Martin picks Mexico for guitar work

The Express-Times ^ | Wednesday, February 04, 2004 | ANTHONY SALAMONE

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

'Least expensive' DXM to be assembled in foreign plant; no jobs cut in Nazareth.

U. NAZARETH TWP. -- C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. -- more commonly known as Martin Guitar -- boasts it has been crafting its trademark instruments in the United States.

That's about to change.

The company plans to ship production of its DXM series to its plant in Navojoa, Mexico, later this year, CEO Chris Martin said Tuesday.

"It's going to be labeled 'assembled in Mexico,'" Martin said of the guitar line.

Some 50 workers at the company's facility in Upper Nazareth Township who make the DXM model will be assigned to work on other products, Martin said. The transformation is expected to happen in the fall.

"Change is difficult, and we decided to make this change ourselves," said Martin. "It's better than having something uglier being forced upon us."

At least one worker said the company is turning its back on its made-in-America business legacy -- a point echoed by the head of the area chamber of commerce.

Martin said a combination of rising operating costs and greater competition in guitar-making overseas forced the decision.

The company, which recently celebrated a milestone by making its 1 millionth guitar, employs about 200 people in Mexico out of a total work force of 800 employees. Workers in Navajoa turn out strings, mandolins and smaller guitars known as "Backpackers."

Martin has operated in Mexico sine the early 1990s, when the North America Free Trade Agreement took effect.

Martin admitted it took a while to alleviate fears about any layoffs for employees in Nazareth.

He insisted the move would not result in job cuts, and he expects the company will see an increase in orders this year after lagging sales during 2003.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said Martin officials brought in Mexican workers last fall to learn how to craft full-size guitars. He said company supervisors misled employees about whether the guitars would wind up being made in Mexico.

Martin described the DXM model as one of the "least expensive, lowest parts" of its guitar line. The worker, however, said DXM production helped carry the company during last year's sales decline, because it's a quality alternative to more expensive Martin brands.

The employee said workers have taken the news hard.

"We hate to see the Martin name made in Mexico, really hate to see that," he added. "It's just a very sad day."

On its Web site, the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce lists the community as being home to Martin Guitar.

"Needless to say Martin and Nazareth are synonymous," said Bill Brackbill, who is chamber president.

Brackbill said the decision by Martin is symptomatic of a greater concern -- local jobs being shipped overseas.

"Outsourcing to foreign companies seems to be a standard of business today," Brackbill said. "I think someone has to take the bull by the horns and just work with businesses to keep those jobs in the United States."

Martin said companies in today's global business environment can strike a satisfactory balance and keep jobs despite economic and competitive pressures.

"The critical point here is we made a commitment to our co-workers to keep them here in Nazareth," Martin said.

 Anthony Salamone can be reached at 610-258-7171, Ext. 3603, or by e-mail at tsalamone@express-times.com.

[Huck]

I play a Fender Nashville Telecaster that was assembled in Mexico. Has two Tex-Mex pickups in it, too. The sound? Like buttah! Just wait until I MIDI-fy my dobro!

[Mears]

Good old NAFTA!!!!!!!

[lormand]

I have a 77' Les Paul Custom, a 79' Strat and an 89' Strat.

All proudly made in the good ole USA. Everytime a strum one, I can thank the great craftmanship of Americans.

[sirshackleton]

Yeah, the DXM line is kind of like the impressionist artwork of Martin guitars...from a distance they look nice, but up close they looks resemble (in both appearance and feel) a fake-wood kitchen counter.

As noted by another poster, Fender does seem to do a good job with it's Mexican-made products. But many a guitarist will tell you there's simply no substitute for an American-made guitar.

[templar]

The recovery is producing job growth.

[singletrack]

I've loved Martins since I was 10 yrs old. It has always meant a high standard of quality and craftsmanship and if you think this way, investment quality instrumnets. Last year a buddy of mine told me his wife bought him a Martin for Christmas. My jeolosy was replaced with dissapointment when I played it. It was nice, but the attention to detail wasn't there and the feel was a high average. I felt like Santa died and Brooke Burke put on 70 pounds. This only makes it worse. Martins high end stuff is still great but for my money Taylor guitars are better. .......Never thought I'd say that.

[Huck]

I don't care who made it. Just care how it sounds, and how it holds up. The Tele is sweeeet. And a great price too.

[RightWhale]

When you find the right Fender from a whole wall of Fenders, it might well be Mexican. There is nothing wrong with Mexican workmanship on Fenders. They might be mass-produced, but every instrument is different. Try before you buy.

[perfect stranger]

I have a few FenderJazz basses. The one made in Mexico is that medium shade of light blue. I took off the pickguard, and replaced the neck with a Precision maple.

This series called DXM is their low-end.

My older brother has a few Martins old and new. Great guitars.

[Huck]

To tell you the truth, I have been unimpressed by both Martins and Taylors. I am not an expert or anything, just an avid picker who's been playing guitar for over 20 years. I think it may be their price points.

I was shopping for acoustic dreadnoughts in the 1000-2000 dollar range. Fact is, for Taylor, that's their low end stuff. I think maybe you pay too much for the brand name. Taylor has 4000-6000 acoustics, which may be great, but I ain't paying that much for one.

Same with Martins. All I can say is I picked em up and played em and hated em. Laugh if you want, but in the end I got a Tacoma D-18 dreadnought for 900 bucks (it's all american, btw) and I love the sound, the feel, and the customer service at the factory. I love the guitar. It may not have the cache, or the resale value, but my ears liked it better than the expensive brands.

[Huck]

I replaced the bridge on my Tele. It has the old style round saddles. I like the newer square ones. Other than that, it's stock.

[Huck]

I also had the action raised quite a bit. High action=great tone baby!

[Huck]

I couldn't put this Tele down. The sound was just what I wanted to hear. I played some expensive guitars too. I tried PRS semi hollows. Gretches. Strats. Lots of models. This tele, for under 500, won my heart. Don't regret it either. Love it.

[RightWhale]

Has two Tex-Mex pickups in it, too.

When I bought my Strat I tried every one in the store but didn't plug any of them in. I figure if the dry sound is there, and the pickups are so-so, the pickups can be replaced later. Looking for liveliness above the 12th fret.

[perfect stranger]

My '78 Jazz is all stock, but I prefer the precision neck so I usually play the Mexi.

Have you heard about this guy?

He makes some great replacement parts for teles. My older bro has a late 50's Tele with this guy's parts all over it. Whatta guitar!!!

[lormand]

I've been itchin' for a tele for years.

Just like Danny Gatton.

[Huck]

Mine was less than 500 bucks. Money well spent.

[bk1000]

"but my ears liked it better than the expensive brands"

And that's really what its all about. Some of the older Martins have a magical sound. Some sound average. I don't know if it a rule for each model or if much of it is in the hands of the luthier. I have been wanting a Martin for years. I'll get sooo close, and then buy another electric.
Two years ago I went to Madrid and got a sweet flamenco style guitar. Good price, excellent everything. Problem is my right hand. Some on this thread are comparing apples and oranges when comparing electrics to acoustics. The latter is more of an art to create while the former may be easily mass produced. I've seen American strats that were real dogs. Sorry about the long rambling reply, but this is the first guitat related thread I've seen on FR!

[Huck]

Ramble on! I love talking shop. I am about to take the plunge into MIDI, which should be interesting.