Re Sigma/Picador

When I toured the Martin factory (early 80's) Dick Boak explained that Sigma guitars were manufactured in Japan for Martin, then shipped to the U.S. for quality-control checks at the Martin factory. Sigma guitars that failed the quality test, but were useable, were re-branded as Picador--a name also owned by Martin it seems.

In comparison, actual Martin guitars which failed Martin quality control were destroyed, not rebranded. (I think a lot of them ended up as those cutaway this-is-what-the-inside-of-a guitar-looks-like display things seen in music stores)

Back in the old days when Martin protected their quality scrupulously....sigh....