Martin Factory Tour - Part II

Premier Guitar is On Location in Nazareth, PA, checking out the Martin Guitar factory. Here, we look at rim sanding, body assembly, fretboard gluing, bracing and dovetail necks. For more videos, check out premierguitar.com.

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People & Blogs

Tags:

• martin
• guitars

[zthetha]

Amazing! Have played and loved guitars since I was a kid but to see them being made - especially the neck/body joint - is little short of miraculous. The slightest variation in this angle can make the difference between a great and an average guitar. And these people are working so quickly! if I had my time over again I would love to be a luthier - if I had the skill.

[gitrpicker]

There's a huge difference between doing a simple job carefully & correctly and just throwing something together like most Mexican products are made.

You've never built a guitar OR been to Mexico, have you, Keith? Try taking a razor-sharp chisel and adjust a neck angle by cutting a sliver of wood off the heel of a mahogany neck...a sliver which graduates from 0 to 1/128 of an inch...smoothly and evenly. A monkey can do that??

[Avalanche1368]

I'd hate to have to sweep up the place........

[BrandonRayCollins]

I love my Martin OMC 160gte Check it out on my video's :)

[damrak1969]

I love watching these factory videos. I think Taylor guitars really made a leap forward with their NT bolt on neck design that bypasses all the chiseling and sanding to fit that neck joint on an acoustic, plus it allows the neck to be easily reset in the future after the wood has changed. However, I have great respect for the old world craftsmanship of guys that can do it like the guy in the video. That's what you're paying for!

[cashmartinswdgt]

Thanks for posting ! Best guitars out there !

[treatb09]

@zthetha i've built two guitars, an its easy as long as you have patience, its never to late to try something new man, there are many schools our there and many ways to build

[kellytttt]

now in mass production like china ! also CF martin guitars made in mexico! 

[Broyale26]

I own a Martin 000X1AE acoustic-electric with a solid spruce top. I like it alot and love the sound. The problem is that its made in Mexico. Should I be concerned? Hopefully, one day I can upgrade to one of the solid body models.

[ezekielwahwah]

Fascinating.

[74LesPaul]

I toured the Fender factory in Mexico a few years ago. At the time they were putting out over 500 guitars a day. . using two shifts. I also noticed that they use the same CNC machines that are found in most other gutiar factories including the Fender factory in Corona. The workers are very skilled and appreciate their jobs. At the time they were begining to build Fender Bassmans. . tons of pine stacked for the cabinents.