C. F. Martin & Co. was already established in 1833. C.F. Martin was born in Germany, where he had learned to build guitars as part of a long family tradition. In 1833 he emigrated to the United States and first established a relatively modest guitar workshop in New York. By 1858 the business had expanded and a factory employing guitar makers was established in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

C. F. Martin & Co. was already established in 1833. C.F. Martin was born in Germany, where he had learned to build guitars as part of a long family tradition. In 1833 he emigrated to the United States and first established a relatively modest guitar workshop in New York. By 1858 the business had expanded and a factory employing guitar makers was established in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.