Cars and guitars....it's a natural.

About 12 years ago at the ripe old age of 52 I took up guitar. I didn't stuck with it, and although I noodle occasionally, I really never got past the 'sucks pretty bad' stage. I still own a few guitars, two of them Martins. With apologies to Steve Miller, I'm a whacker, I'm a slacker, I'm a midnight hacker.

But once a year I make a pilgrimage to Nazareth, Pa, home of Martin Guitars for a visit to their beautiful and musically historic museum, followed by a guided factory tour where these works of art instruments are made. While some processes are mechanized such as CNC laser machines for cutting tops, specialized equipment for determining wood perfection, and robotic buffing machines, a significant portion of the guitars are hand crafted. They also have a custom shop within the factory where every single step is entirely hand made using hide glues and techniques from the 1930's. It's not unusual for a customer to spec out his own custom at a cost in the GT350 range.

I'm fortunate to live less than 90 minutes away, so yesterday a a pretty good day for a top-down Mustang cruise to the Lehigh Valley and Nazareth, Pa.

 

Good stuff thanks for sharing

 

Nice

 

Very cool indeed! How much do their tours cost? My oldest daughter is taking guitar lessons and she'd love a tour of that place.

 

Very awesome Tom!! Thanks for sharing.
I used to play guitar as well, but never stuck with it. Martin makes a killer acoustic guitar.

 

The tour couldn't be easier on the wallet Gary....it's a freebie. I've been there numerous times, and each time it's a little different perspective depending on the tour guide. A guide can be a factory craftsperson, an office worker, and once in a while the CEO and company namesake, Chris Martin IV, will take the lead. He's accessible and a very cool guy.

A couple of years ago I had gone and Eric Clapton had just been there the day before discussing plans for one of his Martin signature models. Another time Steve Miller was spotted with a Martin exec at the pizzeria adjacent to Martin's parking lot. It's not unusual to spot David Crosby, Jimmy Buffett, and other stars roaming around the building. I haven't been so lucky yet.

I'll PM you with more info and a link to the tour.

 

Yes, killer is the word for their guitars. But it's only killer in the hands of a skilled player.

When I play I sound like geese farts on a muggy day.

 

Don't feel bad...just stick with it and pick a little every day. The only person you're trying to impress is yourself! I play banjo -pretty terribly most of the time- but it's fun, entertaining (At least for me) and it makes the brain work in ways we mostly don't or haven't used since our youth. A picking buddy of mine has about 6 guitars but he usually reaches for the Martin first...go figure. If he doesn't, I ask him to!




John

 

Very cool. I had a Martin for a while. I might be doing a run to Gibson factory this year. Plan on buying a custom built Les Paul.

 

LMFAO