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.
Plus, the go-to pedal that bridged the gap for his acoustic and electric guitars.
Martin Guitar expands the Modern Deluxe line with the arrival of seven new models that feature top-of-the-line technology and custom features.
000-18 Modern Deluxe
The 000-18 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction, giving it the rich, fully-aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature East Indian rosewood binding, stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and a unique 1930s style script logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with red dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $3,599.
00-28 Modern DeluxeÂ
Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction, giving it the rich, fully-aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding, stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and a unique 1930s style script logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with red dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $4,199.
000-42 Modern Deluxe
The 000-42 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction, giving it the rich, fully-aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding (on the body, fingerboard, and headplate), stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and an ornate torch logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with abalone dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $7,199.
D-45 Modern Deluxe
The D-45 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction, giving it the rich, fully aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding (on the body, fingerboard, and headplate), stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and an ornate torch logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with abalone dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $10,499.
D-42 Modern Deluxe
The D-42 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction giving it the rich, fully aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding (on the body, fingerboard, and headplate), stylish gold frets, gold open-gear tuners, and an ornate torch logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with abalone dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $7,199.
0012-28 Modern Deluxe
The 0012-28 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments on this twelve-fret guitar include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction giving it the rich, fully aged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding on the body, stylish gold frets, and an ornate torch logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal bridge pins with red dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $4,399.
012-28 Modern Deluxe
012-28 Modern Deluxe The 012-28 Modern Deluxe is packed with custom features and modern technology. The vintage appointments on this twelve-fret guitar include a Sitka spruce VINTAGE TONE SYSTEM (VTS) top, a dovetail neck joint, and natural protein glue construction that giving it the rich, fullyaged Martin tone that has inspired generations. These guitars feature European flamed maple binding on the body, stylish gold frets, and a unique 1930s style script logo inlaid in pearl on the headstock. Some ultra-modern features include Liquidmetal® bridge pins with red dots and a composite carbon fiber bridgeplate that boosts volume, and a new neck shape that is slightly asymmetrical for maximum hand comfort up and down the fretboard. List price $4,399.
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