Questions Common

1. About Martinez Guitars

Q1. What is the history of Martinez Guitars? 

Martinez Guitars was founded in 1978 in Germany as a joint venture (Minyard Martinez Music) that worked closely with the German and American markets. In 2005, the company moved to Guangzhou, China — a rare example of a European brand bringing first-class guitar building to China. Today Martinez guitars are sold in more than 50 countries, and the company organizes over 100 concerts every year in partnership with leading conservatories.

Q2. Where are Martinez guitars made?
All Martinez guitars are handcrafted at our facility in Qingyuan, Guangdong, China (Martinez Guitars Co., Ltd., No.8 Guangyi Rd., Guangqing Industrial Zone). The brand heritage is European — founded in Germany in 1978 — and our luthiers combine European building tradition with modern precision techniques.

Q3. Are Martinez guitars handmade?
Yes. While the Standard/Elementary series uses precision laser-cut components to keep pricing accessible, the Professional, Master and Almeria series are individually built by trained luthiers, with woods hand-selected from around the world and tailored throughout the process by a master craftsman.

Q4. Are Martinez guitars suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. Our Elementary Classical Guitar Series (e.g. MC-18S, MC-20S, MC-35C) is designed with beginners in mind, with emphasis on comfort, playability and a warm tone. For advancing players, the Standard Series and Professional Series offer a clear upgrade path.

Q5. What types of guitars does Martinez offer?
We specialize in classical (nylon-string) guitars across six series:

  • Standard / Elementary Series — value-driven classics for students
  • Professional Series — handcrafted instruments by trained luthiers
  • Master Series — Custom Shop instruments designed by Alex Wang & master luthier Kenny Hill, featuring Nomex tops
  • Performer Series — contemporary design, stage-ready
  • Crossover Series — classical bodies with acoustic-guitar features (14-fret neck, narrower fingerboard)
  • Almeria Series — Spanish-tradition instruments

Q6. Who endorses or recommends Martinez guitars?
Martinez guitars are played and recommended by international artists and teachers, including Dale Kavanagh & Thomas Kirchhoff (Duo Concertante), Patrick Vacík (professor at the Prague Conservatory) and guitarist/composer Will McNicol.
2. Guitar Series & Models

Q7. How do I choose between the series?

Beginner / student: Elementary & Standard series (MC-18S, MC-20S, MC-35C, MC-58C/S, MP-10...)

Advanced player / conservatory level: Professional series (DF-69, Torres 1859/1889, Monaco, Madrid...)

Concert / Custom Shop level: Master series (Godoy J-I/J-II/J-III, Maria, Albatross...)

On-stage / plugged-in: Performer (MSCC-14) and Crossover (MP-14) series, both offer optional electronics

Traditional Spanish sound: Almeria series

Q8. What does "C/S" or "S/C" in the model name mean?
In our catalog, suffixes such as C/S indicate panel (top) wood options — typically Cedar (C) and Spruce (S). For example, MC-128C/S is offered with a solid spruce top, while MC-58C/S carries a solid cedar top. Please confirm the exact top wood on the individual product page before ordering.

Q9. What is the Torres series?
The Torres 1859 and Torres 1889 models are historical reproductions honoring the design of 19th-century luthier Antonio de Torres, built with solid spruce tops and solid rosewood/maple back & sides — classics for repertoire and historical performance.

Q10. What is the Crossover Series?
The Crossover Series blends the projection of a traditional classical guitar with features of an acoustic guitar: a 14-fret neck, narrower fingerboard and optional onboard electronics (Martinez STF System). It is ideal for players who want to move between classical and acoustic styles.

Q11. Do you make left-handed guitars?
Currently our catalog lists right-handed classical guitars only. 
3. Product Specifications

Q12. What is the scale length of your guitars?
Most full-size classical models use a 650mm scale length (standard classical). The Performer and Crossover series use a 640mm scale, and some student models (e.g. M-POP) are offered at 580mm. Certain models such as MC-35C offer dual scale options (650mm/580mm). Check the individual product page for exact figures.

Q13. What is the nut width?
Most classical models feature a 52mm nut width (standard classical), while the Performer and Crossover series use a narrower 48mm nut for easier reach.

Q14. What woods are used?
Top woods include solid cedar, solid spruce and European spruce; back & sides include solid rosewood, mahogany, sapele, maple, ovangkol, cocobolo, Ziricote and cypress; fingerboards are typically ebony or rosewood (some with abalone inlay). Each guitar's exact wood combination is listed on its product page.

Q15. Do the guitars come with a case or gigbag?
It varies by model. Some models ship with a wooden case (e.g. DF-69C/S, Torres series, MSCC-14), others with a gigbag or glass fiber case, and some list a gigbag as an optional accessory. Please check the "What's Included" section on the product page.

Q16. Are these full-size (4/4) guitars?
Yes, the majority of our catalog is full-size classical guitars (650mm scale). A few student models offer shorter scale options for younger or smaller players. 

Q17. Are the tops solid wood or laminated?
Our Standard/Elementary series includes both laminated spruce (MC-18S, MC-20S) and solid cedar/spruce models. From the Professional series upward, all tops are solid wood (solid cedar, solid spruce or European spruce).
4. Where are your products manufactured?

Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select our manufacturing partners to ensure our products are high quality and a fair value.
5. How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is calculated based on your location and the items in your order. You will always know the shipping price before you purchase.