- C f martin guitar serial numbers serial numbers#
- C f martin guitar serial numbers serial number#
- C f martin guitar serial numbers series#
In 1980 the paper labels were discontinued and the inner back brace was "branded." With the move of production to Korea in 1984, paper labels, this time with a fancy border, were reinstated, although some early 1984 models still retained the back center brace stamping.
C f martin guitar serial numbers serial number#
81XXXXXX.) Since we know these instruments were manufactured from 1984 through 2007 in these two countries, it is safe to assume that a serial number beginning with 81XXXXXX was not produced in 1981.
C f martin guitar serial numbers serial numbers#
Serial numbers for Sigma guitars built in Korea and Taiwan are perhaps meaningless, though again some seem to indicate the year of manufacture (e.g. Martin factory in Nazareth, Pa alongside the regular production line These instruments were constructed using preformed and sometimes partially assembled imported parts, built or completed in the C.F. "Sigma-Martin USA" guitars built in 19 had serial numbers 900,001 to 902,908.
75XXXXXX possibly equates to a build year 1975.) It is widely assumed by owners and Sigma historians that this is correct, though C.F. Some early 70s Sigma guitar serial numbers started with 7* suggesting the 197* build date (e.g. I bought it new in 1970." Further, DR-7's with a four digit ink stamped label serial number and a zero fret strongly suggests a very early build date.
One Sigma DR-7 owner stated "I have an old Sigma DR-7 Guitar.s/n 6860. For example, serial numbers on the earliest DR-7's start with 4 digit numbers on through 5 digit numbers. However, while some models lasted the entire run from 1970 through 1983, others did not and were only offered for a limited number of years, so that most models' construction dates can be narrowed down to a reasonable range. This may be due to them being built in several Japanese factories at the same time with no coordination in the serial numbering system. Sigma serial numbers do not provide an indicator of the year in which a particular model was built. L-R as seen through the sound hole: Serial number, "Brand," Model number.) Early Korean made guitars show this same brand, only Made in Korea in place of Japan followed by an ink stamp of the model number, and prefixed by the serial number assigned to the instrument. All other text was printed in black ink, or stamped on in ink by the manufacturer (model and serial numbers.) From 1980 through 1983, the end of Japanese production, the back center brace is pressure stamped, or "branded" in a football shape stating Sigma Guitars/Made in Japan/For/C.F. Later one's (c1972 onward) had white labels that had gold lettering with a border, often reddish-brown or purple in color. The earliest examples had a plain black on white inner paper label giving the model and serial numbers. Labels and Brands Sigma's made in Japan from 1970 through 1979 used a paper label to identify the model and serial number of the instrument. As is tradition in classical instruments, Sigma classical guitars do not have the headstock logo, and one must rely on the inner label for identification. 1970" underneath in a smaller block font. By the mid 1970's (c1976) the headstock logo design changed to utilize a gold "Martin style" decal stating "Sigma Guitars" in script with "Est. Interestingly, while playing a Sigma guitar the "sideways M" becomes "right side up" suggesting "M" for Martin. The sigma symbol is often described as a "sideways M." The early 70s models (1970 -1975) can be distinguished by a headstock logo consisting of the single word SIGMA surmounted with the Σ symbol (the Greek letter sigma), in mother of pearl. Sigma guitars made in Japan from 1970 through 1983. The DM-5 and DR-7, as well as other early models continued to be built during this time as well. In 1980, model designations were added to capitalize on Martin model numbers: the DM-18, DM-19, DR-28, DR-28H, DR-35, DR-41, and DR-45. D for dreadnought, R for rosewood, M for mahogany and the number denoting the grade of wood, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15.Ĭonstruction moved from Japan (1970–83), to Korea (1984-93/94), and finally Taiwan (1993–2007). Dreadnought models DM-5 and DR-7 are the most common early Sigma guitars until the late '70's.
C f martin guitar serial numbers series#
The first Sigmas were typically dreadnought acoustics, although Grand Concert Series (GCS) and classical models were also produced from the early 1970s (1971) onward. Initial construction was in Japan by various manufacturers/factories from 1970 through 1983.