Sigma Guitars

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 03:33 PM

Anyone know what the GCR stands for?
thanks,
Richard

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: Scrump
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 09:38 AM

I wouldn't expect a Sigma to be better than a Taylor but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who thinks I'm wrong. I guess it depends on the models you compare, but I have a Sigma and it's pretty good for what it cost me, but I very much doubt it's as good as a Taylor (although I've never got close enough to a Taylor to try one).

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: GUEST,simon
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:06 AM

The Sigma DR41. Is it any good. How does it compare to a taylor

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,jmagro
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 09:39 PM

I have a DR-7 which I bought in 1971. The guitar was in mint condition unfortunately, it was on my guitar stand and the cats jumped off there tower and knocked the guitar down; it broke the neck. I took it to have it repaired but you can still see the crack. Should I leave it as is or replace the neck? (I'have played the guitar so much, the fretboard now has deeps grooves on it) I'm wondering if it would diminish the value of the guitar..

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,The medic
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:24 PM

I believe it's "Grand Concert"..... A Folk sized guitar.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 03:32 PM

What does the GCR stand for? I am guessing the 'R' is rosewood. But what about the GC; anyone know?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Dave B.
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 06:45 AM

Great info here!

I just bought a Sigma DR-11 exactly as described in an above post by J. Kaufman on June 16, 05. Same 3 piece back and lots of mother of pearl around the sound hole, the body binding and down the neck. I am a total novice and got the guitar at a pawn shop with a new hard case (that they threw in) which also contained an electric tuner, a sling, a Dean something wooden microphone pickup thingy that goes across the sound hole and a couple of picks. I am teaching myself to play and my daughter and wife are both learning too. Got the works for $179.00 so I expect I did all right eh?

I'm interested in learning more about the DR-11 and it's rarity/production numbers.

Also, several mentions have been made about installing bone nuts, and ebony pins. Where would I look to find these? I'm handy as heck with making about anything and I was wondering about making a nut from something like a piece of deer antler. It would be a piece of cake for me I think, I just don't know about the sound qualities but bone is bone more or less....aint it?

p.s.

Mr. Webb, where are you???????????

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:52 PM

Hello I've got a Sigma DM-5 made in Japan and has Serial NO 73071466.

It has got the gold plain sigma head-sign and an ebony M on it.

I always thought it was not much of a guitar (although it sounds good), almost gave it away to a friend.

Question:
Is it all solid?
What year was it made?

Thx!

Frank

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,EMA
Date: 16 May 06 - 10:41 AM

When I was a child, my grandfather bought me a Sigma Martin Classical Guitar made of Rosewood and with ornately carved tuning pegs that looked like mother of pearl. It had to have been one of the first models, as my grandfather died in 1970.

In a misguided effort to simplify my life about ten years ago, I gave it away to a friend's son, but now that my own son is studying guitar, I wish I had it again. Is there any way for me to identify what model it was, find a similar vintage model, and figure out how much to spend???

Thanks,
Emily

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: GUEST,the oldin days
Date: 13 May 06 - 06:09 PM

i played a black sigma bass for about 8 years.it had twow small pickups staggered close to one another (it was a solidbody)cutaway
it was one of the best basses i ever owned after putting it through many rough gigs and abuse i stopped playing music for a while and sold it now i was wondering if anyone might be able to tell me how to find another one i can't find crap about them through the search engines.

thanx

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Chuck
Date: 11 May 06 - 08:31 AM

Great thread. Thought I'd add to the knowledge base. My Sigma is a 52SGCS-4,#12930, Made in Japan. I bought this guitar new in June 1976. That is 3 years earlier than Sterling mentioned in his post regarding the 52s series. This guitar sounds fantastic. Sweet and rich. It's my one guitar that will never be sold. I have to fight my 15 year old daughter for it when I want to play it. Hope this info helps.

Chuck

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 01 May 06 - 11:09 AM

Transplanted from older dead thread:

I've been all over the place looking for information.
I have a Picador (Sigma) hollow body accoustic electric.
Aside from the Picador medallion (covering badly damaged gold lettering (SIGMA) and the pearloid Greek letter sigma on the headstock there are no other marks at all!

Description:
Double cutaway;
2-single coil pickups;
vibrato (not M or V);
2-black tophat knobs (1 volume the other tone) one located on the left side of the f hole the other on the right;
Garish red and yellow pick guard that is screwed directly to the body;
2 white on/off switches on the pick guard;
Body is dark brown, solid front and back and seems to be laminate;
Body is bound top, bottom and neck with what appears to be ivory but is probably plastic;
Three on a side tuners, chromed metal;
Neck seems to be bolt-on;
m.o.p. dot inlays on fingerboard (can't tell what kind of wood)

The only other information I can provide is that I purchased it at auction in Wilmington, N.C. sometime between 1994-1996. That close to Camp LeJeune I'm pretty sure it is Japanese or Korean. I don't really care how much it's worth. I'd just like to know what year, make and model. Please Help!

I'll post pictures as soon as I read the FAQ on how to do so.

Thanks,
Chief Chaos

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,brian
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 02:21 PM

I just bought a Sigma 12 string dr12-7 for $100. To me it was definately worth it. It sounds great, plays great. I'm assuming I got a good deal? any info greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:22 PM

My grandfather gave me his Sigma 12 string a few years ago. I have a beautiful Martin guitar, and the Sigma has just been sitting in the case. Now, I'm interested in selling it, but I have no idea what it is worth. The stamp on the inside says DT12-4, it is a 12 string, the headstock says SIGMA est. 1970 in something that bears resemblance to mother of pearl. It has sunburst sides, back, and front. It is in excellent condition, though I did have to replace one of the original bridge pins when I got it. No dings or dents, and the neck still retains its shape. Anyone have any idea on what is approximate value might be?

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 03:27 PM

I've been all over the place looking for information.
I have a Picador (Sigma) hollow body accoustic electric.
Aside from the Picador medallion (covering badly damaged gold lettering (SIGMA) and the pearloid Greek letter sigma on the headstock there are no other marks at all!

Description:
Double cutaway;
2-single coil pickups;
vibrato (not M or V);
2-black tophat knobs (1 volume the other tone) one located on the left side of the f hole the other on the right;
Garish red and yellow pick guard that is screwed directly to the body;
2 white on/off switches on the pick guard;
Body is dark brown, solid front and back and seems to be laminate;
Body is bound top, bottom and neck with what appears to be ivory but is probably plastic;
Three on a side tuners, chromed metal;
Neck seems to be bolt-on;
m.o.p. dot inlays on fingerboard (can't tell what kind of wood)

The only other information I can provide is that I purchased it at auction in Wilmington, N.C. sometime between 1994-1996. That close to Camp LeJeune I'm pretty sure it is Japanese or Korean. I don't really care how much it's worth. I'd just like to know what year, make and model. Please Help!

I'll post pictures as soon as I read the FAQ on how to do so.

Thanks,
Chief Chaos

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From:
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 08:38 PM

what is the best sigma guitar to buy for the $150 price range ??

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 06 - 07:45 AM

From Steve's Music site:
SIGMA,SEJ-35 JAZZ
MAHOGANY/SPRUCE TOP, 2 DOUBLE-COIL PU's, RED OR BLACK, ELGUIT 1993 - 1993 ...
Refer to Orion Blue Book, which, for $4.00 at Steve's Music will indicated the estimated value of your guitar. I found the same source at my local library some years ago.
-----
Other info about Sigma Electrics

Japanese Martins
Martin's first era of flirtation with electrics ended with its GTs, and, in terms of American production, wouldn't resume until a decade later. However, in 1970 Martin joined the growing list of American manufacturers to begin importing guitars made in Japan, introducing its Sigma series. In around 1973, Martin, like competitors Guild and Gibson, began importing a line of Sigma solidbody electrics made in Japan by Tokai.

Like virtually all Japanese-made guitars from that era, Martin Sigma solidbodies were basically copies of other American models. Martin Sigmas employed slightly different headstock designs, unlike many copies carrying Japanese brand names, but essentially these are similar to most other of these early copies.

In 1974 Martin Sigma electrics included two SGs, a Tele and a Fender bass. The SBG2-6 was pretty much a straightforward SG copy with a bolt-on neck, center-peaked three-and-three head, block inlays, large pickguard, twin humbuckers, finetune bridge, and stop tailpiece, in cherry. The SBG2-9 was pretty cool, with a natural-finished plywood body, white pickguard, rosewood fingerboard with white block inlays, gold hardware and Bigsby. The SBF2-6 was a Tele with rosewood fingerboard, three-and-three head, block inlays, neck humbucker and bridge single-coil. The SBB2-8 was the bass, with natural finished body, three-and-three head, rosewood 'board, block inlays, white 'guard, and two humbucking pickups.

Martin's Sigma electrics fared hardly better than its own electric guitar designs of the '60s. After little more than a year, the electrics were dropped from the Sigma line. The Japanese companies' own replicas, of course, did swimmingly well.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Lee in Canada
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 08:18 PM

Hello Folks,

      This is a copy of a previous post. I still haven't heard from anyone so I'll try it again.

   
      I have a Sigma SEJ35B, serial # 92000016 that is absolutely mint !! This a hollow-body jazz-blues type electric guitar with F-holes very similar to the Gibson 335. I have tried "desperately" to get information on this sigma model but the Sigma dealers throughout the States and Canada seam to know very little about it. I have even called the Martin factory. From what I can gather from Martin, it has a very limited production of about 6 months in 1993, never to be produced again, sold for over $1,000 US and it is considered to be a very high-end guitar. Any information about this Sigma model would be GREATLY appreciated. You can email me at [e-mail] or respond to this site. Thanks.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 11:00 PM

I used a DM-4 sigma for a number of years and found it to be an excellent player--Had a buddy who used to visit me once a year and he was a great guitar player and had expensive instruments-He would put down his instrument and take up the DM-4-I finally sold it to him-I always used LIGHT STRINGS

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: Daddog
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 09:17 AM

Tracey...I'm still learning about Sigma's and you can find out much info on this thread. Look at what S. Webb/Sterling Webb has posted about the history of Sigmas here and learn. Seeing pictures would help ID the guitar so feel free to email them to me The DR-7 are top of the line in the 70's. Read the above messages and enjoy...sounds like a nice guitar if it is intact...I have 2 of them!!!

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Guest Tracy
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 04:32 AM

I just inherited my dad's old acoustic guitar when I told him I wanted to learn how to play. I'm curious to learn more about it. The guitar has a sigma guitars logo on the pegboard, but not as old fashioned and thick-lettered as the 1970 model, but it was a gift to him at graduation in 1975...The inside says DR-7 and the martin guitars stamp, but that's all the information I can find. The back of the guitar has a division up the middle, white with a triangles pattern in it...can anyone help me out here?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,JoJo
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 08:47 PM

I have a Smegma guitar, and it always makes my fingers sticky when I play it.

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: GUEST,Julius Lim
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 08:13 AM

I just bought a sigma TB1 today and im loving it.
id like to know more about its onboard electronics. can you tell me something?

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Daddog
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 10:45 AM

Hello everyone!!! What a wonderful morning to learn about "One of my New Hobbies"!!!! Purchased but yet to receive a DM-4 off eBay for $50.00 with a paper label from Korea out of curiosity!!! It's in the mail so I'm yet to see the headstock or look for a stamp. Anxiously awaiting her arrival and can't wait to put fresh strings on!!! Anyone have any suggestions on string weight, type, etc.?
Keep up the wonderful posts and hopefully I'll be able to help as well!!!!
Daddog

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,djs
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 03:12 PM

any info on my sigma dr45 would be great ser# r839341 made in japan, burned in logo inside on brace. 80s maybe? says sigma guitars est. 1970 on headstock. like new condition. value? thx djs.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Sigma Owner
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 01:29 PM

Sigma DR-7S for sale on eBay right now. Dreadnaught Sunburst. bid is at $199.00 with 5 days left! eBay Item # 7397787873

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Topwrench
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 11:02 AM

Addendum to previous post- The instrument has a rosewood body and solid face. I bought it while in college from a Martin guitar dealer. He told me it was a martin product. All info appreciated. Thanks.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Topwrench
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:50 AM

I purchased a Picador 12 string in 1975 new, and later found the sideways M on the head when the picador label peeled off. The paper label on the inside has been long gone, but it is a sweet playing, beautiful sounding instrument. It has a deep body and long neck, but I have no idea what the model is or what it is worth. Can anyone tell me anything about this guitar?? To me it is a wonderful instrument and well worth hanging on to.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Canada
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 10:20 AM

Hey Mike,

      I may be interested in your DR35. Send me some pictures and an accurate description. I'm in Ontario, Canada.

      You can email me at [e-mail]

Kind regards,

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 06:01 PM

I have two sigmas that i will be selling Early DR-7 with the sideways E and a 2DR-35 that appears to be made from two different woods the 7 is stock and has a high action as the neck sees to be pulling slightly from the body but would be fixable and the 35 is close to pristine and has a brand new fishman in it by a very well established Martin luthier in Portland. I will check back here to see if there is interest and get some pictures ready by the end of March 06.We now are playing Martins (D-42 and D-28 Marquis) that replaced the pair of 35s we were playing.Sold one already.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 03:41 AM

Do Sigma guitars have dovetail neck joints?

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: GUEST,bryan in north carolina
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 07:45 PM

I have a sigma made by martin dr15 made in japan .like everything eles when was it made? thank's

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: jorsark
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 05:19 PM

Flyfish

Like to have a chance at your DR-15. Email me a price. Thank You,
    [e-mail]

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Leo
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 09:22 AM

Flyfish,

      Email me if you're thinking of selling it. [e-mail]

Thanks,

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,flyfish
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:59 PM

I have a sigma DR-15 what is it worth thank's. ps made in japan

Subject: RE: sigma guitar
From: GUEST,Jesus
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 09:48 PM

I own a sigma guitar EST 1970 CF Martin & Company established 1970.
Model CS3 Serial No. SK 233431. It is in a great shape (I really like it and it is not for sale). Is it a Martin manufatured guitar? I love my guitar and want to know more about it.

Sincerely,


A Martin lover guitar.


Jesus Davila

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Frank in Las Vegas
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 03:02 PM

In response to the above posting by Steve Hankins, 05 Feb 04:

I have a DR-7 exactly like yours; bought it "used" in 1988 for $160 after having had to sell my Martin D-28 four years earlier, (which was kind of a "lemon" anyway). Mine also has the stamped brace (Made in Japan for C.F. Martin Co.), and the inner paper label where the serial number 037980 appears, along with the inscription, "Inspected by K. Saigo." It appears to have a solid spruce top, laminated back and sides, closed tuners that display the word "Sigma", lots of white binding, (including up the neck), and the gold "Sigma Guitars Est 1970" headstock logo. (It is interesting to note that the early Takamines from this period sported the exact logo).

This has always been a great sounding guitar; I took it to the local Guitar Center a couple years ago, and played it in the "humid room" along with the Martins. While of course it could not stand up to the higher end models, it held it's own quite nicely against the D-28 in terms of sound quality.

After finding this web, I ordered ebony bridge pins and a bone saddle from the Martin 1833 shop; the sound quality is much improved! (A nice $40 investment).

Regarding the serial numberings: your's is 024680, mine is 037980. I surmise our guitars were manufactured in 1980; your's is the 24th guitar of the month of June, mine is the 37th of the month of September. (I would like to hear Mr. Webb's view).

While I have my eye on one of the higher end Maritns, (HD-28V), this Sigma is definitely a "keeper".

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Guest, drg
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:36 PM

hi ,
i have a dr-7, s/n 4437 i bought new in greenbay , wisc about 1970-71. worked an entire summer for the money. i think it was around 170 bucks. plays like a champ. i had a martin d-18 but it did not come close to the sigma. can't explain it, it just is a darn good guitar. rosewood back and sides, spruce top with greater than 10 rings per inch, and i think a mahagony neck. if i could find another low s/n, i would buy it! it sure is nice to see so many people enjoy these guitars. i have always believed they were extrememly under-rated.

Subject: SIGMA SEJ35B ????
From: GUEST,Canada
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 10:28 AM

Hello Folks,

      I have a Sigma SEJ35B, serial # 92000016 that is absolutely mint !! This a hollow-body jazz-blues type electric guitar with F-holes very similar to the Gibson 335. I have tried "desperately" to get information on this sigma model but the Sigma dealers throughout the States and Canada seam to know very little about it. I have even called the Martin factory. From what I can gather from Martin, it has a very limited production of about 6 months in 1993, never to be produced again, sold for over $1,000 US at the time and it is considered to be a very high-end guitar. Any information about this Sigma model would be GREATLY appreciated. You can email me at [e-mail] or respond to this site. Thanks.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Lee in Canada
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 10:25 AM

Hello Folks,

      I have a Sigma SEJ35B, serial # 92000016 that is absolutely mint !! This a hollow-body jazz-blues type electric guitar with F-holes very similar to the Gibson 335. I have tried "desperately" to get information on this sigma model but the Sigma dealers throughout the States and Canada seam to know very little about it. I have even called the Martin factory. From what I can gather from Martin, it has a very limited production of about 6 months in 1993, never to be produced again, sold for over $1,000 US at the time and it is considered to be a very high-end guitar. Any information about this Sigma model would be GREATLY appreciated. You can email me at [e-mail] or respond to this site. Thanks.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Feb 06 - 10:29 PM

Hey Vic-
'Les Paul Very rare replica by Sigma. Made in 1970 by Martin guitars (USA) in an attempt to enter the electric market. Shortly afterwards, thanks to Crosby, Stills and Nash, the company's acoustic instruments regained popularity and the electrics were discontinued. It's a glued-neck, sunburst 'Les Paul Custom' i.e. block markers/gold fittings/black scratch plate and pick up surrounds. Seymour Duncan bridge pick-up and Ibanez neck pick-up. Awesome sounds. £350 Email: [e-mail]. Ring Barry on 01438 833696. [28-Jan-06]                '

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Feb 06 - 06:30 AM

Vic, try this location...a "vintage" guitar shop in Sweden.

http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1970s_Sigma_LP-copy.htm

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 05 Feb 06 - 02:48 PM

I have a Sigma Les Paul Deluxe (mini-humbuckers), that I purchased used in around 1988. The headstock has the word SIGMA with the sideways "M" in mother of pearl inlay. The guitar has no markings whatsoever in the form of serial numbers. It simply has a small sticker on the back of the headstock that says "made in Japan". Does anyone out there have any information on the origin of this guitar, ie. year it may have been made, what the value might be today (it is in absolutely mint condition.
Thanks, Vic.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 04 Feb 06 - 02:28 PM

ATT. CALLING MR. STERLING WEBB.
Sir, would you be so kind and email me at.... [e-mail]
Would like to buy an early Sigma!! Thank You, Mark

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Steve G
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 04:29 AM

Financially probably no, but it is worth it to make it playable - the sound is superb.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,cstock
Date: 20 Jan 06 - 08:08 PM

I have a DR-7 that I fished out of the closet. I learned chords on it in 1972, when my dad bought it for me when I was in high school. Does anyone have the specs for that model or can tell me where to get them? It appears to be Rosewood B&S and Spruce top. It is beat up but in solid shape (some finish checks on top and plenty of dings). The nut is cracked and can be replaced and the frets need dressing and or replacement. I am considering removing the bridge plate with the adjustable angle bridge holder, with a standard Marting style bridge. The tuners need to have several mounting holes filled and tapped as they are stripped. I may replace with better tuners. Any opinions on whether the investment to fix it up would be worth it?

Subject: sigma gcs6
From: GUEST,don at the bay
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 05:37 PM

I've posted on this site a couple of times in hopes of learning more about my old GCS6. I came away believing that my old axe is made of sapele, would have a solid spruce top, and was likely built in 1974 The quality of these original Japanese-made guitars were rated on a 1-7 scale, with 7 indicating the highest grade. On a recent net-world wandering, I've come across two GCS6 guitars currently being sold. Both refer to my old guitar as a dreadnought made of mahogany and having a laminated spruce top. I'm assuming the shops that are selling these guitars have not had the benefit of some of the knowledgeable people who have posted here.

There are several reasons I'm going to trust the information gleaned from this site. First, I have three acoustic guitars; a rosewood, a mahogany and whatever the GCS6 is. The sigma's wood does not look like either of the others. Second, if dreadnought refers to size, the Sigma is not a dreadnought. When I pick it up after playing my BR-160 (a dreadnought), it feels like a ukulele. I can't figure out the top, but I interpreted SW's post as saying that anything done in the 70's would have been a solid wood…back and top. Hmmm. By the way, for others who have wondered about the value of this guitar, nobody has bid with less than a day remaining and with a minimum bid of $300.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:14 AM

I Bought a sigma dm4 in 1986 was on a road trip burns junction "dipped a chip and flipped" my 1976 Toyota didnt hurt anyone, but after rolling 4 times and whitnessing the front windshield fall out rolling ahead of me. I finnaly retreved my snapon tools that were spread along the hiway.   My guitar laid ontop of the campershell about 250 yards up the lane I thought for shure it was a gonner rite!@!!   the bugger hadn't a scratch and was still a tune!!!!!!!!!!!

wo wow, Kosby   ...........out.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From:
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 07:04 PM

A proud new owner adding his good fortune to this sight - Thanks to Sterling Webb for the education I received in researching my purchase. There are a couple of questions for Sterling Webb or any other informed poster to please respond.

1980 Sigma Anniversery Edition Acoustic guitar. Perhaps I overpaid a little at $450 but it made for a content buyer and seller. I purchased from the original owner and workmate, who bought this new for his wife as a gift, and complained because she's only played it about twenty times before finding it's way back into the hardshell case permanently. A few light pickstroke marks across the pickgaurd and perhaps a few about an inch onto the spruce-top finish indicating it those plays. A couple of light scratches only visible on a reflecting light. I would classify the guitar as mint, or near mint. A beautiful guitar and a great sound that carries.

The case was a hard-shell purchased new, but appears to have no brand name associated with the case and no key to lock it.

Identifying marks: Sigma 1980 model Anniversery Edition Made in Japan (stamped Sigma Guitars C.F. Martin & Co, surrounding Made in Japan for…). The number 109 stamped just to the right of this. The 9 was stamped separately than the other, appearing black where the 10 (for model 10) and all other stamping is red-ish brown. Also No S17343 stamped on the same inside cross-brace closer to the fretboard. There is an illegible stamping just to the left of the S (preceding the serial number (could be an N,w/raised o indicating (Serial No), or possibly a capital N, or something else entirely, but I cannot make it out.

There is the numbers 016055 on the inside mahogany woodblock where the fretboard meets the body, with another symbol underneath that looks like the letter K, w/upper & lower V's filled in. 20 frets, solid spruce top, mahogony sides and back (split down the middle/two sections), rosewood fingerboard and bridge with mother of pearl inlays (pointed crosses, alternating square and elongated down the fretboard) w/Mother-of-Pearl Anniversary on twentieth fret, also inlayed crosses on each side of the bridge, with mother-of-pearl inlay also on the end of the string pins. Pickgaurd and binding are tortoise shell and assuming a gloss nitro finish. Tuners are enclosed Sigma. With Mother-of-Pearl SigmaGuitars EST.1970. on the Headstock.

Assuming back and sides are solid Mahogany – definitely the back and sides are Mahogany, just not experienced enough to verify solid versus laminate. I could not get the strap-button off for inspection and the grain inspection matching inside versus out is going to take a another try. The spruce top shows grain wrapping around soundhole – so the top is not laminate. Does anyone know if this is even a concern on the Anniversery Edition?

I read one review that described the Anniversary edition as the marking the end of the solid body tonewoods for Sigma. Are they all solid tonewoods?

Can anyone tell me what the 9 means?

Also will pass along that the dealer told the buyer that this guitar was shipped to the U.S. for assembly. Since I could not clearly make out an N (Nazareth) anywhere I have no way to really know if the dealer was correct.

Subject: RE: sigma guitars
From: GUEST,Geoff in KY
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 08:16 AM

A friend just gave me a Sigma GCS-2 that was made in Korea. It is in excellent condition, other than having sat in its case for years (I assume w/ no climate/humidity control). She said to send her a check for what I think it's worth, but I have no idea. I want to be fair, so can Sterling or someone out there tell me what the fair market value would be? According to Sterling, Korean Sigmas were made between 1984 and 1993. Thanks. G