Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 10:28 PM

We had a party this evening, my brother came over and we wanted to make music. I was unable to get my Taylor away from him, so I broke out Jacqui's Martin. This piece of shit is only a year or so old, and already the friggin' neck is pulling away from the body. I knew we should have bought a Taylor.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 07:50 AM

"One gets what one pays for."

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: number 6
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 09:38 PM

OK then .... that's the answer. Martin Guitars are not expensive. End of story. End of thread.

Thankyou very much Wesley and Kendall.

sIx

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 04:46 PM

Compared to other top quality guitars such as Santa Cruz, Taylor Collings they are not expensive. Reminds me of the story of the oats. I used to quote this one whenever someone wantewd me to drive many miles and perform for peanuts. When they complained about the price, I gave them this"
"If you want top quality oats, they come at a premium price.
However, if you are willing to settle for those that have gone through the horse, they are much cheaper."

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Wesley S
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 04:39 PM

The definitive answer is - They are NOT expensive if you like them.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: number 6
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 03:58 PM

I wish someone, just someone would deliver us the answer as to why Martin Guitars are so expensive .... just to put this thread away for good.

sIx

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Wesley S
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 12:47 PM

My 1967 D-18 was used. I recall that I paid 225.00 for it in 1969.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 11:38 AM

Seems to me that Martin has simply kept up with the times. My brother bought a new D-18 for $150.00. That was in 1957.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: number 6
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:25 PM

LH .... didn't you sell a D-28 (that you owned) last year? You were all set on buying a guitar made by a local luthier.

sIx

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:19 PM

LH, you are a piece of work LOL

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 02:21 PM

I think that Martin guitars are so expensive for one key reason: The people who run Martin are an old-time outfit, with old-time values, and they have very high ideals. It is their genuine wish to give all other guitar companies out there a decent chance to sell their instruments to a public that is very concerned about price. Accordingly, Martin deliberately overprices their guitars just to give the other guys a fair chance! This is incredibly compassionate on their part, and it shows what terrific people they are.

With this in mind, I recently bought another Martin anyway. ;-) It's great. Just couldn't resist it. Mind you, I was really tempted to buy a cruddy-sounding Fender acoustic with "banana neck" for 1/5 of the price, not to mention an old laminated thick-as-a-brick and wellnigh indestructible Kent for 1/10 of the price. Then there was a Seagull that sounded pretty good, but it looked like something the Schmengy Brothers would play at a polka show. Yup, it was a tough decision! The Martin D-28H won out by a hair.

The thing is, I'm a little worried that Martin & Co. are just too nice to the other mainstream guitar makers, and I'm afraid they'd go out of business if someone didn't buy their stuff, so I do. Hell, I'm a nice guy too, eh?

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 01:31 PM

Tony Rice seems to do pretty well with a Santa Cruz...

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 10:20 PM

just got a new CD from an old friend who played pro bluegrass for many years, had a beautiful old Martin D 28, swore by Martins and all, but on this CD he is playing his new Santa Cruz. It really kicks ass.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 09:41 PM

Martins rule.
Gibson's are cool.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 03:12 PM

Spaw is the least of your worries ..........he, he, he

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 03:11 PM

Well, we'd best get Jacqui some nut files....HAW!

P.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 02:56 PM

Actually, the hard time comes from the typical action of the Martin, and the ONLY reason we bought the Martin 000 was because my Taylor is too big for her. Shut up Spaw.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 08:53 AM

For all Kendall's talk about his Taylor, he actually bought Jacqui a 000-16SGT.

And I'm told she has a hard time getting to play it.

Tee Hee.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: breezy
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 04:30 AM

Norman make guitars Totnes way

Bye

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 04:25 AM

Can anyone please give me their view on the Martin Classical guitar (i.e. nylon strung)? I've recently started learning to play nylon-strung guitar, and will eventually need a better model than the lovely old war house I have (it's a hand-made UK model, the only identifier being a label saying J.E.Vickers, 1966. Any information welcome!!). I fancy the idea of a Martin nylon-strung 'cos that's the kind Willie Nelson plays - sorry, that's the extent of my argument!

Cheers

Norman

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 02:39 PM

I rest my hard shell case.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Bernie
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 02:31 PM

If I may add my two cents worth at this late date,I don't think they ARE all that expensive.......the high-end models are up there,but not any more than the Collings,Bourgeois,Goodalls,even Santa Cruz[the few I've seen]...where I feel Martin has an advantage is in the lower-end series,in particular 16 series.....a friend has a rosewood dreadnaught that is super for the price,another has a DVM[which I believe is partly laminated]...both sound much beter than current Gibsons,Taylors and Larrivees that I've played,dollar for dollar,that is.....I'm currently trying out a Martin OOO16SGT[12-fret slothead]...amazing little guitar,only about $1000.00 in the states[$1300.00] in Canada.....blows away the two small Taylors I've owned,plus all other small guitars I've seen.......no doubt there are many in Santa Cruz,Huss & Dalton lines,countless others that would equal or surpass it,but,at that price?..I don't think so......Stan Jay[Mandolin Bros.]told me that Martin is "eating eveybody's lunch" when it comes to moderate priced guitars.....guess he knows..
I've had the pleasure of Playing Kendall's Taylor a few times,it's in a class by itself....to my ear,a cross between an old Gibson J45 and an old,seasoned D28,if that makes any sense.......a killer....

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 08:20 AM

1983

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 08:49 PM

Fair enuff, John... What year is yers, Kendall???

Bobert

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 08:25 PM

My challenge still stands. Bring them on.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,phgarrett
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 02:15 PM

I have a dozen or so fretted instruments. They include a Gibson J50 that I have owned for 40 years, a Gurian JM,'64 Epiphone Bard,Westerman Bouzouki,Dobro,Taylor etc. etc.
When I go to play a gig I never leave the house without my 2000 Martin OM28V. Nothing else comes close except the Gibson.
My bandmate plays a couple of Lowdens and the Martin eats them up tone-wise.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 09:26 PM

um......

Bobert, there was no Taylor in '65. If your Martin sounds good because of age, perhaps that's not it's "Martin-ness" you're hearing?

Listen to an '80's Taylor in 2025 for a fairer comparison?

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 08:30 PM

Nice pics, Barbara... I've had my '65 D-18 back to Martin once in '76 fir some "warrenty" work and was very impressed by the the folks there... Sure, it took a couple weeks to get it back but it played even better than new when they were finished tinkerin' with it...

Plays even better now... Even Kendall got to hear it at the Getaway and though he'd never admit it, if he could he say, "Great soundin" Martin....

I did play his Taylor a couple times and found it very playable and sounded purdy good but, in all honesty, din't quite have the tone as my Martin... Might of fact, that's what I think makes Martins better than Gibsons, Guilds or Taylors... It's that Martin tone... No, not all the new ones have it but the oldies sho nuff have it...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,TC
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 01:13 PM

The simple answer is, that customers are willing to pay the price!
If you want something badly enough then you will part with your cash and manufacturers know this. I paid £92/12/6 in 1961 for a 000-18. This was 3 month's salary. The only competition at that time being from Gibson. The Martin sounded much better in the treble range. Although this was a fortune to me at that time, I never regretted the purchase. Occasionally I will try some new Martins or other quality makes but I have yet to find one that would make me part with this member of my family. I can come into the room where it is lying on the bed, clap my hands and the guitar rings in response. The vibration can be felt on the soundboard.
To sum up, I was forced to part with the money because the choice was non-existant. Buying a guitar today I would look and play all the models I could see and then choose the best I could afford.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Sherlock Holmes (Friend of Doc Watson)
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 06:54 PM

Always talking about yourself, eh, Martin Gibson?

I'm not tone deaf at all, but even if I were, I could console myself by knowing that it's better to be tone deaf than brain dead.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: number 6
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 04:14 PM

Interesting pics Barbara. Thanks for posting.

I wonder what the employee discount is?

sIx

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 03:49 PM

People who pretend to really know it all, are usually full of crap, because they don't.   And are.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 03:28 PM

People who think they know it all really bug those of us who really do.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Martin gibson
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 03:14 PM

I love saying it.

Martins rule. Gibsons are cool. Taylor's blow. country and bluegrass musicians are just not like many folkie fags who have a problem with Martins or Gibsons probably because they are American made.

Many who don't like Martins just can't afford the more decent expensive ones in the standard series or they are tone deaf or both,

Or they are morons like Guest, Sherlock Holmes who can't play worth a shit anyway and uses his color by numbers on his frets like that other dope he defended.

Love to the rest of you who are smart enough to know.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 02:51 PM

Terrific photos, Barbara. Thanks for posting that.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 02:44 PM

We took a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth, PA this past spring, and I took photos throughout the tour. The detail and attention given each part was most impressive, and I for one think their guitars are worth every penny. You can check out my album here: Martin Guitar Tour

The guys at the very end have the best job: they just stand around playing the finished guitars all day to make sure they're up to standards.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 10:50 AM

"The question no one seems to have asked/answered is: what is it that makes guitars cost what they cost?"

1. Demand in the world of luthiery is not unlike demand in the world of art. ...or the world of fashion, for that matter.

The world of luthiery has a very insider/cache' element to it, with guys "in the know" who influence a very committed and maleable buying public.

2. Whether by the influence of famous players, or the insider buzz of who's "hot" in the world of luthiery, some builders must then set prices in such a manner as to keep up with the necessary production.

What's "hot" keeps the prices high, while well-made imports tend to force a different reality onto the pricing.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 11:32 AM

In the article about Chrisian Martin they mention in passing of going past a locked volt with vintage guitars and speicialty woods. I think Peter T is on the money when he brings up wood expences and hand work . Keeping any hand made product going means making some form of Profit Margin after the material hand work tools and rent are taken care of so that the company is there next year. Also the Music store needs to pay rent and all . So looking at the lines of expenditures before one sits down to try a great guitar on the floor at either of the Stans ( Mandolin bros. & Music Emporium ) or Elderly are very substantial . In fact its amazing we have the choices we have .
                On the lower level Martins that I emagine come from the Mexican factory I am sorry to read the above. I have tried a few but not carfully . I liked the tone of one 018 I tried at Fretted Workshop last year but at $650.00 it may have been from Nazaeth .
               All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Peter T.
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 08:45 PM

The question no one seems to have asked/answered is: what is it that makes guitars cost what they cost? If you had to work out percentages, is it the different kinds of wood that go up in price as you get better wood; or the workmanship, or what? When you jump price categories, is it because the woods change? or does the workmanship take longer? Just wondering. I assume it is a mix of both.....

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Tam the man
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 08:09 AM

because they are, mind you I don't know that much about Guitars, I Play one, and to me one sounds exactly like another the same goes for srtings.

Tom
Mind you I did buy a guitar in Australia, and When I brought home I played my old guitar and it sounded shit compared to the new one that I bought.

Tom

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: GUEST,Coldeb
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 07:50 AM

Depends what you buy, they used to be very good Guitars making sweeps into the Gibson market, the Old D series especially. My brother recently bought the Martin 16GTR cutaway; it's one of the best Guitars I've ever played! the build quality is superb!, however, and this is important, recently Martin have tried to take a swipe at the Takamine, Taylor and Yamaha mid range market and produce Guitars around the £500.00 mark. (Such as the road series). I've tried quite a few of these mid range guitars of theirs and they are poorly made using laminates and nato necks, they look bad too!, there is no way these come close to a good Taylor or Takimini just in build quality alone. In fact, I just played the Yamaha LL6, a Beautiful Guitar, build quality is amazing and it's only £329.00 (approx) and will nock spots of any Martin under a grand! My advice for what it's worth is, by all means by a Martin but don't consider anything under a £1000.00 (PS I have an Old Fylde Caliban, I'll give it a Pepsi test against ANY Martin or Gibson whatever they cost!!!)[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 18 Oct 05 - 07:52 PM

Interesting circles of conversation here. I might have changed the thread's name to "Why are quality guitars expensive?" Sort or self explanitor though . I just stopped by a local store and tried a beautiful Talyor 700 searies drednaught .Bright clear and great sustain : List was $3,200.00 but I could have it for only $2,500.00 . Brazilian rose wood is hard to come by and the interior had an army of micraphones . Great Guitar. How much is a concert shaped Santa Cruz now anyway ??? I think I tried a Froggy Bottom in Madison for $4,00.00 a few years back .. All the best , guy

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 07:13 PM

J.H. Highly likely!

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 06:07 PM

BTW, Deckman, I think I saw your guitar in a Roadrunner episode.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 06:06 PM

The thing is, frogprince...

If you are playing it in the woods it becomes essentially invisible, and therefore, considerably less ugly.

....sure, out in the open you gotta bag it, but, hey, you use a tool where you use a tool.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: frogprince
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 05:57 PM

I have no idea how that LXTREE sounds , but I know what looks ugly to me. Are people actually buying that damn thing in any real numbers?

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 05:50 PM

This thread also reminds me of an incident that happened to me in "67." That's "1967," thank you. In 1867 i was just recovering from the civil war.

Eastern airlines flew my guitar and I to Indianappolis, Indiana. They used my guitar as a landing skid. It came out of baggage claim 2" thick, case and all!

They made good the damage, which resulted in my being given a blank check to replace that model of Martin guitar from the largest guitar store in town. As it happened, they had a dozen models in stock of my guitar. I took three weeks and spent many hours playing each and every one of those twelve guitars.

The differences between them were quite surprising to me. Some were dead, some were lively, some were O.K. I picked the one that was the closest to what I had lost ... but ... it still never became equal to it. (one bonus though was that I dated the baggage claim supervisor for the three months I was in town). CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 11:34 AM

...oh, and it had that "Larrivee sound".

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: John Hardly
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 11:34 AM

Larrivee is just the tip of the huge Canadian iceberg of GREAT guitars. It's just a very tasteful tip.

My first REALLY nice guitar was a Larrivee CS09M -- the maple had just begun to age to that beautiful amber color. Man, that was a beautiful guitar -- loud too.

Subject: RE: Why are Martin Guitars so expensive?
From: number 6
Date: 17 Oct 05 - 11:13 AM

That's it Peace ... now your gonna get the Larrivee fans going here.

sIx