Sigma EM-18

[edwardofhuncote]

Wait... what?!

https://roanoke.craigslist.org/msg/d/rocky-mount-sigma-martin-solid-body/7909840275.html

The only thing I can figure is that Martin boxed-up unfinished EM-18's after they were discontinued and sold them as kits through the now-defunct 1833 Shop. The Sigma logo is weird but almost makes sense. I have never seen or heard of another EM series kit guitar, but clearly that's what this was. I have seen many "Shenandoah" kit guitars, and built a couple. Never anything from the Sigma line.

*I did some searching, and there are some differences, though fairly minor. The biggest thing I failed to catch initially, the Martin EM-18's had mahogany necks but this Sigma kit guitar appears to have a maple one. It also lacks the two coil-tap switches, and the selector switch is located down closer to the cluster rather than the upper bout.

It's still a weird one, and I can't help but wonder if they weren't a way to dispose of some leftover parts. Nobody really liked the idea of Martin solid-body electrics anyway, especially the original design, which is why they're rare but not in a good way.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I never did hear tell of such a thing.  Strange.

Peter

[edwardofhuncote]

Well, I called it the wrong thing for starters... (it's an EM-18, EB was the bass...) I fixed that and did some more reading and looking. Still a puzzle.

[gtrguy]

Good price. I have the Martin bass version of this one. I do recall the Sigma Martin thing somewhat.

[gtrguy]

The Martin bass was well made but never a stand out for tone. Not bad but just not greater than the sum of its parts. The fake neck thru look did nothing for it either.

[lbpesq]

I had a Martin F-50, their hollow body electric with a single DeArmond PU.  Nothing to write home about, either.  I believe Martin made the neck and some guy in upstate New York built the rest.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

I had a Martin F-50, their hollow body electric with a single DeArmond PU.  Nothing to write home about, either.  I believe Martin made the neck and some guy in upstate New York built the rest.

Bill, tgo

We have an F-65 in the store (on consignment I think) right now. I don't remember ever seeing another in-person. https://fretmill.com/product/martin-f-65-1964/


No, they never did well with the electric guitar market until undersaddle pickups became common. Then the MTV "Unplugged" thing with Clapton (which I also never understood because it was totally plugged in) kinda' blew up big and now that's almost the norm versus the neo-traditional no-electronics types like me. But other than that, I doubt if C.F. Martin & Co will ever venture into the solid-body electric guitar scene again. Could be wrong.

[edwardofhuncote]

Good price. I have the Martin bass version of this one. I do recall the Sigma Martin thing somewhat.

I knew you had one, Dave and was kinda' hoping you would see the thread and post about it if you'd seen a Sigma version. I just can't remember if I ever have... and that's the kinda' stuff that sticks with me. I even remember working on a prototype Sigma-branded F-style mandolin. From Nazareth, PA.

[cozmik_cowboy]

What confuses me is that the EM (and EB) Martins were made in Nazareth, PA, but Sigma was made in Japan.  Why a Sigma decal, then?

Peter

[cozmik_cowboy]

I just asked the fine folks at CFM what the deal is; I will report back.


Peter

[edwardofhuncote]

What confuses me is that the EM (and EB) Martins were made in Nazareth, PA, but Sigma was made in Japan.  Why a Sigma decal, then?

Peter

I am equally confused. The Sigma line (as you pointed out) was imported, and some final setup or finish work done here in some cases. I think some instruments were Korea factory too, maybe later on?


Maybe the thought was to have some branding on the kit here, but it not be identified as a Martin? Like there's some mystery what the lineage of this pup was?!


I'm selling guitars rather than buying these days, but for $500 I'd have a go at it for a project. I'm 100% sure that's an original Martin hardshell case, made for the EM. Hell, you could sell that alone for $100 to someone who needed it. Of course then you gotta ship the idiot thing.


I better shut up before I talk myself into going to see this guy. I don't even have a trade.

[gtrguy]

I think the  bass pickup  is a very very early DiMarzio Model G. The Martin EB-28 was a whole 'nother beast from the EB-18 also and much more rare and interesting. These instruments were well made of course. I think around 850 EB-18s were made. Guitar Center has one for sale used. The tone cap used on the stock EB-18 was not the best possible choice.

[edwardofhuncote]

I think the  bass pickup  is a very very early DiMarzio Model G. The Martin EB-28 was a whole 'nother beast from the EB-18 also and much more rare and interesting. These instruments were well made of course. I think around 850 EB-18s were made. Guitar Center has one for sale used. The tone cap used on the stock EB-18 was not the best possible choice.

According to Mike Longworth's account, the earlier EB-18 came with DiMarzio Model "One" pickup and later ones with the DiMarzio Model G... that checks out. For production my old book shows; 874 EB-18 basses, 1375 EM-18 guitars, 341E-18's, 2 EMB-18's, annnnd 98 "unidentified".


And as you say, the Style 28's are another thing altogether... big step up. Active electronics in both guitar and bass models. I've never seen an E-28 guitar,  only seen the EB-28's for sale occasionally.


I'll be curious to see what Martin says about this Sigma kit. I'm betting they were just getting rid of discontinued product. Maybe some of those unidentified units?

[cozmik_cowboy]

Just received this:

Hello Peter,
 
Thank you for contacting Martin Guitar.
 
The Sigma series was imported from Japan (later from Korea and Taiwan) and available for sale at an affordable price point from 1970 - 2007. All Sigma guitars are constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides. The Sigma series also included banjos and mandolins constructed with laminated (ply) backs and sides. Martin Guitar did not keep Sigma serial number records. As such, Sigma’s and Mandolins cannot be accurately dated. The Sigma brand is no longer affiliated with Martin Guitar.
 
Unfortunately, we do not have any captured information for this Sigma instrument as we are no longer associated with them.
 
Best Regards,

Evan
Customer Service Representative

So, no direct answer, but he makes it sound like that ain't a Sigma.
The mystery continues.

Peter

[gearhed289]

I think the  bass pickup  is a very very early DiMarzio Model G. The Martin EB-28 was a whole 'nother beast from the EB-18 also and much more rare and interesting. These instruments were well made of course. I think around 850 EB-18s were made. Guitar Center has one for sale used. The tone cap used on the stock EB-18 was not the best possible choice.

According to Mike Longworth's account, the earlier EB-18 came with DiMarzio Model "One" pickup and later ones with the DiMarzio Model G... that checks out. For production my old book shows; 874 EB-18 basses, 1375 EM-18 guitars, 341E-18's, 2 EMB-18's, annnnd 98 "unidentified".


And as you say, the Style 28's are another thing altogether... big step up. Active electronics in both guitar and bass models. I've never seen an E-28 guitar,  only seen the EB-28's for sale occasionally.


I'll be curious to see what Martin says about this Sigma kit. I'm betting they were just getting rid of discontinued product. Maybe some of those unidentified units?

The Model One is shaped like a Gibson mudbucker. The Model G is the size of a guitar humbucker. Both have the same guts.