Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our Electronics User Guide Directory. C. F. Martin & Co. warrants, to the original registered owner. Factory installed electronics are warranted through martin Guitar for a period of one year from the date of purchase.

To clean your instrument, wipe with a clean, damp cotton cloth using water . Then dry with a clean cotton cloth For polishing, we recommend using Martin Polish which is available for purchase online and in our 1833 Shop. We offer two products: one is for satin finish and one is for gloss finish.

Martin Guitar does not recommend using lemon oil on the fingerboard. The acids in lemon oil break down the finish of your guitar. It may also speed the corrosion of the frets and decrease the life of your strings.

The truss rod is located inside the soundhole. Look toward the neck to see the access hole. The one-way adjustable truss rod was implemented in 1985. The two-way truss rod was implemented in 2006. The two-way truss rod is recessed further than the one-way rod and you will not see it. We recommend that your guitar be taken to an authorized Martin service center to have any adjustments made. Incorrect adjustments may cause damage and may affect your limited lifetime warranty. We do carry truss rod wrenches––depending on which Martin you have, the wrench will be either 4mm or 5mm.

The Two-Way Adjustable Truss Rod System is designed to correct both a hollow (concave) and a rounded (convex) fingerboard condition.

You can build your Martin custom dream instrument through custom shop configurator. An authorized Martin Custom Expert dealer or Martin dealer will then assist with creating a quote to order from the Martin Custom Shop and will answer your questions.

Visit our Find a Dealer page to locate the nearest dealer or service center to you.

Please contact the authorized Martin dealer through which you purchased your guitar for an update on the status of your order.

You can look up the manufacturing date of your guitar by serial number here. If your guitar does not have a serial number and was manufactured prior to 1898, it may only be identifiable by measurements, appointments and stampings. If that is the case, you can send photos and a description of the instrument here.

A Martin Guitar will have the model designation and the serial number etched on the neck block. Look in the soundhole toward the neck to see where this is etched.

Martin guitars are made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania with the exception of the X Series, Backpacker Series, Road Series, Dreadnought Junior, PA5 models, and select ukuleles which are made in our plant in Mexico.

Martin Guitar cannot appraise your guitar for you. We recommend contacting an independent appraiser for assistance or referencing the Blue Book of Guitars or Reverb online.

Martin Guitar’s position is not an intermediary between a purchaser and seller to validate or discredit a seller's or purchaser's claim about an instrument. We suggest you contact an independent consultant to verify any used Martin product for sale.

The Goya series was imported from Korea and available for sale at an affordable price point from 1980-1993. They came with a one-year warranty to the original owner. Serial numbers and specifications were not kept on the models offered in the Goya series.

The Shenandoah series guitars were considered a mid-range model priced between the Sigma series and higher end Martins. Available from 1983 – 1993, they were assembled in Nazareth, Pennsylvania from imported parts. Shenandoah series guitars included tortoise-style pickguards and the Martin Thinline pickup as standard features. The models included a lacquer finish with tops made of solid spruce, necks made of mahogany, and the fingerboards and bridges made of rosewood. The back and sides were made from laminates, rosewood, mahogany, or maple. The Shenandoah’s came with the limited lifetime warranty to the original, registered owner. You can determine the year your Shenandoah was manufactured by its serial number.

The Sigma series was imported from Japan (later from Korea and Taiwan) and available for sale at an affordable price point from 1970 - 2007. All Sigma guitars are constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides. The Sigma series also included banjos and mandolins constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides. Martin Guitar did not keep Sigma serial number records. As such, Sigma’s and Mandolins cannot be accurately dated. The Sigma brand is no longer affiliated with Martin Guitar.

Specifications for each model currently in production can be found on each model page in the Guitars section or reference our discontinued models list.

First, try using the search box in the upper right corner of the website. If you still do not find the model you are looking for, that model might be discontinued. You can contact Customer Service to inquire about discontinued model specifications.

HPL stands for high pressure laminate. It is a composite material made from paper and resin that is pressed at very high pressure. The surface will have a wood pattern (Mahogany, rosewood, Koa, etc.) and a protective clear coating. It is not a wood veneer.

Black Richlite is a composite material that is made from paper and resin pressed at high pressure that is used for fingerboard and bridges.

Mineral deposits will show as tiny white flecks and are considered a normal characteristic of wood. They form as the tree extracts nutrients from the soil. During the finishing process these deposits may appear lighter in appearance. Mineral deposits will not affect the tone or structural integrity of the wood.

Brazilian rosewood is considered nearly extinct and as such is extremely difficult to obtain. It is available in very limited quantities for special limited edition models. Additionally, all rosewood models prior to 1969 were made with Brazilian rosewood, aligning Martin’s reputation for superior tone closely with the use of this wood. With our remaining inventory of Brazilian Rosewood diminishing and extremely rare, it is our commitment to utilize the material responsibly, as Martin Guitar presents this exceptional opportunity to our customers.

In an effort to attract industry to Brazil in the 1960s, Brazil placed an embargo on Brazilian rosewood logs. In addition to the embargo, Brazilian rosewood logs that were large enough to create two-piece Dreadnought back was quickly becoming depleted. In response, Martin Guitar began using East Indian rosewood from India. Martin Guitar ceased using Brazilian rosewood in standard production for complete sets of back and sides in 1969.

Martin Guitar’s basic model designation system begins with a letter or 0 which denotes the body size including 0, 00, 000, 0000, Jumbo, D, , and Grand Jumbo. The following number designates the appointment level. For example, the 15 series includes mahogany, no bindings, and a satin finish. 16, 18, and 28 represent the upgrade to rosewood back and sides. H designates herringbone and scalloped braces. 35, 40, 41, 42 and 45 add represent the addition of pearl. 50 and 100 include highly decorative inlay. The number also indicated the price of the instrument. E indicates the model is an acoustic electric.

FSC® certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. The FSC® was established in part by the Rainforest Alliance to ensure rigorous standards are met for the protection of forestlands, communities, and wildlife. FSC® Certified means that all of the wood components of a guitar meet the stringent requirements of responsible forest management set forth by the Forest Stewardship Council®(FSC®). Martin’s FSC® license code is FSC® C008304. Guitars that are FSC® Certified are designated by the FSC® Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seals.

Sustainable Wood is a categorization used by Martin to indicate that a guitar model has certified wood components that have been sourced in a responsible manner.

Sustainable Wood guitars have certified parts noted within the specifications.

We are currently stringing most new Martin guitars with Martin SP Lifespan acoustic guitars strings. Martin SP Lifespan strings use an exclusive high-tensile strength core wire to better hold tunings and resist breaking; all six strings are treated with our proprietary treatment to enhance the life of the string. In general, all non-cutaway dreadnoughts and jumbo guitars get medium gauge strings. Most X-series, cutaways, and smaller models such as the OOO and the OO get light gauge strings. Most 12 string guitars get extra light gauge. Guitars designed for nylon strings will be strung with our Martin Classic strings. For the most current information of what type of strings came on your Martin, please refer to the model specifications for your guitar.

Tension varies by gauge and guitar style. However, we include general tension information based on a 25.4" scale length on each string product page.

Many of the traditional metals used in acoustic strings are subject to the corrosive effects of oxygen and moisture. Body chemistry can influence the longevity of a string as well; if a player has high acid content in his/her perspiration, strings may tarnish more quickly as well. We recommend always washing hands before playing, wiping down the strings when done, and storing the guitar in its case to increase the longevity of the strings.

Yes, it is safe. All of our six string guitars designed for steel strings have been tested to withstand the tension of a medium gauge string. However, since each top is unique, take note if the top starts to rise abnormally. If this happens, go back to the lighter gauge strings.

Your string breakage problem may not be the result of the strings you are using. Strings often break due to an excessively sharp break angle or rough area at the saddle, a rough area at the nut, or due to restringing method around the tuning machine post. Analyze the frequency you break strings and the location of the break, and then discuss with an authorized Martin Warranty Repair Center. If you are a heavy strummer, a medium gauge string may be preferable.

You can switch easily between types of wrap material, or types of strings - Marquis, SP, SP Flexible Core, etc. If you are changing more than one step in string gauge we recommend that you have the first change done professionally to ensure the set up remains comfortable, intonation accurate, and tone correct. For example, you if normally play lights you should be able to change to a custom light or medium light without issues. However a jump from light to medium or to extra light could affect playability or intonation.

Strings usually require changing every few weeks depending upon playing frequency/style, desired sound and environmental conditions. As a general rule, when strings require re-tuning often, it is time to change the strings. Changing strings provides a great opportunity to clean and service the guitar, including cleaning and dressing the fret board, polishing or cleaning the top and body, checking the nut and saddle for issues, and possibly changing the battery on a pre-amp if mounted inside the sound hole.

String changing does not have to be complicated. Watch how to change strings on your guitar in our video Restringing Your Acoustic Guitar.

We still make our own strings as we believe strings are important to the sound of the instrument. We put the same care and craftsmanship into the design, sourcing, and manufacturing of the strings as we do our instruments. We set the highest industry standards of quality and design for our SP core wire. All of the metals are sourced to our specifications. We design and build our own string winding equipment The strings pass a rigorous testing each day at the Martin factory.

92/8 Phosphor bronze strings have a higher composition of copper blended into the metal than 80/20 bronze. Generally 80/20 bronze starts out with a bright attack and will mellow quickly while phosphor bronze maintains a warmer more consistent tone and with greater complexity. We generally string Martin instruments with 92/8 phosphor bronze strings, however some models will ship with alternate Martin strings.

Traditional wound acoustic strings are based on a hex –shaped core wire with a single wrap of metal. We start with a round core wire and wrap it first with a soft material. We then wrap the modified core with the silver-plated copper (silk & steel) or 92/8 phosphor bronze (Silk & Phosphor). This process provides a subtle softness to the tone and creates a pleasant-feeling string under the finger. These strings are commonly used in folk and singer/songwriter genres.

We offer a broad selection of gauges and string types so you can find the best string for your style of play, instrument, and desired tone. In general, lighter gauge strings put less pressure on the instrument top and will produce a lighter softer sound as well as reduce finger fatigue. Light gauges are often chosen by fingerstyle players and singer/songwriters. Heavier gauge strings will drive more energy to the top and therefore create more complex and louder sounds. Bluegrass, rock, and blues players tend to use heavier gauge strings. Our Flexible Core strings use a unique construction method to reduce finger fatigue, increase strings response, and maintain equivalent tension on the top as standard sets. Flexible Core strings are played by masters like Tommy Emmanuel yet are highly recommended for beginners.

We created our Marquis line to pamper your guitar by adding a soft wrap to the area near the ball-ends. This protective layer helps to prevent wear and tear on the bridge and end plate as you play. The added soft layer can also help seat loose bridge pins. Marquis strings put a comforting layer of protection in place every time you change your strings.

Yes. We have designed our strings such that they will fit on most brands and styles of instruments.

Nazareth-built ukuleles will have a limited lifetime warranty if purchased in the US or Canada.

Martin Mexico ukuleles are eligible for a one-year warranty. There is no registration. Your store receipt is your proof of purchase during the one-year warranty period. Ukuleles built in the Nazareth facility will carry a limited lifetime warranty, to the original owner, who purchased it through the original Martin dealer.

Martin offers standard and premium Ukulele strings. Check them out here to determine which will work best for you.

Soprano Ukuleles

The first Martin soprano ukes were made in 1915. The smallest ukulele we make, the soprano offers a bright, traditional tone and is the same size as the ones first made in Hawaii back in the 1880s.

Concert Ukuleles

Martin has been building concert-sized ukes of world-renowned quality since 1925. Smaller than the tenor, but larger than the soprano, the concert ukulele is a well-balanced, easy to play uke, perfect for anyone just starting out.

Tenor Ukuleles

Martin’s first tenor ukuleles rolled off the production line in 1929 and have been a favorite of countless players since. This is the largest ukulele we make, giving you extra volume and projection.

Please contact an authorized Martin repair center.

The action on your Martin ukulele can be adjusted by installing a higher or lower saddle. Please contact an authorized Martin repair center.

Martin Ukuleles are either built in our Nazareth or Navojoa factories. The 0XK, S1, T1 K, C1K and the T1 Uke StreetMaster are built in our Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico facility. The balance or our ukuleles are built in our Nazareth facility.

HPL stands for high pressure laminate. It is a composite material made from paper and resin that is pressed at very high pressure. The surface will have a wood pattern (Mahogany, rosewood, Koa, etc.) and a protective clear coating. It is not a wood veneer.

Martin Guitar does not appraise your instruments. We recommend contacting an independent appraiser for assistance or reference the Blue Book of Guitars.

For a serialized Martin ukuleles, the serial number will be etched on the neck block inside the body. Look in the soundhole toward the neck, it will etched on the neck block.

To clean your instrument, wipe it down with a clean, damp cotton cloth with water then a dry cotton cloth to dry. For polishing, we recommend using Martin Polish which is available for purchase online and in our 1833 Shop. We offer two products; one is for satin finish and one is for gloss finish.

Register your instrument online here. You will need to create an account or log in to an existing account and provide purchasing information to register your instrument.

Registering your instrument with Martin Guitar allows you easy access to important information, including digital care and maintenance guides. If a warranty applies to your instrument, registration is necessary for having your instrument serviced and repaired under warranty at an authorized Martin service center.

Product registration registers you as the current owner of the instrument and gives you access to Martin information and content relevant to your registered instruments. This does not imply warranty coverage. If you qualify for the Martin Guitar Limited One Year or Limited Lifetime warranty, you will automatically be registered for the corresponding warranty. Additional information on the warranty will be sent to the email address provided at the time of product registration.

It is not a requirement to register your guitar within 30 days of purchase, but it is beneficial to you as the owner to complete your registration in a timely manner as possible. Start your registration here.

No, both Limited One Year or Limited Lifetime Warranty is valid to the original, registered owner who purchased the guitar through the original authorized Martin dealer in the US or Canada only. It cannot be transferred.

You can contact Customer Service to check on the registration status of your instrument.

The Limited One Year or Limited Lifetime Warranty is valid only if purchased from the original authorized C.F. Martin dealer located United States (excluding U.S. Territories), and Canada.

Limited One Year warranty is for one year from the date of purchase from an authorized Martin Guitar dealer in the USA or Canada and applies to the Little Martin, Backpacker, and 1 Series Ukulele. Please retain your original receipt for any warranty issues. The Limited Lifetime warranty applies to all other Martin Guitar instruments purchased by the original owner, through the original authorized dealer in the USA or Canada.

Coverage information can be found here:

One Year Limited Warranty

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Nazareth-built ukuleles will have a limited lifetime warranty if purchased in the US or Canada. Martin Mexico ukuleles are eligible for a one-year warranty. There is no registration. Your store receipt is your proof of purchase during the one-year warranty period. Ukuleles built in the Nazareth facility will carry a limited lifetime warranty, to the original owner, who purchased it through the original Martin dealer.

The truss rod is located in the same location as other Martin Guitar equipped with an adjustable truss rod: inside the sound hole, in the center of the front block. Please note DO NOT use the intonation set screw next to the truss rod access hole. Using the incorrect Allen screw may cause damage to your instrument and/or void your warranty. Please see your authorized Martin service center for any adjustments or action specifications.

Elevation plates for the SC model are available through a Martin Guitar authorized service center or dealer. NOTE that it is recommended that any adjustment made to your Martin Guitar be performed by an authorized Martin service center.

The truss rod size is 4mm. The 4mm Allen wrench is available for purchase through our 1833 shop. Please see your authorized Martin service center for any adjustments or action specifications.

Yes, the SC model action can be adjusted like any other Martin using the adjustable truss rod to set proper relief and by adjusting the height of the saddle. Addition action adjustments can be made using the adjustment plates. Please see your authorized Martin service center for any adjustments or action specifications.

Yes, please contact your authorized Martin dealer to purchase a hard shell case (LINK) For your reference, the description is molded, HS,SC-13F12C0124, part# 12C0124.