Join John Bohlinger as he heads to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, to take an inside look at one of the oldest manufacturers in the acoustic guitar business.
With roots that date back to the early 19th century, the multi-generational Martin Guitars—which also employs a host of multi-generational builders—draws on their long history to combine the traditional handmade methods of their early days with modern 21st century computerized optimization, all of which are on display throughout this thorough, detailed factory tour that makes every stop along the assembly process.
Instrument design manager Rameen Shayegan leads Bohlinger through the factory, where they see workers, each specialized in various parts of the creation process, building the company’s instruments. Their first stop starts at the very beginning of the manufacturing process, at the raw wood acclimation department and the sawmill, and we get to see firsthand where guitars begin to take shape and necks are rough cut. Next, we see how backs are made and are introduced to the clamp carrier machine, where they’re glued up and set to dry. Braces are then carved and installed onto the guitars’ tops—which we see being laser cut to precision—and backs. Once the sides are bent, a rim is applied, glued, and a guitar body is made. Then, binding is installed, necks meet the bodies, frets meet fretboards, guitars are finished, and we meet the imposing and futuristic polishing robot, which makes that finish shine.
By the time the tour winds down in the setup department, we witness the final steps of the Martin creation process, where guitar get the Plek-machine treatment, get strung up for the very first time, and electronics are installed. Quality control doesn’t stop until after every instrument spends time in four-day hold and gets a thorough reinspection before shipping off to its next destination.
Thomas Rhett and Martin Guitar Partner with Sitka Gear for the Sitka Studio
Sitka Studio is a new innovation incubator that aims to expand the boundaries of culture through design exploration, brand collaborations and conservation.
To debut Sitka Studio, the brand has partnered with one of America’s oldest instrument makers, Martin Guitar, and three-time ACM Male Artist of the Year winner, Thomas Rhett, in a Collaboration for Conservation. “Together we created a custom Martin guitar symbolizing our collective stoke for wild places, craftsmanship and music,” said Sitka Studio's Brand & Creative Leader, Brad Christian.
In honor of these brands, Sitka Studio has partnered with Martin Guitar to customize a one-of-one Martin HD-28 to feature a GORE-TEX Fabric pickguard in OPTIFADE Camo and Sitka’s “Darkest Before Dawn” mallard design inlay.
From October 28 through November 15, 2022, Sitka will auction off the customized guitar, which Thomas Rhett has been playing on his BRING THE BAR TO YOU TOUR, with the goal to fund an ambitious waterfowl research project with partners including University of Arkansas at Monticello, California Waterfowl, Five Oaks Ag Research & Education Center, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and other conservation organizations. Money raised by the sale of this guitar will be used to encourage a national collaboration with on-going projects to establish a continent-wide study of Mallard ducks. Sitka will match auction bids up to $50,000 to help further fund these efforts.
For more information, please visit martinguitar.com.
Martin and Shawn Mendes Unveil the 000JR-10E Shawn Mendes Signature Acoustic
Photo by Miranda McDonald
Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist Shawn Mendes partners with Martin on an eco-friendly signature acoustic.
Inspired by Shawn’s go-to vintage Martin and featuring classic Shawn imagery, every detail of this guitar was designed and created in collaboration with Mendes for his official signature model. This edition is crafted with 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified tonewoods in a 000 Junior-sized, 14-fret instrument and comes with a gig bag made from recycled ocean plastic that meets the Global Recycled Standard. The Shawn Mendes Signature Edition marks the largest production run of 100% FSC-certified guitars Martin has ever completed, and it is the first time a Martin guitar has been paired with a gig bag made from recycled ocean plastic.
The Jr. size and 000-body depth are intended to make this guitar extremely comfortable for any player. And with Fishman Sonitone electronics included, it's designed to sound great on stage. A sample of Shawn’s lyrics is hidden somewhere inside the guitar. You might find one laser-etched on a brace, or under the bridge, or even under the rosette. Some of the phrases include: “We lay under the same stars,” or “You’ll never be alone.”
As part of the partnership, Martin will be supporting Mendes’ goal of making music accessible to everyone. Martin will be making a contribution to the Wonder of Music Program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) presented by The Shawn Mendes Foundation. SickKids, affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest center dedicated to improving children's health in Mendes’ home state. The Wonder of Music Program Presented by Mendes aims to fund music therapy activities that are accessible to young patients at the Toronto hospital, with activities including songwriting, first exposure to music, heartbeat songs for families of patients, and lullabies.
Shawn Mendes is a Grammy-nominated, Toronto born, multi-platinum singer/songwriter who has released four straight #1 studio albums. The international superstar has won 18 Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) awards, twelve Juno Awards, eleven MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), eight iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards (MMVA), five BMI Awards, three American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and the Allan Slaight Honour from Canada's Walk of Fame.
$799 USD. Connect with Martin Guitars and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. More info at martinguitar.com.