Martin Guitar Launches Virtual Custom Shop Online

Apr 01, 2008

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C.F. Martin & Co. has launched a new online application enabling consumers to create their own one-of-a-kind acoustic guitar, through the acclaimed Martin Custom Shop at martinguitar.com. If there is cache surrounding the prestigious Martin Guitar, it's because the company has the reputation for producing instruments of unparalleled quality. This latest innovation puts the custom shop program directly into the hands of every guitar player that has ever dreamed of creating their own signature edition model guitar.

Located on the Martin Guitar website the new user-friendly program is a fun and easy way to try almost limitless ideas for creating a unique custom Martin guitar. The application is graphic based, allowing you to immediately preview your choices while providing detailed specifications and approximate suggested retail pricing.

The detailed steps at the online Custom Shop begin by choosing the shape and size of the guitar. Built in many different sizes and shapes, with different materials, all produce a different tone, some subtle, some dramatically different. Whether you are a rhythmic strummer or fingerstyle player, consumers will be able to choose the body style, orientation (right or left handed) and scale length.

Next, is selecting tone woods (top, back and sides). A diverse array of premium tone woods, from exotic to traditional, are available. Each has its own unique character, color, figure, texture and tonal qualities. Martin then expertly applies the finish (sunburst, natural or toned "vintage" lacquers) to protect the wood, enhance the sound and further customize your instrument visually.

Furthermore, playability is one of the most critical details of your new custom guitar. A comfortable neck with the right string tension and width makes your guitar feel better and easier to play. Consumers are able to choose their own wood, shape, headstock, tuning machines, decal, inlays, bindings and fingerboard.

Finally, Martin Guitar is renowned for their long history and fine artistry in traditional woodworking and their ability to execute delicate and complex bindings and inlays. Appointments and inlays truly make a guitar one-of-a-kind. Consumers will be able to customize nearly everything from the headplate, fingerboard, pickguard and bridge to the back and sides.

Once completed, consumers can print out their custom order that outlines all the essential, unique specifications and virtual mock-ups of their guitar, then bring it to their nearest authorized Martin dealer for a quotation on the guitar of their dreams. Typically, customers can expect about four to eight months from time of initiation for a Custom Martin model to be delivered.

Customers are reminded that more options will be added regularly to the software configurator. If a particular feature does not appear, it does not necessarily mean that it is not offered.

For more information, visit their web site at www.martinguitar.com.