Martin Guitars

A Short History of Martin Guitars

Martin Guitars 1,000,000th Guitar

C.F. Martin has been continually making world class guitars for well over a century and a half,

The company has adapted successfully to constant distribution, production and product design modifications throughout its colorful history.

C.F. Martin has stayed focused to its initial dedication to quality despite these many changes. In 1833 they constructed their first facility in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Their concern to develop fine instruments is as evident today as it was back then.

Early Innovations

C.F. Martin Headquarters

There was not much standardization utilized when Martin first started producing guitars. also the guitars were completely hand crafted and built on a one-at-a-time basis.

One of the initial mechanisms that they invented was an adjustable neck. It was adjusted by means of a screw that was mounted in the backside of the heel of the neck and a bolt extended into the neck block.

There were problems with this very complex adjustment setup and it often slipped when the strings were at full tension. As a outcome, this unusual neck adjustment device was phased out.

Martin Guitar Innovations

Martin Guitar Factory

A very common and major innovation that Martin designed in the early 1850′s was development of the “X” bracing system for acoustic guitar tops.

This is probably the single-most design innovation that has shaped the tone of acoustic guitars as we know them today. The “X” bracing typically gives the acoustic guitar very brilliant treble tones and full and powerful base notes.

The development of the 14 fret neck in lieu of the standard 12 fret neck is another innovation that Martin developed in late 1929, and that design is employed by nearly every acoustic guitar maker in the world.

Because this innovation was so wildly common, Martin decided to extend this feature to all models in their line of instruments. Ever since this design innovation was introduced, it has become a standard for the industry.

Strangely enough, the iconic guitar shape that was developed by the company was named after the large class of British Battle ships during WWI.

Thus the dreadnough acoustic guitar was born. The dreadnought series of guitars was rolled out by Martin in 1931. Since its introduction, this has been the best performer of the entire Martin guitar line. The dreadnought shape has additionally been adopted by nearly every acoustic guitar maker in the world.

Martin Guitars – The Ecological concerns

Martin Guitars

Martin adapted its long standing ecological policy in 1990. This program embraces environmentally responsible usage of traditional guitar building woods, while also encouraging the pursuit of alternate, more sustainable-yield wood species.

The secondary environmental action taken on by the company was to formulate a consumer focus group that studies the use and acceptance of alternative wood products that exhibited cosmetic qualities that were previously unacceptable in the industry, by provide necessary structural sound characteristics conducive to the lutherie trade.

Martin has furthermore taken on the responsibility of educating the public in the use of sustainable yield wood in guitar production, by putting on educational exhibitions.

Martin Guitars Continuing Adherence to Principles

Martins adherence to high standards and excellence in the production of their entire guitar line is attributed to their longevity and dominance in the industry.

Over the years there have been significant changes in C.F. Martins product line and marketing strategies. Even with these changes the company has not wavered from its core belief of the production of quality stringed instruments.

The company mission statement that was authored by Frank Henry Martin approximately 80 years ago reads: “A good guitar cannot be constructed for the price of a poor guitar, but then who regrets the extra cost of a good guitar?”. That expression is still the compony mantra that is adhered to today, and it is what the company has long based its dedication to quality on.