C. F. Martin & Company

Founded in 1833 by German immigrant Christian Frederick Martin, C. F. Martin & Company began in New York City before relocating to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1839. The move was partly a response to the restrictive guild regulations in Europe that the founder found stifling to innovation. Today, the company remains family-owned, with the sixth generation actively involved in its leadership. Its Nazareth campus includes the Martin Guitar Museum, housing over 170 historical instruments, and the original North Street factory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

Martin's most significant contribution to guitar design came in the early 20th century with the introduction of the dreadnought body style, which became the industry standard for acoustic guitars and is still copied by manufacturers worldwide. The company's instruments have been played by legendary musicians including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and Kurt Cobain. Martin has also produced ukuleles historically, along with mandolins, electric guitars, and basses.

Today, Martin operates from its historic headquarters on Sycamore Street in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where visitors can tour the factory and explore the museum. With additional production in Navojoa, Mexico, Martin turns out around 193 guitars a day, balancing handcrafted tradition with modern demand. The brand continues to release new models, including the 2026 Shawn Mendes signature guitars and the America 250 limited edition, while maintaining a reputation for quality that has made vintage pre-war instruments command extraordinary prices at auction. [edit]