Martin Sigma

[otter272]

Does Martin still make Sigma electric acoustic guitars?

 

If so, where can I find them (other than eBay)?

[guitarcapo]

All I know is that the Sigma acoustics are amazingly cheap in quality. I'm surprized Martin allowed their name to be associated with them. The necks are built up from lots of pieces of wood and the body is all epoxied together. The truss rods are like a coathanger in them.

[Cortfan]

www.sigmaguitars.com

[guit30]

What is interesting is that Sigma has a link to Martin, but no where on Martin's site are Sigma guitars mentioned. I don't think there ia a connection anymore,I played a Sigma D 1st recently and it sounded Dead

[flip333]

Just like many guitar companies there is a range of products with a range of quality...even between guitars of the same model.

 

Sometimes people catch a glimpse of a brand name product and judge all the products made by that company to be bad.

 

Guitarcapo has seen poor Sigma products. I have seen poor Martin products.

 

The fact is Martin DOES allow their name to be associated with Sigma. They are like the "Squire" of Fender, or the "Epiphone" of Gibson. Sure, they are made cheaper than most Martins. Martin does not make Sigmas. They authorize them to be made with their name on them.

 

You don't need a Jaguar or a Porche to say you have a decent car.

Not even even a Cadillac or Lexus.

 

I bought a top of the line Sigma: The DR-41. It is a solid top dreadnaught designed after the $3000 Martin D-41. It is a great guitar for $400 (plus $100 for a nice case). It is generally better than any lower cost guitar. The truss rod works just fine. It is easy to play.

 

The night I played my dream guitar (a Martin 000-15S), I also played a lower line Sigma. THAT Sigma was boomy and unbalanced. It sounded poor and was hard to play.

 

I compared my Sigma DR-41 to many other guitars. Taylor and Martin, plus many lower lines. My Sigma sounded every bit as good as the $3000 Martin D-41...

 

My Sigma holds its own very well. A friend came over with his old D-28. After a thorough A/B test I concluded the D-28 has better tone .... just barely....but my Sigma plays easier.

 

It is also a guitar I can take to the beach, campfires, or play out at a bar. I will just add the 000-15S when I can afford it.

 

I decided to keep my Sigma. I love it.

[flip333]

I cannot speak about Sigma acoustic-electrics except to say they are not bragging about any brand name quality electronics on their website.

 

I installed a B-band A2.2 XOM dual source pick up in my guitar. It is much better than your typical "quacky" under the saddle pickup.

 

It uses a sound board transducer inside the guitar plus an under-saddle pick up.

 

There are two snall dials just inside the sound hole. One controls the mix between the two pickups, and the other controls volume.

 

The mix control acts like a tone control because the USPU gives a more trebley tone, and the SBT gives a more bassy,woody tone.

 

I have not encountered feedback problems, even playing out in a loud bar.

 

It really provides a true acoustic sound rivalling a quality microphone. $199.00 MF

 

Easy to install and only a bigger hole where your endpin is, plus a tiny hole to get a wire into the saddle.

 

You can also get the 1470 AST with only the sound board transducer for $119.00 MF

 

You might find a better pick up for less (?), but I have heard some pathetic acoustic electrics with cheap electronics.

 

Best wishes, flip

[otter272]

ok, so this is going to sound like a really really stupid question so please excuse my ignorance.

 

What exactly is it about Martins that make them so special anyway? I mean, what is it about a Martin that is different than say...........an Alvarez, or a Taylor, or an Ovation?

[guit30]

Mostly Solid woods-all made in Pa. Oldest maker of Dreads