They were established years ago back in 1833, but now, the American based Martin Guitar Company have rightfully earned the respectful reputation as being the pioneering manufacturers responsible for producing some of the finest Sunburst acoustic guitar models in the universe today.
Now known as C. F. Martin & Co, the acoustic guitar and string makers are still a family owned and run business, originating from a long line of highly skilled cabinet makers.
By the 1940s a genre of music called Country became ever so popular in America. The big Country stars at the time included, Hank Williams, Lester Flatt and Ernest Tubb and they all performed live on stage with a variety of Martin’s Sunburst acoustic guitar models.
The popularity of using Martin acoustic guitars has continued into subsequent generations with them begin used in a variety of musical genres from, folk, blues and Rock & Roll.
The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley frequently played a Martin acoustic guitar when he was playing live or recording in the studio. From the start of his career recording at Sun Studios in 1942, through to his last live performance in June 1977.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of the King of Rock & Roll, Martin created a limited edition replica of the guitar that Elvis played and called the model, the D-18 Elvis Presley CVR to mark the occasion and to celebrate the fact that Elvis mainly chose Martin acoustic guitars over all others. Martin limited the Special Edition D-18 Elvis Presley CVR guitar to just 175 copies.
Elvis Presley’s treasured his various models of Martin acoustic guitar and they are now part of a large collection of mainly Sunburst acoustic guitar models at Graceland, the home of Elvis.
The ability that Elvis had as a accomplished guitarist is somewhat dubious. However, what is absolutely unquestionable and crystal clear is Elvis’s natural ability to captivate an audience and use his guitar, whether it was a natural finish or Sunburst acoustic guitar, as an important prop. A prop that helped create the ultimate image of the greatest iconic symbol of Rock & Roll to date.
Elvis Presley has single handily been the performer most responsible for influencing and inspiring generation after generation of people to pick up a guitar and learn how to play.
