Another Unusual Goodwill Guitar - Martin Sigma Dreadnought

[Brian859]

A Martin Sigma dreadnought florentine cutaway. Interesting. Looks like a decent early one. Could be used for jazz maybe.
Sigma Martin Dreadnought Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar In Hardshell Case Dr-280 | ShopGoodwill.com

[Sam Sherry]

A Martin Sigma dreadnought florentine cutaway. Interesting. Looks like a decent early one.

Sigma was an Asian line from CF Martin with laminated back & sides.
IMR Sigmas had adjustable trusses before America-built CFM guitars did, and they didn't glue the pickguard to the top then finish over it. Those are two notable plusses.

A jaw-dropping musician could make jaw-dropping music on it.
That said and meant, people easily perceive a difference playing solid-back-and-sides flattops which is generally characterized as "better sound."
In that respect the Sigmas aren't even mid-line instrument from CF Martin.

Could be used for jazz maybe.

You can play jazz on anything . . . back in the 80s Kenny Burrell played a song or two on a flat-top guitar at every concert.

[Brian859]

I actually went to elderly and bought a sigma in 1982, around the same time frame that one is from. I had no idea what I was doing back then and some could argue little has changed. Anyway, my understanding is there were three parts to the sigma story. 1970 to 1979 they were building in japan various levels of guitars, but many were built with all solid woods. Then from 1980-83, like this one were still built in japan, but the backs and side were mostly high quality laminate. Then after that they shifted to korea, then taiwan. But scatter in there occasionally were all solid woods ones being built. And at some point early on they were actually building guitars in nazareth with the japanese made parts. But that could be folklore for all I know. I looked for that cutaway version and I have a feeling that very few were made.

[Mick-7]

Think this is the highest bid on a guitar I've ever seen on the Good Will site, and the auction has about 6 days to go yet.
Paul Reed Smith Private Stock #9966 2023 Singlecut Archtop Guitar w/case | ShopGoodwill.com

I've also never seen a "Buy It Now" price listed while the auction is in progress.

[Gitterbug]

Sigma is, not was - but the story is vexed and worth reading from Sigma's website under the "Support" heading. On a quick scan, Martin ceded the brand rights to a German entrepreneur - Martin's distributor - after 2007. This was preceded by deteriorating quality following relocation of manufacturing from Japan to Taiwan, Korea and ultimately Indonesia. The "new" Sigmas are made in China, initially for Germany, then for the world except Japan and USA. So there appears to be three separate strains of Sigmas today.

I only know the situation in Finland, where Martins and Sigmas have the same importer. I think many people still believe that Sigma is to Martin what Epiphone is to Gibson.

[Doctor Jeff]

Not digging that cutaway. I think cutaways on any dreadnought look awkward.

Taylor cutaways on their OM-style guitars look sexy, in contrast.