Encyclopedia/4. Arts & Literature/3. Music, Theatre & Performance/06. Musical Instruments & Audio Equipment • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Chronological Storyline (22 Milestones)
1833 CE
C.F. Martin Founding in New York
Christian Frederick Martin Sr. establishes his guitar-making business in New York City after emigrating from Germany, laying the foundation for an iconic brand. #modern #culture
C.F. Martin & Co. Introducing our latest Guestagrammer, Pam Baumann Photography. Our Guestagram program provides local photographers with a way to share their photography throughout our social media platforms.We'll be sharing Pam's photos throughout the week.See them all here: blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2014/07/08/discover/lehigh-... — at Archibald Johnston Estate/ Conservation Area. By Discover Lehigh Valley, PA from Lehigh Valley, PA, USA - C.F. Martin & Co., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126511425
1838 CE
Relocation to Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Seeking a quieter environment and better resources, Martin moves his family and workshop from New York City to Nazareth, where the company remains headquartered today. #modern #culture
Nazareth Historic District is a national historic district located at Nazareth, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Center Square and Nazareth Moravian Church. By Shuvaev - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28033029
1850 CE
Invention of X-Bracing Pattern
Martin develops the X-bracing pattern for guitar tops, a structural design that later allows instruments to withstand the high tension of steel strings. #modern #culture
Steel string guitar X-bracing system By Zanthorp - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7060099
1898 CE
Frank Henry Martin Takes Leadership
Following the death of founder C.F. Martin Sr., his son Frank Henry Martin assumes control, guiding the company through early 20th-century musical shifts. #modern #culture
C.F. Martin & Co. Introducing our latest Guestagrammer, Pam Baumann Photography. Our Guestagram program provides local photographers with a way to share their photography throughout our social media platforms.We'll be sharing Pam's photos throughout the week.See them all here: blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2014/07/08/discover/lehigh-... — at Archibald Johnston Estate/ Conservation Area. By Discover Lehigh Valley, PA from Lehigh Valley, PA, USA - C.F. Martin & Co., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126511425
1916 CE
Introduction of the Dreadnought Body
Martin creates the large Dreadnought body shape for the Oliver Ditson company. Its booming volume and deep bass soon make it the standard for acoustic flatpickers. #modern #culture
HD-28 Dreadnought in moulded case By Original uploader and author was ISeneca at en.wikipedia - Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2599070
1929 CE
Shift to 14-Fret Neck Design
Martin introduces the 14-fret neck clear of the body on the OM models, catering to banjo players transitioning to guitar and changing acoustic design forever. #modern #culture
HD-28 Dreadnought in moulded case By Original uploader and author was ISeneca at en.wikipedia - Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2599070
1930 CE
Jimmie Rodgers' Custom 000-45
Jimmie Rodgers receives a custom Martin 000-45 with his name in pearl inlay, cementing the brand's association with early country music stars. #modern #culture
Publicity portrait featuring American singer Jimmie Rodgers dressed in his railroad man costume. Rodgers was nicknamed "The Singing Brakeman" By Victor Talking Machine Company (taken by Moss Photo, NYC) - Last.fm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94332132
1939 CE
Creation of the D-45 Model
Martin builds a custom Dreadnought with abalone inlays and gold tuners for singing cowboy Gene Autry, birthing the legendary and highly coveted D-45 model. #modern #culture
Gene Autry's original Martin D-45 guitar on display at the Autry National Center (detail from Autry exhibit); file crop+sharpen from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Display_of_Gene_Autry_memorabilia.JPG By user:Jllm06 - File:Display_of_Gene_Autry_memorabilia.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89175150
1942 CE
World War II Manufacturing Shift
Due to wartime restrictions, Martin shifts production to make wooden tent poles, aircraft parts, and baseball bats, while limiting guitar manufacturing. #modern #culture
1955 CE
Elvis Presley Acquires Martin D-18
A young Elvis Presley purchases a Martin D-18, using it for early recordings and live performances, significantly boosting the brand's visibility in rock and roll. #contemporary #culture
September 11, 1958: Elvis is assigned to the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, West Germany. By Vittoriano Rastelli - http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/vittoriano-rastelli-elvis?excludenudity=false&family=editorial&page=1&phrase=Vittoriano%20Rastelli%20elvis&sort=oldest, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51818874Elvis Presley Owned and Stage Played 1942 Martin D-18 Sun Sessions Guitar. Serial Number 80221. https://www.gottahaverockandroll.com/Elvis_Presley_Owned_and_Stage_Played_1942_Martin_D-LOT31000.aspx
1963 CE
Bob Dylan and the Folk Revival
Bob Dylan uses a Martin 00-17 and later a D-28 during the height of the American folk revival, making Martin the definitive acoustic guitar for a generation. #contemporary #culture
Bob Dylan - Nowlan Park, Kilkenny - Sunday 14th July 2019 By Raph_PH - DylanYoungKilkenny140719v2 (50 of 52), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=153840966
Aug 1, 1969 CE
Willie Nelson acquires Martin N-20
After his Baldwin guitar is destroyed, Nelson buys a Martin N-20 classical guitar unseen for $750 from repairman Shot Jackson. #contemporary #culture
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" By Robbiework at English Wikipedia (Original text: Robbiework (talk)) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3530113
Oct 1, 1969 CE
Nelson names his Martin Trigger
Nelson names his new Martin N-20 'Trigger' after Roy Rogers' famous palomino horse, viewing the trusty instrument as his musical steed. #contemporary #culture
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" By Robbiework at English Wikipedia (Original text: Robbiework (talk)) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3530113
1970 CE
Launch of the Sigma Import Line
To compete with Asian imports, Martin introduces the Sigma line, offering budget-friendly acoustic guitars manufactured overseas but inspected in Nazareth. #contemporary #culture
Sigma Guitars logo By Unknown author - Here, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83280269
1972 CE
Iconic hole forms in Trigger's top
Nelson's aggressive use of a flatpick on the nylon-string classical guitar begins wearing a massive, iconic hole through Trigger's spruce top. #contemporary #culture
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" By Robbiework at English Wikipedia (Original text: Robbiework (talk)) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3530113
1986 CE
C.F. Martin IV Becomes CEO
Christian Frederick Martin IV takes the helm, revitalizing the company's heritage, expanding global reach, and steering it away from near-bankruptcy into modern prosperity. #contemporary #culture
C.F. Martin & Co. Introducing our latest Guestagrammer, Pam Baumann Photography. Our Guestagram program provides local photographers with a way to share their photography throughout our social media platforms.We'll be sharing Pam's photos throughout the week.See them all here: blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2014/07/08/discover/lehigh-... — at Archibald Johnston Estate/ Conservation Area. By Discover Lehigh Valley, PA from Lehigh Valley, PA, USA - C.F. Martin & Co., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126511425
Nov 1, 1990 CE
Nelson hides Trigger from the IRS
Facing massive IRS tax liens and asset seizures, Nelson hides Trigger from authorities and eventually smuggles the guitar to Hawaii to protect it. #contemporary #culture
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" By Robbiework at English Wikipedia (Original text: Robbiework (talk)) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3530113
1995 CE
Eric Clapton Signature Model Released
Martin releases the 000-28EC Eric Clapton signature model, inspired by his Unplugged performance, which becomes one of the best-selling signature acoustics in history. #contemporary #culture
C.F. Martin 000-28EC (Eric Clapton model) Acoustic Guitar By The original uploader was ISeneca at English Wikipedia. - Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1723181Eric Clapton & Martin Guitar: A Legendary Partnership https://www.martinguitar.com/eric-clapton.html
1998 CE
Introduction of Alternative Materials
Facing a shortage of traditional tonewoods, Martin introduces High Pressure Laminate and Stratabond necks, pioneering sustainable manufacturing in the guitar industry. #contemporary #culture
2017 CE
Launch of Modern Deluxe Series
Martin unveils the Modern Deluxe series, blending vintage aesthetics with modern innovations like liquidmetal bridge pins and a carbon fiber and V-brace hybrid top. #contemporary #culture
2019 CE
Trigger celebrates 50th anniversary
Trigger marks 50 years as Nelson's primary instrument. Despite severe wear and multiple repairs, it remains with him for thousands of live shows. #contemporary #culture
Willie Nelson and his guitar "Trigger" By Robbiework at English Wikipedia (Original text: Robbiework (talk)) - Own work (Original text: self-made), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3530113
2023 CE
Martin Celebrates 190th Anniversary
The company marks 190 years of continuous operation, releasing limited-edition commemorative models and reflecting on its status as the oldest American guitar manufacturer. #contemporary #culture
C.F. Martin & Co. Introducing our latest Guestagrammer, Pam Baumann Photography. Our Guestagram program provides local photographers with a way to share their photography throughout our social media platforms.We'll be sharing Pam's photos throughout the week.See them all here: blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2014/07/08/discover/lehigh-... — at Archibald Johnston Estate/ Conservation Area. By Discover Lehigh Valley, PA from Lehigh Valley, PA, USA - C.F. Martin & Co., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=126511425
