Sigma Guitars SDM-18 Acoustic Guitar

General

Perhaps the most supremely luxurious dreadnought to ever leave the Sigma Guitars workshop, the SDM-18 bears all of that throwback Martin DNA, which makes sense, since Sigma was once the daughter company of Martin back in the '70s. However, this is no cheap knock off. This model has definitely been built for professionals as well as serious amateurs, so it boasts a top-shelf build that features a solid spruce soundboard and a solid mahogany back and sides - a hefty upgrade on laminated body parts.

All Solid, All Good

The all-solid construction isn't just about being impressive, it's all about packing this acoustic guitar with enhanced fullness and extra resonance. The complimentary tone of the different woods shapes the defined trebles and the touch of bite that you get with spruce, and all of it is wrapped up in the cosy warmth that you can only get with mahogany. The ebony fretboard also adds a touch more warmth to the sound and, combined with the 42.9mm wide nut, guarantees excellent playing comfort. Naturally, Sigma has also decked out the SDM-18 with matching hardware, polishing everything off with a bone saddle and nut and a full set of high-precision Grover machine heads.

Sigma Guitars

In the 1970s, Martin Guitars launched a series of more affordable models under the name Sigma Guitars in order to compete with the growing number of cheaper models being produced in the Far East. Unfortunately, they stopped producing them in 2007 but a German company breathed new life into the name in 2011. With Martin Guitars' blessing, these models are now made in China. They're subject to strict quality controls and everything from the way they're built to the headstock design do the original models justice. In short, these acoustic guitars offer the same excellent value for money as the original models did. In the USA, these models are distributed by Martin under the name Kindred Guitars as they no longer hold the rights to the Sigma Guitars name.