Martin Sigma Classic Guitar 1970's Made in Japan Original Antique Good Condition

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. 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. GCS-7/CS-7) continued to be built during this time as well. Pegheads & Logos Sigma guitars made in Japan from 1970 through 1983. The early 70s models (1970 -1975) can be distinguished by a more squared peghead, shaped similarly to that of a "spatula." The logo consisting of a gold decal with the single word in block lettering SIGMA surmounted with the Σ symbol (the Greek letter sigma), in mother of pearl. The sigma symbol is often described as a "sideways M."While retaining the same early logo for several more years (c1975/76) the peghead itself began to take on a more tapered shape by 1972.Interestingly, on right handed models while playing a Sigma guitar the "sideways M" becomes "right side up" suggesting "M" for Martin.By the mid 1970's (c1976) the headstock logo design changed to utilize a gold "Martin style" decal stating "Sigma Guitars" in script with "Est. 1970" underneath in a smaller block font. The headstock shape was also modified, to be more deeply tapered and shaped to resemble their Martin brethren.As is traditional with classical instruments, Sigma classical guitars do not have the headstock logo, and one must rely on the inner label for identification. 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.) The 'Black and White' label: The earliest examples had a plain black on white inner paper label showing the model and serial numbers. These will show a 4-digit serial number.The 'Gold' label: The next generation of labels are transition labels that are white w/Sigma and three horizontal lines in gold ink, the Greek sigma in black and printed black text (Made for C.F. Martin & Co, etc.) everywhere else. These will have a 4, 5 or 8 digit (7*0XXXXX) serial number stamped or hand written on them. More about the 8-digit serial numbers later.The 'Purple' label (c1972 onward): These are again white labels that had gold & black lettering but this time with a border, often pinkish-brown or violet in color. The Σ symbol now also in this same pink/purple color. All other text was printed in black ink, or stamped on in ink by the manufacturer (model and serial numbers.) 5-digit, or 8-digit serial numbers.The Back Brace Brand: From 1978 through 1983; 1978 being a transition year, one might find the center back brace is pressure stamped, or "branded" in a football shape stating Sigma Guitars/Made in Japan/For/C.F. Martin & Co. Being a mid-year change, some continued on with the "Purple" label, though with the new serial number designation preceded by an "S" or an "E" This is prefixed by the serial number assigned to the instrument and followed by an ink stamp of the model number. (e.g. L-R as seen through the sound hole: Serial number, "Brand," Model number.) The serial numbers on these instruments were often preceded by the letters S or E; e.g. S0XXXXX. It is currently believed that this transition was complete by 1979.Early Korean made guitars show this same brand, only stating Made in Korea in place of Made in Japan.During later Korean made years (c1990,) Sigma transitioned back to paper labels and they stayed that way until the end of production in Indonesia in 2007. (Further detailed information is required here.) Serial Numbers Under the best of circumstances, Sigma serial numbers can only provide an indicator of the year in which 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] For example, serial numbers on the earliest DR-7's began using 4 digit numbers on through 5 digit numbers, with some early 70's models (c1972-c1975) along the way with the unusual 7*0XXXXX, 8-digit system. (See below for that explanation.)One Original Sigma DR-7 owner stated "I have an old Sigma DR-7 Guitar....s/n 6860. I bought it new in 1970."[4]Furthermore, DR-7's with a four digit ink stamped label serial number, a zero fret and an adjustable bridge saddle strongly suggests a very early ('70-'71) build date.Some early 70s Sigma guitar serial numbers (c1972-1975) began with 7X0 suggesting the 197X build date (e.g. 750XXXXX possibly equates to a build year 1975.) These were eight digits long, the third digit always a place-holding 0, while all others by then were still only five digit serial numbers further adding to the confusion. It is widely assumed by owners and Sigma historians alike that this is correct, though C.F. Martin cannot, or will not confirm this."Sigma-Martin USA" guitars built in 1981 and 1982 only, had specifically assigned serial numbers ranging from 900,001 to 902,908 (2,907 in total.) These serial numbers are documented by C.F. Martin & Co. and to this day remain the only Sigma related serial numbers that are publicly available.These "N" instruments of which there were only two models ever produced, the DR-28N & DR-35N partially assembled in Japan and were imported to Nazareth ("N") and the Martin guitar factory as "kits". There they were completed and finished alongside the regular Martin production line. Bridges and tuners may have been installed, as well final sanding and finishing before strings were installed and a final set-up was done. Because more than 30% of the work was completed within the borders of the United States, Martin was legally allowed to designate them as Made in U.S.A.[5]Serial numbers for Sigma guitars built in South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia are perhaps even more meaningless, though again some seem to indicate the year of manufacture (e.g. 81XXXXXX.) Since we know these instruments were manufactured from 1984 through 2007 in these three countries, it is safe to assume that a serial number beginning with 81XXXXXX (which I have personally seen) were not produced in 1981 and that these serial number 'indicators' are not to be trusted.In 1978-'79 the paper labels were discontinued and the inner back brace was "branded." Later Korean production show a resurgence in the paper label system for model and serial number, sometimes along with the brand. These had an even fancier border.[citation needed]re: My own first Sigma, a DM12-5, which I purchased new in mid-1977 (I still have the receipt) had this second gen "Martin style" decal logo. It being a smaller, local store, the instrument may have been sitting there for a while before I acquired it. While I cannot be absolutely certain of the year it was manufactured, it was certainly by, or prior to 1977.High end models such as the D-10 Anniversary model have the "Second Generation" logo inlaid in the headstock using mother of pearl, as do many of the later Korean produced instruments.Some guitars made later in Taiwan and Indonesia have a different headstock shape and decal: The shape is more squared off at the top corners, while the decal states, "Sigma Guitars" on top with a miniature version of the "C.F. Martin & Co." logo underneath. Some of these guitars also had the "Est 1970" instead of the C.F. Martin & Co.," using a slightly different block font that is both fatter & wider than the original 2nd series instruments. The paper labels for model/serial number identification had also changed again, this time with a fancy border and the word "Sigma" or "Sigma Guitars" printed in gold ink.The issue of whether or not Sigma guitars are solid wood or "plywood"laminate wood has been a source of controversy and confusion for many years now. All known Sigma guitars have...