Went down to Nazareth, I was feeling about half past dead...

Written by Administrator on Wednesday, 28 July 2010

The Martin Factory tour has been part of the guitar pilgrimage trail for many years. Based in Nazareth (and name-checked by The Band’s Robbie Robertson in The Weight) the factory opens its doors to visitors for a free guided tour every day.

Martin has been a family business since it was started in 1833 by C.F Martin, a German emigrant who started making instruments in New York. At the helm now is C. F. ‘Chris’ Martin IV.

Bum Note friend Paul took the trip as part of his honeymoon and was kind enough to share his memories (and photos) with us. 

“It was probably the highlight of my Honeymoon (we won't mention that to the wife) ... it was actually a deal in exchange for me putting up with a day in a ‘discount retail park’.

“The tour was really interesting (and free). It was given by one of the factory workers who take turns in leading tours and felt very personal and unscripted,  I imagine, if you did the tour again, you would get a different experience as the guide would work on another part of the guitars and have different skills.

“I was amazed at how much was still done by hand - a lot of machinery is used, but only to make worker’s job easier or where a machine can do a particular task better.  An example is spraying lacquer evenly.

“Martin run a scheme where workers are encouraged to think of ways to improve their working practices, so they all feel very involved in the way the factory is run ... everyone seemed to really enjoy working there and I think that shows in the quality of the finished guitars. Every instrument that leaves the factory still gets played by a team of professional pluckers (best job I reckon).

 

“I ended up going to Nazareth guitars in the town and buying a 'little' Martin for travelling and camping ... it’s much better on my back when I'm going for a jam on the motorbike too. It's got a solid spruce top and a nice bright sound - it really complements a standard guitar when jamming ‘round a campfire! I also fell in lust with a 000-28EC...that’s on the shopping list. Nazareth guitars sell Martins at really reduced prices - some were about 50% of retail UK prices. So flying over, doing a free tour, and getting a new Martin would actually be saving money!”

Paul, we like your thinking.