July 18, 2010
We toured the fabled Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth Pennsylvania. Amazed to learn that 80 percent of the assembly is done by hand with only a glazing and polishing machine deployed as an automated process.
Best job on the line was the one who gets to try out all the guitars and other stringed instruments as the tour goes by.
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| We start our trip by visiting Julie Anne and Gemma in Kanata |
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| Our first stop....Cracker Barrel....Of course! |
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While in Nazareth Pennsylvania, we visited the
Martin Guitar manufacturing facility |
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| Music from the decades of artists who play a Martin |
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| Martin museum - history on display from 1776 to present day |
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Out of focus, but worth noting
A "7 String" guitar - double G string
gives the sound of a 12 string... |
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| 1,000,000th Martin produced in 2004 on display |
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Our tour of the manufacturing plant starts
with a monster size guitar - used for floats and celebrations |
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Some aspects are automated, but the majority
of the tasks are done by hand by craftsmen and women |
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| Laying in the ribbing around the sound hole |
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| An example of the interior bracing under the top |
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| Bodies bend and ready for assembly |
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| Clothes pins are used to hold the ribbing in place while the glue dries |
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Assembling the top, back and body with taping,
glue and cloth strips |
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| Finished body assembly waiting for staining |
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| Necks at the ready |
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| First coat of stain |
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| Auto buffing robotic arm |
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| Some standard electronics that can be installed at the factory |
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Ah, the finished product....each one is played and
tested by committed craftsmen who never tire
of the great Martin sound |
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Ready for shipping to distributors
Each piece has been stamped with the same serial number
to ensure the pieces end up together
according to the owners specs |
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Downtown Nazareth, Pennsylvania - Quaint town square
Vintage architecture of the Post Office
looms behind current unrest with the then current US President |
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| Very beautiful and unusual tree near our hotel |
