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In 1970, guitar maker Martin created a line of inexpensive guitars to compete with the increasing number of imported guitars from Japan and elsewhere.^[1]. Initial construction was in Japan, and those from 1970 to approximately 1978 were of solid high grade tonewood (top, sides and back) but from then onwards changed to laminated construction for the back and sides. The first Sigma's were dreadnought acoustics, DR-1 through DR-7 (D for dreadnought and R for rosewood and the number denoting the grade, 7 being the top grade instrument). Some GCR-6 triple 000 and OM Series were built in Japan also. Sigma built the GCS (Grand Concert Series) to Martin's 000 body specifications. There were also classical guitars in the C (Classical) series. Construction moved from Japan (1970 - 83), to Korea (1984 - 93/94), to Taiwan (1993 - 2007).^[2].

In 1980, the model lines and designations were changed to capitalize on Martin model names: the DM-18, DM-19, DR-28, DR-28H, DR-35, DR-41, DR-45, but the older model types were also continued as well.

Sigma guitars made in Japan from 1970 through 1979 can be distinguished by a headstock logo consisting of the single word "SIGMA" surmounted with Martins ("sideways M") logo in mother of pearl above it and an inner paper label giving model and serial numbers. Some guitars in some years however, particularly the classical range, will not have the headstock logo, but all had the inner label. In 1980 the paper labels were discontinued and the back brace was stamped. With the move of production to Korea in 1984 the paper labels were reinstated but of a different design.

Other instruments included mandolins, banjos, acoustic and electric basses and solid body and hollow body electric guitars. Some solid body electric guitars were made by Tokai Guitars Company, LTD.^[3] After finishing, "Each Sigma instrument was brought into the Martin factory to be inspected and adjusted by Martin personnel before going to the authorized retail store for retail sale."^[4]

The Sigma guitar line was discontinued in 2007.^[1]

External links

C.F. Martin & Co. Website

References

^ ^a ^b Sigma Guitars
^ sigma guitars
^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dkai_Gakki
^ correspondence with C.F.Martin Guitar Co, Inc. Customer/Consumer Service Department, December 2008

[autogenerated1-1] Sigma Guitars

[2] sigma guitars

[3] ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dkai_Gakki

[4] rrespondence with C.F.Martin Guitar Co, Inc. Customer/Consumer Service Department, December 2008

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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 ==External links==
 [http://www.mguitar.com C.F. Martin & Co. Website]
-In 1970, guitar maker Martin created a line of inexpensive guitars to compete with the increasing number of imported guitars from Japan and elsewhere.[1]. Initial construction was in Japan, and those from 1970 to approximately 1978 were of solid high grade tonewood (top, sides and back) but from then onwards changed to laminated construction for the back and sides. The first Sigma's were dreadnought acoustics, DR-1 through DR-7 (D for dreadnought and R for rosewood and the number denoting the grade, 7 being the top grade instrument). Some GCR-6 triple 000 and OM Series were built in Japan also. Sigma built the GCS (Grand Concert Series) to Martin's 000 body specifications. There were also classical guitars in the C (Classical) series. Construction moved from Japan (1970 - 83), to Korea (1984 - 93/94), to Taiwan (1993 - 2007).[2].
-In 1980, the model lines and designations were changed to capitalize on Martin model names: the DM-18, DM-19, DR-28, DR-28H, DR-35, DR-41, DR-45, but the older model types were also continued as well.
-Sigma guitars made in Japan from 1970 through 1979 can be distinguished by a headstock logo consisting of the single word "SIGMA" surmounted with Martins ("sideways M") logo in mother of pearl above it and an inner paper label giving model and serial numbers. Some guitars in some years however, particularly the classical range, will not have the headstock logo, but all had the inner label. In 1980 the paper labels were discontinued and the back brace was stamped. With the move of production to Korea in 1984 the paper labels were reinstated but of a different design.
-Other instruments included mandolins, banjos, acoustic and electric basses and solid body and hollow body electric guitars. Some solid body electric guitars were made by Tokai Guitars Company, LTD.[3] After finishing, "Each Sigma instrument was brought into the Martin factory to be inspected and adjusted by Martin personnel before going to the authorized retail store for retail sale."[4]
-The Sigma guitar line was discontinued in 2007.[1]
-Descriptons of Sigma guitars 1970 to approximately 1975
-adjustable bridge on all dreadnought and GCS models (except DJ-7)
-peghead has concave curve at bottom where peghead meets neck.
-paper label inside has gold sigma symbol
-approximately 1975 to 1980:
-Martin style nonadjustable bridge
-Martin style peghead (no concave curve at bottom of peghead)
-Paper label inside guitar has light purple symbol
-From approximately 1978 onward:
-"Second Generation" Sigma guitars had Martin style logo at top of peghead.
-Description of Models available from 1970 to approximately 1975 from July 1, 1974 Sigma catalog:
-CS-6 Classical guitar. Mosaic marquetry around sound hole. Rosewood bridge. Spruce top. Back and sides Bubinga wood. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fingerboard. Pearl buttons on machine heads.
-CR-7 Classical guitar. Mosaic marquetry around sound hole. Back and sides rosewood. Top made of "finest close-grained spruce. Carved peg head. Neck mahogany. Flat-oval neck. Top and back binding black and white. Lacquer finish.
-DM-5 Dreadnought. Spruce top. Mahogany back and sides. Black and white binding. Natowood neck. Adjustable truss rod. Rosewood 	fingerboard. Nickel-silver frets. Open in-line tuning machines. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Adjustable truss rod (Note: no binding on peg head). Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-DR-7 Dreadnought. Spruce top. Matched rosewood back and sides. Back and sides have black and white binding. Rosewood overlay on on peg head. Peg head bound in white. Adjustable truss rod. Rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Pearl inlay position markers on fingerboard. High gloss lacquer finish. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-DJ-7 Dreadnought. Spruce top. Brazilian jacaranda sides. 3 piece matched grain jacaranda back with marquetry. White bound peg head. Ebony fingerboard. Mother of pearl inlays on fingerboard. Fixed ebony bridge. Neck natowood. Adjustable truss rod. Black and white binding. Satin lacquer finish. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-DM12-5 12 String Dreadnought. Spruce top. Mahogany back and sides. Black and white binding on back and sides. Rosewood fingerboard. Unbound peg head. Open inline tuning machines. Adjustable Rosewood bridge. Unbound peg head. Adjustable truss rod. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-DM12-7 12 String Dreadnought. Spruce top. Rosewood back and sides. Black and white binding on back and sides. Rosewood fingerboard. Pearl position dots. Adjustable rosewood bridge. High gloss lacquer finish. White bound peg head. Adjustable truss rod. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-GCS-6 Grand Concert. Spruce top. Sapere wood back and sides. Mahogany neck. Adjustable rosewood bridge. White bound peg head. Rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable Rosewood bridge. Adjustable truss rod. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-GCS-7 Grand Concert. Spruce top. Rosewood back and sides. Black and white binding.Rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable rosewood bridge. Gloss lacquer finish. White bound peg head. Adjustable truss rod. Gold sigma symbol on inside paper label.
-Listed below are additional models from a Sigma catalog from approximately 1975 to 1978. These guitars still had the early peg head logo, instead of the "Second Generation Sigma" Martin Style logo on peg head.
-DT-22 Dreadnought. Spruce top. Tiger-striped maple sides and back. Maple headstock veneer. Tortoise shell binding around back and sides. Black pick guard. Fixed bridge has diamond shape inlays. Fingerboard has snowflake and diamond shape inlays. Pearl Inlay between 19th and 20th fret (inscription not described in catalog). This pearl inlay feature shows up on the 1980 Anniversary model also. Inside paper label will have light purple sigma symbol.
-DR-7S Dreadnought sunburst. As described in earlier catalog however peg head is Martin shape without pronounced concave shape at bottom where peg head meets neck. Inside paper label will have light purple sigma symbol. Rosewood fixed bridge. Inside paper label will have light purple sigma symbol.
-DM-5S Dreadnought sunburst. As described in earlier catalog however peg head is Martin shape without pronounced concave shape at bottom where peg head meets neck. Inside paper label will have light purple sigma symbol.
-GCS-4 Grand Concert. Spruce top. Mahogany back and sides. Rosewood fixed bridge and fingerboard.
-Inside paper label will have light purple sigma symbol.
-CS-4 Classical Guitar. Spruce top. Mahogany back and sides. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
 ==References==