Raygf
Well-known member
I spent the day yesterday at The Martin Guitar Factory with 50+ other folks on a bus trip sponsored by Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe. THANK YOU Emory and Charlene. What an amazing day. This is my second visit to the factory with Appalachian. When they go again, I'll be on the bus. After the factory tour, lunch and museum tour, we had some exclusive time in the picking room with astounding custom shop guitars. The two, 12 fret, slotted headstocks were unbelievable! May be looking at a 000-15SM. I know it can't compare to the customs, but I played one years ago and am sorry I didn't buy it then.
I asked our tour guide, where the ukuleles were because I was hoping to play a few. He said they were hard to come by, but wait right here, I'll go check. He came back with a 2KT, a 2KC and a 2. Dear God. They had all just come off the line and I wanted all 3. The mahogany on the 2C was spectacular and the tone on the 2KC just rang out. The tenor was my favorite. While I was playing these three, he came back with a case and said, Okay Ray, I just found this, but it's not for sale. I thought you might like to see it. He handed me one of the IZ prototypes. I was honored, to say the least. What more can I say. I was in 7th heaven. After playing them all for quite a while, I had to put them down and walk away to catch my breath and consider taking the tenor home. I didn't do it. I expect I'll go to Charlene and Emory and ask them to order one for me soon. UAS is a wicked mistress. This one would not be just an impulse buy that I would regret in a few weeks and sell in a few years. I love the fact the Martin has been in business for 4 generations and the fact that ukuleles kept them afloat during the depression. These folks employ generations of families too. We met a woman on the tour who worked with a photo of her grandfather working in the factory on her bench.
One thing I noticed was how close the T1K and C1K get to the sound of the 2 and 2K ukuleles. I do say close. There is no denying they are Martins. Playability is even closer. I've played quite a few T1K and C1Ks at Appalachian because they sell regularly so new ones are hanging in the store almost every time I visit.
Just typing this post has me wanting to call Charlene. I can afford one, but just wasn't able to do it yesterday. Now, let's see, what needs to find a new home so I can have a 2KT follow me home? There are definitely a few that I could let go of for one of these Martins. Maybe even a guitar sale.
Time to hit Submit. This post has gotten out of hand. If you every get the opportunity to visit the factory, DO IT!
I asked our tour guide, where the ukuleles were because I was hoping to play a few. He said they were hard to come by, but wait right here, I'll go check. He came back with a 2KT, a 2KC and a 2. Dear God. They had all just come off the line and I wanted all 3. The mahogany on the 2C was spectacular and the tone on the 2KC just rang out. The tenor was my favorite. While I was playing these three, he came back with a case and said, Okay Ray, I just found this, but it's not for sale. I thought you might like to see it. He handed me one of the IZ prototypes. I was honored, to say the least. What more can I say. I was in 7th heaven. After playing them all for quite a while, I had to put them down and walk away to catch my breath and consider taking the tenor home. I didn't do it. I expect I'll go to Charlene and Emory and ask them to order one for me soon. UAS is a wicked mistress. This one would not be just an impulse buy that I would regret in a few weeks and sell in a few years. I love the fact the Martin has been in business for 4 generations and the fact that ukuleles kept them afloat during the depression. These folks employ generations of families too. We met a woman on the tour who worked with a photo of her grandfather working in the factory on her bench.
One thing I noticed was how close the T1K and C1K get to the sound of the 2 and 2K ukuleles. I do say close. There is no denying they are Martins. Playability is even closer. I've played quite a few T1K and C1Ks at Appalachian because they sell regularly so new ones are hanging in the store almost every time I visit.
Just typing this post has me wanting to call Charlene. I can afford one, but just wasn't able to do it yesterday. Now, let's see, what needs to find a new home so I can have a 2KT follow me home? There are definitely a few that I could let go of for one of these Martins. Maybe even a guitar sale.
Time to hit Submit. This post has gotten out of hand. If you every get the opportunity to visit the factory, DO IT!
Last edited:
