martin sigma

i was over a friends house tonight and pulled out his acoustic. (which has been sitting in a case for the last few years) he told me it was an epiphone but it was in fact a sigma from martin. aside from the cheap tuners, i was blown away at how nice this guitar played, sounded and felt. anyone know if they are still available or have any history on them?

Good luck finding any useful information on the Sigma's. I have an SDR-28 that is a really nice guitar and the info I have found on it doesn't really tell me much. Sigma's were made in several different country's and seem to have, some good and some not so good, areas of quality. At one time they were built to exact Martin specs with 2 piece tops and inferior wood. Then they were shipped back to the US and inspected by Martin inspectors. If they were passed they were then sold, if rejected they were suppose to be destroyed. At one time there were a few made in Korea with one piece tops. I have one of those and will probably never part with it. I saw a newer model yesterday at a pawn shop for $350.00 that wasn't close to the quality on the one I have.
So I guess you have to take each one at what it's worth to you. If you can find a nice one grab it.

I had an HD28. Got it at a pawn shop for $50. It was a really good guitar, but I don't play acoustic much so I traded it for my MIJ Squier Tele about 10 years ago.

The action was a bit high, and I didn't know a thing about doing a setup back then, but I'm sure it would be an easy fix. While it wasn't as nice sounding as my uncle's 50s Martin (can't remember which model) it was a nice guitar and great for what I paid for it.

Ive had a DM18 since the early 80's

A great guitar,it was the closest I could get to a Martin at the time

I have a DR-35 I found in a second-hand shop about 18 years ago. It was built in the late '70's -- MIK, I think. She's a great guitar. my #1 acoustic. Keeps sounding better every year! Here's some info on their current models:

http://www.sigmaguitars.com/

One thing I've noticed on eBay is that pre-Martin Sigmas are being sold as Martins because they have the Greek Sigma letter on the headstock. For those that don't know, it's a sideways M that predates our modern E. eBay sellers always misrepresent it as an M. Try explaining that one to a hard-headed seller.

I've owned two, A DR-2 and then a DT-4, both were very nice playing sounding guitars. I sometimes miss that DT-4, I know that the girl I sold it to still has it. Hmmmm... I wonder if she'll sell it back to me?

i can't remember the model # my friend has but i do know it was made in japan. is there a certain era they were MIJ? the action was SUPER low, no buzz at all and it had a very rich bass tone to it. i haven't had a guitar impress me like this in many years.

You can learn just about anything on the Martin Forum.

www.umgf.com

I'm johnlg over there.

This is the wiki entry........

In 1970, guitar maker Martin created a line of inexpensive guitars made in part from laminated wood, instead of the solid wood used in their main line. (The name may have originated by turning the Greek letter Sigma (Σ) on its side.) Construction moved from Japan (1970 - 83), to Korea (1984 - 93/94), to Taiwan (1993 - 2007). The first Sigma's were dreadnought acoustics, DR-1 through DR-7 (D for dreadnought and R for rosewood). Sigma built the GCS (Grand Concert Series) to Martin's 000 body specifications. There were models in the CS (Classical Series). 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. 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.

The Sigma guitar line was discontinued in 2007.

They were good imported guitars. I had an 18 series Sigma of some sort many years ago. I paid about $190 for it.