I wish I could commend you on the size and quality of your collection, but I don't know how to say it without emasculating myself :)
I'm not sure what violin burst is, but is this it?
Posted on 02/04/2004 2:39:17 PM PST by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
U. NAZARETH TWP. -- C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. -- more commonly known as Martin Guitar -- boasts it has been crafting its trademark instruments in the United States.
That's about to change.
The company plans to ship production of its DXM series to its plant in Navojoa, Mexico, later this year, CEO Chris Martin said Tuesday.
"It's going to be labeled 'assembled in Mexico,'" Martin said of the guitar line.
Some 50 workers at the company's facility in Upper Nazareth Township who make the DXM model will be assigned to work on other products, Martin said. The transformation is expected to happen in the fall.
"Change is difficult, and we decided to make this change ourselves," said Martin. "It's better than having something uglier being forced upon us."
At least one worker said the company is turning its back on its made-in-America business legacy -- a point echoed by the head of the area chamber of commerce.
Martin said a combination of rising operating costs and greater competition in guitar-making overseas forced the decision.
The company, which recently celebrated a milestone by making its 1 millionth guitar, employs about 200 people in Mexico out of a total work force of 800 employees. Workers in Navajoa turn out strings, mandolins and smaller guitars known as "Backpackers."
Martin has operated in Mexico sine the early 1990s, when the North America Free Trade Agreement took effect.
Martin admitted it took a while to alleviate fears about any layoffs for employees in Nazareth.
He insisted the move would not result in job cuts, and he expects the company will see an increase in orders this year after lagging sales during 2003.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said Martin officials brought in Mexican workers last fall to learn how to craft full-size guitars. He said company supervisors misled employees about whether the guitars would wind up being made in Mexico.
Martin described the DXM model as one of the "least expensive, lowest parts" of its guitar line. The worker, however, said DXM production helped carry the company during last year's sales decline, because it's a quality alternative to more expensive Martin brands.
The employee said workers have taken the news hard.
"We hate to see the Martin name made in Mexico, really hate to see that," he added. "It's just a very sad day."
On its Web site, the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce lists the community as being home to Martin Guitar.
"Needless to say Martin and Nazareth are synonymous," said Bill Brackbill, who is chamber president.
Brackbill said the decision by Martin is symptomatic of a greater concern -- local jobs being shipped overseas.
"Outsourcing to foreign companies seems to be a standard of business today," Brackbill said. "I think someone has to take the bull by the horns and just work with businesses to keep those jobs in the United States."
Martin said companies in today's global business environment can strike a satisfactory balance and keep jobs despite economic and competitive pressures.
"The critical point here is we made a commitment to our co-workers to keep them here in Nazareth," Martin said.
Anthony Salamone can be reached at 610-258-7171, Ext. 3603, or by e-mail at tsalamone@express-times.com.
Gibson Custom Shop ES-446 I bought new a few years back. Full hollow body ES about the dimensions of a Les Paul.
Gibson SG Les Paul 61 heritage I bought when I bought the ES 446 (That was when Mars Music was going out of biz.)
I let my '63 pre-CBS Strat go to a pawn shop for a song while I was chasing women in my younger days.
For the time being.
But 3 years from now?
Maybe 5???
I met the Reps from Martin Guitars at the Philly Guitar show this year. I told them that some of the finest moments I have ever spent is playing great Martin Guitars.
The prices have gone through the roof. But if you spend time and search for one you can get something that you can pass down for 100's of years. I presently own a 000-15s 12 fret piece that cost me 700 bucks used and it is a great guitar to play all day. leave it on a chair, up against the desk, walk by, pick it up and play some more.
The Mexican crap is like a sickness that will never end. The Fenders MIM are nothing that I would ever buy, But then you might and be pleased. I have been in Nazereth and have always been proud to own a Martin guitar. I bought a brand new Gibson Advanced Jumbo that I had to get picked out for me by a rep, to insure that it was Perfect, and it is. The Case was made in Canada, of course I called them and complained.
The Fender Custom Shop Vibroking is hand wired in the USA, But the birch cabinet is made in Mexico. I of course called and complained.
Mexico has a long history with Fender back to the 50's. Leo liked cheap labor. Recent Fender Custom Shop guitars are some of the finest that Fender ever made. I have two and they are great.
Here is a great link for Martin that shows the great folks there. Here
The DMeXM
OK:
Let's not talk about amps and effects - I'll be here all night! I'm a huge fan of Brian Moore Custom electric guitars - they are perfect for the guitar synth stuff I like to play.
But I am a dedicated Strat Man, 100%.
For what it's worth, here is a video of me playing my 89' American Standard Strat, using Cakewalk. I don't have a "studio" yet, and my kids ruin any attempt to record, as you can see and hear in the video.
Let that be a lesson to all.
Never let a woman get between you, and your Strat!
I wish I could commend you on the size and quality of your collection, but I don't know how to say it without emasculating myself :)
I'm not sure what violin burst is, but is this it?
So we have! It's good to recycle the best topics at least once a year.
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