SIGMA Σ Guitars

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SIGMA by C.F.Martin SEC-2000J around 1994 | eBay

SIGMA by C.F.Martin SEC-2000J around 1994​


Description​


The Sigma guitar is a junior version of the CF Martin guitar, and has appeared as a high-quality model made in Japan, completed by Martin's planning and design. In the latter half of the 90's, reasonable models made in Korea were released, but early Sigma guitars were produced in factories in Japan according to Martin's strict standards. This time we have the SEC-2000J, the top model of the early Sigma guitar! Taking advantage of the great success of Clapton's Unplugged lol, it's the strongest looking 000-42 style!

Solid Sitka spruce TOP, laminated Jacaranda SIDE BACK, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard bridge, scallop bracing, measured 42.9mm nut, 24.9 inch scale 000 style. The Japanese version of that Clapton model, which boasted a beautiful torch inlay, a 42-style snowflakes position mark, and a 42-style Avalon purfling that was extremely popular. The fact that purfling avalon and solid avalon are still used these days is also a plus point! After all, the glow of Solid Avalon is larger than Goron and has a different presence! Moreover, this model was already listed in the catalog of November 1993, so it was released before the original 000-42EC. Perhaps the sales performance of this model created the legendary 000-42EC first limited model? !

The sound is 000-like and has a good response and good graininess! A bright and gorgeous sustain is entwined with the responsive start-up to produce a sound with an edge that is typical of the Jacaranda model. The SIDE BACK is made of plywood, so it doesn't have a luxurious sound, but you can enjoy the gorgeous sound of the shellfish model. Strumming with a flat pick gives you a compact yet bright and edgy sound, so you can use it for strokes as well. The scallop bracing gives a responsive sound when you pluck it with your finger, and the scallop bracing adds a sense of spaciousness to the sound, as well as the gorgeous overtones typical of a shellfish model. You will be able to enjoy it to the fullest lol!

The condition of the instrument is maintained in such a beautiful and exquisite condition that you wouldn't believe it was made about 30 years ago! There are no scratches that stand out even from a distance, and it looks like new at first glance. When I held it up to the light and inspected it closely, I found one extremely shallow spot of about 1mm near the end of the body top, and on the back of the body, I can see some scratches and scratches that look like they were rubbed by clothes. All of the scratches are too minor to be called scratches, so I don't think anyone would care about this when looking at a guitar from the 90's. Also, if you hold it up to the light and look closely, the paint on the back of the neck from the back of the 1st fret to the back of the 9th fret, which is often used, looks like the top coat has been peeled off, and the glossiness is different from the others. However, it feels smooth to the touch and doesn't feel uneven, so I don't think you'll have to make a fuss about it. There are no other noticeable scratches, and overall, it can be said that it is in a very beautiful and superb condition for its age.

The neck is in good condition and beautifully straight. There is still room in the saddle, so you can fine-tune the string height even further. The frets are somewhat reduced, mainly on the low frets, but the height of the original frets is still about 78% of the original, so you can still use it with confidence.

I recommend this book to those who can't reach the original, and it will be a picture with outstanding presence!

The case also comes with the original Martin vintage replica case.

color natural wood
Year of manufacture 1990s
Top plate material Spruce
Side plate material Jacaranda
Back plate material Jacaranda
Body size 000 type
accessories hard case


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SIGMA by C.F.Martin SEC-42 around 1995 | eBay

SIGMA by C.F.Martin SEC-42 around 1995​


Description​


The Sigma guitar is a junior version of the CF Martin guitar, and has appeared as a high-quality model made in Japan, completed by Martin's planning and design. In the latter half of the 90's, reasonable models made in Korea were released, but early Sigma guitars were produced in factories in Japan according to Martin's strict standards. This time, the SEC-42, a high-end model of such an early Sigma guitar! Taking advantage of the great success of Clapton's Unplugged lol, it's the strongest looking 000-42 style!

Solid Sitka spruce TOP, laminated rosewood SIDE BACK, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, ebony bridge, scallop bracing, actual 42.9mm nut, 24.9" scale, 000 style with all lacquer finish. The Japanese version of that Clapton model, which boasted a beautiful torch inlay, a 42-style snowflakes position mark, and a 42-style Avalon purfling that was extremely popular. The fact that purfling avalon and solid avalon are still used these days is also a plus point! After all, the glow of Solid Avalon is larger than Goron and has a different presence! This model is the successor version of the previously released SEC-1500R, but perhaps the model name was changed in response to the announcement of the legendary 000-42EC in 1995. I think lol.

The sound is 000-like and has a good response and good graininess! The response is good, and the bright and gorgeous sustain is entwined to create a sound that gives you the plumpness of a rosewood body. The SIDE BACK is made of plywood, so it doesn't have a luxurious sound, but you can enjoy the gorgeous sound of the shellfish model. Strumming with a flat pick gives you a compact yet bright and edgy sound, so you can use it for strokes as well. The scallop bracing gives a responsive sound when you pluck it with your finger, and the scallop bracing adds a sense of spaciousness to the sound, as well as the gorgeous overtones typical of a shellfish model. You will be able to enjoy it to the fullest lol!

The condition of the instrument is relatively small for its age, but it has a little repair history and a sense of age. First of all, the most noticeable thing is the cloudiness of the paint on the SIDE BACK. If you look at the catalog at that time, it claims an all-lacquer finish, and when you push it with your fingernail, it certainly looks like a lacquer finish, but the coating must be thick. . The SIDE BACK has a cloudy paint on the whole, and the shoulder part of the back is quite white and conspicuous. There is a little cloudiness on the top of the head, but it is milder than SIDE BACK, so I don't think it will bother me that much. Compared to SIDE BACK, the coating on the top seems to be thinner, and there is no cloudiness on the top, and a crepe-like weather check can be confirmed. You can't see it at all when you look at it from the front, but when you look at it from an angle, you can see the detailed weather checks, and the atmosphere of the face is perfect!

As for the repair history, there are two hairline cracks of about 5 cm in the bulge on the 6th string side of the body top, where you can hide with your arm when playing, and they have been repaired with glue. It adheres well and is almost invisible. In addition, there is evidence that the cell peeling has been repaired on the waist part on the 1st string side. Other than that, there are only a few small scratches that can be seen here and there, and there are few types of scratches, so it can be said that it is in a fair condition.

The neck is in good condition and is beautifully straight. There is still room in the saddle, so you can fine-tune the string height even further. The frets are somewhat reduced, mainly on the low frets, but the height of about 80% of the original remains even at the point where it has been reduced the most.

Clapton's performance in Japan is over, isn't there a lot of people looking for this look? !

The size of the case is adjusted by placing a sponge in a general-purpose case.

color natural wood
Year of manufacture 1990s
Top plate material Spruce
Side plate material Rosewood
Back plate material Rosewood
Body size 000 type
accessories hard case


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Not sure what model this is
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That is an S2000 built in 1981 most likely at the Tershima factory building in Hamatsu Japan.

Terashima and Terwaki Cat's Eyes Production
 
Shark fin? I was thinking someone was practicing doing wood binding. Very well done IMHO.
 

Sigma by Martin OOO-28V OM Acoustic Guitar Non-Export Japan Paper Gold Label Terada Factory w/ OHSC​


Sigma by Martin OOO-28V OM Acoustic Guitar Non-Export Japan Paper Gold Label Terada Factory w/ OHSC | Reverb


Here we have a Rare and Beautiful Sigma by Martin OOO-28v acoustic guitar ca. late 1980s/early 1990s. This non-export model is a fine specimen and outstanding example of Japanese craftsmanship as authorized by Martin and likely produced by the Terada Factory. Gorgeous tone for finger-style and strumming alike, this versatile guitar is optimal for delicate and dynamic playing modes.



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I am now thinking that when Martin sold off the Shenandoah brand to Kurosawa in the early 1990s that it also so off the Sigma brand?

Martin Shenandoah Acoustics

Speculative, but may explain all the over the top fancy Sigmas made by Terada (?) in the 90s (?)

That has always perplexed me.

And seems the Sigma brand was sold again more recently as they are being made in China these days it seems.
 
"In early 1970, the company became the third largest musical instrument manufacturer in city after Yamaha and Kawai Gakki. Tokai Gakki became the sole agent for C.F. Martin in Japan while Yamaha was Gibson’s. Tokai was Martin’s “Sigma” guitar builder as well as importer in those days."

Tokai Employee Toshihito (Toshi) Tsuchida
 

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