SIGMAs Made In Korea

[Sigmania]

Logging these to get an idea of the years of production.

1988
1991
1992
1993
1996
1997

Production may have begun in Korea as early as 1980 ?

And according to this article in Vintage Guitar Magazine, production partly shifted from Japan to Korea in the 80s I believe, but guitars were made in both countries for many years making this much more confusing.

Sigma by Martin | Vintage Guitar® magazine

 

[Sigmania]

DM1ST N

SN 97030021

YK7701 Sigma Guitars by Martin DM1ST N シグマ... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

DM12/1ST N

SN 97100598

Sigma by Martin DM12/1ST 12弦ギター - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

DM12/1ST N

SN 97020875

美品 希少 Sigma by Martin DM12/1ST 12弦ギター... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

DM1ST N

SN 960x9645

1990s Korean-made Sigma DM1ST-N Dreadnought Guitar

 

[Sigmania]

DR1ST N

SN 96120224

Sigma Guitars DR1ST Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar 1996 Korea w/Epiphone Case #96120224

 

[Sigmania]

DM-1

SN 92090210

Sigma By Martin DM-1 Made in Korea Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

DM4Y

SN 91050015

 

[Sigmania]

DM2

SN 93080158

 

[Sigmania]

DM ?

SN 92080107

Martin Sigma DM-4Y 1983-1993 Marquis Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with “age toned” top | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

DM2

809306
273800

Not sure what these numbers indicate. Another puzzle.

Sigma DM2 1984 Natural | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

DM2

SN 88050519

Sigma DM 2 1985-1989 - Natural | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

DM-3

Another odd stamped number

Sigma DM-3 late 1980s - Natural | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

Interesting data point:

"Hello All, Have a question regarding Korean made Sigmas. All the online info (which isn't much) I've come across dealing with Sigma manufacturing history states that Sigmas were made in Japan from 1970- 1983, moving to Korea 1984-1993/94. I own a Sigma DM 4, made in Korea, paper label, blue border, gold script, serial #8013108 that I KNOW that I purchased in 1981. Bought from Music Emporium USA, Rockville, Maryland. If, as everything I've found online states, manufacture in Korea didn't begin until 1984, how did I get this guitar in 1981? I realize some Sigma info is sketchy but these dates seem consistent. Anybody have any input?"

Dating Korean Sigma - The Acoustic Guitar Forum

 

[RBY]

DM-3

Another odd stamped number

Sigma DM-3 late 1980s - Natural | Reverb

View attachment 39819

 

[RBY]

DM-3

Another odd stamped number

Sigma DM-3 late 1980s - Natural | Reverb

View attachment 39819

 

[RBY]

I have identical Korean-made Sigma DM 3, #121138 .I had thought it was mid-1980's, but you're probably closer to correct dating. Axe sounds great and no bulging or separating ! My "poor man's D-18" !

 

[Sigmania]

Oh I have no idea of the date on that one. That line is from the link.

Check out the article I linked in the first post about how convoluted the history is with Korean production. It’s anything but straightforward.