For musicians, the mention of nearby Nazareth-based Martin & Company’s acoustic instrument strikes a chord of deep respect.  

The iconic American-made model, such as the revered D28, starts at $2,800, and limited-edition Dreadnaught models are priced upward of $125,000, while some are estimated to be valued at half a million dollars, according to Business Insider.  

The factory in Nazareth employ around 1,100 people. Craftspersons select ‘Tone Woods’ to create instruments with the clear tones Martin guitars are famed for. 

Central to the Martin sound is the ‘X’ bracing pattern invented by Christian Frederick Martin in the 1840s, a design so effective that it’s been adopted widely across the industry. 

Each guitar requires a crafts person to meticulously glue and shape thin wood strips into this pattern for structural integrity.  

The final step before a Martin guitar leaves the factory is the stringing and playing of the instrument. 

With a 20 to 30 percent growth in recent years, the company is also embracing sustainability, being more judicious in using traditional woods.  

But beyond investment, Executive Chairman Chris Martin IV believes in the joy of the instrument: “Having a Martin Guitar that you can play, is more fun than looking at a 401K account,” he says. 

To learn more about the in-depth and multi-step process of intimately crafting these acoustic instruments at Nazareth’s Martin & Company, visit Business Insider.

See How the D-28 is Handmade