Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Martin Guitar Factory


We are making the most of Jason being home for six weeks post-surgery.

Last week, we had the pleasure of touring the Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.  We had been aware of it for a while, but the tours are only Monday through Friday and I could not imagine going without Jason since he is the person in our family who plays and loves guitars.

Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA
When you first walk in you are greeted with this wonderful wall of album and CD covers of various well-known musicians who feature their Martin guitar on the album cover.  It was quite impressive.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

As far as museums go, this one was small but really well put together and kept our interest throughout.  We learned about the history of the guitar, the history of making guitars and the history of Martin guitars.  We learned how Martin customized guitars for many well-known musicians.  We learned about their stellar environmental policy.

Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

After our self-guided tour through the museum, we took a guided tour through the factory where the Martin guitars are actually made.  We learned all about guide holes and templates and the various processes of the assembly of guitars.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

We learned about the different woods used to make guitars and Allie asked how the wood affects the sound.  I was impressed with that question.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

Martin uses precise lasers to cut out the pieces of the guitar.  There are many phases of constructing a guitar and many, many people who are involved.  Everything must be cut and sanded to very specific requirements.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA
It was really nice to see Americans hard at work in a place like this, making quality products.  It made me want to buy a Martin guitar.  I know it's not a popular sentiment these days, but I have a great deal of respect for people who work in places like this, creating things, working with their hands; I think there is a lot of integrity in this kind of work.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

Bracing was fascinating.  Different guitars have different sounds because of bracing structures and the types of wood used in bracing.

Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

After that we learned about binding.  We learned about the forms used, the way things are put together and held together.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

The frets are all pounded in by hand.
Pounding in frets at the Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA


They have your wear headphones so you can hear the tour guide over the machinery.

Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

The sanding is done in several phases.  Some by hand and some by robotics.  
Martin uses robotics for sanding and painting or coating the guitars because robotics offer a level of precision that people can not.  Otherwise, Martin boasts that their guitars are all hand made in the USA.  We appreciate that.
Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA


Martin Guitar Factory, Nazareth, PA

When you order a custom guitar, you can have electronics installed inside if you want to use it with an amp.

The girls were fascinated by all of the equipment used in a place like this.