Christian Frederick Martin

For other people named Christian Martin, see Christian Martin (disambiguation).

Christian Frederick Martin, Sr. (German: Christian Friedrich Martin I.; January 31, 1796 – February 16, 1873) was a luthier who specialized in guitars.

Born in Markneukirchen, Germany to a family of cabinet makers, Martin became an apprentice of the guitar maker Johann Georg Stauffer of Vienna, Austria.[1]

As a result of a dispute between the Cabinet Makers Guild, of which Martin was a member, and the Violin Makers Guild, Martin moved to the United States in 1833. On arriving in New York City , he set up shop at 196 Hudson Street on the Lower West Side. Martin’s first workshop housed a small production setup in the back room, and a retail music store up front. This shop was the forerunner of C. F. Martin & Company, which is still family-owned and operated, whose current CEO is CF Martin's great-great-great grandson, CF Martin IV as of 2007.

At the insistence of his wife, Ottilie Lucia Kühler (daughter of the Maschinentischler [machine carpenter] Karl Kühler of Vienna[2]), Martin moved the guitar shop in 1838 to Nazareth, Pennsylvania where it is still located. [3]

Martin's guitar construction and design innovations produced a model of flattop guitar that is still in use today.[4]

References

  1. ^ C.F Martin & Company. "Our Story - Chapter 1: The C.F. Martin Story". http://www.mguitar.com/history/ourstory.php?chptr=1. Retrieved 2006-11-04. 
  2. ^ Martin's 1825 marriage entry, Vienna.
  3. ^ Fieldtrip.com. "Special, Music, Industry, History -- Martin Guitar Company". http://www.fieldtrip.com/pa/07592837.htm. Retrieved 2006-11-04. 
  4. ^ Invention.Smithsonian.org. "C.F. Martin, Sr.". http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/electricguitar/invention.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-10.