Two Centuries of History
And it's just the Beginning

A Martin is much more than just a guitar. It is part of a long lineage of legendary instruments dating back to the company's founding in 1833. Our guitars have been played by Civil War soldiers around campfires, helped shape modern sound at the turn of the 20th century, and were embraced by early stars such as Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. Decades later, Martin guitars wowed the crowd at Woodstock and took center stage on MTV Unplugged. Today, countless musicians—rock, folk, country icons, and rising stars alike—honor Martin guitars worldwide.

For nearly two centuries, C.F. Martin & Co. has crafted instruments recognized as the most prestigious in the world. Constantly evolving, the company continues to innovate with new techniques, some of which have become industry standards, such as X-bracing, the 14-fret neck joint, and the Dreadnought model. As one of the world's leading acoustic instrument manufacturers, C.F. Martin & Co. owes its success to its exceptional craftsmanship and the skilled artisans who contribute their expertise and ingenuity to new processes and designs, all while staying true to the concepts initiated by the founder.

The company is also renowned for producing high-end acoustic guitar strings: the Martin SP Lifespan series, offering unparalleled longevity in the music industry, and the Martin SP series, an absolute benchmark for seasoned guitarists.

A Family Business

The first Martin guitar, designed in 1833 on the workbench of Christian Frederick Martin, marked the beginning of this family adventure. Six generations have led the company, facing numerous changes in both the world and music. Each generation has passed down essential values: dedication to craftsmanship, meticulous and patient work, maintaining the highest quality standards, long-term vision, and environmental protection. Preserving tradition while evolving with the times. When you purchase one of our instruments, you'll understand the deep significance of this family heritage.

Innovation Over the Centuries

Founder C.F. Martin Sr. invented X-bracing in the mid-19th century to reinforce the body of a guitar and produce a richer sound— a technique still widely used today. His experiments gave birth to the shape and sound of the American folk guitar as we know it. A few decades later, Frank Henry Martin designed the Dreadnought, which became the company's greatest success. C.F. Martin IV later innovated with the X series and the revolutionary SC-13E. The balance between tradition and innovation is an integral part of the company’s DNA.

The Ballad of the Dreadnought

Named after a large British warship, the Martin Dreadnought guitar became the company's most significant success. Created in 1916 under the leadership of Frank Henry Martin, grandson of the founder, the Dreadnought model quickly became one of the most popular instruments in the world. Now considered the standard acoustic guitar, the Dreadnought did not immediately gain unanimous approval among artists in the 1930s due to its larger size, which differed from the traditional dimensions of the time.

The resonance and deep, powerful bass of the D-28 initially unsettled many musicians accustomed to lower volume instruments. However, as country music grew in popularity, this unique guitar became the ultimate accompaniment instrument for many artists and quickly gained public admiration. Today, the Dreadnought is ubiquitous across all musical styles and represents about 80% of Martin’s annual production.

An Unmatched Reputation

Martin's exceptional dedication to quality has led the American company to create outstanding acoustic guitars, earning it a remarkable reputation. This integrity and commitment have made it one of the most respected manufacturers in the market, a distinction few companies can claim. Over its history, Martin has also ventured into related fields, such as mandolin production in the late 1800s, and became one of the top ukulele manufacturers in the 1920s. Following the acquisition of Darco String in 1970, the quality of fretted instrument strings became an integral part of its operations. Having pioneered numerous industry standards and processes, C.F. Martin & Co. developed X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the famous Dreadnought model—concepts now widely adopted by most acoustic guitar manufacturers worldwide. Recently, Martin Guitar has been honored by Readers Digest ("America’s 100 Best") and The New York Times ("Saving Trees is Music to Guitar Makers’ Ears") for its role in the eco-friendly movement, promoting the use of sustainable woods and innovative alternative materials in instrument production.

The Evolution of the Dreadnought
The first Dreadnought guitars were made by Martin in 1916 for the Oliver Ditson Company, based in Boston. Interestingly, the guitars were not marketed under the Martin name but instead under the Oliver Ditson brand, sold in Boston and New York. These guitars continued to appear in the Ditson catalog until the company ceased operations in the late 1920s.

In 1931, Martin released its first 12-fret Dreadnought models under its own name, the D-1 and D-2. The D-1, a precursor to the D-18, featured mahogany sides and back. The D-2, destined to become the legendary D-28, introduced popular steel strings and rosewood back and sides. Production of 14-fret D-18 and D-28 models began in 1934.

In 1933, cowboy and famous country singer Gene Autry approached Martin with a special request: a guitar resembling his idol Jimmie Rodgers’ 000-45 but with a larger body. This led to the birth of the iconic D-45, #53177, adorned with Autry’s name in pearl inlay on the fretboard. Like all early Dreadnought models, the first D-45 had an elongated body and a 12-fret neck. This custom guitar, decorated with pearl and intricate inlays, was particularly expensive to produce and sold for an—at the time—exorbitant price of $200. Five more D-45s were built between 1933 and 1938, the year it officially entered production. The guitar made for Autry featured a "Torch" inlay on the headstock.

Subsequent D-45 models displayed the "C. F. Martin" logo. In 1939, the fretboard inlay evolved, replacing the traditional "snowflake" pattern with a sequence of "modern hexagons." In 1956, a new rosewood-backed Dreadnought, the D-21, was introduced (six prototypes had been made in 1955). The D-21, like the D-18 and D-28, was the Dreadnought version of an existing model.

In 1965, Martin introduced a new Dreadnought with a three-piece back, the D-35. This distinctive model achieved major success.

The late 1960s marked a turning point in Martin’s history. After a 26-year absence, the D-45 resurfaced in 1968, thanks to historian Mike Longworth’s contributions to production. With the growing interest in acoustic guitars in the early 1970s, Martin significantly increased its production capacity. To illustrate, the company, which had produced 507 D-28s in 1961, reached a total of 5,466 D-28s in 1971. Martin thus offered five Dreadnought models to a rapidly expanding market, producing over 30,000 Dreadnoughts in 1974 and 1975.

Following this phenomenal growth, Martin entered a new phase of research and development. Nine new Dreadnought models were introduced starting in 1980. A cherished instrument, the Dreadnought has won multiple gold awards at Acoustic Guitar magazine’s Player’s Choice Awards (2000, 2006, 2011, and 2014). In 2016, Martin Guitar celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Dreadnought with the limited-edition D-222 100th Anniversary model, restricted to just 100 units. Over a century later, Martin’s offerings continue to expand, and its instruments remain highly respected by fans, ensuring a promising future.