A musician is made by two possessions: his voice and his instrument. He does not dress in a ridiculous costume and lip sync with the synthesizer hidden behind him. He rests his guitar strap on his shoulder, stands in front of a microphone, and lets those two possessions shake melodies into a crowd. Think Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan. These men share a common thread – their Martin guitar.
C. F Martin & Co. was founded in 1833 when Christian Frederick Martin set up his first business in New York City. He was born in Germany into a family of cabinetmakers and later served as an apprentice under a well-known guitar maker, Johann Stauffer, in Austria. Martin left Germany due to the restrictive laws placed on instrument makers and moved his wife, son, and young daughter to New York City. After five years of unrest in the city, the family settled near Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The Martins found comfort in Nazareth’s resemblance to their German hometown and in the large German population within the community.
From there, C. F Martin & Co. progressed into a leading manufacturer of acoustic guitars. In nearly 180 years, the company experienced financial struggles during the Great Depression and economic downturns as well as major gains during times of war and growing fame. After operating under six generations of the Martin family, the business is highly regarded for its handcrafted, quality instruments that combine innovative design and technique. It has impacted the guitar industry by developing X-bracing, the fourteen-fret guitar, and “dreadnought” size, all of which are imitated by other leading guitar makers. Current chairman and CEO Chris Frederick Martin IV has led renovations of the factory and created a museum and visitor’s center in Nazareth.
Recently, C. F Martin & Co. was recognized by Reader’s Digest in their America’s 100 Best list. Additionally, the New York Times published an article that showcased how the company's guitars are crafted from sustainable woods and alternative materials, an inspiration for the industry’s movement towards environmental consciousness. And that is not their only nod to the environment. Martin Guitars stopped using preserved mammoth ivory in their guitar production after learning about the horrors of elephant treatment and slaughter. They have partnered with The Nature Conservancy in a campaign to end the use of ivory and help save the lives of this endangered animal. Clearly, this Nazareth business is boosting Pennsylvania's heritage, the guitar industry’s standards, and even international harmony.
Plan your visit: The Martin Guitar Museum and guided factory tour, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
C. F. Martin & Co. | 510 Sycamore St., Nazareth | 610-759-2837 | www.martinguitar.com
