GSWJ - Mystery Sock Guitar Reveal! 

I so enjoy spending time with you JP you are the best!

Hi JP . As a student of the Greek language, I wanted to let you know that the letter above the name Sigma is in fact the Greek letter Sigma in upper case. (Σ) I think it’s a cool addition.

Thanks a lot JP! Well done. As a family we own and have owned a number of Sigmas (and have Martins and Collings, a LL36 and a Bluegrass Goose on order :-)). We play Bluegrass. My son has an excellent DR41 Sigma, my daughter a beautiful JR40 and an OO45VS 12 fret, a cannon guitar, especially for such an small size body and I own a prototype SOMR-45VS - S stands for 100% solid tone woods, otherwise they all have a solid top and bone nut and bridge.... All great, well built, well sounding and very playable guitars! Then we had 2 GJA-SG200+ Sigmas, big Gibson J200 like guitars. Beautifully made, beautiful woods, much nicer looking than most of the real J200 I have seen and played and never cared for. But, as you once explained in the video explaining and comparing body sizes, the box is too big and possibly the sound hole too small to get the sound out well enough. Beautiful, well made and well priced guitars, but we sold them both again.... The other Sigma´s we will keep and play, next to our LL36, Collings D42A, CJ, and Martins D35 (my work horse from 1971), my wife´s M36 from the early ´90´s and my son´s J15. On little thing: I bought a CF Martin D45 new in the late ´90´s, a beautiful and amazing sounding guitar, just the sound I was looking for forever. Played it about 3 months and was extremely careful. However, just as you had the experience, it started developing a big problem soon. The top came up down from the left corner of the bridge and it formed a sort of ridge... Was afraid the guitar would explode and took it to a Martin certified luthier, who checked it and explained that there was a fault in the bracing which had been sawn in the wrong direction, so it could not support the top!!! I showed it to CF Martin IV during the big musical instrument exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany. He told me that as the guitar was purchased in Austria, there would be no ´Martin lifetime warranty´ because climates are different outside the US and no guarantee can apply there! ...... I got a little mad because of his arguments and told him quietly, that I would step on on as it was insured for the original price of $10.000.... Then he told me that we had to talk, so we did. he offered to repair my nearly new D45 if I would pay the shipping. We agreed and I sent the D45 to Nazareth, PA. Nearly a year later I got it back :-( all the fantastic sound was gone.... Looked beautiful again, new top etc, but not useful anymore. I kept it for another 10 years, every time trying and hoping, but it was absolutely useless in a Bluegrass band, could not hear my guitar.... Finally I sold it with a big loss, just as Mr. JP Cormier had to do.... Never had any problem with our family´s Sigmas, nor with any other guitar. Still LOVE my Martin D35 from 1971, same with my wife´s M36. She had beautiful guitars before that, but would not touch them since she got the M36... Thanks for all your great videos and amzing playing on all of your Bluegrass instruments!

Well done. Entertaining and made the point very clearly. Thanks

Hell yeah,sounds amazing.

I just got an AMI D-41 guitar. From what I understand, because of copyright issues, they can't sell them under the Sigma name. Got this used. Has barely been played. One of the best guitars I've owned.

The Japanese guitar sounds just terrific. I have a 2008 Martin D-28 Marquis and I love it. Just a stunning tone and excellent separation. It's a total cannon and has that special Martin bass whump. The 1 3/4" nut and 2 5/16" spacing at the saddle (as well as the Adirondack top & adjustable truss rod) were just what I was looking for. I had the bridge start to loosen up and took it to Mike Lull's Guitars in Seattle for repairs. They removed the bridge, cleaned the top where the bridge fits, cleaned the bottom of the bridge and reglued it. I asked them to use hide glue instead of what Martin used. It sounds better than ever. The Marquis has snowflake inlay as opposed to dots on the fretboard & herringbone trim, but otherwise no frills. I don't play well enough to have a Martin guitar with D42 or D45 bling. Then again, if I ever find a D-42 Custom Turbo (Mandolin Bros. Special w/ 1/4" bracing)... I might have to give in and buy one.

You are a great story teller 😊 you convinced me man !

Love your channel JP always educational and entertaining and alway looking forward to the next one...

Awesomely great story! As usual!

Wow that was a smooth rendition of salt creek, and by the way I caught that Tony Rice g lick at the end...nicely done, that guitar sounds awesome.

Gorgeous, that is a great value!

Hi John. Love these videos so thank you so much for making them. The Sigma looks stunning obviously, but based on sound and playability etc. Sigma DT-45 or the Alvarez MD60BG that you did few great videos about and comparing it to Clarence ? Thanks again, Simon

Just found you today and subbed. Great playing and great show! From Great Falls, MT.

Very interesting J.P Thanks :)

Thanks for sharing and God’s blessings for you I will check one out

I've been playing since 1968 but mainly electric guitars, I've always had a decent acoustic an Ibanez AW-50 but didn't play it often. Then I discovered John and his passion for guitars, I started by purchasing an Epiphone Hummingbird after seeing his review of it and my electric guitars were packed in their cases and shoved under the bed. Not long after I saw John's review of the Sigma GJA-SG200 Grand Jumbo and bingo here it is sitting alongside me.

What great sound on that guitar

Another awesome great video. I use to own the Sigma like that. It was made back in the '70s. It was a great-sounding guitar. My brother had a real D45 that he bought in the '90s. It was a beautiful-sounding guitar. Sadly he passed away and his kids sold the D45. Where in the USA can I buy a new Sigma like that? I always look forward to your videos. Please keep them going.

Hi JP, thanks this was very interesting :)

So it turns out the DT 28 it’s pretty much the same exact guitar is the DT 41, DT 45, The only differences as you go up the numbers they I was just fancier with more appointments, but construction wise and sound way as they should be the same, I just got this information from a company called zombie music in Illinois

great video, liked it

such a Beautiful Guitar wowsa man!!!! thought for sure it had to be a D45

Yes, I actually guessed it! Beautiful guitar JP. Pls continue doing these. BamaBill

Goodness!

I enjoy a Sigma gypsy jazz grand manouche...cannon of a guitar and extremely well made, over 20 years of working with it and still going strong.

Great story

John I know you also play the mandolin. I would like to to do a mandolin shootout or show us what a good mandolin sounds like.

Wow..fooled me! Nice guitar..

Hi JP. Thanks for the review. I have my eye on a mint example of one of these. I might just have to buy it now. Heaven knows I could never justify paying the price to get an official Martin D-45 and that is too bad.🙁

Thank you for sharing your perspective and your wisdom. I have learned so much in the short time I have been following you! I am going to join up and become a member.

I knew it was a sockma. I have an old Cort guitar that plays and sounds great.

Well, that was quite impressive...I was waiting for the reveal video because I really had no idea. If you ever get the chance to review some other Sigma guitars like their versions of a J45 or OM28 etc, that would be great content too! Always interested in more bang for my buck :) Thanks for a great video!

Its called the law of diminishing returns J.P. Btw for info the AMI S prefix stands for solid not special. For their laminate back and sides guitars the wood AMI uses is primarily Beech, which has glued rosewood or Tillia veneers attached to it depending on whether it has a DR or DT prefix.

Over 30 years ago I picked up a used Sigma DR-28H and have never regretted it. At the time my good friend a a Martin D28 and he thought that the Sigma sounded as good as the Martin. She is still my baby that I Always go back to ever though I have a 1990 OMC-28 Limited edition Martin.

🎶🎶🎶🎶 Does it look good✔ Does it sound good✔ Does it play good✔ Is it made well✔ Is it a good value✔ Would i play it✔ End of story.. 👋😎

Great video, JP! But would you take an Alvarez Masterworks over this? Last - I thought you said Sigma was no longer around and that AMI had taken their place? Is Sigma back again?

Hi J.P. some time ago you reviewed the yamaha FGX3 and 5 ... do you prefer them to the FG-180-50TH?

Ok JP, loved the presentation and impressed by the sound and projection of this Sigma. One thing I noticed in the video is the mismatched top. Colorwise you can see difference as one half appears more yellow than other. The only con for me. Had a $199 Sigma about 8yrs ago and the Bridge started pulling off on it. Makes me a little hesitant on investing $1M on this one. But very impressive for sure. Thanks for your review.

Your looking good JP ! Nice and healthy ! Ya big lug !! I love that guitar and if you manage to get me to buy one more “I must have” guitar, my wife Arlene will have me busking at mall entrances….since watching and a paid subscriber [everyone should best guitar channel going] to your channel, I have purchased (both new and used models) Yamaha FGX3, LL16…RK Series 7 OOO, Series 11 OOO (Dirty 30s for a few 20s series lol)….Epiphone IBG Hummingbird and J200….so now you have me wanting this one….uh oh…and I have also purchased a 1976 Yamaha FG 180-1 Black Label, 1980 Yamaha FG 331 (these 331s are frikkin amazing), 2010Yamaha FG 700S, 1978 Tokai cutaway in black (amazing guitar) and as I am a rocker an Epi ‘59 IBG Les Paul. Me thinks me may have to put a block on Guitar Stuff with John.,..fiddely dee potatoes…lol

Your Martin D45 . . . if I would have been in your place, I would have taken it to a luthier who had a reputation in repairing Martin guitars . . . maybe easier to research today, but 13000, what would it be worth today . . . I like Kimsey Lutherie channel.

WOW, Wow, wow ! I really thought this guitar had to be the Sigma SDR - 45 ! With back & sides of solid rosewood. Thanks JP for all you do !

I have the DT-41, and it’s wonderful. One thing, John, the back and sides aren’t solid, they’re laminated Tilia which is all the more amazing.

2013 I bought a Sigma DRC-41E. Can "BLOW" most Martins out of the room. Will "EAT" my Gibson SJ. Play it ALL the time.

My ocd doesn’t like the different coloured halves on the top. Can’t deny how good it sounds though.

When are you coming down under mate, Australia needs you.

Have you reviewed any Eastman guitars ,.

A lot of the new martins seem to lack a certain something especially for the money. Whereas a lot of the Chinese stuff puts a smile on your face especially when you look at the price!

Just when i bought Yamaha AC5M ARE theres Your video about Sigmas... O well i will buy sigma next time :) Great story JP! And btw im from Europe and there like zero YAMAHA FGX5 avaible... this one i want but due to zero in stores i bought AC5M

Do they sell them in the US? I want that Martin d-45 voice!!!!

I have the SDR-45 with the ebony fingerboard and Indian rosewood back and sides, and your review resonates so well to my thoughts on mine. It has a sound that blew away the Martin guitar folk at a recent bluegrass event.

Hello John. I would like if you could do a test of this guitar. Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN. I have see a lot of youtube reviews of it but I believe you to be more trustworthy than most other youtubers. I don´t know why but that is just how I feel about you. Maybe it's your honesty about Martin guitars.

Have you see a zuwei Dm 45 that is solid wood? Can you compare one?

Fantastic review, thank you! What would you suggest between this (or an SDR-45) and a Yamaha LL16D?

Sorry JP, I'm a BIT late to the party on this but I have a question. If you aren't one that cares about "bling", does the D-28 copy have the same 90% effect as the D-45 copy?

I’ve not seen this model for sale anywhere…

I am interested to find out if the ones offered by AMI for the usa are solid back and sides? Also, some dealers on reverb are selling sigma models, i need to do more research

Where did you buy that guitar?

Sock Guitar with Johhhnn!!!!! ha ha ha ,I had a pretty nice Sigma didnt know any better and gave it to a young guy I know about 5 years ago ,he loves it !!!!trying to get ahold of him so I can set it up which when I gave it to him I didnt do much to acoustics

thanks for doing this, JP. I'd be interested in a 000-size of that guitar or similar. Can we buy them in Nova Scotia somewhere?

I cover my headstock with a sock to keep the dust off!

I’d like to have a herring bone om28 sigma👍😁

Really like your videos, You are very likeable person. love the idea that it's German!! I have had many German gears and am very satisfied. BUT none of them were made in China!! My skepticism goes to exactly that. Made in China! I don't know if I can swallow this part!! By the way what kind of mick is inside?

I tried a Zuwei D-45 copy a couple days ago. Sounded fantastic. All the inlays and markings seemed correct. Headstock inlays look more like the CF Martin logo from a distance than the Sigma. New on eBay the Zuwei costs $379.00. Truth be told though, the Martin mystique is worth the extra $9,600. 10% is the difference between great cooking and fine cuisine. Now lets crack open that decanter on the table behind you and give a toast to great guitars, wherever you find them.

what plectrum are you playing with

Huh. I had no idea AMI were building Sigma Martins...

I've the Sigma DM-ST the best bang for buck best sounding guitar I've played .

What are the specs on that guitar? I'm not seeing much info.

Hi JP, I enjoy watching your videos, especially the one with Robin Boucher. I'm a scratch builder out of Quebec, I took a 6-week guitar building course with Sergei de Jong in 2013 and now I have a new addiction I just can't stop. Would it be possible for you to review my guitars? Richard Halvi

There is one guy from France is successfully transformed a Sigma DM-18 to the replica of a Kurt Cobain's signature Martin D-18E that was used in a legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance....

Amazing who wants a Martin sooner or later Martins must drop there high prices who are they kidding

I have a dr45 sigma acoustic guitar I really like it very well made and plays amazing Have u ever played one of theses and if u can can u do a review on one I paid 1400 for the one I have let me know if you think I got a good guitar for that price it to me is one of the best sounding guitars I've played on for that price

St Louis music used to own rights to sigma in USA

Why not platform Larrivee??? They make premium ALL solid "budget boutique" level instruments for 1-3k ish. And they started in Canada too eh! My first great all solid wood American made guitar was Larrivee!

There are all kinds of guitar heads in the world. Here are my top 2…… 1… Ones that use guitar talents to make money. 2… Ones that use guitar values to make money.

It looks like the one side of the spruce is darker than the other, or is that the lighting?

First one here..!

Do you have a link for this guitar?

HI! I OWN AN OLD MODEL SIGMA DR 45 BEFORE THE DSR 45 WHICH ARE ANOTHER THING THAT'S FOR SURE!! I am leaving this message and hoping that someone will reply and be able to give me true and detailed information on the materials that were used for this model (SIGMA DR 45) of Sigma guitar!! Does anyone know exactly if the back and sides are real solid rosewood or Masello? I know many know that they are two completely different things; solid wood and solid wood are not the same quality, having said that I have the impression that the back and sides could even be laminated and I wonder why they don't specify and even lie in the specifications of the instrument? Why declare that it is real rosewood if it isn't?? Help me if you can to find out more; Thank you!

I did not know Sigma style guitars were still being built. Very cool! What are your thoughts on the popular Eastman guitars. I hear Bourgeois is collaborating with them to build a dread and an OM. Cheers!

Hey Jp, are you sure its solid Tillia?? They dont mention that on the website, yet they mention the solid rosewood ones..

Right, again! Do you ever get tired of being right? 😂

On their site it says "solid sitka" but not "solid tilia."

So I actually have a sigma that will rival any Martin built. I tried every martin I could this past weekend. The d18s still speak to me the most. I bought a sigma 12 years ago from a guy for literally 200 dollars. It sounds as good as any d28 I've played and better than most of them. Even the HDs. I actually had to buy a new nut and saddle but that's it. It's phenomenal. I don't even know if it's wood or laminate but dayum it's a smoker. Really hard to play though. Don't really like the wide nut

Fooled me

Second one here.

JP you guys and sponsors are getting out of control. lol Love ST, makes my Wed. complete. You may have start scrolling sponsors on screen and just do highlighting on some.

I'm confused about whether the Sigma guitars being sold on Amazon are budget versions of the guitar in this video or sometihng from an entirely different maker. The Sigmas on Amazon are solid tops with laminated backs and sides, sell for under $200 U.S., and get rave reviews from buyers. Headstocks look like the one in this video. I believe the ones on Amazon are sold only on Amazon and nowhere else. Since they're labeled Sigma, I've got to believe it's the same company. Anyone know what's going on there?

What's the diff'c between a D-45 and D-41??

As I am supremely humble, I knew this was a Sigma - after I couldn't guess what it was, after I read the comments stating it was a Sigma, and, finally, after I watched this video. I will keep my eyes open for Sigma guitars going forward along with all the other wonderful guitars that have been played on this channel.

Sounds decent but it really dont sound like a d45 at all so maybe 40% of a actual d45 you just launched a everything is just as good or better than martin years ago, and martin had a few bad years but are back to being martin quality again but no its not a 45 or close

guitar store: "hey guys we got our shipment of sigmas " *all martin guitars* start sweating profusely

You'll never convince the Martin fanboys that anyone else on planet earth can build a great guitar for a reasonable price. That's why they are so expensive, $10000 for a guitar? People are crazy.

That big booming bottom end is why Martin lovers buy a Martin. Without that it’s just another guitar. That BOOM is what cuts through in bluegrass. I have yet to really dig into one of your guitars like we do with our bluegrass playing. We never get to hear the bottom end, which is everything to a bluegrass player. Without that, we could just pick up any ole guitar and hide in the background. Martin is the only one who has this mastered, and you call it offensive??????? You are an odd guitar lover....lol

All you internet guys (trying to make money off UT) comparing Asian guitars appearance, feel, tone and craftsmanship are fooling yourselves....subjectively until you see, play and hear a guitar in person the truth will be known. Used that guitar will be worth $500.00...Martin D-45 used will be worth 10, 500.00 or more used. ;-)

You say you cant afford a martin but you have several brouchard excuse spelling

how much is sigma 45 martin sound??? thx

I'm a bit confused with the 'history' of Sigma here... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Guitars