers, Christian Frederick took up the family craft at the early age
of 15, when he left his hometown and traveled to Vienna to apprentice
with Johann Stauffer, a renowned guitar maker.
Modello Auditorium stile 18 Vintage, Dovetail Neck Joint;
00-14 Fret; TOP: Abete Massello Sitka; ROSETTA: Old Style
18; Incatenatura: Standard X Scalloped, Forward Shifted;
Fasce e fondo in Solid Genuine Mahogany; Manico: Select
Hardwood Modified V; Tastiera: Solid Black Ebony; Ponte:
Solid Black Ebony - Vintage Belly- Drop In Long Saddle ;
Intarsi tastiera: Old Style 18 - Abalone Pearl; Finitura fasce e
fondo: Polished Gloss Finitura TOP: Polished Gloss w/ Aging
Toner; FINISH NECK: Satin BRIDGE MATERIAL: Solid Black
Ebony; Meccaniche: Gotoh Nickel Open Geared w/
Butterbean Knobs; CASE: 534 Geib style