Posted on 07/05/2009 6:57:05 PM PDT by Son House
Workers at C.F Martin & Co. are putting finishing touches on the solid-wood 1 Series model, so named for its simplicity. It lacks inlay, as did the company's stripped-down 1930s model, and is expected to sell for less than $1,000, breaking a key price point and far less than its $100,000 limited-edition guitars made of Brazilian rosewood. More popular Martins generally sell for $2,000 to $3,000.
Initial reaction is promising. The company, which had sales of $93 million last year, introduced the 1 Series in April and promptly sold out its first year's output of 8,000 guitars.
"We needed something so we wouldn't have to start laying people off," says Chris Martin, the company's chief executive and sixth generation of his family to lead the closely held company, which was founded in 1833 in New York City. Martin employs about 575 workers, who make 52,000 guitars a year, at the plant here. It has another factory in Mexico that makes beginner guitars.
Meanwhile, Martin's inventories of its high-end guitars ballooned. The company eliminated overtime and didn't replace workers who retired or quit, cutting its staff by about 50.
But given the special woodworking skills involved in guitar making, Martin wanted to avoid layoffs. The company figured it is better to find a way to keep workers occupied than face the challenge of having to train new ones after the economy recovers. The solution: Copy what many big retailers do offering a lower-priced alternative. The dilemma was how to do that without sacrificing quality or muddying its image.
It's an approach that many believe saved the company during the Depression, when Mr. Martin's great-grandfather introduced an all-mahogany unadorned guitar, void of inlay and frills, which sold for $20 to $30, a small fraction of the price of its other trim-laden models.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Cool article — thanks for posting. Sweet screen name, too.
Like I been saying, the “frippery slope”:
“the company began struggling when consumer spending swooned last fall. Guitars aren’t necessities, and anything other than food, shelter or clothing has felt the downdraft as job losses mounted, home prices fell, and investment values dropped. Since autumn, Martin’s sales have dropped 20%.”
We are in for rougher times. At least Martin is keeping the jobs here.
BTW, I only played on a Martin once, and it had a good sound. But so does my Guild, and my Yamahas.
parsy, who still can’t really afford a Martin
Yep, I think we’ll be surprised at all the companies that die out or go else where because of Democrat policies. Everybody is skimping, this just reminded me of the pre-war Martins. Here’s the current highest Martin on ebay
1944 Martin D-28 Herringbone Scalloped Snowflakes
Buy it now price: US $59,950.00
A buddy of mine has his dad’s 1920’s era Martin archtop. He plays slide on it. Definitely has that Robert Johnson sound.
If we hang on a little longer, OUR instruments will be pre-war as well. ;>)
My bro has a Martin, but never let me play it. I was just doing a two point pivot tremolo adjustment on a Squire. When I news googled guitar that came up with this article, I thought it a bit of relief from the other news
STRATOCASTER® ADJUSTMENT AND CARE
http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php
For a two-pivot model such as the American Series bridge, use your tremolo arm to pull the bridge back flush with the body and adjust the two pivot screws to the point where the tremolo plate sits entirely flush at the body (not lifted at the front or back of the plate).
Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired angle—Fender spec is a 1/8” (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge.
FYI - SH lived in Rochester (my town) for many years
I have a D-18 that I bought in the early 70s for $500. It has mellowed in color and sound very nicely over the years. I have had to have the pick guard replaced, but apart from that it’s been trouble-free.
Once had a chance to buy 2 very old relics but they didn’t take my $50 offer after telling me their history, the Grandfather built one and the other was still a mystery, instead of having bridge pins that went all the way through, the pins were just little wooden pegs that the holes didn’t go all the way through, Think it could of been a ‘gut string’ thing
Squiers are good guitars. I had an acoustic that I gave to a family member because it was so easy to play. I have a Fender Nashville Tele that I have been promising myself I would learn to play better on,but never do seem to have enough time.
parsy, who wishes he didn’t have to work.
And we can sell them to the rich folks overseas in countries prospering from low tax rates, thanks Democrats!
My first guitar was a Kent electric, I couldn’t tune back then, so it was more a toy
I read Gibson just laid off a bunch of workers. And Fender just jacked their prices through the roof. And the bottom is falling out of the vintage market (this is actually a good thing, unless you were holding on to that ‘65 Stratocaster to send your kid to college).
I play a 1970’ vintage HD-35 almost exclusively. I do have an old beater Ovation Balladeer I take camping. Looks like a good opportunity to add to the stable.
Try this one, best leap in my progress, thanks to Fred, I have several of his stuff, Fretboard Road Maps is way more popular, but more complicating too, this one is a gem;
Understanding Chord Progressions
Yep, we may be in the best ‘buy’ niche in a long time, in the future the cost of manufacturing may be held hostage to the global warming alarmist
Thank you. I will get it this week.
parsy, who needs to practice more
Yup...And, It'll be so dramatic that it'll have a unique name.
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