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Dating / Serial Numbers Shenandoah guitars can be dated by the 6 digit serial number stamped on the neck block inside of the instrument. These numbers correspond with Martin's standard serial number listing which applies to Martin guitars as well.
Guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co., based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, created a line of inexpensive guitars in 1970 to compete with the increasing number of imported guitars from Japan and elsewhere. The result was Sigma Guitars.
The Sigma line was discontinued by C.F. Martin & Co. in 2007.
In 2011 the German company 'AMI Musical Instruments GmbH' purchased the rights to the name and relaunched Sigma Guitars again, this time being produced in China.[1]
Since the U.S. rights to the Sigma brand name and trademark had been allowed to lapse by C.F. Martin & Co. prior to selling the brand to AMI, and had since been picked up by St. Louis Music of Missouri, AMI is not allowed to use the brand name 'Sigma' in the U.S. for their current line of guitars. They are distributed and sold in the U.S. as Kindred Guitars. The sole current U.S. distributor is now Six String Brokerage LLC, Nazareth, Pa.
History[edit]
Initial construction was in Japan by various manufacturers/factories from 1970 through 1983.
The first Sigmas were typically dreadnought acoustics, although Grand Concert Series (GCS) and classical models were also produced from the early 1970s (1971?) onward. Though other models were produced the most common two throughout the '70's were the Dreadnought models DM-5 (DM12-5) and DR-7 (DR12-7.) D for dreadnought, R for rosewood, M for mahogany and the number denoting the grade of wood, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15.[citation needed]
Construction moved from Japan from 1970–1983, to Korea from 1984-1994, to Taiwan in 1994 (made in both Korea and Taiwan for the 1994 model year) and finally Indonesia (?–2007). [2]
In 1978, model designations were added to capitalize on Martin model numbers: the DM-18, DM-19, DR-28, DR-28H, DR-35, DR-41, and DR-45. They are called 'Second Generation' Sigma's by C.F. Martin and featured solid wood top. The 'First Generation' DM-5 and DR-7 (laminate wood bodies and tops,) as well as other early models (e.g., the GCS-7/CS-7) remained in production during this time as well.
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Pegheads & Logos
Sigma guitars made in Japan from 1970 through 1983.
Labels and Brands
Sigma's made in Japan from 1970 through 1979 used a paper label to identify the model and serial number of the instrument. The model and serial numbers were usually stamped on in ink, but some are known to have been hand-penned. This is especially true of unusual, special (sample/prototype models) and/or low production number models (e.g.: DT-30.)
Serial Numbers
Under the best of circumstances, Sigma serial numbers can only provide an indicator of the year when a particular model was built. This may be due to them being built in several Japanese factories at the same time with no coordination or tracking in the numbering system.[citation needed]However, while some models lasted the entire run from 1970 through 1983, others did not and were only offered for a limited number of years. Other physical indicators or attributes, such as finish, trim, tuners, etc., can help determine the approximate construction date of a particular example, but almost never exactly.[3]
In the 70's Sigma produced a line of guitars with model numbers starting with 52S, e.g., 52SDM-5, 52SDR-7 and 52SGCS-7. While it was thought at one time that these were somehow 'special' and had solid tops, based on current research and scholarship, an emerging school of thought dismisses this notion. Current documentation (taken from the files at Martin) indicate these models were produced by the Kasuga Gakki company as overload for the Tokai Gakki company. No solid top Sigma under numerical model designation '8' exists, save for the DM-1ST (Solid Top.) Further, tests conducted on the 52S models with model numbers below '8' show that they are, in fact, wholly laminate bodies. Models such as the 52SDR-9, 52SDR-11, 52SDR-14 and 52SDR-15 DO have solid spruce tops and are considered the predecessors to the 'Second Generation' models: Most Sigma guitars under the numerical model number 8 are wholly laminate bodies (exception is the DM-1ST.)[citation needed]
The top wood is another matter entirely. Many had laminated tops. Models designated 'Second Generation' or in the 'Marquis' series models had solid spruce tops and the cost reflected this upgrade as well, around $100 in USD more.
Actually this is not correct (read below)
Copied from the Sigma Generation III brochure: (see below)
Fruit cut games free download. High quality is readily apparent in the SDR-28 and SDR-28H rosewood Dreadnought with its rich appearance and wide range of features: solid spruce top, scalloped top bracing, rosewood back, sides, fingerboard and bridge and carved mahogany neck.
These guitars are thoroughly inspected and prepared by Martin craftsmen at our factory and carry a limited lifetime warranty.
Other Sigma instruments included mandolins, banjos, acoustic and electric Bass guitar basses and solid-body and Semi-acoustic guitar|hollow body electric guitars. Some solid body electric guitars were made by Tokai Guitars Company, LTD.[8]
After Sigma musical instruments were built in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and finally Indonesia, they were sent to Martin & Co. in Nazareth, Pennsylvania to be inspected and adjusted by Martin personnel before going to an authorized retail dealer for sale to the public.[9] These inspections and adjustments were made in the 'old' Martin building on North St. (1859,) then known as the Import house.
The DR-28 was manufactured in Japan, Korea and Taiwan while the SDR-28 and the SDR-28H appear to have been manufactured in Korea and Taiwan only, starting in early 1986. The DR-28, has a solid top with laminate side and back, and the SDR-28 having a solid Spruce top with solid Rosewood sides and back. The SDR models also feature 'scalloped' bracing ala' Martin's own HD-28 with the addition of herringbone design around the binding.
From the Sigma Generation III Brochure (see below)
High quality is readily apparent in the SDR-28 and SDR-28H rosewood Dreadnought with its rich appearance and wide range of features: solid spruce top, scalloped top bracing, rosewood back, sides, fingerboard and bridge and carved mahogany neck. A distinctive herringbone design around the binding adds to the appearance of the SDR-28H Dreadnought. It also includes scalloped bracing, solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides.
These guitars are thoroughly inspected and prepared by Martin craftsmen at our factory and carry a limited lifetime warranty.
The DR-28 and SDR-28 and SDR-28H are clones to the original Martin D-28 and HD-28 guitars and are high quality instruments.
Martin discontinued the Sigma line in 2007, and in 2011 the German company 'AMI Musical Instruments GmbH' (AMI) acquired the rights to the brand from C.F. Martin and relaunched Sigma Guitars worldwide.However, after a year or more of AMI energetically reviving the Sigma brand with an extensive 75 model range of acoustic and electric/acoustic instruments, all closely following Martin designs, it was discovered that C.F.Martin had, inexplicably allowed their rights to the Sigma brand name in US territories to lapse –
Furthermore, the US rights to the lapsed ‘Sigma’ brand name had expired prior to C.F. Martins intended sale of the brand to AMI and has been revived by St Louis Music of Missouri, who currently offer a four model range of Martin clones, all sporting a ‘block style’ Sigma logo similar to the one on the very early Japanese output marketed by C.F. Martin.As a result of this confused situation it has been necessary for AMI, and their US distributor Six String Brokerage LLC, to change the name they sell their guitars in the USA under to ‘Kindred Guitars’. This brand name appears to the left of the Sigma banner on the 'http://www.sigma-guitars.com' website and also at www.sixstringbrokerage.com
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Basic Characteristics of Made in Japan Sigma Guitars[edit]
From 1970 to approximately 1976:[6]
From approximately 1977 to 1983:[7]
Tuning Machines
Made in Japan Models[edit]![]() 1970 to approximately 1975[6][edit]
72c Sigma 52SDR-11 made in Japan (back)
Marlin Model 1894 Manufacture Dates
Earliest models had a zero fret.
Martin Guitars For Sale
Additional Models Approximately 1975 to 1978[edit]
Some of these guitars still had the early peghead logo, instead of the 'Second Generation Sigma' Martin style logo that started in approximately 1976.[7]
Sigma produced numerous 'DR-*' models from the mid-70s on through 1984: DR-8; DR-9; DR-11; DR-14; DR-15; DR-28; DR-28S; SDR-28; DR-35; DR-41; and DR-45. The very rare DR-14 was often confused with the DR-41 but it was a different model. They have a 3 piece back ala' D35, and the fret markers are different as well. These rare, hard to find models were actually made in Japan and imported to, and guaranteed by Levin in Sweden. They cost more than the top of the range DR-41 at the time. They have a paper label stating 'Inspected and Guaranteed by Levin' and 'Sigma Guitars' 'est 1970' is inlaid on the headstock in abalone. There is a DR-14 on display in the Sigma Museum in Munich,Germany.
Martin Serial Number Dating FreeSpecial and Unusual Models[edit]
From 1980 through 1983, prior to construction being moved to Korea, Sigma produced several models that included electronic pickups: SE-18;SE-19;SE-28;SEMC-28 (with arched back); and SE-36. These models have saddles with each string individually compensated, yielding superb intonation. These models were produced in very limited quantities.[15]
In 1980 Sigma produced the D-10 Anniversary model to commemorate 10 years of Sigma production in Japan. Essentially a gussied up DM-18, the D-10 has a solid spruce top with 'matched' (re: laminated) mahogany sides and back, rosewood fingerboard with diamond and square position markers, mother of pearl band inlay stating 'Anniversary' between the 19th and 20th fret, tortoiseshell type pickguard and binding, and close-ratio tuning machines.[16] This limited production run lasted one year and this model remained on Sigma Dealers quarterly price lists from October 1980 until July 1981.[17] It is not known at this time just how many D-10's were built but it is believed by some, and indicated by the number up for saleat any given time that production ran into the thousands, not limited to 100 as previously rumored. They were only made in 1980, but throughout the entire build year.
A recently uncovered C.F. Martin memo dated August 7, 1980 further discusses 'economically uncorrectable' cosmetic flaws in the D-10 and how they were to be indicated by the inspectors: 'The flawed instruments were graded into 2 categories depending on the nature of the blemishes and were stamped on the back center strip accordingly.
Convert Date To Serial Date
In the years of 1981 & 1982, Martin imported partially assembled Sigma guitars from Japan and the assembly was completed in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. There were only two models, labeled 'Sigma Martin USA DR-28N and DR-35N,' 'N' for Nazareth. A Martin factory sales brochure shows the DR-28N retailed at $600.00 and the DR- 35N retailed at $650.00 The DR-35N had a 3-piece laminate rosewood back and sides and a solid spruce top. The DR-28Nhad a 2-piece back. The DR-35N had additional detail on the fretboard. The original factory brochure also states components were processed and finished on the same production line as regular Martins. The peghead logo reads 'Sigma Martin USA' and inside the sound box is on the neck block ' made in USA' with Martin address etc. Some consider the DR-35N to be a prototype of the inexpensive laminate Martin Shenandoah line of guitars,[18] later to become their current HPL (High Pressure Laminate) line of laminated bodied guitars. Since these models had serial numbers ranging from 900,001 to 902,908,.[5] it appears only 2907 of these Sigma Martin USA guitars were ever produced in total, though there may have been others that did not make final inspection and hence were not serialed (I personally know of one such Sigma-Martin,) and are the only Sigma related serial numbers publicly available from Martin at this time.
References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sigma_Guitars&oldid=902670873'
G&l Serial Number Decoder
There is a way to find the month up to 1969, if you can find the relative numbers for the year yours was made this should work to inform you of that.
Year First # Last # Total Per Month 1898 8001 8348 348 29 1899 8349 8716 368 31 1900 8717 9128 412 34 1901 9129 9310 182 15 1902 9311 9528 218 18 1903 9529 9810 282 24 1904 9811 9988 178 15 1905 9989 10120 132 11 1906 10121 10329 209 17 1907 10330 10727 398 33 1908 10728 10883 156 13 1909 10884 11018 135 11 1910 11019 11203 185 15 1911 11204 11413 210 18 1912 11414 11565 152 13 1913 11566 11821 256 21 1914 11822 12047 226 19 1915 12048 12209 162 14 1916 12210 12390 181 15 1917 12391 12988 598 50 1918 12989 13450 462 39 1919 13451 14512 1062 89 1920 14513 15848 1336 111 1921 15849 16758 910 76 1922 16759 17839 1081 90 1923 17840 19891 2052 171 1924 19892 22008 2117 176 1925 22009 24116 2108 176 1926 24117 28689 4573 381 1927 28690 34435 5746 479 1928 34436 37568 3133 261 1929 37569 40843 3275 273 1930 40844 45317 4474 373 1931 45318 49589 4272 356 1932 49590 52590 3001 250 1933 52591 55084 2494 208 1934 55085 58679 3595 300 1935 58680 61947 3268 272 1936 61948 65176 3229 269 1937 65177 68865 3689 307 1938 68866 71866 3001 250 1939 71867 74061 2195 183 1940 74062 76734 2673 223 1941 76735 80013 3279 273 1942 80014 83107 3094 258 1943 83108 86724 3617 301 1944 86725 90149 3425 285 1945 90150 93623 3474 290 1946 93624 98158 4535 378 1947 98159 103468 5310 443 1948 103469 108269 4801 400 1949 108270 112961 4692 391 1950 112962 117961 5000 417 1951 117962 122799 4838 403 1952 122800 128436 5637 470 1953 128437 134501 6065 505 1954 134502 141345 6844 570 1955 141346 147328 5983 499 1956 147329 152775 5447 454 1957 152776 159061 6286 524 1958 159062 165576 6515 543 1959 165577 171047 5471 456 1960 171048 175689 4642 387 1961 175690 181297 5608 467 1962 181298 187384 6087 507 1963 187385 193327 5943 495 1964 193328 199626 6299 525 1965 199627 207030 7404 617 1966 207031 217215 10185 849 1967 217216 230095 12879 1073 1968 230096 241925 11830 986 1969 241926 256003 14078 1173 Your serial number - first number of the year ÷ approximate number per month = approximate month of manufacture of your guitar. Comments are closed.
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