Martin

Martin

84

Also known as: C.F. Martin & Co, Martin Guitar, Martin Guitars, CF Martin, C.F. Martin & Company, C.F. Martin & Co., Martin & Co

Unclaimed

C.F. Martin & Co. was founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, a German-born luthier who trained under Johann Stauffer in Vienna before emigrating to the United States. The company began in New York City before relocating to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where it has remained for nearly two centuries. One of the few major American instrument makers still family-owned, the company is now helmed ...

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C.F. Martin & Co. was founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, a German-born luthier who trained under Johann Stauffer in Vienna before emigrating to the United States. The company began in New York City before relocating to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where it has remained for nearly two centuries. One of the few major American instrument makers still family-owned, the company is now helmed by C.F. Martin IV, a direct descendant of the founder across six generations.

Martin is widely credited with popularizing the dreadnought guitar body shape, which became the dominant acoustic guitar format of the 20th century. Models such as the D-28 and D-45 remain among the most recognized acoustic guitars in existence, prized for their tonal balance and construction quality. The company also pioneered the X-bracing pattern in the 1850s — an internal bracing structure that provides strength under steel-string tension while preserving resonance, and which was subsequently adopted broadly across the industry.

The Martin catalog spans acoustic guitars across multiple body sizes — including the 00, 000, OM, and full dreadnought formats — as well as classical guitars, ukuleles, and strings. The brand has long been a favored instrument among American folk, country, and rock musicians, including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, and Kurt Cobain. Martin's historical instruments, particularly pre-war examples from the 1930s and 1940s, are highly sought after by collectors and players alike, and the company regularly produces vintage-specification reissues alongside its contemporary lines.

Martin has 859 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Steel-string Acoustic Guitars, Acoustic-Electric Guitars, and Strings. Their gear is featured by 956 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Folk, World, & Country, and Pop. Notable users include Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Jason Isbell. Most Martin products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.

Artists Who Use Martin

Eric Clapton uses 23 Martin products

Eric Clapton

Guitarist · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

John Mayer uses 19 Martin products

John Mayer

Guitarist · John Mayer Trio

Jason Isbell uses 13 Martin products

Jason Isbell

Singer, Guitarist · Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Bob Dylan uses 10 Martin products

Bob Dylan

Singer, Guitarist · Traveling Wilburys

Ed Sheeran uses 10 Martin products

Ed Sheeran

Singer, Guitarist · Band Aid 30

Chris Martin uses 10 Martin products

Chris Martin

Singer, Guitarist · Coldplay

Johnny Marr uses 9 Martin products

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist · Modest Mouse

Dallas Green uses 9 Martin products

Dallas Green

Singer, Guitarist · Alexisonfire

Jeff Tweedy uses 9 Martin products

Jeff Tweedy

Singer, Guitarist · Wilco

Robbie Robertson uses 9 Martin products

Robbie Robertson

Guitarist · The Band

Tommy Emmanuel uses 8 Martin products

Tommy Emmanuel

Guitarist

Chuck Ragan uses 8 Martin products

Chuck Ragan

Singer · Hot Water Music

Zac Brown uses 8 Martin products

Zac Brown

Singer, Guitarist · Zac Brown Band

Shawn Mendes uses 7 Martin products

Shawn Mendes

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Johnny Cash uses 7 Martin products

Johnny Cash

Singer, Guitarist · The Highwaymen

Joe Bonamassa uses 6 Martin products

Joe Bonamassa

Guitarist, Singer · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Peter Honoré uses 6 Martin products

Peter Honoré

Guitarist

John Frusciante uses 5 Martin products

John Frusciante

Guitarist · Red Hot Chili Peppers

Jorma Kaukonen uses 5 Martin products

Jorma Kaukonen

Guitarist, Singer · Jefferson Airplane

Seth Avett uses 5 Martin products

Seth Avett

Singer, Guitarist · The Avett Brothers

Community setups featuring Martin

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Gear Guides featuring Martin

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