looking to know more about my Sigma Martin

[12Stringer]

Originally Posted by macfawlty

I'd never sell them because they are worth a lot more to me than their value in the marketplace. On thing that makes a HUGE difference on the mahogany models in particular is replacing the saddle and pins with bone. Remarkably better.

I also wouldn't sell my DM-1ST, after I changed the pins and saddle they made it sound awesome. I agree 100%

[Bikerdoc]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27.../SigmaDM19.jpg

This is my DM-19. Wish I had a better pic. The DM-19 was made in Japan between 1979-1985. It's terribly hard to know what year exactly. But Earlier model Sigmas WERE made in Korea as posted by Doogle. I have owned and currently have quite a few Sigma guitars lounging about the house. My favorite is the DM-19. It's solid top (stained) with mahogany back n' sides. I installed a bone nut and compensated bone saddle and Baggs active pickup. It's an amazing guitar with no issues. If it weren't for the pickguard marks it could pass for new.

The DM-19 is hard to come by. I had been searching for quite awhile when this came up on Ebay. Unbelievably noone bid on the thing except me and I got this great guitar for under $150.00. I wouldn't part with it for less than 15 hundred bucks (actually NOT for sale). It's simply THAT great IMO. I am sure I got lucky because normally you get what you pay for, but honestly I've played other Sigma DM-19's and I've never heard a bad one.

Peace

[macfawlty]

Originally Posted by Bikerdoc

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27.../SigmaDM19.jpg

This is my DM-19. Wish I had a better pic. The DM-19 was made in Japan between 1979-1985. It's terribly hard to know what year exactly. But Earlier model Sigmas WERE made in Korea as posted by Doogle. I have owned and currently have quite a few Sigma guitars lounging about the house. My favorite is the DM-19. It's solid top (stained) with mahogany back n' sides. I installed a bone nut and compensated bone saddle and Baggs active pickup. It's an amazing guitar with no issues. If it weren't for the pickguard marks it could pass for new.

The DM-19 is hard to come by. I had been searching for quite awhile when this came up on Ebay. Unbelievably noone bid on the thing except me and I got this great guitar for under $150.00. I wouldn't part with it for less than 15 hundred bucks (actually NOT for sale). It's simply THAT great IMO. I am sure I got lucky because normally you get what you pay for, but honestly I've played other Sigma DM-19's and I've never heard a bad one.

Peace

I've never seen a Sigma like that with the stained top. It looks nice. I have the DM-5 which was my first steel string acoustic. I got it in the early 80s. A very good sounding guitar for very little money.

[Hank Lochlin]

I was told by a Martin rep that these were made from Oriental chestnut!
I have a twelve and a six. From my cold dead hands!

[rusty50]

I have a Sigma DM-?V, can't read what it says inside. See- http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...ght=Sigma+DM-4... So I contacted Martin support to see if they could give me a link to Sigma info and this is the reply I got.
--------------------------
"Hello,

Thank you for contacting Martin Guitar.


The Sigma program was initiated in 1970, and Sigma guitars were manufactured in Japan. Sigma instruments are now manufactured in Korea or Taiwan and imported by Martin to serve the lower priced markets. Each Sigma instrument is brought into the Martin factory to be inspected and adjusted by Martin personnel before going to the authorized retail store for retail sale. Martin has introduced the "Second Generation" Sigma’s with solid tops and extended warranties. As of September17, 1984, all solid top Sigma’s offered a limited lifetime warranty to the registered original owner. All Sigma guitars are constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides. Sigma banjos and mandolins also constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides.

The Martin Company does not keep Sigma serial number records; therefore, Sigma’s guitars and Mandolins cannot be accurately dated. We no longer import the Sigma brand."


Best Regards,
Leslie


Leslie S. Mammele
Customer Service
C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.
510 Sycamore Street
Nazareth, Pa. 18064
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

<mailto:[email protected]>

[Jasper]

Originally Posted by Doogles

One day, collectors will wake up to these and the prices will skyrocket. But you can't buy mine at any price.

I doubt it. You only hear this kind of high praise from people who own low-end stuff, never collectors or experts. Low-enders are always looking for ways to justify their purchase.That's why I only own Collings and Martin. I just don't have the energy to own low-end stuff.

So why am I in this thread? Good question. A friend of mine wants to sell his Sigma and I foolishly told him I'd check out the resale value for him. Trust me, I've already learned my lesson.

It's a GCS-4, good condition (as opposed to mint, near mint, excellent and very good) with no case. I'm going to tell him shoot for $200 on Craig's List and take anything over $100.

Sigh.

[warfrat73]

So what do you reckon the "52" means in my 52SDR-7?

[sachi]

Originally Posted by macfawlty

I have a DM-5 I got in the early 80s. It's as good as any D-18 I've ever played (with the exception of the GEs). I also have a DR-41 which is nicely constructed and beautiful to look at. The DM-5 loves a flatpick and is deep and warm sounding with a lot of bass. The DR-41 likes a lighter touch, but sounds nice as well. I'd never sell them because they are worth a lot more to me than their value in the marketplace.

Believe it or not, there is a New Old Stock DR-41 on sale at EBay right now.

[mahdlokg]

I have essentially a new in box Sigma DM-1, that I received for Christmas in approx 1991 or 1992. I hate to say it, but other that tuning and strumming it a few times for a week or so after I received, I never learned to play. I'm debating now whether to sell it, give it to a friend or just hang onto it and see if I can devote some time to it. I have some good pics of it, but I'm not sure how to post them on here, so if there any Sigma afficianados with any opinions of its value, please PM me, or answer her. I realize this is an old thread, but I guess I can't start my own thread until I post a few more times. Again, any help would be appreciated.

[acousticphd]

At least for a few years, I think the SN# might have indicated the year of make. I bought a DM-2 new in 1987, and I remember the SN# began with "87...". The nomenclature system seems to have been revised several times over the years. I know hardly anything about guitars when I bought mine, except that the musicians I liked played Martin guitars. "Sigma by Martin" was the best I could do.

I gave away that guitar to a friend over 10 years ago, but have seen it several times since. Even though it is plywood and never had good tone, I still have to be impressed by how solid it is, and how decently it plays, after almost 25 years.

[Mcderwin]

This is a guitar that I purchased mid 90's and was told that it only sold in England. (I bought it from a small music stir in Saratoga NY) It is a smaller OO type cutaway, sunburst, thiner then standard with a wood rounded back. It has electronics with an onboard vibrato or echo - can't find any info. There had been writing on a brace on the back underneath of the guitar that has been blacked out with a marker. Would anyone know anything about this....is plays great. Thanks for any information!

[mrjop1975]

Just an an FYI, there is a Vin tage Sigma group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/VSGgroup/

[ChrisE]

I don't really have much to add except a couple of pictures of my early 80s sigma DM3. My research indicates it was made in 1984 and it was made in Korea. It is mahogany and is all laminate. I believe I got it sometime in 1985 while I was still in high school.

[lagator]

Old thread but I prefer to use old threads rather than start new when possible. I never really understood folks getting up in arms asking "why are you posting in this zombie thread? Start a new one". Well because that way the relevant information is in less number of links so more useful for the next guy

So anyway, I have been looking for an acoustic guitar for my son who recently took up playing. I gave him his first and only guitar so far, a 199X Peerless Factory Epiphone Casino. I miss that guitar lol.

But anywho, I like older guitars over new (which is probably stupid since my luthier skills are lacking) so I have been browsing shopgoodwill and saw this one last night with 46 seconds to end of auction. I didn't even have time to take a close look at the pics or check S&H and just tossed a bid and fortunately or unfortunately, yet to be seen, I won. Total with shipping came to 102 since S&H was on the high end for goodwill at 36 dollars.

Myguitar looks a lot like the one above with the exception of a different rosette and different shaped tuners. According to the Wikipedia entry on Sigma the oval shaped tuners like mine were earlier models making it MIJ. On the other hand, the paper label inside is missing which usually corresponds to made in somewhere other than Japan. Also without the label I don't know exactly what model it is. I'm pretty sure it's all laminate and DM something 5 or less. It does have a little fancier rosette but has the cheaper open tuners so probably DM 2-4 maybe?

Any info appreciated? I'll link my own images and thoughts when she arrives.

[lagator]

I noticed yesterday the pickguard is missing the tip which doesn't bother me but now as I look at the larger pics I linked here, the nut looks like it might be cracked. It also looks wider than the neck which they either did or it's been replaced