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 Most guitarists - myself included - really like certain guitars from a particular manufacturer, but we couldn’t care less about their other instruments (“Dude, I really dig the Shred Master, but that Rock Star just doesn’t do it for me”).
What is it that has created the interest and demand for the musical products from this small company in Nazareth, Pennsylvania? Though some people would point to various technical features or famous models played by even more famous guitarists, it's probably best expressed in terms of tradition and longevity, and a reputation for quality that borders on legend. What’s more, Martin guitars are actually smart investments. Few guitars hold their value (or in many cases actually appreciate in value) like a Martin. Among the great variety of instruments the Martin Company makes, it's safe to say that none has enjoyed more popularity than their line of Dreadnoughts or “D”-size guitars. Now considered a “regular size” guitar, the Dreadnought once was viewed in a less favorable light back in the early 1900s, primarily because it was so large in comparison to other guitars of the day. The deep bass response of the original D-28 was a very unusual feature to musicians used to the clear treble and overall balance of smaller "standard size" instruments. However, when the Dreadnought made its way into the hands of country music performers, it found an appreciative audience - it was perfect for backing up vocals, fiddles, and banjos in lieu of a bass instrument. The Dreadnought's gain in popularity has been steady since its introduction. Little-known fact: The very first Dreadnought guitars (actually named for a class of World War One British battleships) were manufactured in 1916 by Martin, but the guitars weren't sold with the Martin name on them. Instead they were marketed in Boston and New York under the Oliver Ditson brand name and didn’t even include a Martin serial number. All of the Ditsons had mahogany backs and sides and spruce tops, like a modern D-18, but no pickguard. In 1931 the Martin Company finally began producing Dreadnought guitars that carried the Martin name. The D-1 was a mahogany body instrument, destined to become the D-18. With the D-2, Martin introduced what may still be the most popular style of steel-string guitar, one with a rosewood body, but it wasn't until 1934 that D-28s and D-18s officially were offered with the 14-fret neck most consider to be standard today. C. F. Martin’s operation under family management is a feat bordering on the remarkable, reflecting five 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 instrument possible in 1833 is still in evidence today at the modern Martin plant in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Production methods in the current 62,000-square-foot Martin plant differ only slightly from methods used on the original Martins made in the 1800s and into the early 1900s. Hand craftsmanship was and remains the company’s trademark. However, with the building's efficient one-story layout, Martin was able to improve the flow of materials and work in progress and thus gradually increase output without sacrificing quality. Why am I telling you that? Because it directly affects how many guitars Martin can build and ship to dealers like Sweetwater. And here’s the good news: For the first time since we became a Martin dealer, back orders have been filled and we actually have stock on hand! But that doesn’t mean you can sit around and think about owning one of these guitars - we can guarantee that demand will always far exceed supply, so I suggest you call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for a rundown on all the currently available models and special pricing. For those of you who may wonder about the differences between the various models, here’s a brief introduction to the company’s best sellers. Since it was unveiled in 1931, the Martin D-28 ($2770 list) has remained the standard by which all large-bodied, steel-stringed acoustic guitars are measured. In fact, it is the most widely imitated guitar model in the world. The body of the D-28, built extra wide and deep, utilizes select East Indian rosewood for the back and sides, and straight-grained Sitka spruce for the top. The neck is hand-carved from mahogany while the fingerboard and bridge are genuine ebony. It is this combination of materials and body dimensions, as well as the Martin “X-brace” system, that produces the renowned D-28 sound: A warm, deep bass response that is coupled with strong, clear-as-a-bell treble. The D-35 ($2430 list) was introduced in 1965 in response to a shortage of Brazilian rosewood stock large enough to finish 2-piece Dreadnought-sized backs. The resultant three-piece back - a triangular center wedge and matching outer "wings" - follows a centuries-old tradition among European and Spanish luthiers of building multi-piece backs. Martin's three-piece back design is especially striking (see photo below). Extra-wide bindings, bound ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge add to the distinctiveness of this model. Tonally, the three-piece back produces a particularly strong bass, making the D-35 ideal for rhythm playing. To accentuate the treble, Martin uses lighter 1/4" top braces which give the D-35 its characteristic warmth and balance. This is a big, beautiful instrument that has been a favorite of Martin enthusiasts - from Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello - for more than three decades.
The interest in custom Martin instruments with vintage pre-war appointments has grown tremendously in recent years. Through the Martin Custom Shop, collectors and enthusiasts can now order historically accurate reissues of many pre-war Martin models. The HD-28VR ($3260 list) incorporates a number of the most popular vintage features into the standard "herringbone" D-28 design. Old-style squared headstock, grained ivoroid bindings, forward-shifted "high X" scalloped bracing, V-shaped neck, tortoise pickguard and diamond and squares fingerboard inlay are combined to make an exceptional pre-war replica in tone and appearance. The D-1 ($1099 list) retains the traditional Martin dreadnought size and appointments, but all key structural components have been redesigned: A new patented neck-to-body joint for added support and less neck stress, special "A-frame" top bracing pattern, beveled front and rear blocks for enhanced tone and sustain, and a staggered bridge hole pattern with string ramps to improve tone and intonation. The top is solid Sitka spruce, the back is solid mahogany - no compromises here.
So far, all the instruments we’ve been discussing have been dreadnoughts. But Martin’s other popular body style, the 000, is still available - and in grand style! Designed in collaboration with Eric Clapton (you may have heard of him), the sides and back of the 000-28EC ($3500 list) are constructed from solid East Indian rosewood. The top is bookmatched from select quartersawn Sitka spruce, and the rosette and soundboard perimeter are inlaid with finely patterned herringbone wood marquetry. The body is bound with grained ivoroid. A genuine ebony fingerboard featues the pre-war Style 28 snowflake pattern in abalone pearl, and Eric Clapton's signature is inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. Each 000-28EC bears an interior label, individually numbered in sequence. There are other great Martin Guitars available, some as low as $699 list, making them an incredible bargain in today’s market. Now here’s where I tell you to contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for availablity and your special pricing. And, oh yes, I do have to remind you once more (sorry) that not every Martin Guitar will be in stock at all times. So take my advice, won’t you, and call now to order the acoustic guitar that has always set the standard for excellence! |
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With mahogany construction and beautifully straight-ahead appointments, the D-15 ($849 list) is reminiscent of the Style 15 guitars from the 1940s. But even though this is one of Martin’s most affordable acoustics doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing anything: All the tone and playability are right at your fingertips, making this one of the best guitar bargains on the planet.