Martin guitars

Martin guitars meet NAMM expectations

Trekking out to California for the NAMM show (the National Association of Music Merchants), I saw drums, orchestra instruments, pianos, and guitars of the highest quality. As an attendee, when I wasn’t fortunate enough to catch a surprise performance from Hollywood U2 (a tribute to the legendary Irish rock band), I was most eager to check out the Martin guitars.

My eagerness to scope Martin makes me reflect. I am a brand guy – who happens to be familiar with guitars. Why, then, was I most keen on soaking up the goods presented by Martin? It’s not Taylor or Gibson that tickles my fancy. It’s Martin.

“And if you’re not an instrumentalist and you own one (yeah that happens more that not, if you can believe it) you, too, feel a part of an elite club.”

What Martin guitars feel like

Martin guitars feel profoundly singular to me. An axe that instantly makes you feel as if you’ve arrived. And if you’re not an instrumentalist and you own one (yeah that happens more that not, if you can believe it) you, too, feel a part of an elite club.

There is something intrinsically different about the sound of a Martin. The strings feel a little crisper and resonate. Its body and neck feel (and this really is the best way to describe it) both warm and loved.

It’s not surprising you’d find the following on the company’s website:

C.F. Martin & Co. has been creating the finest instruments in the world for over 180 years.  It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards, including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the “Dreadnought” size. One of the world’s leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques, along with those introduced by the company founder.

Ultimately, I believe it’s because artists craft Martin guitars. And as such, each feels like a handsome piece. Therefore, at the recent NAMM show, my motivations were to see the art created by Martin. And judging by the crowd at its display, I was not alone in this thinking.