Martin Custom Shop

Learning the art of guitar making in Germany, immigrant Christian Friedrich Martin started a guitar shop in 1833 after arriving in New York City, basing his models on the trade he acquired through Johann Stauffer. In less than a decade, Martin revised his design, moving away from a European style toward slotted square-head pegs and shorter rectangular bridges. It was during these early years that Martin devised and implemented the X-bracing system of internal struts and braces for support. Going across the soundboard, the design of the X-bracing system would influence the tone of Martin guitars going forward.

As popularity for guitars grew during and following the Civil War, Martin continued to revise its design, utilizing cleaner lines and quality rosewood and mahogany hardwoods and eventually borrowing some of the details from their line of mandolins. Beyond the visuals, Martin started adding a bar — first made of ebony and then steel — to the guitar’s neck to handle the tension created through steel strings.

Later, as the banjo’s popularity faded and the guitar usurped its role in popular music, Martin introduced a 14-fret neck, which became a standard feature not only among its own guitars but across other American-made brands.

Another definitive feature, the Dreadnought body was developed early in the 20th century to accompany vocal-based music and saw its popularity increase among folk musicians in the ‘30s and again in the ‘60s.

As acoustic guitars found their niche among rock music and their listeners, Martin continued to advance its features and designs. In 1998, the X Series presented a more budget-friendly version with high-pressure laminate tops and resin fingerboards and bridges. By 2001, the Road Series showed a solid wood guitar with a quality tone could be affordable.

Bridging the past with the present, Martin has been revisiting its classic designs in recent years with its Authentic Series and Retro Series, the latter of which features electronic components for more versatility.

Whether folk or an acoustic rock set has influenced your musical tastes, find Martin guitars at Alamo Music Center. Browse new and used models today, including Dreadnought and 14-fret OM options, and take advantage of our multiple financing and layaway options, including 12- to 48-month no-interest financing at times.