Martin Guitars

There are some guitars that can be sold, and there are others that sell themselves. With a history of innovation and quality that has spanned the administrations of 37 United Sates presidents, C.F. Martin & Co. has been a standard bearer in the acoustic guitar world longer than any other guitar maker.

Martin guitars have been synonymous with the highest quality acoustic guitars since the company's founding in 1833 by German immigrant Christian Frederick Martin Sr. Six generations later, the company remains owned by the Martin family and headed by CEO, Chris Martin. These instruments are unmatched in versatility, quality, and innovation, and they stand as a beacon of American craftsmanship.

C.F. Martin Guitars:  American Craftsmanship and American Music

In their acclaimed song "The Weight," the Band begins with the line, “Pulled into Nazareth . . . .” This refers not to the birthplace of Jesus, but to the town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where nearly all Martins are crafted, except the DXM series, the LXM “Little Martin,” the Backpacker, and the Martin Ukes and Mandolins, which are made in Martin’s factory in Navojoa, Mexico. A visit to the Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth is a rite of passage for anyone who can appreciate the beauty of the fine instruments produced there. Over the years, legendary artists spanning all musical styles — Gene Autry, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Dave Matthews, just to name a few — have proudly strapped a Martin acoustic guitar over their shoulders.

Since its inception, C.F. Martin & Co. has made major improvements to the acoustic instrument design and sound, and for a century and a half, the world has followed their lead. The Dreadnought-style body, which is commonplace in modern day acoustic guitars, expanded the body size to add deep bass tones to compliment the crisp treble featured in "standard" smaller acoustic guitars of the time. The X-bracing pattern under the instrument's top stabilized its construction while increasing vibration for a clearer sound. Martin also revolutionized acoustic guitar necks by extending them from 12 to 14 frets, allowing higher notes to be more easily reached. More recently, the Martin Performing Artist Series has brought a new level of sound quality to the Acoustic-Electric guitar.

Martin Guitars and the Environment

Martin's constant search for the next acoustic guitar innovation has recently led them to the forefront of an important issue: commitment to the environment. Martin is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certified and a member of the Rainforest Alliance, meaning the leading manufacturer of acoustic guitars in the United States also lives by the highest standard of social and environmental consciousness. In fact, Martin guitars became one of the first acoustic guitar lines to construct a guitar completely from FSC-certified wood (the 2009 D Mahogany; others have followed). Check out the Martin SWDGT Special Edition Sustainable Wood Acoustic Guitar.

Martin Acoustic Guitars

From the affordable D16GT model on up, Martin Acoustic Guitars are made by Martin in the USA and include features like the finest tonewoods, proven bracing, high-quality material, and time tested techniques. Vintage, collectible and discontinued Martin Acoustic Guitars have been known to increase in value to 6 figure levels (and Martin makes vintage reissues for much less), so you know your choice of a Martin Acoustic Guitar is a wise investment.

Martin Acoustic Electric Guitars

Martin Acoustic Electric Guitars, most notably the new Performing Artist Series, take the incredible sound and craftsmanship of Martin Acoustic guitars to a new level. Each of these guitars has a cutaway design allowing you to reach the highest notes with ease, the same fine tone as the great Martin acoustics, and a specially designed Fishman AURA sound system that lets you send pure Martin tone to your sound system or recording, without losing any subtlety. 

Inexpensive Martin Guitars

There are no cheap Martin Guitars, but there are inexpensive ones; The Backpacker, the Little Martins, and the DXM series guitars made in Martin’s facilities in Mexico have achieved amazing sound while using cost-saving manufacturing techniques and high-pressure laminate tops and sides in place of the solid tonewoods of their American counterparts. These are available as Acoustic and Acoustic Electric Guitars. When looking for an affordable Martin, beware of anything coming from the Far East; Martin does not manufacture there, but there are poor quality counterfeits being made.

Buy Martin Guitars With Confidence From Sam Ash Direct!

Sam Ash Direct is an authorized Martin dealer and you always get the Guaranteed Lowest Price! Browse our huge selection of Martin guitars, all of which are hand-crafted to satisfy your musical vision. If you can't find what you are looking for, give us a call at 1-800-472-6274 and ask to speak with one of our guitar specialists. You won't get a better customer service experience when shopping for acoustic guitars than when you call Sam Ash.