Friday, April 29, 2011

The Best Martin Acoustic Guitar Brands

by answers.encyclopedia.com

The acoustic guitar is one of the oldest instruments known to mankind. It has over 5,000 years of history attached to it! Its origins could be traced back to stringed instruments used by the Indo-Europeans. In the medieval period, an instrument known as the Guitarra Latina was invented. However, acoustic guitars never really caught on. In 1779, an Italian named Gaetano Vinaccia invented the first six-string guitar and a man named Antonio de Torres Jurado made changes to it that basically turned the acoustic guitar into what it is today.

A lot goes into the construction of an acoustic guitar. After many cuts and some shaping, a neck is constructed and then tuner holes are drilled. A body has to then be shaped. It’s an extensive process that requires plates, braces, and lining to be shaped and applied to the inside. Once the body is complete and assembled, the neck is attached and then the guitar is strung. Almost all of this has to be done by hand to be truly done right and Martin brand acoustic guitars are famous for the detail that goes into their construction.

Like any instrument, its construction has to be nearly perfect. Skilled musicians will be able to hear flaws in an instrument from the moment they start playing it so the quality has to be consistent. Martin, in particular, is known for its quality control and that’s why it’s a popular brand. The quality of Martin acoustic guitars is always spot-on perfect.

Martin is also known for the longevity of its instruments. While a Martin acoustic guitar is of a high quality, its strings are also designed to last quite a while. For instance, the Martin Phosphor Bronze has strings made from an alloy that gives it clarity and extends its longevity past that of typical strings. In fact, most of its guitars come with similar strings.

Almost always, rosewood is used for the backs and sides of Martin acoustic guitars. It’s so dense that it provides a good end bite that sounds almost like a piano. When rosewood is too expensive, mahogany is used instead. The Martin D-18 is composed almost completely of rosewood. Meanwhile, spruce wood is used because it vibrates when it’s played and as the wood ages, the sap hidden inside it crystallizes, giving off a very bright wood. It’s often used for guitar tops. While ash is sometimes used, cedar is really the only other alternative for guitar tops. Its red color adds a distinctive flair to an acoustic guitar.

Many acoustic guitar models have earned themselves good names. For instance, the Takamine C135 is considered a good guitar for people just learning to play. The Jasmine S35 Dreadnought is for intermediate pickers. The best acoustic guitar for beginners, however, is definitely the Seagull S6 which is not only easy to get used to, it’s considered a top quality guitar.

Martin guitars have actually been used by some of the most famous names in music. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Willy Nelson have all used Martin guitars.

  • Building an Acoustic Steel-String Guitar: Shows how to build a good acoustic guitar in great detail.
  • Buying An Acoustic Guitar: Discusses how important quality is when selecting an acoustic guitar with listings of some of the best models to buy.
  • Guitar Woods: Describes what woods are used in guitar construction. A similar page that also discusses the guitars is here.
  • Acoustic Guitar History: Discusses the history of the acoustic guitar.
  • Martin Guitar: The official website for Martin guitars, it discusses the brand’s extensive history.
  • Fender: This is the Fender brand’s official website.
  • Guild Guitars: Everything you want to know about the Guild guitar brand.
  • Breedlove: A link to the Breedlove brand’s official site.
  • Taylor Guitars: The official site of Taylor Guitars.
  • Gibson: One of the most famous guitar brands.

If you have been playing the guitar for some time and you want to get a new acoustic guitar, you will do well to choose a Martin. After all, so many top musicians cannot be wrong.

See More About : Acoustic Guitar

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