Forty years into his career at americas oldest guitar company, the luthier and. Martin and company has set industry standards by making acoustic guitars and guitar strings. Christian friedrich martin i january 31, 1796 february 16, 1873 was a germanborn american luthier who specialized in guitars and the founder of c. Diane talks to us about the various ways your martin guitar is made. Beginning with the early days in new york circa 1833, this fabled story comes to life in the longawaited revision of the seminal martin history book. The most valuable guitars in america premier guitar. From d18, d28, 00 and om styles and more available. Among folk and country musicians, guitars made by c. As a contributor photos i received my copy ahead of general release, which is due at the end of the month.
The cabinet makers successfully defended their right to manufacture guitars. Today, most of the innovative guitar designs created by martin have become the norm of the. Of course, given martins focus on high end guitars, the 15 series guitars are of very high quality and will still set you back a reasonable chunk of cash to buy one. Available exclusively on martin guitars, the aura imaging preserves the pure and unique acoustic tone of each instrument with studio microphone quality. The 142 and 040 were added soon after, with the 042 coming later, and the 0042 not appearing until quite late. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of martin acoustic guitars at guitar center. Since martin guitars are the worlds most collectible acoustic guitar line, this book will undoubtedly be the most sought after reference book by any collector or owner of a martin. Get the best price on our collection martin 0042jmc john mayer crossroads cocobolo parlor acoustic guitar ambertone, only at guitar. Martin is highly regarded for its steelstring guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vin. Currently the largest producer of acoustic guitars in the united states, the company.
Guitars, new martins a particularly full and strong sounding custom 12fret 000size guitar built for nathalie whiting. Martin company has produced some of the finest flattop acoustic guitars in the world. At the music zoo, we are proud of our extensive selection of used gear, from the everyday classics, to the rare vintage pieces and oneofakind custom shop masterpieces. Youll find a good number of martins in the sam ash guitars of distinction collection. Starting with the early days in new york circa 1833, this fabled story comes to life in the longawaited revision of the seminal martin history book. Inventing the american guitar book and martin guitar plans stewmac. A history is part of a 2book set that covers the people, the places, and the stories of an american icon. An absolutely gorgeous instrument complete with brazilian rosewood back and sides, snowflake inlays, and a great adirondack top. The spruce top has a larson characteristic laminated xbrace, and flatpyramid ebony bridge. Choose martin category all martin guitars martin guitar sizes martin tonewoods martin neck shapes martin sunbursts martin acousticelectric martin lefthanded martin custom guitars build your own martin new martin models best selling martin guitars martin guitar specs about c. Here is a video of a martin guitars factory tour with dick boak. Buy martin 8020 bronze acoustic guitar strings light at amazon uk. To jimmie rodgers, americas blue yodeler, with all good wishesc. Rather, he was singing about a mythological trip to nazareth, pennsylvania, home of c.
The book ends with exhaustive appendices covering production numbers, retail prices, and instrument specifications. I just got my copy of this fine new book by historian philip gura, and its a real winner. Published by the stradivarius lutherie committee, volume 1 only. Search all the available styles of martin guitars from todays classics to retro models and everything from limited edition to custom made. This book details virtually every martin guitar produced right up to the present, including 2004a s onemillionth guitar. Martin 1860s style 224 guitar martin style 23 and 24 guitars are two of the earliest styles, and among the most interesting martins, with quite a bit of individual variation between individual guitars and in different years.
If you have an interest in nineteenth century guitars in general or early martin guitars in particular, youll find this entertaining text a real. Martin guitars a history revised and updated book 1 by. A history covers the people, the places, and the stories of a beloved american icon in a lavishly illustrated fullcolor, 220page hardcover book. By the age of 15, according to the book martin guitars. It is illustrated in plate iv of the color section of robert hartmans book about the larson brothers. The met recognized the artistry of martins unique aesthetic, and the craftsmanship that made his guitars highly sought after from the moment he went into business in new york city in 1933.
Dylans first acoustic was a 1949 martin 0017, an allmahogany guitar. The martin guitar company has, through the years, managed to survive with each succeeding generation from c. Since martin guitars are the worlds most collectible acoustic guitar line, this book will undoubtedly be the most sought after reference book by any collector or. A martin acoustic guitar is the beloved instrument of millions of fans and famous players worldwide. Alas, this welldeserved but elusive quest for recognition never materialized. In the book martin guitars a history, mike longworth said, in past years c.
Martin guitars a history by longworth mike abebooks. Thats why we created the sweetwater guitar gallery, to get you as close as possible to your next guitar. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. Martin and his guitars, 17961873, philip gura chronicles the career of christian frederick martin from his humble start as an importer and repairman of musical instruments in new york city in the 1830s through his move to nazareth, pennsylvania, and the founding of c. Under his leadership, the company maintains its integrity while growing and prospering to unprecedented new heights.
Theyre the choice for iconic musicians and those just beginning their careers. A step beyond the austrogerman design, and a foreshadowing of martin guitars to come. Martin guitars the choice of musicians worldwide c. Narrow down your choices based on the body style, construction, performance level and aesthetics you prefer, and it shouldnt take you long to decide which martin is the perfect choice for you. Martin, who decided to immigrate to the united states. It doesnt have to be right in depth and would be nice to have some full color pictures. The cseries martin guitars were a middleoftheline archtop guitar, made in the big band era, in the hopes that professional players would consider a martin archtop preferential to a gibson or an epiphone archtop.
A new book due out on tuesday, to be followed by a yearlong. Martin 15 series guitars overview six string acoustic. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. The c series martin guitars were a middle of theline archtop guitar, made in the big band era, in the hopes that professional players would consider a martin archtop preferential to a gibson or an epiphone archtop. The new martin vintage tone system vts uses a unique recipe that is based on the historic torrefaction system. We always stock used electrics, used acoustics, used bass guitars, and used amplifiers at every price point and for every type of player. It is highly respected for its acoustic guitars and is a leading manufacturer of flat top guitars. Consequently, martin archtops in the c series were made only from 1931 to 1942. On september 9, 1833, martin left germany for new york city. The company is excellent and reliable when it comes down to craftsmanship, versatility, and use of innovative materials and intonation. Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier.
Prewar models to modern day marvels we always have a selection of martin acoustics in stock. Click on a series below to view all martin guitars in that category. Martin handcrafted oneofakind guitars with little standardization but a few commonalities. Anthony mason takes a musical trip through the decades with c. The first section of the catalog has photographs and information about notable early violins. When levon helm of the band sang i pulled into nazareth, was feelin about half past dead in the weight, he wasnt alluding to a weary pilgrims desire for salvation. Main street and the adjoining area of west north street.
Martin quickly set up the first martin guitar making shop at 196 hudson street on the lower west side. The pennsylvania center for the book martin guitar company. His father, johann georg martin, also built guitars. Martin s designs for the shape and construction of these instruments have influenced virtually every other manufacturer, and the flattop guitar as we know it today is essentially the same as that established by martin in the 1850s. Find new and used guitars from makers like martin, taylor, gibson takamine, yamaha and more. Author see all formats and editions hide other formats and. Book one, a history is an indepth and vividly photographed view of c. What incredible gift and wonderful memory for all fans of c. Each item is rated 5 best score through 1 save your money, just click on the martin guitar model link below to view.
Martins d size would become the accepted template for most acoustic steel string guitars from that point on. There are all kinds of martin guitars available in this section, and any one of them is a great addition to your instrument collection. At maurys music we care about what our customers have to say about the martin guitars we sell. Also called the martin guitar company or simply, martin, c. Martin at the met museum photo gallery one mans guitar. Newest price low to high price high to low alphabetical az alphabetical za. Inventing the american guitar explores 1840s innovations the. The company has also made mandolins and as well as several models of electric guitars and electric basses, although none of these other instruments are. Read the history of the martin guitar company, and their secret to producing acoustic instruments known to be the finest in the world for over a century and a. Martin has so many great guitars that we cant possibly highlight them all. He made the first guitar in the united states in the 1830s. Martin declined most customer work except for names in the. Martin became sought after across the country, almost the moment he.
A scrapbook of treasures from the worlds foremost acoustic guitar maker. The balance of the catalog is devoted to images of the violins in the international competition of 1976. Martin smith w100 acoustic guitar kit with guitar strings,guitar. The rise to prominence of martins two greatest guitars. Longtime martin archivist dick boak writes about this guitar in his book martin guitar masterpieces. Thank you to the authors for their outstanding work. The images in this book trace the remarkable development of the acoustic guitar in the hands of six generations of martin family members who have managed the business from 1833 to today. All the guitars are handmade, and the craftspeople use original techniques created by the companys founder to build guitars. A particularly full and strong sounding custom 12fret 000size guitar built for nathalie whiting.
Our website and phones are open, but shipping may take a few extra days, for the safety of our team. Save money on used martin guitars at guitar center. Richly illustrated, this hal leonard book covers the martin story right up to fifthgeneration president chris martin iv. The company was founded by christian frederick martin. Jun 29, 2018 the martin 15 series guitars fall somewhere in the middle of martins range of guitars. However, the topquality american martins begin just above a thousand, with many exceeding that. Martin acoustic guitar martin guitars for sale online. A martin acoustic guitar is the beloved instrument of millions of fans and.
The journal of acoustic guitars is published twice a year in january and july and is dedicated to acoustic guitar enthusiasts, owners, dealers, and more. All other images from the martin archives co martin guitars. The dreadnought guitar brought as much wide sweeping change as the torres modern gut string models of the late 1900s, and the stradivarius concept of the modern violin and the dreadnought continued to evolve. Martin, he helped resurrect the legendary d45, designed the popular d41, assisted in the return of herringbone trim with the hd28, answered thousands of letters from martin owners and wrote the first reference book on martin guitars. Martin s stauffer style of guitars sported the tuning pegs on one side of the guitar heada style abandoned for guitars until leo fender adopted it for his electric telecaster in 1948. Often with painstaking precision, from the selection of the woods right up to the finish, nearly all phases of construction are. More than 100 color photos show martin s designs, which have heavily here is the story behind the renowned c. Heres how it works total guitar acclimation in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Martin standard style 45 guitars feature the highest grade indian rosewood and sitka spruce, as well as abalone trim on the top, sides and back, and abalone hex inlays. For luthiers like me its a great reference to recreate some of martins greatest attributes. Martin without instantly linking it to some mental image that stands for enduring quality.