Two centuries of history
And this is just the beginning

A Martin is much more than a simple guitar. It is part of a long line of legendary instruments dating back to the founding of the company in 1833. Our guitars were played by soldiers of the Civil War around campfires, helped shape the modern sound at the turn of the 20th century, and were adopted by early stars like Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. Decades later, Martin guitars impressed the crowd at Woodstock and then took center stage on MTV Unplugged. Many musicians, icons of rock, folk, country, or with promising futures, today honor Martin guitars worldwide.

For nearly two centuries, C.F Martin & Co. has manufactured instruments recognized as the most prestigious in the world. Continuously evolving, the company continues to innovate with new techniques, some of which have become industry standards in guitar making, such as X bracing, the 14th fret neck joint, or the Dreadnought model. As one of the leading acoustic instrument manufacturers globally, C.F Martin & Co also owes its success to the excellence of its lutherie and to the women and men applying their expertise and ingenuity to benefit new processes and designs, in keeping with the concepts initiated by the founder.

The company is also recognized for its production of high-end acoustic guitar strings: the Martin SP Lifespan range, offering unparalleled lifespan in the music industry – the Martin SP series has become an absolute reference for experienced guitarists.

A family business

The first Martin guitar, designed in 1833 on the workbench of Christian Frederick Martin, marks the beginning of this family adventure. Six generations have succeeded each other in leading the company and have faced many changes in the world and in music. Each generation passed down essential values to the next: dedication to craftsmanship, working with care and patience, maintaining the highest quality standards, having a long-term vision, and protecting the environment. Preserving tradition while evolving with time. When you purchase one of our instruments, you will understand the importance of this family heritage.

Innovation over the centuries

The founder C. F. Martin Sr. invented X bracing in the mid-19th century to strengthen a guitar’s body and produce a richer sound. A technique still widely used today. His experiments gave birth to the shape and sound of the American folk guitar you know today. A few decades later, Frank Henry Martin designed the Dreadnought, which became the company’s greatest success. C. F. Martin IV then innovated with the X series and the revolutionary SC-13E. The balance between tradition and innovation is an integral part of the company’s DNA.

The ballad of the Dreadnought

Borrowing the name of a great British warship, Martin’s Dreadnought guitar became the company’s greatest success. Created in 1916 under the direction of Frank Henry Martin, grandson of the founder, the Dreadnought model quickly became one of the most popular instruments in the world. Currently considered the standard acoustic guitar, the Dreadnought did not immediately gain unanimous approval from artists in the 1930s, due to its size, differing from the traditional dimensions of the time with a wider and more imposing body.

The D-28’s soundboard and basses, much deeper and more powerful than those of other instruments, initially disturbed many musicians accustomed to lower volume levels. However, with the growing popularity of country music, this unique guitar became the ultimate accompanying instrument for many artists and quickly won public admiration. Today, the Dreadnought is ubiquitous in all musical styles and represents about 80% of Martin’s annual production.

An unrivaled reputation

Martin’s exceptional dedication to quality has led the American firm to design outstanding acoustic guitars, conferring it a remarkable reputation. This integrity and commitment have notably made it a highly respected manufacturer in the market, which few companies can claim. Throughout its existence, Martin has also been involved in related fields, such as mandolin production in the late 1800s, and has established itself as one of the best ukulele makers in the 1920s. Following the acquisition of Darco String in 1970, the quality of fretted instrument strings became an integral part of its operations. Originating a number of standards and processes in the guitar industry, C. F. Martin & Co developed the X bracing system, the 14-fret guitar, and the famous Dreadnought model – all concepts today reused by most acoustic guitar manufacturers around the world. Recently, Martin Guitar was honored by Readers Digest ("Americas 100 Best") and the New York Times ("Saving Trees is Music to Guitar Makers’ Ears") for its involvement in the guitar industry’s eco-movement, promoting the making of instruments from sustainable woods and innovative alternative materials.

The evolution of the Dreadnought
The first Dreadnought guitars were made by Martin in 1916 for the Oliver Ditson company, based in Boston. Curiously, the guitars were not marketed under the Martin name but rather under the Oliver Ditson brand in Boston and New York. These guitars continued to appear in the Ditson catalog until the company’s disappearance in the late 1920s.

In 1931, Martin produced its first 12-fret Dreadnought models under its own name, the D-1 and the D-2. The D-1, precursor to the D-18, features mahogany sides. The D-2, destined to become the legendary D-28, introduced popular steel strings and rosewood sides. Production of 14-fret D-18 and D-28 models began in 1934.

In 1933, cowboy and famous country singer Gene Autry requested Martin for a particular project: the design of a guitar similar to his idol Jimmie Rodgers’ 000-45, in a new style, with a large body. From this was born the mythical D-45, #53177, adorned with Autry’s name in mother-of-pearl inlay on the fretboard. Like all early Dreadnought models, the first D-45 featured an extended body and a 12-fret neck. This custom guitar, decorated with pearls and inlays, proved particularly expensive to produce and sold for the – exorbitant at the time – price of $200. Five other D-45s were made between 1933 and 1938, the year it was officially listed. The guitar designed for Autry features a “Torch” inlay on the headstock.

Later D-45s reveal the "C. F. Martin" logo. In 1939, the inlay on the fretboard evolved: the traditional "snowflake" style of the D-45 gave way to a succession of "modern hexagons". In 1956, a new rosewood Dreadnought, the D-21, made its first public appearance (six samples had been produced in 1955). The D-21, like the D-18 and D-28, proved to be the Dreadnought version of an existing model.

In 1965, Martin introduced a new Dreadnought featuring a three-piece back, the D-35. This particular model met with major success.

The late 1960s marked a turning point in Martin’s history. After 26 years of absence, the D-45 resurfaced in 1968, thanks to the contributions of historian Martin Mike Longworth within production. Considering the growing interest in acoustic guitars in the early 1970s, Martin significantly increased its production rates. By comparison, the company that produced 507 D-28s in 1961 reached a total of 5,466 D-28s in 1971. Thus, Martin offered five Dreadnought models to a perpetually growing market. More than 30,000 Dreadnoughts were produced during the years 1974 and 1975.

Following this phenomenal boom, Martin entered a new phase of reflection and research and development. Nine new Dreadnought models entered production from 1980 onwards (HD-28, HD-35, D-76, D-25K, D25K2, D-37K, D-37K2, D-19, D-19M). A favored instrument, the Dreadnought is today honored at the Player’s Choice Awards of Acoustic Guitar magazine, winning gold several times (2000, 2006, 2011, and 2014). In 2016, Martin Guitar commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Dreadnought. For this anniversary, Martin offered a special model, the D-222 100th Anniversary, limited to only 100 units. After more than a century, the Martin range becomes richer and richer. New and old models continue to gain considerable respect among fans, thus promising a bright future.