Sigma Guitars

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,uga_bob
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:59 PM

Any idea when the Sigma model CS3 was mad ? I just bought on on ebay for $100.. did I pay to much or get a good deal ?

Subject: my DM-5s
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 08:03 PM

looks like its a solid wood instrument as best we can tell. boning it out has made a significant improvement in the sound.

i love to play this little feller...

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,bigrickpa
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 07:45 AM

that seems to be the problem with identifying these guitars. martin didn't keep good records and with the different plants and countries involved, it gets confusing. there's a man, sterling webb, at the beginning of this thread that seems to have the most complete knowledge of this brand. wish he would post some more.
i did a bone saddle only. that really opened up the sound. went from being tinny to nice full lows and highs. this is my travel guitar so its been exposed to the elements many times and always took it well.
don't think the hd-28 could take the same abuse. we'll see after a few years of ageing.
yep, you got a deal. i've not seen many, but the ones i've have been solid. let us know how yours turns out.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 04:33 PM

QUOTE:

From: GUEST,bigrickpa
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 10:59 AM

guest, i don't know what the 4 digit # is, mine has a 5 digit burned into the brace. my serial # is printed on the heel block, kinda hard to read.
i did some checking on the martin website. the only thing i found was in dating your guitar. it said that sigma's with serial #'s 900,001 to 902,908 were made in '81-'82.
i don't have a paper label,mine has "made in japan for cf martin" burned into the brace under the sound hole, with the 5 digit in the brace towards the heel block.
i bought mine in the summer of '87 new at a local music store and my serial # starts with 912. if these are numbered like martins sequentially and were made in japan and korea, maybe the 4digit is the factory #.
i dunno, just a guess.   :END QUOTE

i wanted to reply to this particular post so i reprinted it. the 4 digit # 3993 is shown on the paper label as the serial #. the 227 is stamped on a brace near and under the sound hole.

i took it to a technician friday morning and he thinks its a solid wood. regardless, he says, i got a bargain! so i'm tickled. we're "boning" up the saddle and nut. i have a set of tusque pins and bone pins, i'll see which sounds best.   i've been told the tusque provide a bit more sustain than bone.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 11:08 AM

Pardon me again, everyone---I think I might have answered my own question as to the SE-19's vs. the SEMC-28's.
Found this on ebay (the auction has ended, so you'll have to scroll down to view the pic of this guitar): http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-SE-19-Acoustic-Electric-Made-JAPAN-w-extras-/220644619262?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar

This guitar is identical to my SE-19---the inside is also stamped with "SE-19". I personally feel the guy sold it for waaaaay too low (perhaps his frustration with the pick-up had something to do with it---I had the Martin factory in PA replace mine in 1992, and I've never had a problem with it since). Also, the inside of the guitar looks pretty dirty, so I'm guessing it either had no case or a cheap gig bag (he states he bought it originally off eBay also, so who knows where all this guitar's been).

Thanks everyone for your indulgence---didn't mean to leave so many posts, but I kept being riveted to more and more searches on Sigmas and finding more info.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,SigmaBeck
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:20 AM

Never thought I'd find this in a million years---but on eBay, here is an old 1982 ad for Sigmas---and my SE-19 looks exactly like the one lying on it's side in the ad (in front of the other guitars):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=380271828800

(If that link doesn't work, hopefully this one will--just hit the "enlarge" to see the pic: http://cgi.ebay.com/1982-MARTIN-SIGMA-DM-3M-DR-41-GUITAR-PRINT-AD-/380271828800?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5889f79f40 ) If the auction ends before anyone sees this photo, and the photo is no longer visible, I'll figure another way of getting a link on here so this ad can be seen and you'll see what my guitar looks like.

This is the very first picture I have ever seen of a guitar identical to mine that wasn't mine! :)

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,SigmaBeck
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:01 AM

One additional note to add to my previous post:

I read on some other "Sigma info sites" that "S" sometimes can mean "spruce" or "solid". Apparently it can depend on the guitar's appearance itself (when you get down to it), as some variances in the "letter model's meanings" I have read could fluctuate as a result of different countries of manufacture over various years.

I am convinced that the SE-19 that I have is sapele wood (as I mentioned in the previous post), and here's why: I've seen guitars with "spruce" wood---my SE-19 looks nothing at all like spruce. The wood of my SE-19 is very characteristic of sapele---it is a reddish-brown wood, with the grain having the characteristic "interlocking and changes in direction in frequent, irregular intervals" (http://www.eastteak.com/products/finehardwoods/sapele_data.html ). This would explain why the guitar appears to what I call "shimmer" and change wood tone color depths, depending on how the light hits this unique grain at various points. All 4 sides of this SE-19 are the same exact wood: sapele. The only contrasting wood is on the bridge support and in the decorative "Native American-looking" stripe I had mentioned that goes down the back (as well as of course the fret board and front of the headstock). Everywhere else, it's the same reddish-brown, intriguing grained wood.

My only confusions are these: a Wikipedia article on Sigmas stated that the SEMC-28 had the "arched back" (I realize that Wikipedia can be wrong on many things, however). My SE-19 is stamped (as I stated above) on the inside bracing as an "SE-19"---yet, the back of it is slightly rounded (not sure if this would qualify as an "arched back", as it certainly visually appears to qualify for such)---is it possible my SE-19 is actually an SEMC-28 and was stamped wrong? Or is Wikipedia wrong? Is the SE-19 also an arched back and Wikipedia just failed to mention that feature for the SE-19 as well? These are just a few of my questions.

Furthermore, my SE-19 is a cutaway (a thin-bodied acoustic electric with the cutaway as described in my previous post). The SEMC-28 (from what I understand about these letter codes) is also a cutaway, as the "C" apparently stands for "cutaway"? This further makes me wonder if someone stamped my guitar incorrectly as an SE-19 rather than an SEMC-28. I would certainly think, however, that since Martin inspected these guitars before sending them out to the dealers, they would have caught any possible "mis-stamped" guitar in their inspections, if a "mis-stamp" were the case. I don't know.

The only way I would know the differences in these guitars is if someone knows a lot about these 2 specific models, or I had a picture/specs of the SEMC-28 to compare my SE-19 with. Anyone that has any comments or solutions for my questions, I greatly appreciate your help;)   I don't think I can email Martin, as they state on their site that they don't keep serial number records for Sigmas--so I highly doubt they would have kept specifics such as these on record, or the number of how many SE-19's or SEMC-28's were actually made.

Many thanks to all who have contributed history and information here--I've found it all extremely helpful;)

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,SigmaBeck
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 06:38 AM

I've got an SE-19 I received as a gift from my father in January of 1985--I was 15 years old when I first received this guitar, having only been playing guitar for 2 years at that point. Thanks to this forum, I now finally (after all these years) know that the "S" stands for "sapele"--I never knew the wood this guitar was made out of; but after reading about sapele wood and it's characteristics, it certainly explains why this guitar appears to "shimmer" when light hits it various ways!

My SE-19 has an oval sound hole, with alternating black and creme stripes going around it. The back of this guitar is somewhat rounded, but only very slightly, and with a "Native American-looking" type of designed stripe going down the back, the stripe itself being made up of inlaid wood, of a darker brown color and creme color. The cutaway ends in a sharp point, not the rounded curve you saw in later Sigma models. The logo on the head stock says "Sigma Guitars, Est. 1970", and has a "gold-look" to the lettering. Looking through the sound hole to the inside, you see burned into the center bracing the words "Sigma Guitars Made in Japan for C.F.Martin & Co.", as well as the "SE-19" to the right of that. Further up (on the same brace) near the neck joint, there is a 7 digit number burned in, but the first 2 are burned in very darkly, as though on purpose--I can't make them out, and one might even be a letter (it looks like "S") as opposed to a number; but the last five numbers are "11968".

The thin binding around the front edges of the guitar body matches the brown and creme stripes that surround the sound hole; the binding on the back of the body looks like those mottled guitar pics, the dark reddish tones with splashes of lighter rust color---like those reddish brown Fender Tortoiseshell guitar picks.

After more research tonight, I discovered that the SE-19 was one of only 4 Sigma models (along with it, the SE-28, SEMC-28, and SE-36) that were manufactured for no more than 4 years, and the quantities of each were extremely limited (much more so than I had thought before). I'm trying to find the exact number of SE-19's made, but still haven't come up with that yet. Does anyone happen to know?

My father purchased my SE-19 brand-new in a Martin dealership store in Newark, OH--he got it on sale, the half off price bringing his purchase to only $300 or a bit over. He was so excited to bring this guitar home to me. He chose it because, as he proudly stated, "it was the only one like it---the purtiest one in the store!!"

A few years later (1989), I took my SE-19 to the Martin store where dad had purchased it--they were having a free "String Day", where they'd put the strings on for you as well. I thought, "Why not? It'll save me for once the job of putting on new strings--be nice to have someone else do it for a change." While the strings were being changed, a crowd of guys gathered around my guitar---and within minutes of finding out it belonged to me, 3 of the guys were bidding for it, each offering to write me out a check. The highest bid was $3,000. I told them that the memories attached to this guitar were too great and beyond what any of them could pay. I knew the guitar was also quite unique, and no way was I going to get rid of it for anything in the world. (Some guys thought that because I was "a girl", then they would somehow be able to persuade me to give up the guitar. I let them know that this Sigma was NOT for sale, nor would it ever be.)

I don't know what this guitar would be worth today. It does have some wear around the first 3 frets (from the old "capo use" days, before I had discovered bar chords--lol), as well as some scratches/finish cracking around the plug in jack; I had the pick-up system replaced (it was faulty) by the Martin factory in 1992, and they fixed the finish around the plug in jack. Aside from those cosmetic flaws (which are only noticeable to the player or someone really looking closely at the guitar), this SE-19 is in extremely good shape. It's only had one owner (myself), and I've had it for 25 years. I'll never give it up.

Thanks for all the Sigma info here---very difficult to find info on these older guitars;)

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,bigrickpa
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 10:59 AM

guest, i don't know what the 4 digit # is, mine has a 5 digit burned into the brace. my serial # is printed on the heel block, kinda hard to read.
i did some checking on the martin website. the only thing i found was in dating your guitar. it said that sigma's with serial #'s 900,001 to 902,908 were made in '81-'82.
i don't have a paper label,mine has "made in japan for cf martin" burned into the brace under the sound hole, with the 5 digit in the brace towards the heel block.
i bought mine in the summer of '87 new at a local music store and my serial # starts with 912. if these are numbered like martins sequentially and were made in japan and korea, maybe the 4digit is the factory #.
i dunno, just a guess.

Subject: my DM-5s
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 01:23 AM

i mistyped the serial # its 3993. i'm partially dyslexic and have to watch myself, esp with numbers.

Subject: my DM-5s
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 09:41 PM

i received mine this morning and i'm amazed by the sound. it appears to be about a 75 model from the information earlier in the thread.

the serial # is 3933, it has the paper label, the bridge is NOT adjustable... the M is pearl and the Sigma is gold.

i can't tell if its lam or solid. i pulled the end pin, and its really a pin, not a screw in, but a push in, but i still couldn't really tell.

doesn't matter though, other than for a bit of ego. i have another acoustic that cost 3 to 4 times what i paid for the sigma, and the old sigma puts it down...

does this serial # tell anything? there is another number burnt into a brace near the sound hole, 227. any idea?

thanks.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,bigrickpa(no cookie)
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 08:25 AM

this post is what brought me to mudcat in '08.i have a d-28h sigma bought new in '87. great sound, will hold its own against any guitar.
most think it's a martin 'till they see the headstock. i'll never part with it.
however, i just got a brand new hd-28 martin for a great price.when i got home, of course i had to compare the sounds between them. when played side by side, the martin has better sound,at least i think so. but for value, you can't beat the sigma.
2 great guitars, i am a lucky man

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,An old country music lover
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 02:11 AM

I have 2 Sigma's. A DR 28H ser. 96531 purchased in 1980 as a campfire guitar, and a DM 12-5 ser:23257 which I traded for a fiddle in 1981. They both have exceptional tone but the DM12-5, which I play as a 6 string rather than 12 has the sweetest, richest, softest tone that brings goosebumps when you listen to it. These guitars have a beautiful vibrating sound unique only to themselves. I am also familiar with old Gibson (sort of like myself), Fender, and Martin, and although these old classics are great sounding and smooth to the feel and aged with time, sweat and possibly spilled beer, these two Sigma's aren't far behind.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,mad mike
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 06:27 PM

what an interesting thread!!! lots of great history here!

i only just now discovered sigma instruments while researching a
ventura i'd found at a tag sale... i never knew the instruments from this era were so interesting.

i bought a dm-5s, its on the way and i'm anxiously waiting my chance to play it.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,baddarryl
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 12:04 AM

Can anyone tell me what kind of material the saddle and nut are made from on the D10 Anniversary? Considering the Mahogany back and sides what would be the best material to replace these with to get the most tone out of it? I am going to move up to medium strings and have get the bridge lowered a little anyway. Thanks all.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: preacher
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:15 PM

I've acquired a Sigma with the sideways M....the paper label inside where the DR7 can barely be seen....and the serial # 9654 is clearly visible...Really don't know what I have, but I have a Martin and this outfit sounds an awful lot like the Martin...except I haven't put new strings on it yet.   Any ideas about the age...the worth...etc...
my email address is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,brianb8763
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 03:29 PM

i have a smc-68 what do you want to know about it?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Manel
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 11:30 PM

I own a sigma dm2 brought in ebay. it as spruce top, mahogany back and sides, tortoise pickguard, grover tuners and I belive to be from the lat 80's.
it is an outstanding guitar for the 180€ I've paid. try one sigma and you will get one for you.

sigma are amazing guitars!

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,CMS
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 05:32 AM

Hello -

I have a Sigma Martin CR-9 that I purchased new in 1983 from a store in Madison, WI. I'm in the process of moving and considering whether I should sell my guitar or keep it for my children to learn on.
I've been told the CR-9 is rare? Is that true? What would be a fair sale price?
Any thoughts?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Pierre
Date: 04 Aug 10 - 02:27 PM

I recently purchased a "Sigma Picador" off Ebay for 82$ (it had the newer Sigma logo on the headstock) and received it today. I just took off the inside picador sticker to discover it is a DM 19 MIJ Sigma - late 70's/early 80's model - solid top. Great condition for its age, some fret wear and a few bumps but sounds and still plays great!!

Great campfire guitar!!

Pierre

Subject: Sigma jazz guitar
From: GUEST,Aztor
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 06:23 PM

Recently bought a Sigma jazz guitar. The body is quite small, it has two humbuckers and it says "SigmaGuitars est. 1970" on the head. Serial number is stamped inide - 410556.

Sounds real nice actually. Reminds me of an Ibanez GB both in sound and apperance.

Can't find any information on his one at all. Does anyone know what model it is, where and when it was made?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 03:47 PM

HI, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SIGMA CS3?
SERGIO

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 03:42 PM

HELLO THERE, I'M A BRAZILIAN BASS PLAYER AND I JUST STARTED TO PLAY CLASSICAL GUITAR. SOMEBODY OFFERED ME A "MARTIN SIGMA CS3" IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. IS THIS ANY GOOD?
SERGIO

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,2cheap4cfm
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 10:13 PM

If you come across a Sigma missing it's logo and has the label removed or inside marking removed it's because it is a Sigma factory second. I recently purchased a Picador 12 string guitar for $100. After peeling the Picador metal label from the headstock I found the Sigma E and the faint outline of 'Sigma' still in the finish. The outline of the removed label is still visible thru the soundhole.
I am still trying to figure out the model number but it is a very early 70's model with an 0 fret, adjustable bridge and open tuners. I'll soon be turning it over to Roy Toepper at rtcusomguitars.com for upgrades and to clear up a bit of a clouded finish.
I also own a 52 SDR-7 that I just love. I still wonder though about the exact age of this guitar because this model was supposedly produced from 1979-81 yet the Head has the Sigma E and a paper label which supposedly ended in 77.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:42 AM

as my RA flare up is now flaring down again... I pulled my mahogany sigma out of the gig bag again. Her name is Odetta.

retuned her to open D.... my gawd she sounds good.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,BrianS
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 11:37 PM

I have acquired what appears to be a 1970 GCS-7. The paper label is all but removed, however, it has an adjustable bridge and the "zeroth" fret which narrows down the production year (according to Sterling Webb's descriptions). It looks just like the Martin 000-21 with rosewood back and sides. I've never seen one of these before, so I have no idea of it's value (compared to the DR-7 which are always coming up on EBay these days it seems) since there is little to compare it to. I am also the proud owner of 2 Japanese made DR-28's as well as a D-10 Anniversary model, all in great condition. I am looking to sell the GCS-7 as well as possibly one of the DR-28's. Email me if you have any interest. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,KCinRI
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 10:24 AM

After many many years of not playing anything, I dug my Sigma SDM-18 out of storage and brought it to my local guitar shop (shout out to Noll Guitars in RI). After a fresh set-up, strings, etc, she sounds gorgeous.
Here's what I know about this guitar:

-I bought it new somwhere in the mid 80's, certainly no later than '88.
-It has "Sigma Guitars est. 1970" inlayed on the headstock.
-Stamped inside on the back brace is: 286982, this is followed by an oval shaped stamp which reads "Sigma Guitars made in (?unreadable)for CF. Martin & Co", followed by "SDM-18". Also inside the guitar on the base of the neck is another number which reads: 804158.
-By looking at the edge of the soundhole, I can see the woodgrain countinuing through leading me to believe that it is a solid top.

From what I've picked up in this most excellent forum is that:
A. The "S" in SDM-18 may stand for "solid", "D" means "Dreadnought" and "M" means "Mohagony"
B. The stamping on the back brace, as opposed to a paper sticker, gives it a build date in the 1980 - 1984 range.

Anyhow, I love the sound and playability of this guitar. It has inspired me at 46 years old to take some formal lessons and learn to play her for real.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Tolmar
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 10:45 PM

I'm looking at a GCS-8 in excellent condition, but I can't find any information, or even mention of GCS-8... Can anyone shed some light?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Vlynna
Date: 25 May 10 - 02:24 AM

Just bought a 1970 d-7 for $70. Had no idea I stole it for that price. Great condition too! I could tell it was something special by the sound quality. Beats the heck out of my last accustic, an Epiphone. I'll be proud to hand this one down to one of my grandchildren.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Edward Bastin
Date: 21 May 10 - 04:42 PM

I just became the owner of a Sigma DR-28 Model 395-2guitar. It is in excellent condition. Can anyone tell me the approximate value of this instrument? email me at [e-mail]. I would appreciate any information!!

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,jan lipski (auckland,nz)
Date: 19 May 10 - 09:26 PM

Gidday to anyone thats interested by the same facination with sigma guitars that i have been afflicted by since first strumming an old ex buskers DR28 for sale on behalf in a guitar shop many moons ago.
I have played gibsons,martins,takamine,larrivee and guild among others of similar stature but consider the tone produced by the japanese made guitar from this era as superior.
On close examination of the construction it appears to have laminate back and sides,solid,fine grained spruce top,20 fret neck,serial no.847721 made in japan stamped on the back brace(which would place the date of construction between 1979-1983)from 1984 on they were built in korea with different headstamp.
In my view,this guitar produces a loud full tone due to the quality of the spruce used for the top and attention to detail shown by the luthiers from japan who crafted the necks by hand and only used completely seasoned woods during construction,making a budget guitar from 50 year old components,i bet the folks at martin were impressed.
good on ya

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 10 - 12:20 PM

I own a mid-90s dr28-h copy. think it was a special edition, with the herringbone inlay. absolutely terrific guitar, virtually indistinguishable from martin equivalent in sound and feel.

whenever i mention it to knowledgeable dealers they stress that it will hold its value and try to convince me to part exchange it for whichever of their guitars i'm interested in. i paid about £500 for it in (i think) '96, though i think the guitar was a couple of years old at the time. it plays much better than a lot of more expensive models (including newer martins).

of course quality will vary from model to model, year to year, but personally i wouldn't part with my sigma. seriously worth trying out at least if you are looking at martins- if the brand isn't important to you, you can get an older, played in guitar for much less than a brand new martin and still with that martin feel.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 10 - 10:38 AM

Hi, I have a 1980 Sigma D 10 Anniversary. I bought it new and it is in perfect condition. Any idea what it may be worth?
Thanks, Jim

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: deepdoc1
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 07:46 AM

I have a '73 DR12-7 I bought from a buddy (thanks, Sonny!) in 1980. I have carted this all over the country since then. It's lived on boats, in trucks, East, West...it's pretty bullet-proof, and still has great tone and action. It's a keeper.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,baddarryl
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 12:21 AM

I have the D10 Anniversary guitar. I inherited it from my Aunt in 83. She told me it was some kind of anniversary model, but only last year learned of the particulars. I always knew it was an amazing player and tone to kill for, but now it means even more. Although I would like to know its value, I will never get rid of it for 2 reasons. My aunt was a dear, beautiful woman to me and I would have to pay thousands to get a better guitar! No thanks!

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Bryan
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:00 PM

Hi Webb,
I have a Sigma CS-6 that I bought in 1974. S/N 9027 It has a sweet rich tone that I swear has really improved in the last 10-15 years. I tune it down a full step as it fits my singing style and seems to emphasize the excellent resonance. I love this guitar and will give it to my daughter when I'm gone. Only negative is the pearl/plastic tuning heads which I am getting replaced.   What is this guitar worth and what is the wood on the sides and back. The topis solid spruce. That I know

Thanks, Bryan

Subject: sigma guitars
From: New Mexico Bob
Date: 03 Apr 10 - 10:20 PM

I was introduced to this site looking for info on a sigma guitar that I have. the search led me to a discussion on this site the last entry was March '07. Anybody have any info on these? Mine is a DT 3 ser #255770 (I think - there is another # inside the body on the neck brace - 803125. ther is an oval shaped stamp visible thru the hole before the DT 3 stamp looks like it says "made in ???" not quite legible - maybe japan. The guitar plays pretty well - could use a little shaved off the nut and bridge - very nice wood - face is two piece with kind of red sunburst, sides wavy grain pattern , back wavy grain pattern with inlay down the middle. neck looks like mahogany, rosewood fingerboard.Decal in gold on the headstock says sigma guitars est 1970. Trying to determine value. need to sell or maybe trade for a small amp with reverb for my strat. Any help would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Did Sigma make a classical?
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 04:59 PM

Someone I know has what is either a classical or steel string possible Sigma guitar - the paper label says

Model Number 53ISiC

Distributed by Martin Guitars Nazareth PA
Made in Indonesia

What is it?

Thanks

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,richard
Date: 27 Mar 10 - 03:21 AM

I just bought a sigma dm 5 at a local pawn shop for $75. Best purchase i have ever made. I passed up on a higher priced martin sitting right next to it. I anyone happens to come across one buy it, believe me you will not be disappointed.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,TomCat
Date: 21 Mar 10 - 02:05 PM

I bought a Sigma DM3 while in the Air Force in Alaska in 1979. This Sigma has the Sigma Guitars Est 1970 on the head and the paper label inside. Also this guitar was made in Korea. I have not seen any info on the DM3 of this era and also I keep hearing that Sigma was not made in Korea at this time, now I am looking for info on this model and an estimated value. Also I have played with people who had Gibson and Taylor Guitars and they loved the action and sound of my Sigma. Love my box...

Subject: sigma martin DR35n
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 03:06 PM

sigma martin dr35n says made in usa nazerath pa. on inside neckblock .whats it worth?? and yes it is the martin nocaster.....

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,multiple sigma owner
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 10:26 PM

I have a DR-7S sunburst. Greek sigma headstock, but higher serial number. Nice guitar. great tone. a keeper for sure.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 09:23 AM

I have a Sigma DR 7S sunburst serial 4218. anyone ever see one before?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Luyssen Y - Belgium
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 07:03 PM

I must be the only left-handed Sigma Anniversary owner.

I bought it in Brussels about 1981 and it was professionally modified by the shop's repairer to reverse strings for left-handed playing.

It has a "10" stamped next to the described stamp, Anniversary insert and so on.

It's still a wonderful instrument. I use it from time to time to play classical music on it.

Just, I realy wonder if there were only 100 of them !

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 06:50 PM

I have a DR 8 guitar 1970 so they are out there idlike to get a price on it

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,John in NC
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:53 PM

C.F. Martin has discontinued the Sigma line of guitars, as of about two years or so ago, so I was told. If there is one out there to be had, in good shape and a good price, I recommend you get it.

John

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,guitar
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 09:59 AM

Sigma Guitars are made by Martin Company no finer guitars are made .
The top is probably made of Sitka Spruce an the back and sides are
made of laminate mahogany. The fret board can be made from any number
of hardwood as long as it meets the standards of the Martin Company.
Check the guitar make sure it is not damaged in any way.The neck should be streight with no bowing up are down .
Play the guitar before you purchase . The sound quality should be clear and clean.


                                     See You Friend
                                     Have a Nice Day

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,DR12-7 with repaired neck
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 05:33 PM

I now have new strings, sounds, plays, excellent. Love it. It's easier to play than my six string.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 01:05 PM

Excellent information. I have a Martin sigma DR12-7 with a repaired cracked neck from an airplane ride to Houston several years ago. I paid $100 for it about 10 years ago. I has been repaired but has not been strung for quite a few years. Do you think it will still hold a tune? Thanks again for all the great information.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Seeking Info
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 07:21 PM

I have not seen much about the DR1-ST. I just bought one for under $100. It sounds fantastic! Great sustain and low action. It was converted to a lefty prior to my purchasing it so I jumped on it since I'm a lefty and decent used lefty guitars are hard to find. Pickguard was removed and not replaced. This one has the paper label with serial number 707026 and says Made in Korea. Any clue to how old this might be? And any other info would be great too. Thanks.