MARTIN GUITAR EXPANDS SP LIFESPAN STRINGS PRODUCT LINE

Martin Asks NAMM Attendees to take “The Great Martin String Challenge”

Nazareth, PA– July 11, 2011 - C.F. Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has today announced that it is expanding its successful Martin SP^® LIFESPAN^™ line of acoustic strings.  Being shown at the 2011 Summer NAMM show in Nashville (July 21-23; Martin booth #1200) the new 12 String, Baritone and two Extra Light offerings will be available starting this fall.

“Players  around the world are swapping out their coated strings for treated  strings – a new patented technology that allows the strings to vibrate  naturally yet delivers long life,” said Tim McNair, C. F. Martin &  Co.’s director of sales and marketing, String Division.  “We have been  thrilled with the feedback we’ve received in the year since the SP  LIFESPAN strings were introduced, and are launching these new products  to support acoustic guitar players looking for a broader range of  gauges.”

Introduced in the fall of 2010, Martin SP LIFESPAN is  the fastest growing product in the acoustic string market.  The SP core  wire is engineered to hold tunings better than other brands and resist  breaking, and with rich full tone and responsive attack, SP strings are  perfect for everywhere from studio to stage.  Treated with Cleartone^® proprietary technology, Martin SP LIFESPAN string sets bring players the longest possible string life without sacrificing the legendary tone or natural feel for which Martin Strings have become known.

“I  am very pleased with my new Martin SP LIFESPAN strings that I picked up  on my visit to Martin Guitar,” said Martin Strings Ambassador Travis Tritt.   “I’m pretty hard on strings, but with Lifespan I am now able to get  double the amount of performance time out of my strings.”

Additionally, starting at Summer NAMM, Martin Guitar will kick off two strings promotions:

• “The Great Martin String Challenge” will take place at the Martin Summer NAMM booth (#1200) and select  retailer locations this year.  After being handed identical Martin  guitars – one with SP LIFESPAN strings and one without – contestants who  correctly determine which was equipped with the SP LIFESPAN strings  will win a free set along with additional prizes.   

• “The Great Martin String Swap” will take place at select retailers this summer and fall, during which  anyone bringing in their old strings will be provided with a  complimentary set of new Martin SP LIFESPAN strings (while supplies  last). 

This year’s new string products include:

• SP Lifespan Extra Light Gauge 10-47 Bronze  (41MSP6000) and SP Lifespan Extra Light Gauge 10-47 Phosphor Bronze (41MSP7000)  – Popular for smaller body guitars and cutaways, a new extra light  gauge will be available in phosphor bronze or 80/20 bronze. 

• SP Lifespan Extra Light 12 String 10-47 Phosphor Bronze (41MSP7600) – Since both plain and wound strings are treated with  Cleartone technology, the new Martin SP Lifespan 12 string set will  deliver a balanced sound that is sure to please. 

• SP Lifespan Baritone 14-17 Phosphor Bronze (41MSP7700) – With the recent and upcoming launch of several new C. F.  Martin baritone guitars, Martin has designed these strings to be  comfortable in both the traditional B tuning and modern C tuning,  delivering a new standard in tone.  Gauging is 14/20/30/42/54/70.

Also  at Summer NAMM, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the sixth  generation Martin to lead this iconic family business at “Meet Chris  Martin Day” – Saturday, July 23 – in Martin Guitar’s booth.