Inside the Martin Guitar in Nazareth, PA | Factory Tour

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Join John Bohlinger as he gets an inside look at how after over 100 years, the epicenter of acoustic guitar still resides in Nazareth, PA. Here you'll see the historic company combining their 140-year handmade tradition with a forward vision of luthierie that incorporates 21st-century machinery and computerized optimization.
With roots that date back to the early 19th century, the multi-generational Martin Guitars-which also employs a host of multi-generational builders-draws on their long history to combine the traditional handmade methods of their early days with modern 21st century computerized optimization, all of which are on display throughout this thorough, detailed factory tour that makes every stop along the assembly process.
Instrument design manager Rameen Shayegan leads Bohlinger through the factory, where they see workers, each specialized in various parts of the creation process, building the company’s instruments. Their first stop starts at the very beginning of the manufacturing process, at the raw wood acclimation department and the sawmill, and we get to see firsthand where guitars begin to take shape and necks are rough cut. Next, we see how backs are made and are introduced to the clamp carrier machine, where they’re glued up and set to dry. Braces are then carved and installed onto the guitars’ tops-which we see being laser cut to precision-and backs. Once the sides are bent, a rim is applied, glued, and a guitar body is made. Then, binding is installed, necks meet the bodies, frets meet fretboards, guitars are finished, and we meet the imposing and futuristic polishing robot, which makes that finish shine.
By the time the tour winds down in the setup department, we witness the final steps of the Martin creation process, where guitar get the Plek-machine treatment, get strung up for the very first time, and electronics are installed. Quality control doesn’t stop until after every instrument spends time in four-day hold and gets a thorough reinspection before shipping off to its next destination.
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00:00 - Intro Video
00:13 - John Bohlinger & Rameen Shayegan Intro
00:38 - Factory Overview
01:32 - Raw Wood Acclimation & Sawmill
04:22 - Necks & Premium Wood Selection
06:45 - Custom Shop Woods
09:09 - Handpicking Sides
11:09 - Matching & Gluing Tops and Backs
14:31 - Martin Parade Float & X-Bracing Designs
18:25 - Gluing Braces
19:39 - CNC Laster Cutting Tops & Backs
20:58 - Candling Tops
22:57 - Carving & Shaping Braces
25:00 - Bending & Joining Sides
27:06 - Adding Ribbon Lining
27:51 - Gluing Top & Back to Rim Sides
30:06 - Binding Phrasing
32:08 - Joining Neck to Body
35:05 - Fretboards
36:32 - Neck Shaping & Sanding
37:30 - Surface Prep and Body Sanding
38:01 - Buffing
41:01 - Final Assembly
43:16 - Setup & Shipping
© Copyright Gearhead Communications LLC, 2023
#guitar #acousticguitar #martinguitar

[@premierguitar]

Learn More about Martin: bit.ly/MartinGuitarPG Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@jwukulele]

Might not want to conflate CNC machines with AI/artificial intelligence. Two entirely different things.

[@edsautter51]

This was a cool trip down memory lane for me. I worked at Martin in the 80's. My desk was in the old plant on north street where Mr. Martin had, had his desk. I have a hard time going on the tour as so many I worked with are still there today. I have to keep catching up to the tour from seeing them and catching up. Oh and if you had smell o vision that would add tons to the video. Wow I can just smell the plant in my mind today. There's just something about the Martin factory you never forget. I worked with some special people and will never forget my time there. The stories I could tell.

[@mesametal8768]

i worked there as well ed for 12 years,unfortunately it is not the same any more.

[@edsautter51]

@@mesametal8768 sorry to hear that. I haven't been to the factory in years. I need to get back there and see the place again. What dept did you work at?

[@mesametal8768]

@@edsautter51 i did almost everything except for neck fitting and sawmill,my last few years were in stringing and final inspection,was a blast that i could a guitar literally all day.

[@5150show]

Love my 2017 D-28 . Took me 40 years to get it

[@toddjohnson271]

Ditto...so love my 2017 HD-28

[@proc007]

Like many, I’ve always considered Martin to be one of the industry leaders in the acoustic guitar world, but after seeing the ins and outs of their operations/manufacturing here, they’ve earned a totally new level of respect in my book. The amount of attention to detail and the number of QA touch points in this production process are unmatched. I really hope the brand continues to live on for many years to come so that my great great grandchildren are able to enjoy these incredible instruments as much as I have! Thank you Premier Guitar for taking us through this wonderful tour!

[@JTB--]

These Behind the scenes tours of a Guitar Makers Factory are so awesome

[@premierguitar]

thank you!

[@mesametal8768]

@@premierguitar why was my comment removed,so much for the first amendment!

[@GoenndalfTheBlue]

Man this guy knows how to put on a show and show things. That was AWESOME!

[@gastondubois896]

@ 9:30 Doh! Love the expression on the builder's face after he broke the side while testing its flexibility. Priceless.

[@terryeaster1]

i just bought my first martin guitar. it took about 5 minutes to become my favorite guitar of all time

[@scottgentile1663]

Rameen is a total class act. Martin is lucky to have him working there. Pure passion and know how. Thanks for the great tour.

[@lhvent]

I toured Martin in September 2022. Amazing tour

[@jarradtait9381]

At 9.35 he cracked that lumber sheet and was so pissed with himself haha. Legend.

[@gfurstnsu]

I learned how to play guitar while I was working as a dishwasher in Denton Lake, NY. I was determined to learn and played even when my finger tips had blood. When I returned at the end of the summer I picked up my father’s 1945 Martin D-18, I teared up at the sound produced on that then old guitar. It had the most beautiful sound. After my father died, I was the owner of this guitar and even hitchhiked around the US playing it in the mid 1960s. When short of money I would put out my hat. When I moved to Korea in 2003, I passed it on to the next generation of our family, so it is still played daily and I am sure that it will be passed on through our family. I thank my stars that my dad back in 1945 picked a Martin guitar made in Nazareth, PA. What joy that guitar gave me in California, Fairbanks, Alaska, New York, Massachusetts and all over the western US. Never will I ever forget that day when I picked it up after dish washing all summer and strummed the guitar and my ears heard that glorious sound of an old Martin D-18!

[@rjwh67220]

What a wonderful story!

[@justsittinhere72]

It must have been tough playing a guitar after washing dishes all day. Callused finger tips constantly being softened by dish water.

[@joes1804]

“I pulled into Nazareth feeling bout half past dead”

[@noamglassner]

Take a load of martin's for free

[@mongarcia9151]

Dude. Rameen explained the whole thing really really well. Props to him. 👏👏👏

[@aluminati9918]

Great presentation as always, John, and kudos to Rameen for mentioning each employee by name! Have one Martin, now you made me crave for one more…

[@robertnewell5057]

and one more, and just one more, etc👍

[@thomaslinke978]

I have done the factory tour 6 times over the last 30+ years.....always amazing...always inspirational...even if you are not a guitarist you will enjoy seeing the craftsmanship and love Martin puts into their instruments!

[@dyukin]

Martin’s PR is on point.

[@BuffaloC305]

I drove two days up to Nazareth to drop off my 3 Martins for repairs, and decided to join a tour, only to receive very crappy response 'for being late'. I went back to the repair luthiers who said, "Come with us and we'll do the better tour" which showed me specific workers likely responsible for my guitars (12, 16 and 21 years old by that time). I've sold 2 of those in these subsequent decades then replaced the D-35 with an HD-35.

[@danielktdoranie]

Love my Martin Custom D model. My number 1 guitar

[@crazycat1345]

Be careful of these new guitars they are very fragile and come apart easily. I know from experience.

[@NgiamTeeEe]

Is it the Super D?

[@danielktdoranie]

@@NgiamTeeEe nope. However I give you ma the SPECTACULAR D

[@stratfanstl]

Love my 2014 D35. Waited 30+ years to invest in one. Easily the dumbest mistake I made in all that time to wait. Phenomenally well made. It sounds odd to say but it strikes me every time I play it that it is a perfect machine... made of wood. It was designed to do exactly one thing and everything about the design contributes to that goal and nothing detracts from it.

[@rjwh67220]

Congratulations on finally seeing the light!

[@yellowdrops5690]

Great Tour! I own 15 of these beauties. ❤Martin.

[@TheOlmecindian]

This was awesome 😎 thanks John & Martin

[@glennc100]

Been to Martin 3 times and even met Chris Martin in the lobby...they are the nicest people and their product is a American classic.

[@robertwiiand2460]

Ive considered getting a 0-18...this just sold me. The amount of handwork and attention to detail is impressive.

[@ia5662]

Best sounding guitar they make, in my humble opinion - plus I own one!

[@timothycormier3494]

That compound dovetail also makes it easier to remove the neck years from now on that eventual neck reset.

[@xStonr]

That was the best factory tour I ever saw. Fantastic!

[@bloozintro]

Just bought a new 000-28EC. So excited! Looks, plays, and sounds like a dream. Took time away from playing to take in this Martin factory tour video. Great vid... so now, back to picking on the new guitar!

[@georgescannelli3814]

Great job. Thanks for such a detailed tour/ lesson on Martins guitar building process. . I’m fortunate to be only 45 minutes away, living in New Jersey. Visited and took my guitar for modifications. many times. You are a great asset to Martin. You are very engaged and passionate in regard to what you know and do.

[@johnmunster4028]

Wow, what a great look inside the production of masterpiece guitars. Rameen did a fantastic job of explaining each process of the builds, and it shows that he so dedicated to his job (or passion). One day, I WILL own a D 28!!! Thanks for the video everyone.

[@pankajjoshi2032]

It's heavily overpriced.

[@ericbitzer5247]

I took this tour of the factory quite a few years ago. After the tour there was a room full of Martin guitars that I spent a couple hours in. I got to play my dream guitar Martin D45 of course I spent the most time on, although I picked up every single one. ALL great guitars!!

[@MetalGroundMotoVlogs]

John is the best. He lets people talk without interrupting them constantly 🤟

[@rifosi]

Hats off, Martin is still a great guitar manufacturer.

[@Andy-te8ui]

Well done Rameen. Really enjoyed the tour!

[@gregoryclift2439]

What a wonderful video from a wonderful company. So happy with my D-35. thx

[@nomadexplorer6682]

Superb. Keep up the quality and tradition. Martin is a strong brand name.

[@Guitarwizzard1833]

When you realize that Captain Morgan is no longer on your rum bottle…but is giving tours at CF Martin Guitar Company. Great stuff. Great tour guide. And great content. Thanks for doing this.

[@LeonSanginiti]

Tjis is a PHENOMENAL VIDEO! I wish Premiere Guitar would do more factory tours like this with other manufacturers!!

[@Andy-ri1ns]

Love these tours. Just watched Mayer at MSG and some of the Martins he played were out of this world. Fabulous guitar maker and this was brilliant insight. Thanks guys!!!

[@pierheadjump]

⚓️ Thanks JoN PG 😎 this never gets old.

[@stnwrd]

IMO The Rolls Royce of acoustic guitars!!!!!

[@ASQUITHZ9]

No go to any Guitar maker in Spain and you will see attention to detail This is just another factory that produces Wood items at extortionate prices by people who have more money than sense!!

[@dougwatt6303]

Awesome tour! Thank you! Great tour director also.

[@davekoser3938]

This spokesman is an incredibly good communicator! Thanks for explaining all of this so well.

[@MikesTropicalTech]

Fantastic! A combination of two of my loves - woodworking and guitars. Around 2005 I built a replica of a D-28 by following Lynn Dudenbostel's process on his 4-part series on the DIY Network. I'm jealous of those jigs and tools, I did everything by hand the hard way. It still looks great and sounds great.

[@55418und]

Beautiful product. I love to see quality being built. Nice job!

[@dekalbes335]

I've toured the Martin factory at least 5 times. Awesome experience. I love that place.

[@kevincrouch3956]

Very, very cool, always enjoy watching guitar 's being created, thanks.

[@twombley]

That guy knows his stuff. Fascinating. Great to see where my HD-28V started its life...

[@davelips]

There's a reason these are the best acoustic guitars on Earth. Well done Martin.

[@beezersurf]

Epic, love my Martin. Nice work guys.

[@roodierivera]

killed it!

[@jamestally7184]

That was awesome, he really knows his stuff too, very informative and the level of craftsmanship is so impressive

[@JigilJigil]

What a facility.

[@alphillips87]

Awesome Tour!

[@tomdaoust]

Outstanding tour. I love wood, woodworking, music and guitars. After seeing this I want to visit the factory. I may have to buy a Martin as well. I play a combo Mosrite sunburst, identical to one I saw Glen Campbell play on tv. Thanks for making this video.

[@frankschmidt4311]

Thank you so much for my 2020 000-28 Standard. Pure art!!!

[@charliewesley94]

Fantastic guitars. Definitely worth the visit.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

I read an article where the sawdust is collected and used to make a laminate for the Mexican-made Martins. I bought one and compared the playability and sound to a D16 and D35...I was very impressed. They sound and play outstanding. They sound like Martins! I have seen other brands being repaired because the bridge is separating from the top...the bridges were glued to the clear coated top. Not on a Martin.

[@searayser]

"sawdust is collected and used to make a laminate" - Said no one with even the slightest understanding of Wood is, or even what Laminate is.

[@Boomheyyou]

That’s an awesome tour. Been there once loved it.

[@J.C...]

I'm pretty sure I've seen Canadian luthier Ted Woodford string up a Martin or 3 without glue during neck resets here on KZbin. I believe he even pointed out the fact that it's extremely helpful that one is able to do that before glue up so you can check the neck angle when it's strung up with full tension, then make adjustments if it's necessary. Obviously not possible if you have to glue up the joint just to string the guitar up to full tension.

[@Charliemed1000]

Thank you very well organized, it is a privilege to work there.

[@haggishead7558]

Amazing I just got my first Martin and I love it

[@mefirstandthegimmiegimmies5160]

I have owned several acoustics over the years. By far my Martin and Takamine guitars are the two best acoustics I have ever heard. I've had both of them almost 30 years each so they have aged well and I'll never get rid of them. Awesome tour video.

[@paulbanner9612]

Mine Lowden and Faith 👍

[@J.C...]

SWEET!

[@grahamcampbell167]

Great video, I love Martin guitars ❤

[@Iam_Dunn]

This was AWESOME! :) In 1985 I was 16 and walking past a yard sale in Timmins, ON when I spotted an old ‘cardboard’ guitar case. The lady had $50 on the sticker and I had $38 (Canadian $) in my wallet that I offered to her. The nice lady said that if no one bought the old guitar by the end of the sale, that I could buy it (she was packing up in about an hour). I sat down on the curb to anxiously wait it out. The ‘week’ I waited was finally up and myself and the nice old lady exchanged my $38 for a 1957 D45. I sold it the next week to a guitar store in Ottawa, ON for $4k and about a year later they sold it for $15k. Sometimes I wish I kept it, but the two Les Pauls and Marshall stack I bought with my windfall $ were definitely worth it! :)

[@raytothet7665]

Wow he is good explaining!

[@christianketelaer6079]

Super interesting factory tour, the quality difference between a Martin acoustic and any other acoustic guitar became super clear to me....

[@acousticguitarcanada]

Educational tour... thanks for posting!

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SuperMarcus2323]

Been there twice! Go take the tour. You won’t be disappointed.

[@Boomheyyou]

I still can’t believe when I went here the tour was free. I don’t know about now though.

[@paulsteezo1772]

"Love Hurts" Nazareth!

[@thisperfectworld]

John, we need a demo of that new, bigger Martin model mentioned!

[@mattpierce4108]

Super cool video

[@SibeDad]

Thanks for the tour. This has to be the custom shop line. With the number of guitars Martin puts out daily, I doubt if every guitar gets this much attention to detail. Just MHO😎 I own two Martins, a 1970 D12-35 and a 2015 CS HD 35, and love them both.💖💖

[@ericbitzer5247]

I took the tour years ago. They will build you anything you want, but every guitar does get that treatment. There's really no custom line. That's why they're so expensive. In other words, there's a custom shop, but no custom line.

[@leer.2137]

when Joan & Tyler went to visit, they were invited to a visit of the old factory

[@hugechimp]

Fantastic!...Martin is The Pinacle..

[@rkoblues24]

Amazing tour! I've never seen Bollinger not talking this long, ever.

[@Euthymia2020]

I borrowed a Martin LX1. Changed out the strings for Earnie ball Earthwood silk and steel. Loved the sound, size, comfortability. I was skeptical but it’s the factory strings that I’m not a fan of. Put new Earthwood strings and it was perfect. I’ll be saving up just for that guitar. Hopefully Martin LXM if they make more. More durable for weather changes.

[@tonybarten2787]

Cool video... I've only even held a guitar about four times in my life. However, I am an avid wood worker so I just thought I'd take a look... Glad I did. I told my wife I'd like to hand a couple guitars up as decor.

[@muddypawsadventurer7775]

Super Dread... oh boy, that may be just the guitar to wait for. Fantastic tour, had no idea how Martin has progressed into the modern world and applied technology to building the brand.

[@stevenclarke5606]

This must be such a cool place to work, I imagine that you would get such a sense of job satisfaction.

[@jjmuni]

The three piece back of the D-35 came along when they were using even smaller pieces of the fading and not so big growing brasilian rosewood.

[@kennethfottenbury8169]

I've been to your factory it was awesome

[@Phil_Goodman]

Best guitars ever made.

[@kinnjohn]

Great tour. But, the three piece back on the 35 was not for decorative purposes, but to use up the smaller pieces of braz..

[@geoffreycarter3981]

Yes, excellent marketing on that model, when larger rosewood pieces were in relative short supply. They made it different enough with the lighter bracing that it stood out from the d28, but also convinced people that it was an aesthetic step up as well and it remains a part of the standard series today.

[@texhaines9957]

Glad they mentioned a Super D. It is such a great guitar

[@andersfernbach2399]

Yes, please

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Been there twice now I want to go again 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@davidless57]

great video and commentator

[@sixstringsam8325]

amazing

[@ericmacho7452]

Drinking coffee in my living room on a Saturday morning, watching this video while petting my Martin like it's a cat.

[@trade0714]

Forget the image of your Martin guitar being handcrafted in an old brick building. Love em' or not, this is how a "factory" guitar is made.

[@peterfritsch4736]

Martin guitars are still affordable and certainly a great value for the money. Hard to find a better sounding 'factory' guitar. I have two and they sound great. Now waiting for my Custom Shop Martin M36 that should be ready any day now.

[@JohnSmith-ze6mz]

I need one!!!!

[@tompoynton]

We need you to go 4K guys

[@robertnewell5057]

Fantastic tour. I still don't think anything could beat the DIck Boak tours, but this is really good, and unbeatable in 45 minutes (Dick's MF tour is in several parts adding up to about a couple of hours, as I recall). As a result, some detail is lacking here, but it is still a fantastic tour. Likewise, DIck is a legend, but Rameen does a super job and we still get a sense of the pride and care the comany and its employees take. So much is still basically handwork, albeit with template assistance. I have a J40, an HD35 and an MC68. They are all incredible guitars and I cannot believe what great value they are. Obviously, they are expensive (especially here in the UK), but honestly you cannot buy better. Different, sure. Boutique, custom or handmade, sure, but in my opinion, leaving aside all those special appointments you can only get from a single handed luthier, Martin still lead. I do not, however, believe they were right to move into the mid and lower end markets. Maybe they had to for marketing reasons, but these products are much better covered elsewhere and detract from the brand integrity.I also don't recommend their merch (t shirts, etc), which are average at best. But the standard guitars? Sell everything you can and buy one.

[@JackieTurner-uo1jr]

Can anyone tell what number cost the most and what number are cheaper. Like D45 etc.

[@BOOMER-DAD]

John, Yea. My first guitar was a D28 copy in 1971. I paid $120 retail W/O a case

[@MoimoiaPachuau]

interesting video👍👍

[@GaGuitar]

This guy is so freakin smart!

[@nahkanukke]

I am amazed how mutch work is really needed for a good guitar. Thanks for shearing this video.

[@michaelprozonic]

this is a great tour even if you are just a fan of quality woodworking techniques