Is A Martin Sigma Cs3 Acoustic Guitar Full-size

Sigma Guitars

Product type	Musical instruments
Owner	AMI GmbH
Produced past	Japan
State	U.South.
Introduced	1970; 52 years ago (1970)
Previous owners	C.F. Martin (1970–2007)
Website	sigma-guitars.com

Sigma Guitars is a guitar manufacturing brand originally released past C.F. Martin as a line of guitars at affordable prices to compete with the increasing number of imported guitars from Japan and elsewhere. The Sigma line was discontinued by Martin in 2007. The rights to the name was acquired by German language company AMI Musical Instruments GmbH, which relaunched the make with guitars being produced in Prc.^[one]

Since the U.Southward. rights to the Sigma brand name and trademark had been allowed to lapse by C.F. Martin & Co. prior to selling the brand to AMI, and had since been picked up by St. Louis Music of Missouri, AMI is not allowed to employ the brand name "Sigma" in the U.Due south. for their current line of guitars. They were distributed and sold in the U.S. every bit Kindred Guitars.

The current range of Sigma instruments include audio-visual and classical guitars, audio-visual basses and ukuleles.

History [edit]

American company C.F. Martin created the brand Sigma in order to compete with cheaper guitars that were imported from Asia. Sigma released a broad series of acoustic and classical guitars, which initial construction was in Japan past various manufacturers/factories from 1970 through 1983.

The first Sigmas were typically dreadnought acoustic, although Grand Concert Series (GCS) and classical models were as well produced from the early on 1970s (1971?) onward. Though other models were produced the near common 2 throughout the 1970s were the Dreadnought models DM-five (DM12-five) and DR-7 (DR12-7.) D for dreadnought, R for rosewood, Yard for mahogany and the number denoting the grade of forest, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15.^{[ citation needed ]}

Construction moved from Japan from 1970 to 1983, to Korea from 1984 to 1994, to Taiwan in 1994 (made in both Korea and Taiwan for the 1994 model year) and finally Indonesia (?–2007).^[2]

In 1978, model designations were added to capitalize on Martin model numbers: the DM-18, DM-19, DR-28, DR-28H, DR-35, DR-41, and DR-45. They are called '2d Generation' Sigma'due south past C.F. Martin and featured solid wood top. The "First Generation" DM-5 and DR-seven (laminate woods bodies and tops), as well every bit other early on models (due east.1000., the GCS-vii/CS-vii), remained in production during this time as well.

The 2006 and 2007 models showed a marked increase in quality, as it is idea Martin was prepping the company for sale.^{[ citation needed ]}

Pegheads and logos [edit]

Sigma second Series logo 1976-1993

Sigma guitars were fabricated in Nihon from 1970 through 1983. The early 1970s models (1970–1975) tin can be distinguished by a more than squared peghead, shaped similarly to that of a "spatula." The original make logo resembled the C.F. Martin logo, using the same typography. The current logo under AMI consists of a unmarried word in block lettering "Sigma" surmounted with the "Σ" symbol (the Greek alphabetic character sigma). The sigma symbol is often described equally a "sideways M."

While retaining the same early logo for several more years (c.1975–1976) the peghead itself began to take on a more tapered shape past 1972. On right-handed models while playing a Sigma guitar the "sideways M" becomes "right side up" suggesting "Thou" for Martin.

Past the mid-1970s (c.1976) the headstock logo design changed to a gold "Martin-style" decal that said "Sigma Guitars" in script with "Est. 1970" underneath in a smaller block font. The headstock shape was also modified to a deeper taper and shaped to resemble the Martin instruments.

As is traditional with classical instruments, Sigma classical guitars practice not take the headstock logo, and one must rely on the inner characterization for identification.

Labels and brands [edit]

Sigmas made in Japan from 1970 through 1979 used a paper label to identify the model and serial number of the instrument. The model and serial numbers were usually stamped on in ink, but some are known to have been hand-penned. This is especially true of unusual, special (sample/image models) and/or low production number models (e.g.: DT-30.)

1980 Sigma D-10 Ceremony Guitar

'Black and White' label: The earliest examples had a manifestly blackness on white inner paper label showing the model and serial numbers. These will show a 4-digit series number.
'Gold' characterization: The next generation of labels are transition labels that are white with Sigma and 3 horizontal lines in gold ink, the Greek sigma in blackness and printed black text (Made for C.F. Martin & Co, etc.) everywhere else. These volition have a four, 5 or eight digit (vii*0XXXXX) serial number stamped or hand written on them.
'Regal' label (c.1972 onward): These are again white labels that had gold & black lettering but this time with a border, oftentimes pinkish-brown or violet in colour. The Σ symbol now also in this same pink/purple colour. All other text was printed in black ink, or stamped on in ink by the manufacturer (model and serial numbers.) 5-digit or eight-digit serial numbers.
Back Brace Brand: From 1978 through 1983; 1978 being a transition year, ane might observe the heart back caryatid is pressure stamped, or "branded" in a football game shape stating Sigma Guitars/Fabricated in Nippon/For/C.F. Martin & Co. Beingness a mid-year change, some connected on with the "Purple" characterization, though with the new serial number designation preceded by an "Due south" or an "Eastward" This is prefixed by the series number assigned to the instrument and followed by an ink stamp of the model number. (due east.g. L-R as seen through the audio hole: Serial number, "Make," Model number.) The serial numbers on these instruments were oftentimes preceded by the letters S or E; eastward.g. S0XXXXX. It is currently believed that this transition was complete by 1979.

Early Korean-made guitars show this same make, just stating Made in Korea in place of Fabricated in Japan. During later Korean-made years (c.1990), Sigma transitioned back to newspaper labels and they stayed that way until the cease of production in Republic of indonesia in 2007.

Series numbers [edit]

Under the best of circumstances, Sigma serial numbers tin just provide an indicator of the yr when a particular model was built. This may be due to them existence built in several Japanese factories at the same fourth dimension with no coordination or tracking in the numbering organization.^{[ commendation needed ]} However, while some models lasted the entire run from 1970 through 1983, others did not and were only offered for a express number of years. Other concrete indicators or attributes, such as end, trim, tuners, etc., tin help determine the gauge construction appointment of a item example, simply almost never exactly.^[3]

For instance, serial numbers on the earliest DR-7s began using four-digit numbers on through five-digit numbers, with some early 1970s models (c.1972–1975) along the way with the unusual 7*0XXXXX, eight-digit system. Ane original Sigma DR-7 possessor stated "I have an old Sigma DR-7 Guitar....due south/n 6860. I ?bought it new in 1970."^[iv] ^{[ unreliable source? ]} Furthermore, DR-7s with a four-digit ink stamped characterization serial number, a zero fret and an adjustable bridge saddle strongly suggests a very early ('70-'71) build date.

Some early 1970s Sigma guitar serial numbers (c.1972–1975) began with 7X0 suggesting the 197X build engagement (e.chiliad. 750XXXXX perchance equates to a build year 1975.) These were eight digits long, the 3rd digit always a place-property 0, while all others by then were still only five digit serial numbers farther adding to the defoliation. It is widely assumed by owners and Sigma historians alike that this is correct, though C.F. Martin cannot, or will not ostend this.^{[ original research? ]}

Sigma-Martin Us guitars built in 1981 and 1982 only had specifically assigned serial numbers ranging from 900,001 to 902,908 (ii,908 in total.) These serial numbers are documented by C.F. Martin & Co. and to this 24-hour interval remain the only Sigma-related serial numbers that are publicly available. These "Due north" instruments, of which merely two models were ever produced, the DR-28N and DR-35N, were partially assembled in Japan and imported to Nazareth ("N") and the Martin guitar factory as kits. Martin completed and finished them alongside the regular Martin product line. Bridges and tuners may have been installed, too last sanding and finishing before strings were installed and a final set-upwards was done. Because more than xxx% of the work was completed inside the borders of the United States, Martin was legally immune to designate them as Made in The statesA.^[v]

Serial numbers for Sigma guitars built in S Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia are possibly even more meaningless, though once again some seem to indicate the year of industry (eastward.yard. loop81XXXXXX.) Since nosotros know these instruments were manufactured from 1984 through 2007 in these 3 countries, it is safe to assume that a series number starting time with 81XXXXXX (which I have personally seen) were not produced in 1981 and that these serial number 'indicators' are not to be trusted.

In 1978-'79 the paper labels were discontinued and the inner back caryatid was "branded." Later Korean production show a resurgence in the paper label arrangement for model and serial number, sometimes forth with the brand. These had an even fancier border.^{[ citation needed ]} High end models such as the D-ten Anniversary model accept the "Second Generation" logo inlaid in the headstock using female parent of pearl, as do many of the later Korean produced instruments.

Some guitars made subsequently in Taiwan and Republic of indonesia have a unlike headstock shape and decal: The shape is more squared off at the height corners, while the decal states, "Sigma Guitars" on peak with a miniature version of the "C.F. Martin & Co." logo underneath. Some of these guitars also had the "Est 1970" instead of the C.F. Martin & Co.," using a slightly different cake font that is both fatter & wider than the original 2d series instruments. The paper labels for model/serial number identification had also changed again, this time with a fancy border and the word "Sigma" or "Sigma Guitars" printed in gold ink.

In the 1970s Sigma produced a line of guitars with model numbers starting with 52S, e.g., 52SDM-v, 52SDR-seven and 52SGCS-7. While it was idea at in one case that these were somehow 'special' and had solid tops, based on current enquiry and scholarship, an emerging schoolhouse of thought dismisses this notion. Current documentation (taken from the files at Martin) indicates these models were produced by the Kasuga Gakki visitor as overload for the Tokai Gakki company. No solid top Sigma under the numerical model designation "8" exists, save for the DM-1ST (Solid Peak.) Further, tests conducted on the 52S models with model numbers below "viii" bear witness that they are, in fact, wholly laminate bodies. Models such as the 52SDR-nine, 52SDR-11, 52SDR-14 and 52SDR-fifteen Practice have solid spruce tops and are considered the predecessors to the "Second Generation" models: Most Sigma guitars under the numerical model number 8 are wholly laminate bodies (exception is the DM-1ST.)^{[ citation needed ]}

"High quality is readily apparent in the SDR-28 and SDR-28H rosewood Dreadnought with its rich appearance and broad range of features: solid spruce top, scalloped top bracing, rosewood back, sides, fingerboard and bridge and carved mahogany neck. These guitars are thoroughly inspected and prepared past Martin craftsmen at our factory and carry a express lifetime warranty.^[half-dozen]

Other Sigma instruments included mandolins, banjos, acoustic and electric bass guitars and solid-body and hollow trunk electrical guitars. Some solid body electrical guitars were fabricated by Tokai Guitars Company, LTD.

Later on Sigma musical instruments were congenital in Nippon, Korea, Taiwan and finally Indonesia, they were sent to Martin & Co. in Nazareth, Pennsylvania to be inspected and adjusted by Martin personnel earlier going to an authorized retail dealer for sale to the public.^[vii] These inspections and adjustments were made in the "old" Martin building on Due north St. (1859), then known as the Import firm.

The DR-28 was manufactured in Japan, Korea and Taiwan while the SDR-28 and the SDR-28H appear to have been manufactured in Korea and Taiwan only, starting in early 1986. The DR-28 and SDR-28 have a solid spruce top with laminate rosewood sides and dorsum. The SDR models too characteristic "scalloped" bracing à la Martin's own Hd-28 with the addition of herringbone design effectually the binding.

The DR-28 and SDR-28 and SDR-28H are clones to the original Martin D-28 and HD-28 guitars and are high quality instruments. Information technology has been suggested that these Second Generation branded instruments were the precursor, or pilot program for what has now get C.F. Martins own in-house, less expensive, "LX" series of laminated wood guitars ^[8]

Martin discontinued the Sigma line in 2007, and in 2011 the German visitor "AMI Musical Instruments GmbH" (AMI) acquired the rights to the make from C.F. Martin and relaunched Sigma Guitars worldwide. Withal, later on a year or more than of AMI energetically reviving the Sigma make with an extensive 75 model range of acoustic and electrical/acoustic instruments, all closely following Martin designs, it was discovered that C.F.Martin had, inexplicably allowed their rights to the Sigma make name in Usa territories to lapse.

U.s. police force states that: "In contrast to copyright or patent constabulary, trademark protection does non have a set duration or definite expiration appointment. Trademark rights ... expire when the possessor stops using the mark in commerce ... federal trademark registrations expire x years after the registration date, unless renewed within i year prior to the expiration."^{[ This quote needs a citation ]}

Furthermore, the United states rights to the lapsed 'Sigma' brand name had expired prior to C.F. Martin's intended sale of the brand to AMI and has been revived past St. Louis Music of Missouri, who currently offer a iv model range of Martin clones, all sporting a 'block style' Sigma logo similar to the i on the very early on Japanese output marketed by C.F. Martin. As a result of this situation it has been necessary for AMI to alter the name they sell their guitars in the USA nether to Kindred Guitars. This brand name appears to the left of the Sigma banner on sigma-guitars.com.

Bones characteristics of Fabricated in Japan Sigma guitars [edit]

From 1970 to approximately 1976:^[ix]

Adjustable bridge on all dreadnought (except DJ-vii, Dreadnought/Jacaranda) and GCS ("G"rand "C"oncert "S"eries) models, but this too is an inconsistency as not all had the adaptable span.
Peghead is a unique "spatula" shape that differs from the traditional Martin peghead design in that it is more square than tapered, as the later second-generation models were. These spatula-shaped headstocks only lasted the first few years before taking on a more tapered appearance and shape while still in the early on 1970s.
Original peghead logo Sigma with Greek symbol Σ to a higher place,
Adjustable truss rod through peghead through 1977.
The showtime year 1970 DR-vii has a zero fret likewise as some of the 12-strings did to approximately 1973, or 1975 (DM12-five.)
Early examples ofttimes have adjustable-height bridge saddles as well. These were discontinued earlier in the 7 series half-dozen-string models than the v-serial, 12-strings and other "lesser" models. Adjustable saddles are considered less desirable as they did not come in full contact with the bridge and soundboard, and therefore did not offer full sound or the best quality.

From approximately 1977 to 1983:^[10]

Nonadjustable bridge, oft showing a pair of pearloid spiral covers.
Martin-way peghead (tapered)
"Martin-style" gilded decal peghead logo stating "Sigma Guitars" in script with "Est. 1970" underneath in a smaller block font.
In 1978, some special instruments, such as the D-10 Anniversary (1980 only,) and DR-28H models, have an inset pearl/pearloid logo. The "Est. 1970" is underlined in these cases.
Adaptable truss bar through peghead from 1970 through 1977. Truss rod adjustments were accessed through the sound hole from 1978 forward. This is another characteristic that inverse back in late product (1990s Korea, Taiwan and Republic of indonesia.)
From approximately 1978 through 1983, and in later Korean-made instruments with few exceptions, stamps, or "brands" were embossed into the back brace forest instead of using a paper label. Labels would return after during the Korean years (1990s) and continue through final production in Taiwan and Indonesia.

General

The consequence of whether or not Sigma guitars are solid wood or "plywood" laminate wood has been a source of controversy and confusion for many years now. All known Sigma guitars have laminated sides and back wood. This is no longer in question. This is understandable since the Martin customer service department now responds to individual inquiries stating "all" Sigma's had laminate back/sides, while Sigma catalogs from the early 1970s list the back/side wood as "matched", non significant solid, but is a conscientious marketing nomenclature for laminate to confuse potential buyers.^{[ original research? ]}

It is safest to assume that all Sigmas have laminated sides and dorsum wood. The tiptop wood is another affair entirely. Many had laminated tops. Models designated "Second Generation" or in the "Marquis" series models had solid spruce tops and the cost reflected this upgrade equally well, around $100 in USD more.^{[ original inquiry? ]}

Tuning machines [edit]

In that location were only a few types of tuning machines used during these years. All were basic and inexpensive. There are iii different shapes of the buttons on these tuners. Oval in the early models, a more foursquare shape a la Schaller in way in the heart years, and a keystone shape, or 'wing' on after versions. The lesser six-string models, such every bit the DM Mahogany series, had open-backed, iii-on-a-plate non-adjustable "economic system" tuners in the earliest years. Later on ones were individual machines, but looked exactly the same from the front. The 12-string models had open-back "vi-on-a-plate" (non-adjustable/economic system) tuners.

More upscale models, such every bit the DR Rosewood series, had the aforementioned tuners but with chromed comprehend over them. These were all 'non-adaptable' and held in place by ii opposing screws (corner to corner) on the back of the headstock. Styles of this type are still available today with only small-scale differences.^[eleven]

Early on Rosewood series model 12-cord guitars (pre-1975) had non-adjustable covered "6-on-a-plate" a la Kluson style^[12] tuners. Later versions (approximately 1973 onward) were individual, not-adjustable, every bit on the 6-stringed models (xiv:i ratio.)^[11]

Many six-string "upscale" models from 1978 to 1983 instruments had adjustable sealed tuners, but the 12-string models continued with the covered (non-adjustable) "economy" tuners (fourteen:ane ratio.) Others continued on using the cheaper tuners. The earliest sealed tuners, equally early as 1972 (e.one thousand. DR-9, DR-eleven) had a 6-sided bandage body and no make name (11:1 ratio,) while there were others subsequently on that more resembled Schaller (stop screw to the inside, Schaller style buttons.)^[13] or Grover tuners (stop screw beneath only without the familiar crescent knob.)^[14] Few of these sealed tuners were branded at all, while others in later years show "Sigma" stamped on their backs.

Japanese models [edit]

1970 to approximately 1975 [edit]

72c Sigma 52SDR-11 fabricated in Nippon (back)

CS-6 Classical guitar. Mosaic marquetry around sound hole. Rosewood Bridge. Laminated Spruce top. Dorsum and sides laminated bubinga woods. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Pearloid buttons on tuners.
CR-7 Classical guitar. Mosaic marquetry around sound hole. Dorsum and sides laminated rosewood. Top of laminated spruce. Carved peghead. Cervix mahogany. Apartment-oval neck. Top and dorsum binding blackness and white. Lacquer finish.
CR-9 Classical guitar. Solid spruce pinnacle, otherwise same specs equally the CR-7.
DM-2, DM-3 Dreadnought'south were the aforementioned as the side by side clarification of the DM-five with the exception sometimes early models had different motorcar heads. The main departure is the number designation from 2 thru 5, and was merely used to designate a higher quality of woods being used in the making of them. It's also worth noteworthy the DM-3's were some of the start left hand models, converted at the factory, left mitt nut, span, saddle, and pick-baby-sit replaced the right hand components, merely they left the right mitt fretboard which is evident from the marker positions on the side of the fretboard. When the DM-4's came out, the option for a left paw model became a regular option that could be ordered and was built as a lefty from the factory which included the correct fretboard markers and a new model designation, the DM-4LH. The DM-4LH also had different fretboard inlay markers at the 12th fret (horizontal tear drib).
DM-4LH Dreadnought Factory made left hand model completely congenital from the factory as a left hand model. Early left paw models were DM-iii'south converted at the factory from an already stop synthetic DM-iii equally a special lodge.
DM-5 Dreadnought. Laminate spruce pinnacle. Laminate mahogany dorsum and sides. Black binding (b/due west/b/w/b.) Natowood neck. Unbound rosewood fingerboard. Nickel-silver frets. Open in-line tuning machines. Adjustable Rosewood Bridge on earliest examples. Adjustable truss rod through peghead from 1970 through 1979. Unbound peghead. Open tuners on early models. Covered "economy" tuners on later ones. High Gloss finish.
DR-7 Dreadnought. DR-7 Dreadnought. Laminate bandbox top. Laminated rosewood back and sides. White bounden on body (w/b/due west/b/w.) Rosewood overlay on peghead. Peghead bound in white. Adjustable truss rod through peghead from 1970 through 1979. Rosewood Bridge and fingerboard. Adaptable Rosewood Span on the earliest models. Pearl/pearloid inlay position markers on fingerboard. Chrome airtight dorsum tuners (xi:i ratio.) The kickoff yr is known to have a zero fret. High gloss lacquer end. Truss rod adjustment location is on peg head at nut until 1980. Subsequently 1980 truss rod adjustment is located internally and is accessed from soundhole.
52SDR-9 Dreadnought (c1972.) Solid spruce top. Laminated rosewood sides and 3-slice back with a contrasting (often highly figured) rosewood center strip. White binding on body (w/b/westward/b/westward.) Rosewood overlay on 1st generation "Spatula" headstock (Sigma westward/Σ logo.) Head-stock and fretboard are single-bound in white. Adjustable truss rod through peg-head. Rosewood fingerboard. Not-adaptable Rosewood Bridge. "Snowflake" (more similar to a Maltese cross) pearl inlay position markers on fingerboard. Chrome closed back tuners (11:one ratio.) High gloss lacquer finish.
52SDR-11 Dreadnought (c1972.) Solid bandbox top. Laminated rosewood sides and 3-piece back, ala' D35. White/pearl binding on body (w/p/w/p/westward.) Rosewood overlay on 1st generation "Spatula" headstock (Sigma w/Σ logo.)This is also the only known model where the entire logo not just the sigma symbol, is done in female parent of pearl. Head-stock and fretboard are single-bound in white. Mother of pearl trim throughout ala' Martin D-41. Adaptable truss rod through sound hole, not the peg-caput like the lower end models. Rosewood fingerboard. Non-adjustable Rosewood Bridge. Female parent of pearl Hexagon & heptagon inlay position markers on fingerboard. Gold plated closed back tuners (ratio 12:ane.) High gloss lacquer finish. This model was considered the top-of-the-line Sigma past Martin. It had features from several of Martin's peak-end domestic guitars, only Martin never made 1 exactly similar information technology; in the United states, information technology is unique to the Sigma line, and mayhap the rarest.
DJ-seven Dreadnought. Laminated spruce top. Laminated Brazilian jacaranda sides. Iii-piece matched grain jacaranda back with marquetry. White binding on body (w/b/w/b/w.) Peghead bound in white. Ebony fingerboard. Female parent of pearl inlays on fingerboard. Stock-still ebony bridge. Natowood neck. Adjustable truss rod. White/black/white binding. Satin lacquer end.
DM12-5 12 String Dreadnought. Laminated bandbox tiptop. Laminated mahogany dorsum and sides. Blackness binding (b/west/b/w/b.) Rosewood span (some 'ebonized') and fingerboard. Unbound peghead and fingerboard. Pearl/pearloid position dots. Open inline "6-on-a-plate" tuning machines. Covered "economic system" tuners on after examples. Adjustable rosewood span to approximately 1975, non-adjustable thereafter. Adaptable truss rod. Primeval models had a nada fret.
DM12-seven 12 String Dreadnought. Laminated spruce height. Laminated rosewood back and sides. White binding on body (w/b/westward/b/due west.) "Ebonized" (blackened) rosewood bridge and fingerboard on some, natural rosewood on others. Peghead and fingerboard bound in white. Pearl/pearloid position dots. Adjustable rosewood span to approximately 1975, non-adaptable thereafter. High gloss lacquer finish. Adjustable truss rod. Covered "economic system" tuners. High Gloss finish.

Primeval models had a zero fret.

GCS-half dozen Grand Concert. Laminated spruce top. Laminated mahogany wood back and sides. Black binding (b/west/b/w/b.) Mahogany neck. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Peghead spring in white. Rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable truss rod.
GCS-seven Grand Concert. Laminated bandbox elevation. Laminated mahogany dorsum and sides. Black bounden (b/due west/b/westward/b.) Rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Gloss lacquer end. White bound peghead. Adjustable truss rod.^[9]

Additional models approximately 1975 to 1978 [edit]

Some of these guitars however had the early on peghead logo, instead of the "Second Generation Sigma" Martin way logo that started in approximately 1976.^[10]

DT-22 Dreadnought. Solid spruce top. Laminated Asian anecdote sides and back with matching wood veneer on Martin fashion peghead. Solid spruce top. Tortoiseshell binding around back and sides. Black pickguard (later examples have tortoiseshell pickguards.) Fixed span, some with diamond shape inlays. Fingerboard has snowflake and diamond shape inlays. Pearl "SIGMA" cake inlay between 19th and 20th fret. After examples accept gilded plated, Sigma embossed Schaller-fashion enclosed tuners (ratio unknown.)
DR-7S Dreadnought sunburst. Martin style peghead leap in white. Laminated bandbox top. Laminated rosewood back and sides. Rosewood fixed bridge. Adaptable truss rod.
DM-5S Dreadnought sunburst. Unbound Martin style peghead. Laminated spruce top. Laminated mahogany back and sides. Rosewood fixed span. Adaptable truss rod.
GCS-4 G Concert. Martin style peghead. Laminated bandbox peak. Laminated mahogany back and sides. Rosewood stock-still bridge. Adaptable truss rod. Unbound peghead and fretboard. 3-on-a-plate, open backed "economy" tuners.
CS-4 Classical Guitar. Laminated spruce superlative. Laminated mahogany back and sides. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fingerboard and span.

Sigma produced numerous "DR-*" models from the mid-70s on through 1984: DR-eight; DR-nine; DR-eleven; DR-14; DR-fifteen; DR-28; DR-28S; SDR-28; DR-35; DR-41; and DR-45 . The very rare DR-fourteen was oftentimes dislocated with the DR-41 but it was a different model. They have a three-piece back a la D35, and the fret markers are unlike as well. These rare, hard to find models were really made in Japan and imported to and guaranteed by Levin in Sweden. They cost more the top-of-the-range DR-41 at the time. They have a paper characterization stating "Inspected and Guaranteed by Levin" and "Sigma Guitars" "est 1970" is inlaid on the headstock in abalone. There is a DR-fourteen on display in the Sigma Museum in Munich, Germany.

Special and unusual models [edit]

From 1980 through 1983, prior to construction being moved to Korea, Sigma produced several models that included electronic pickups: SE-xviii, SE-nineteen, SE-28, SEMC-28 (with arched back); and SE-36. These models have saddles with each string individually compensated, yielding superb intonation. These models were produced in very limited quantities.^[15]

In 1980 Sigma produced the "D-10 Ceremony model" to commemorate ten years of Sigma production in Japan. Essentially a gussied up DM-18, the 'D-10' has a solid bandbox height with "matched" (re: laminated) mahogany sides and back, rosewood fingerboard with diamond and square position markers, mother of pearl band inlay stating "Anniversary" between the 19th and 20th fret, tortoiseshell type pickguard and binding, and close-ratio tuning machines.^[16] This express production run lasted one year and this model remained on Sigma Dealers quarterly price lists from Oct 1980 until July 1981.^[17] It is not known at this fourth dimension just how many D-10s were congenital. Given the run was for an unabridged production twelvemonth, it is likely that thousands were built. Also refer to information regarding the D10-8 and D10-ix. These were second runs with corrective defects sold by Martin at a discount of usually 33%.

A recently uncovered C.F. Martin memo dated August 7, 1980 (this document has non been produced for exam) further discusses 'economically uncorrectable' cosmetic flaws in the D-10 and how they were to be indicated by the inspectors: "The flawed instruments were graded into ii categories depending on the nature of the blemishes and were stamped on the dorsum center strip appropriately.

The D-10 'nine' had cantankerous grain sanding marks, stop runs and/or a rough terminate, rough or chipped inlay and/or bindings, poor repairs, small-scale indentations and/or discolorations.

The D-ten '8' had finish checks, shrunken end pieces, filler discolorations, dents and/or a very sparse cease.

Instead of 'seconding' these past labeling them equally 'Picador' guitars, and/or voiding the warranty completely, Martin decided to invoke a warranty exception and lower the price by a few points. The affixed warranty bill of fare was amended to read..."Your D-10 'ix' (or D-10 'eight') is not warranted confronting corrective defects."

Although the small corrective problems might offering a small-scale aesthetic upshot to some, enquiry betwixt 2014 & 2019 suggests that these D10 guitars were crafted to a very high standard and offering outstanding tonal qualities. The research farther suggests that the D10 Anniversary guitars are extremely rare to the open up market. These guitars are collectible and a slice of Martin & Sigma history."^[16]

In the years of 1981 and 1982, Martin imported partially assembled Sigma guitars from Nihon and the associates was completed in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. There were only two models, labeled "Sigma Martin USA DR-28N" and "DR-35N", 'N' for "Nazareth". A Martin factory sales brochure shows the DR-28N retailed at $600.00 and the DR-35N retailed at $650.00. The DR-35N had a three-piece laminate rosewood back and sides and a solid spruce top. The DR-28N had a 2-piece back. The DR-35N had boosted detail on the fretboard. The original factory brochure also states components were processed and finished on the same production line as regular Martins. The peghead logo reads "Sigma Martin USA" and inside the audio box is on the neck block "made in USA" with Martin accost etc. Some consider the DR-35N to be a prototype of the inexpensive laminate Martin Shenandoah line of guitars,^[18] subsequently to get their current HPL (High Pressure Laminate) line of laminated bodied guitars. Since these models had serial numbers ranging from 900,001 to 902,908,^[5] it appears but 2907 of these "Sigma Martin Us" guitars were e'er produced in total, though there may have been others that did non make final inspection and hence were not serialed and are the only Sigma-related series numbers publicly available from Martin at this fourth dimension.

References [edit]

^ Official Website Sigma Guitars
^ sigma guitars
^ http://www.sigmaguitars.com/
^ "Quondam Sigma DR-7's...are they vaulable? - the Audio-visual Guitar Forum".
^ ^a ^b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2010-01-07 . {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Sigma Generation Three brochure
^ correspondence with C.F.Martin Guitar Co, Inc. Customer/Consumer Service Department, December 2008
^ "Martin Audio-visual & Acoustic Electric Guitars | Martin Guitar".
^ ^a ^b Sigma Catalog, dated June 1, 1974
^ ^a ^b Sigma Catalog, engagement not listed, but prior to 1979 2nd Generation.
^ ^a ^b "- StewMac".
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2001-08-03. Retrieved 2013-01-23 . {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "- StewMac".
^ "- StewMac".
^ Sigma catalog, January 1984
^ ^a ^b https://www.nossigmamartinguitars.com/vintage-sigma-guitar-ads.html
^ https://www.nossigmamartinguitars.com/sigma-martin-price-listsdealer-sheetsmemos.html
^ "Sigma Guitars".