I've been sick for months, but I am now back in tune. I see there are a few "SIGMA NUT" questions for me that have been waiting for answers! I'm going to start answering them in chronological order, a bunch at a time. Soonner or later, I will get to yours!


    GUEST,41815nilsson asks "SIGMA SG-5 marked CF Martin inside and imported to Sweden by LEVIN." This would have been after Martin bought Levin (and then ruined them). All old logo style Sigma's were made in Japan, and almost all are good guitars. Is this a classical guitar?


    GUEST,1980 asks about a "sigma dreadnought in 1980 an anniversary model." These were made for the 10th Anniversary of Sigma, limited run (100-150), SOLID Mahaogany, SOLID spruce, very high quality -- they appear to me (at least mine does) to have been handmade. If it has no problems and is clean, it's worth $400 minimum. Give it a bone nut and saddle and ebony pins and it with go up against any D-18 around.


    GUEST, Bryant asks: "DT-4N 1995 and I was curious as to whether you knew what wood the "T" stands for. Although I'd like to think the "N" means it was assembled in Nazareth, both the stamp and the paper label read "Made in Korea." The T means a maple body, don't know if solid. If made in 1995, it was one of the last Korean Sigmas, as they switched to Taiwan starting in 93-94. "4" is the highest quality number for maple Sigma's I've seen. The "N" is probably designated a finish, like "S" stands for sunburst.


    GUEST,stevehankins asks about, "Sigma DR-7 stamped brace (made in Japan for C.F. Martin Co.), but sports an inner paper label where the serial number, 024680, appears, along with the inscription, "Inspected by K. Saigo." closed tuners that display the word "Sigma", no veloutte (sp), lots of binding everywhere, and the gold "Sigma Guitars Est 1970" headstock logo."

    This would have made 1980-84. To have both stamp and paper label suggests it was right at the 1980 switchover. I've only see n on one other Sigma. I've never seen a DR-7 (which were the top of the line at that point) with SEALED Sigma-marked tuners, so that's unsual, as is the signature. I suspect you got a real good one here. Most (but not all) post-1980 bodies were laminates, the same laminates Martin imported to build Shennandoahs out of, Not too shabby! I've have two post-1980 DR-7's myself and have sold off half a dozen others, 6 & 12's. To be sure about the body wood, look at the grain runs of the back INSIDE, with a flashlight, then compare it with the grain runs on the OUTSIDE back, several times, several places, sides too. If they match, it's solid; if not, not. I've seen only one Sigma from this period that had solid sides with a laminate back, so...


    GUEST,fredvstar650 asks, "sigma dr41 serial number 922055 model number s19752. made in japan. headstock logo SigmaGuitars / EST. 1970" This would be made 1980 to 1984. The S-number means one particular maker that worked for Martin, but I don't know who they were, only the "S" company! DR-41 is the model. ALL Japan made DR-41's were great guitars, solid woods as far as I know. Does it have solid woods? Another really nice one! If it has no problems and is clean, it's worth $500 minimum.


    I know you guys are probably not asking about values and prices, but I throw that in once in a while. The good Sigmas open go for a little more than the cheap Sigma's because they are so greatly undervalued. Hang on to them, enjoy them, and someday the market will figure it out and their values will rise!


    More questions answered next time. Stay tuned.


Sterling K. Webb