C.F. Martin & Co (or Martin for short) have been building guitars for close to an incredible two centuries. Founded by Christian Frederick Martin in New York, the company remains a family run business. They design a wide range of acoustics with both the player and environmental sustainability in mind.
Martin are responsible for a handful of massive milestones in the evolution of the acoustic guitar. They are first and foremost renowned for inventing the ever-popular dreadnought body size. This is a thick set shape with large shoulders and soft contoured sides.
The dreadnought is the go-to choice for guitarists from a multitude of backgrounds because of its deep, well-pronounced tones. It’s been adapted by nigh on every mainstream acoustic brand - but if you want the best, you have to buy Martin. You would have heard it used in pop, rock and country music, as well as in film and seen on the big screen.
Martin’s second major achievement is X bracing. This is a type of structural reinforcement within the guitar. Not only does bracing strengthen the instrument in order to handle the string tension across the body, but it also focuses the vibrations travelling through the wood to aid in shaping the sound produced. Most recently, Martin have expanded on their bracing variations to include the X-Series and A-Frame used on HPL wood tops and mortise and tenon neck joints, respectively.