Any musical instrument supplier who has been in the game for 183 years knows that staying ahead of the competition is the best strategy for survival. Because of this Martin has always been a creative and innovative company, techniques and features that they have developed whilst developing their own product range have become industry standards. This has included the introduction of X-bracing, a strengthening feature now common to many instruments, as well as the 14 fretted, the Orchestra Model and the Dreadnought design guitars.
Unlike many of the competition, Martin remain a family run company, the current chairman being the thrice great grandson of the founder, which means that there is more than just the company pride at stake, there is the very family name as well.
It is also worth noting that Martin has a strong commitment to the environment and many of their products are made to meet the stringent demands of The Forest Stewardship Council. This means that they are made from wood grown in managed and renewable forests, ones that protect forestlands, communities and wildlife, making them the green choice of guitar for the not so green player.
But it is a lot more than just guitars that they put their name to and since 1970 have built up just as good a reputation for their range of acoustic guitar strings. Martin Guitars and products are the choice of musicians in all genres, styles and abilities so you find them used by popsters, rockers, folk, country and blues players, seasoned session musicians and fledgling players alike.
Famous musicians who use Martin Guitars include Beck, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, David Crosby, Tom Petty, Peter Frampton, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown and Nancy Wilson. And some guy called Bob Dylan. Not bad company to be in.
Where Martin leads, others follow.