Martin DRS1- Made in USA or Mexico?

[AMT]

Hi,
This is my first post here on the Acoustic Guitar Forum.
I was recently browsing the the acoustics at my local Guitar Center when I came across a Martin DRS1 that clearly read "Made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania" on its label. I was under the impression that all of Martin's road series guitars are made in Mexico. Is this something new that Martin is doing?
Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

[ManyMartinMan]

Welcome. When they came out they were. Now they’re USA.

[SalFromChatham]

Hmmm. A month back on the Tour, I was told México.

[jfgesquire]

I was just in a GC 2 days ago and saw a DCRSGT that was also made in Nazareth. The serial number starts "209xxxx" and it has the "made in.." stamped on the back strip.

I wonder if it has something to do with the neck set and if the Road Series is now also going to the simple dovetail instead of the M&T?

[AMT]

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Welcome. When they came out they were. Now they’re USA.

Interesting, thank you. I wonder what prompted them to make that change.

[AMT]

Originally Posted by jfgesquire

I wonder if it has something to do with the neck set and if the Road Series is now also going to the simple dovetail instead of the M&T?

That could be the reason. If they are making them in the USA now, that definitely makes them a more valuable contender in my book. It would make sense if Martin decided to phase out production of any non-X series guitars in their Mexico factory. Thanks for the info!

[mickthemiller]

Originally Posted by AMT

Interesting, thank you. I wonder what prompted them to make that change.

I wonder????? No.... I'm in the UK and only a bystander, so what would I know? Actually, with Martins, if there's a lable, I always look there. If it says "made in USA" it's prabably made in the USA. Ditto Mexico.

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by AMT

That could be the reason. If they are making them in the USA now, that definitely makes them a more valuable contender in my book. It would make sense if Martin decided to phase out production of any non-X series guitars in their Mexico factory. Thanks for the info!

This has me wondering if there may be Made in Nazareth, PA Dread Jr's in the wild... I'll toss a different theory into the hat. I'm guessing this is a short term change to allow Martin to meet holiday demand.

Although around AGF we talk a lot about their high end models and the staples (D18, D28, 000-18, 000-28, etc). Retailers can confirm, they sell a lot more sub $1000 Martin's than the more sought after pro models. A lot more! It probably just made sense for them to ramp up production on X series models in Mexico (do they even build anything with HPL in the USA?) and build the all solid Road Series in Nazareth, PA for a few months.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

I ran out to my local GC during my lunch hour today knowing they would have a relatively factory fresh DRS-1.

The manager of that store recently told me that they sell MANY of these guitars, and make a point of always having one in stock. To reinforce what RMZ says above about sub-$1K Martins, the store manager further told me that the DRS-1 has been THE most successful Martin model the store has ever carried, and that over the past year, it has out sold all other Martin models combined (in the store).

Anyways, they did have a very fresh DRS-1 (NICE guitar, with the hardwood neck), and it had been built in Mexico. To the OP, the Mexico label can be a little misleading (no blame to Martin), as it says:

C.F. Martin & Company
Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Made in Mexico

By the way, and completely off topic: While at GC I played one of the new Taylor Academy 10e dreadnoughts. What a nice guitar for what it is! Sounded like a dread, and has really nice looks and playability - This would be a GREAT first guitar for someone.

[AMT]

[QUOTE=Ed-in-Ohio;5559855]Anyways, they did have a very fresh DRS-1 (NICE guitar, with the hardwood neck), and it had been built in Mexico. To the OP, the Mexico label can be a little misleading (no blame to Martin), as it says:

C.F. Martin & Company
Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Made in Mexico

Hmm, that's weird. I have seen DRS1s labeled this way in the past, but this one actually read "Made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania". Underneath that, it said it was made with imported materials.
Taylor is really making some fantastic low-cost guitars these days. I have a Taylor Big Baby, and its sound ranks with some very expensive guitars in my opinion.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by AMT

Hmm, that's weird. I have seen DRS1s labeled this way in the past, but this one actually read "Made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania". Underneath that, it said it was made with imported materials....snip...

Well, that's certainly clearly different. Sounds like the one you saw was, indeed, made in PA. Very interesting.

[AMT]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

This has me wondering if there may be Made in Nazareth, PA Dread Jr's in the wild... I'll toss a different theory into the hat. I'm guessing this is a short term change to allow Martin to meet holiday demand.

Although around AGF we talk a lot about their high end models and the staples (D18, D28, 000-18, 000-28, etc). Retailers can confirm, they sell a lot more sub $1000 Martin's than the more sought after pro models. A lot more! It probably just made sense for them to ramp up production on X series models in Mexico (do they even build anything with HPL in the USA?) and build the all solid Road Series in Nazareth, PA for a few months.

That's definitely a possibility. I can imagine that parents buy a lot of X-series Martins for Christmas gifts.

[AZLiberty]

Interesting,

I have been thinking very hard about picking up a 000RS1.

Made in USA would make it more attractive.

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by AMT

If they are making them in the USA now, that definitely makes them a more valuable contender in my book. It would make sense if Martin decided to phase out production of any non-X series guitars in their Mexico factory.

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

Made in USA would make it more attractive.

Why? Really, I fail to understand why Mexican labor is inferior?
Enlighten me.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by Riverwolf

Why? Really, I fail to understand why Mexican labor is inferior?
Enlighten me.

Never said it was. But if I am looking at two frying pans, and one is made overseas and one is made in the US I am buying the one made here.