time we hired women to build guitars. Then joined the business in 1955 and he caught the successful era for manufacturers like Martin.
the government put us on rations for metal folk boom. Holy mackerel! That is why we are in Another change came when Chris’ father
because they needed the metal for armaments this building today. We couldn’t keep up. They decided to retire, and his grandfather stepped
and for screws. We realized that every time we came home from a trade show in Chicago and back in to run the family business, while Chris
bought a tail piece we used up some of our we took enough orders, based on our capacity went off to college to study business. Sadly,
metal allotment, and every time we made an at North Street (the old factory) to run flat out Chris’ grandfather passed away leaving a
arch top we took a thick piece of spruce that for the next four years – and not take an order.” big hole in the family, the company, local
could’ve made us five flat tops!” That trade show was actually the NAMM show, community, and the music industry. The fate
which today remains the hallowed grounds of this iconic brand would come to rest in the
The end of WW II was a happy footnote in where many a brand has been made. The untested hands of Chris Martin IV.
Martin’s history in that it coincided with what is success of that singular trip was the impetus now affectionately known as the ‘Golden Era’ of to move to their current factory (which I’d be As Chris pointed out, the weight of this moment
Martin guitars. Another important spillover from touring shortly). was not lost on him, “The board put me in
that era, as demonstrated by our photos from
charge, and I was scared to death! I can’t
the factory tour, the Martin factory employs a Martin’s growth continued into the ‘60s. Martin express to you the significance of that event to
large number of women in luthier-centric roles. started hiring veterans returning home from the me. When I came out from the board meeting
Equally important is the fact that Martin hires Viet Nam war right around the time when Folk it gave me a lot of confidence in myself as a
employees for life, not a job. and Rock music collided, and a whole new leader. It also taught me team building skills”.
generation of people embraced the guitar. Chris’ gift as a leader is just as apparent as you
As the post-war economy marched on, as Chris
tour the Martin factory as it is on the concert
pointed out, the guitar business did as well Then came the ‘80s. While our friends at stages where Martin endorsers like John Mayer
“The guitar became a much more integral part Yamaha celebrated the release of the iconic are crafting their legacy. Chris has literally
of American and British musical culture – both DX7 FM synthesizer, ‘popular’ music shifted taken hundreds of his employees out on field
six and twelve string acoustic guitars. My dad to disco, which signaled the end of a highly trips (hikes, rafting etc.) to forge the Martin’s
1942 D45
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August 2018
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