Product: Sigma SDR35
Price Paid: US $752.00
Submitted
02/22/2004
at
06:33am
by
Terry Lawrence
Email: LCS at ori<dot>net
Features
:
10
This guitar was manufactured in Korea by the Martin subsidiary Sigma in 1992. The neck is made of mahagony and has 20 frets laid on a rosewood finger board. It features a high gloss solid sitka spruce top, solid rosewood side and back. The SDR 35 has a white binding, all the way, front and back. The tuning keys are chrome and hold extremely well.
The neck is quite thin for an accoustic guitar manufactured in 1992. With a low action, the guitar is very playable.
In short this is a beautiful guitar and easy on the finger tips.
Sound
:
7
Prior to purchasing and playing this guitar, I was accustomed to the sound of my Yamaha FG 180 purchased in 1969. Consequently, I was not pleased with the tonal gualities. Specifically, the SDR 35 sounds exactly like a Martin D-35. In fact, it is effectively a D-35 manufactured in Korea.
It lacks the vibrance of a Yamaha. It is far more mellow. For these reasons it doesn't suit my taste. Nonetheless is packs a lot of punch.
In short, if you like the Martin sound, you would like the sound of this instrument.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
From the factory, the action was too high for my tastes. So, I had it lowered. To this day, after 12 years the neck is perfectly straigt. No bowing or bending. Likewise, the action has been consistent.
Also, 12 years after manufacture, the finish is perfect.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This SDR 35 is rock ready and rock solid. I would use it on a gig, but only a fool would not have a back-up. Although now that I think of it, I can't recall breaking a string on more than one or two occasions.
Bottom line is that it is Martin dependable.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
I have never had to contact Martin for support. Martin deserves a pat on the back for this because the guitar has been trouble free.
As for the warranty, it is life time.
Overall Rating
:
8
I began playing the guitar in 1967. It all began with five books of green stamps that yielded a cheap classical accoustic. I "progressed" to a cheap Harmony steel string that really hurt my finger tips. In 1969 I purchased my Yamaha FG 180 and finally had a good guitar.
I also own an Ibanez 12 string and a Yamaha electric guitar. The Ibanez neck is pulling away from the body and will likely go to charity soon. The Yamaha electric is quite good although inexpensive.
Out of all of these guitars, the Sigma SDR 35 would be the least missed. I just never became attached to it due to the Martin sound.
I plan to sell it soon and replace it with a high end Yamaha.
Read carefully: Looks are one thing, what floats your boat is another.
