How the USA’s Oldest Guitar Company Makes $2800 Instruments | So Expensive | Insider Business 

Small correction, spruce is definitely not used for the back of the guitar. Usually they match the wood of the side with the back

I was given a 1978 D35 back in 1996 and it literally changed my life. Two working fingers (out of 3 total) on my left hand from an accident in 95' so it had to be made into a left handed guitar. I play every day and also in a band. It has become my life, and after to my wife and kids, the most important thing in my life. I once waded into the 2006 flood up to my neck to retrieve it while it floated in my bedroom. Lost EVERYTHING but her. Thank you Martin for giving me a purpose!

I'm proud to own a Martin and it's clear that the makers take even more pride in their craft.

it’s my dream to work here in the Nazareth factory. heading to luthier school this april !

I've played a couple of dozen Martin guitars in my life. They're so good they almost play themselves. Light as a feather yet extraordinarily sturdy with a truly magical feel and sound. Amazing instruments.

I own two Martins. 1972 00014 and 1975 D-18. Both sound as good as when I bought them. In 2003 the 18 was inspected and cleaned up by Jim Bagget from Mass Street Music in Lawrence Kansas. It still looks and sounds great. My pride and joy. The 000-14 has never been into a luthier and still plays and sounds great. I had considered electrifying the D-18 with a LR Baggs system but have held back. You can’t go wrong with a Martin.

Re: minute 2:27 ..., a correction. Spruce is used for the tops (soundboards, in general) and usually rosewood or mahogany is used for the backs (not bottoms) and sides. Martin uses other woods, but the iconic models use solid spruce tops with rosewood, or mahogany, back and sides and, invariably, a mahogany neck.

As an owner of an HD-28 I’m so so happy to see the time and love that goes into making Martin Guitars.

So nice seeing companies full of 'lifers' like this. A rare thing these days. Says a lot about the product and the company.

I'm an avid Martin player, but I'm just as enthusiastic about my vintage Gibsons, Fenders, and others. I recently acquired a 1963 Martin model 5-16, which is a rare parlor-style guitar, having only 127 of the 5-16 model being produced in '63-'64. It will very likely stay with me until the end of my days. It's truly one of those things that you 'wish you could take with you'... ;)

I'm impressed that they run their guitars through a Plek machine, as Gibson does. Those suckers cost like $250k. You get a VERY nice playing neck if it's been Plek'd!

My old friend gifted me a brand new Martin Dreadnaught junior to cheer me up after surgery and chemotherapy. Needless to say it did indeed cheer me up That was the guitar I wanted for ages.

Yup. Got into acoustic guitar playing in 2020, got the Martin in 2021. A 2021 D-18 standard that I absolutely adore.

I find it incredibly interesting that several instrument companies are steeped in their own traditions. I believe its the secret to iconic sound, and I love that companies like Martin, Ziljiian, Taylor, etc have these tried methods, producing consistency and a unique sound that's the pilar of the brand. I don't know many other industries where the production method is fixed to produce a certain, consistent result, rather than being sacrificed in favor of profits. The businesses even encourage "tradesmen" of their craft and compensate for such expertise instead of hiring line workers. Its like one of the relics of America of old where we produced things of quality and craftsmanship, and if getting to that golden result costs "x amount", that's what it costs.

I give props to Martin and Taylor for paying their workers what they are worth.

My first guitar was a Martin. Bought it new back in 1998 and still in perfect condition. Love it.

Who ever narrates these business inside clips has the most soothing relaxing voice and is just so perfect to the roll.

Got my dream D41 Ambertone this year and it is like playing a Stradivarius violin (and I've done that too) and turns heads everywhere I play it. These are finely tuned, wonderfully balanced pieces of artwork fit for any museum, and some of the finest examples of American craftsmanship and history we have. We are planning in a trip to Nazareth for the tour in the next 18 months. No display at the country music hall of fame in Nashville had the impact on me that Hank Williams old D28 in a glass case did. I even wrote a song about it. It doesn't suck. :-) Long live Martin guitars.

I bought a 00-15m made in 2020. It is so light. It is the best ! So simple but awesome.

This is really cool, best sounding and looking acoustic guitars in my opinion, really can't go wrong with a Martin - I've played and recorded hundred of them and from different eras, all sounded great! Thanks for making this insider! More like this : )

These are beautiful guitars built with love by awesome people who deserve every penny they are asking for. I have huge admiration for people working hard to build high end products that will outlive us all.

I love my CEO-7 and 000-28, they were expensive in UK, however you truly get what you pay for. They are a joy to own, play and even just plain look at. Bravo and thanks to all at CFM. Your efforts are appreciated world wide.

2:25 I think you’ll generally find the sides and back of a guitar to be of the same timber, and supplied rough-sawn as a set. The top is a separate piece and has different properties to the ribs/back, and is very commonly spruce or cedar.

I own an HD-35; easily one of the best sounding and playing acoustic guitars I've experienced and I've been playing for almost 20 years.

I hunted for 2 1/2 years and found my D 28 which is a used vintage guitar. When you find one and you love playing guitar it’s like meeting an old friend and a friend for life. They are art that lives in vibrates and can spread therapeutic joy to the player n listener

Around fifteen years ago my dad took me to a Guitar Center. I went from guitar to guitar tuning and playing. Then I came to a plane looking Martin with a Spruce top and Black Walnut back and sides. Tuned it up and started to play. It sounded like five guitars in a cathedral. Sure wish I had purchased it.

Cool seeing one of my favorite brands on insider business. My OMJM and D42 are some of the best guitars I’ve ever played

I own two Martin guitars: a 52 year old 00-21 that I bought new, and a 1987 D28-12. I own Taylors, a Gibson, etc. While I love them all, if I had to own only one guitar, it would be a Martin.😊

Great video tradition, workmanship, craftsmanship, new innovation we can all learn from this thank you

I have my dad's 1958 D18, still in good condition and sounds great. My dad played country and bluegrass, passed away in 2005.

Brand new guitar player that rewarded myself with a Martin after putting in some time every single day on my Strat. My father was a woodworker that build homes. He would’ve loved to see the pride that goes into these guitars. I’m so happy I purchased one. It definitely makes me glad I finally started playing at 43 years old!!

The Martin Factory tour and museum are awesome!

Got my first little travel Martin at 16, been a fan ever since.

I live nearby the Nazareth factory. I highly recommend the tour. You can just talk to all the people as they are doing these jobs and ask any questions you like.

I’m lucky enough to have three Martins - the best a 1969 Brazilian D-28 that I’ve had for 51 years. All three show traditional American craftsmanship at its best.

I've owned around 15 Martins in my lifetime, from an 00-18 to a D-45. I am 68 now and have just one remaining, a 2004 D18 V with an Adirondack top and scalloped bracing, which I will never sell. I enjoyed each and every one of my Martins down the years. I still love looking at, playing and listening to Martin guitars whenever I get the chance. They have a special place in my heart.

Awesome product and insight into the Martin Guitar. Great video.

I really enjoyed the videos about Martin guitars in between the ads!

I'm not a musician, but one of my friend's play's a Martin--and, wow I'm always so impressed when he plays it.

Incredible guitars amazing craftsmanship from the USA. Timeless are always classic

I love when people enjoy and are proud of their work

They offer factory tours. Well worth it if one is in the neighborhood.

This was fascinating!!! I had a Martin 000 Custom that was really nice. It was very humidity sensitive though in a way my other guitars, a Guild, Gibson and Taylor, were not. I played it for about ten years,( then sold it to a friend in favor of a Zager EZ Play). He loves it. My all time favorite Martin was the so-caled Lady Martin 3/4 scale instrument.

I own a martin OOO-16 Streetmaster. Purchased it a few months ago. Love it sounds great very playable. Also love the smell of it. It wants to be played.🎉MARTIN GUITARS🎉

I have a Martin DX1RAE that sounds so good. It's not the most expensive, but it plays and sounds like a Martin.

What a great video. I'll point out some things that caught my attention. This video says, "These tone woods are responsible for the clear, bell like tones that musicians ... say is the key difference in Martin's acoustic guitars." This is true but those tones would never be realized without the next step. @4:40 points out that "... the next step is the most crucial to Martin's signature sound, the bracing. This is where Martin shines above all other manufacturers. I've witnessed luthiers build guitars, seen numerous videos, and I've toured guitar manufacturers in person such as Gibson and others. My tour of Martin's Nazareth, PA factory made the difference in processes clear. Other makers carve the bracing based on general standards. Martin's brace carvers may do the same up to a point but on their premium guitars, they finish tuning the bracing based on the way is sounds! One of them showed me by holding the guitar top up and thumping it as he said, "Hear that? That's the sound of a properly carved brace." To become expert at brace carving requires a lot of training and experience as mentioned @5:59. Only Martin Guitars retains so many people whose families have worked at the same factory for generations. I've watched the men and women at Martin do things I've seen no other maker do or even know how to do. That's why you can pick up a relatively inexpensive Martin guitar, perhaps one made of plywood or non-wood materials, and it sounds wonderful. To make their top-of-the-line guitars sound even better, they use premium materials then really have to pour their hearts into them. @7:50 This video mentions that "Martin has started to incorporate robotics." True, not for the critical parts, though. On my tour, we were told the robots did the repetitive parts like polishing that can potentially injure workers. This is not only brilliant but it protects the workers. Finally, since this is a "Business Insider" video, I have to say that Chris Martin is a genius of a businessman. He realized a way to expand his family's classic guitar company without sacrificing quality. I'd say he's even improved on it by making higher quality affordable guitars for those who can't yet afford a high end Martin. When I told some retailers that my first Martin, a DM-28, was made of plywood (laminated mahogany), they didn't believe me. Chris's business has made and sold guitars made of various other materials including aluminum and they sound great. He brought Martin quality to the low-end guitar market making it available to all players.

Spruce is used primarily as a top alone, never on the back. The backs and sides are usually either East Indian Rosewood or Mahogany.

Video: The best marketing campaign hands down. Me: I want one right away (and I can't even play guitar)!

I love my Martin custom D, not a super expensive guitar, but it plays and sounds great!

I have both a Martin and a Taylor and I absolutely adore playing them both

Willing to pay more knowing workers are being treated fairly as long as the quality is there and my ears are happy. Martin's check those boxes but given the advancements in manufacturing these days there are choices at much smaller price tags. I'm very happy with my Larrivee and Takamine dreads. I'm looking for a quality parlor and played a couple Martin's so far but haven't been inspired to buy anything yet.

My brother has a Martin acoustic d28…. Best acoustic guitar I’ve ever played and heard… if you could describe velvet as a sound this guitar is it

Absolutely love them. Hope I’ll be able to own one someday

Wow all around great company making great products! The pride of its employees makes sense

I hope to get a Martin some day. They are fantastic instruments. I have two Taylor guitars and since I only live 1.5 miles from the Taylor factory I've been on their factory tour a few times. The Martin factory looks very similar.

My dad has a D28 and D35 and they are both extraordinary instruments. I actually play piano but even I can tell the difference in a Martin

I own a brand new Walnut (top, back and sides) Martin made in Nazareth, PA. Mahogany neck, Ebony fretboard. $1599. It's incredible. Have had it for a month and can tell I'll keep this one for life. You can find some special martins out there for a good price. Just gotta keep looking until one pops up. They definitely hole their value more so than other brands cause of the historic name.

I can't afford an American-made Martin but I have a solid wood Mexican one and it is the best sounding acoustic I have ever owned!

6:46 The Spanish cedar rim is not perforated - Those are called "kerf" cuts

Very cool, thanks for sharing

Having had several Martin guitars, I must admit that there's more to the sound. The playability of the neck and stability of the tone woods used is second to none. Obviously, I'm talking about the American made guitars!

As the one who not a guitar player I’m very impressed with this video

Love these videos on business and crafts

Hollow with middle range push. It has a specific sound but i have never played the really expensive Martins.

Like many musicians I have several guitars, and my favorite is a 3/4 length Little Martin. It's a great little guitar and also about the cheapest Martin you can buy. I think I got it on sale for $350 new a decade or so ago. Made in Mexico.

There's nothing else like a Martin! I play mine every single day.

I own 5 leftys. Including a D45. I dearly love Martins.

1:06 is that from “the net yankee workshop” opening credits?

Stephanie Kump rocks 🔥 4 months for 50 different patterns! Awesome!

I have 2 Martin guitars that will go to my two sons, and then grandkids 🎶💖🎶 and both guitars are already 27 and 25 years old 😮 my J-41 is a Treasure to me 🎶💎🎶🇺🇸💖

I think Taylor does waaaay more than Martin regarding management of exotic species forests. They even planted, own and manage an ebony forest in west Africa.

Just bought a D18 a few months back I will have this guitar the rest of my life

The guitar's backs are not done in spruce. They are usualy done with the same wood as the sides, with exception in the case of some 3 piece backs. Those are usualy done with rosewood and maple.

the only investable Martins are either vintage in very good shape or modern ones with interesting back and sides tonewoods - for example Brazilian rosewood (they start at like 15-20k a piece now) or sinker mahogany

Love my Martin

I just bought a Martin. Yeah, it's a low end model, but it's a Martin, and I love the tone!

As a musician, I love to see the craftsmanship that goes into these guitars. I am fortunate enough to have been able to commission an custom built instrument. Made by one person, by hand, from blocks of wood. With the ride of CNC machines and mass produced instruments made overseas with cheap labor, you're now able to buy a very affordable quality instrument, but there is something about the artistry that goes into a hand built instrument that is always worth the price you pay for it.

Digging the TOOL sticker @ 7:24

I have a Yamaha dreadnought kind and it's so comfortable to play, but the Martin that I also have in my collection defeats it in sound that's the one I use for recordings.

Great guitars and worth every penny!

Martins are great guitars. But a generous part of the price is the name, which obviously holds value. But you can find just as well made, beautiful sounding guitars from lesser well known luthiers for a better price. i.e. something like a Larrivee

6:36 Wow I Love Her Smile She’s So Proud & So She Should Be!!!!

I have a custom ordered 1986 HD-35. Best guitar in the world.

I am the proud owner of a 1972 D-35. Been with me since new. It’s traveled all over the country and still looks and sounds amazing. It’s become a family heirloom and the story of how I worked to pay for it has been passed on from my kids to their kids.

Great Video. Go Martin! MADE IN THE USA!

I own several martins old and new and have had 3 new models have issue with binding coming loose and needing repair writhing a couple year of owning them. 2 dreadnaught and one OM. I prefer the older models

I know this is just PR for Martin, but they really do sound that good, and they really are that great to play.

The narrator should be narrating audiobooks. Also an ASMR channel. Love the voice and accent!!!

There are 4 D-18s in my family. The oldest from the late 60s, the youngest from the 90s. I can tell which is which by sound alone

If you can find one,check out the Martin HJ28 which flies under most people's radar and has not been mentioned in either one of your videos on Martin guitars.With the size of the M model and depth of a Dreadnought (thankyou Chris Martin),you'll have a smile so wide your head might fall off..................................

I know a little bit about acoustic guitar construction, but watching this I was a bit surprised by how late in the assembly process the pickguard is glued on. I would have thought that happens rather earlier than that close to the final QC inspection.

Great guitars and great company!!

Martin makes aspirational guitars. But there are a lot of great guitar companies that make wonderful acoustics hut Martin is pretty much the standard for tradition and quality.

As the owner of a D1GT, that has all the craftmanship of a high end guitar, but none of the bells and whistles, keeping its price modest, I can confirm that they are nice instruments.

My life gets a little better every day bec I have a C.F. Martin guitar. They age better than fine wine - they continually open up and noticeably sound better every single day.

D-18 sounds so so so good.

I never cared for the feel or tone of a Martin guitar, and then I played a D-28. It was very nice, and I can see why people pine over them.

I have 2 Martin guitars that I love. After watching this video, I think I’ll buy 1 more.

I love my friends D-28 and although my Guild D-50 holds its own against the D-28, the sound is little different, the Martin excelling with bass and my Guild a bit more balanced.

Town woods !!! Hmmm that's new.