Vintage guitar by C. F. Martin & Co., (USA)

C. F. Martin & Company is a guitar manufacturer. The business was founded by Christian Frederick Martin, Senior. who was born in Markneukirchen, Germany, in 1796. He was the son of a guitar maker, and he learned the trade from his father. In 1833, Martin emigrated to the United States and opened a guitar-making shop in New York City.

Martin's early guitars were made in the traditional German style. However, he soon began to experiment with new designs, and he developed a number of innovations that would become standard features on Martin guitars. For example, Martin was the first to use steel strings on acoustic guitars, and he also developed a new bracing system that improved the sound of the guitar.

In 1839, Martin moved his shop to Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This was a strategic move, as Nazareth was located in the heart of the American guitar-making industry. more... Martin's company continued to grow in the years that followed, and he became one of the most successful guitar makers in the world.

Martin was a lifelong innovator, and he continued to experiment with new designs and materials throughout his career. In 1843, he introduced the Dreadnought model, which became one of the most popular acoustic guitar body shapes in the world. In the 1930s, Martin began to produce electric guitars, and in the 1970s, he opened a custom shop, where guitars are made to the exact specifications of the customer.

The company is still based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and is one of the most respected guitar manufacturers in the world. Martin guitars are known for their high quality, their beautiful sound, and their timeless design. Its guitars are played by some of the most famous musicians in the world, including Bob Dylan, John Mayer, and Taylor Swift. Martin guitars are known for their high quality, their beautiful sound, and their timeless design. less...