martin copy

Hey guys. I was looking at an obvious martin knockoff a few days ago. Seemed like a modern day lawsuit era to me. From a distance it looked like the actual martin logo, but as you got closer you noticed that it was some kind of other name written in a kinda martin like script. Also the est. xxxx beneath it. But I'm afraid the name slipped my mind and would appreciate any knowledge in that directon. I think it was kind of 000 or parlor bodied. it also was ALL ROSEWOOD! neck/FB, top,sides, back, saddle etc. Everything exept the bracing that was some kind of lighter colored wood. Also some kind of fret marker inlays going on. It sounded great, played like butta and was one sexy guitar! Anybody here who can help me out finding that model/brand?

And sorry for my bad english, i'm just a european teen. Also apologize for my limited knowledge regarding acoustics.

. . . I think it was kind of 000 or parlor bodied. it also was ALL ROSEWOOD! neck/FB, top,sides, back, saddle etc. Everything exept the bracing that was some kind of lighter colored wood. . . . . I think it was ALL MAHOGANY. Like, the Martin 00015M:
http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/18/001/388/672/DV016_Jpg_Large_423480.jpg
Here's a Guild:
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/public/iBf0tfbZMInpxllCwDoYNoE6SQH8ULRaTfBWX_DcTfWvCXBjnl pfPhE_h5Wr5YZnjR6RiqDShal0e6lFIkWrUhTRylN_M6uPv0nX C4rH55BkoWm0GEqOhRqYjRiYQ0yKoWCMORGqbrMDJPIfF0YV0n bqqMyTeDLNt0NUDvnQBVNG3UogOBJ-TjlCG4RlHwnG6IU3DruXUjiAIflShe1hKeS4CU0TW2Pp1pWi-7LExQ
I have seen some all mahogany guitars that are imports: imports can have different names in different countries. I can't guess what name is similar to Martin except the Aussie guitar Maton - which is a very good guitar brand.

good luck,
Greg

aah you got me! sorry it was indeed all mahogany then. brain fart.

i can tell you it was EXACTLY the same guitar as the martin. just with a different name on the headstock. think in directon of tokai love rock models. almost the same but not quite. just the logo looked similar, the name wasn't if i recall right.
and at a fraction of the price of a martin.

it could be a Sigma guitar ... years ago Martin sold endorsed copies with the Sigma label that were made in Japan and Korea ... i think they are still made, but now the Sigma name is no longer associated with Martin ... http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/Data/Product_Images/SIGMA000M-15a.jpg the headstock logo was similar to Martin until you looked closely ... EST 1970 ... http://www.guitar-list.com/files/styles/galleryformatter_slide/public/mygearpics/P2051385.JPG

It was a sigma indeed! I just remembered the name before i checked back here! I'm not sure of the country of origin but it was a great guitar. Not in any way inferior to a genuine martin.

Some of those original Sigmas were nice. I remember helping a buddy buy his first acoustic in about '92 and that's what we went for. Bang for buck it was the best we saw. I read a review of the new ones recently and it seemed OK but wasn't totally glowing.

I got a Sigma DM2 in 1994 and it's been awesome. The tone isn't bad but doesn't really pop out of it, and it's got a laminated top, but plugged in it sounds really nice. This was the first really decent guitar I ever owned and it'll always hold a place in my heart. I've even made some money with it! I'm right in with GigsbyBoy's buddy when it comes to bang for the buck. Another plus: you can beat the hell out of it and it stays in tune. The cheapos I had before this one wouldn't stay in tune at all and that was very frustrating.

Hey guys. I was looking at an obvious martin knockoff a few days ago. Seemed like a modern day lawsuit era to me. From a distance it looked like the actual martin logo, but as you got closer you noticed that it was some kind of other name written in a kinda martin like script. Also the est. xxxx beneath it. But I'm afraid the name slipped my mind and would appreciate any knowledge in that directon. I think it was kind of 000 or parlor bodied. it also was ALL ROSEWOOD! neck/FB, top,sides, back, saddle etc. Everything exept the bracing that was some kind of lighter colored wood. Also some kind of fret marker inlays going on. It sounded great, played like butta and was one sexy guitar! Anybody here who can help me out finding that model/brand?

And sorry for my bad english, i'm just a european teen. Also apologize for my limited knowledge regarding acoustics.

Well, since you live in Europe........here's some good news for ya. They're available again. Don't know if they're as good as the old ones, but the prices are great and they have a nice return policy.

http://www.sigma-guitars.com/

Thanks! I already thought that, the one I tried was a new one with a tag on it. 330€. Played and sounded like a champ, i think i'll have another NGD soon.

the original Sigmas were stamped CF Martin inside the body... i have a MIK DV-4 Marquis that i bought in the early '90s ... it is unique and has ovangkol back and sides which were uncommon back then ... if you can find an MIJ model, those are supposed to be really nice ... again they are not copies ... they were made under the approval and QC of Martin ... https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WapXSKKoDyY/T42xGfy0uGI/AAAAAAAACH4/JP0ctkvGsps/s512/2012-04-17%252011.05.56.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hpFWd6--s1c/T42w7bMDtoI/AAAAAAAACHw/Y5FzwZC2FVs/s512/2012-04-17%252011.04.55.jpg

are the new ones still produced under martin's QC?
sounds kinda like the squier of martin to me. i like that.

I learned to play on a first year 1971 martin sigma that my dad still has. A DR12-7 which is a dreadnought, rosewood, 12 string, and 7 is the higher end versions. It is a great great guitar and sounds great. This was the only year of the zero fret as well.

The earliest Sigmas were made with offshore parts but assembled in the Martin factory. These are easily identified as the logo reads Sigma by Martin. They were solid top guitars with laminate bodies and are the best of the breed. Quality, however declined during the 1970s. By the end of the decade Sigmas were no longer assembled at the Martin factory and made with all laminate wood.

I will play her again tomorrow after school and report back then. When i played it last weekend it was quite loud and busy in our guitar store because they moved and had a reopening festival thingy.

so we'll see if it still sounds as good when i can hear it better. :lol:

are the new ones still produced under martin's QC?
sounds kinda like the squier of martin to me. i like that.

Martin sold the "Sigma" name to a Chinese guitar factory and doesn't have any say over how Sigma guitars are made now. The Sigma web site talks about how great the current product line is, and how good their QC is, but I think it should all be taken with a grain of salt. Afterall, they're just trying to sell a product.

The Sigma product line copies the Martin product line almost to a "T" and, I have to admit, they LOOK beautiful and they're certainly priced right, but I wouldn't buy one expecting it to be the same thing as the "real deal". At the same time, I also have to believe that they're probably just as well built as any other PAC rim guitar at the same price. Time will tell, I guess.

If you get one, I'd certainly be interested in what you think of it after you've had it for awhile. If they were available on this side of the pond, I'd probably do it myself just out of curiosity as long as they had a decent return policy.