Martin Guitars was founded in the U.S. and has been continuously family owned and operated for six generations. It was started by German immigrant Christian Frederick Martin Sr. in 1833. Embraced by artists all over the world, the Martin guitar has helped define virtually all genres of music, from classical and country to blues, folk, and acoustic rock.
The list of Martin players, past and present, is quite extensive and include various legends such as Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and countless others.
“Since 1833 musicians have connected with audiences everywhere the world over, showcasing their talent and virtuosity over all genres. Martin's significance and cultural impact over 175 years is simply immeasurable.” - Chris Martin
C.F. Martin & Co. has survived a wide variety of economic, social and political upheavals including the Civil War, the "roaring 20s," the Great Depression, World War I & II, The Vietnam years and the technological revolution. Through it all, Martin not only survived but its reputation and outreach ultimately increased over the years. In recent years, Martin has been setting company sales records, crafted their millionth acoustic instrument, undergone a complete renovation and expansion of the Martin factory and unveiled an impressive new museum and visitor's center at their headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
If there’s one thing Martin Guitars are known for, it’s their superbly well-crafted acoustic guitars. Whether you are looking for a Little Martin in different sizes, a Martin Streetmaster, or a Mahogany acoustic guitar, they have earned an unparalleled reputation for dedication to exceptional focus on their quality and manufacturing. Their integrity and commitment to quality has maintained a level of respect in the marketplace that very few companies can boast. These include but are not limited to:
Martin Ukuleles offer a great looking and sounding ukulele for the stage, studio, and any at home setup. Their instant success in 1919 helped Martin enlarge their factory to help keep up with the demand for ukuleles, as wells expanding guitar sales. As the world’s oldest surviving ukulele builder, they have been busy turning out high-quality instruments since the 1910s. Another aspect that distinguishes Martin from others is their focus on perfecting tone. In 1970, Martin bought the Draco Strings company giving them the ability to make strings the way they should be made. The same attention to detail that goes into making their guitars goes into making all their strings, including Authentic Acoustic®, Retro®, Titanium Core, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin, Classical, and Originals—plus, Darco®, the strings that started it all.
Under the leadership of current Chairman, CEO Chris Frederick Martin IV, the company has experienced unprecedented sales and production growth, maintained an extraordinary level of quality, introduced many new technologies, expanded the factory to nearly three times its prior size, integrated the model lineup with the introduction of many affordable guitars and has fortified the higher end with artist signature editions and vintage inspired recreations of historical Martin guitars. The company has shown a great commitment to the development of alternative materials and sustainable woods to ensure the future of Martin Guitar for generations to come.