|
M-Mar |
made |
Mas-MD
| Me-MJ |
Mo-
updated 9/3/2010 |
|
M&M
Merchandisers |
|
"We
have several brands of guitars:
Kona Guitars -
Started in 2001 - our main line of guitars - Acoustics and
electrics.
Trinity River Guitars
- 2003 - named after the Trinity River that runs
through Fort Worth and near our headquarters here in Ft.
Worth. High quality acoustic guitars.
Main Street Guitars
- 2008 - The original address that our founders 1st
store was on Main street.
Barraza - 2007 -
Named after a family member - nice instruments
GP Percussion - 2001
- drums
ZZ Ryder Guitars -
2003 - Higher quality electric guitars, suspended
production in late 2008; may be back in the future.
All guitars are made in China as
of 2008 and are imported to Fort Worth
where they are each gone over and QCed
and set-up. Some are completely
rebuilt with fret levels, etc. Guitars can be made here in Fort
Worth at request, but very few have
been made in the USA; very high quality guitars;
may see more in the future.
Guitar Dating
Our serial number has the date made in it:
K0612t0516 - this one was built in the
12th month of 2006." [Source: Mark W.
Jabben, M&M Merchandisers, Inc,
email 6/1/2009] |
|
Maccaferri
 |
1923-1990 |
Mario Maccaferri (1900-1993)
Biography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selmer-Maccaferri_guitar
http://www.hotclub.co.uk/html/charle.html
http://www.grouseguitars.com.au/sold/maccaferri.htm
see Selmer
Images Maccaferri G30 guitar eBay
 |
|
MacCubbin |
2002 to present |
MacCubbin
Guitars - David MacCubbin, Baltimore, Maryland
"I started building in 2002. All
of my guitars have a label inside the soundhole, with the model
number and date. Each guitar is also signed and dated on the
inside of the soundboard, either down at the lower bout bass
side, or the upper bout bass side. I have been through several
versions of labels and have included photos of them with this
message.
I have studied with Bill Cumpiano
and Ervin Somogyi. I build a number of different sizes and body
styles, including OM styles and dreadnoughts, using various
tonewoods, and with various scale lengths and nut widths."
[Source and images courtesy of David MacCubbin, email
6/11/2008]
 |
|
Madeira
 |
1970s-80s |
Madeira Guitars
used to be Guild's import brand. They were first made in Japan
with USA parts then were made in Korea with USA parts by Samick. (which also still makes Sigma for Martin, Epiphone for
Gibson, and Squire for Fender but not with USA parts anymore).
The letters in the model numbers do mean R=rosewood, M=mahogony,
S=spruce, H-herringbone, and A=abalone altho the abalone was
fake
[Source:
Guitarsite]
1972 Madeira Guitars advertisement
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Madeira
Images eBay:
 |
|
Andrew Maer |
current |
Andrew C
Maer of Alhaurin de la Torre near Malaga
Image
Kent Guitar Classics:
 |
|
Maestro Guitars |
|
Singapore
"All our Serial numbers include the year of
manufacture: For example guitars made in year 2007 have the
serial number: 2007-XXXX and guitars made in year 2008 have the
serial number: 2008-XXXX
Pre 2005 Maestro Guitars starts with APXXXXXX AP = Alpha
Production [ Source: HOZEN, Maestro Guitars, email 18/3/2008] |
|
Maestro by
Gibson
 |
|
|
|
Magic |
|
by Venlonia
http://www.daisybelle.nl/nedgit.htm
Lord Bizarre examples |
|
Magnatone
 |
1937-1971 |
Founded as Dickerson Brothers in
Los Angeles. Known as Magna Electronics from 1947. In 1959 Magna
and Este merged and in 1966 relocated to Pennsylvania.
1971 brand taken over by toy company. [Source:
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
]
Rise and fall of Magnatone article
http://www.well.com/~wellvis/gitinfo.html#magnatone
Magnatone (Bigsby)
Mark III
http://www.myrareguitars.com/emagnatonemarkiii.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Magnatone
Image 1960s
Magnatone Typhoon eBay:
 |
|
Magneto
 |
2009 - present |
"Our workshop is in Matsumoto,
Japan
Dating Magneto guitars
Serial start with 000001 and
Magneto Guitars started in 2009 so it is simple so far. There
will be a book with the serials.
Serials are stamped on the back of the headstock up until now.
[Source: Christian Hatstatt,
www.magnetoguitars.com
email 28/1/2010] |
|
Magn-o-tone |
1930s |
Magn-o-tone was made by both Regal
and Dobro. [Source:
The Hawaiian Steel Guitar and Its Great Hawaiian Musicians By
Lorene Ruymar ] |
|
Magnum Opus
 |
current |
Handcrafted guitars from Marina
del Ray, California, USA
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Magnum+Opus
Image eBay. |
|
Mai Kai |
1940s |
Built in Los Angeles by Shireson
Borthers in the 1940s. [Source:
Uke Database] |
|
Maier |
1960s |
Maier guitars. Made in Japan
1960s.
Reviews
Maier Guitar Reviews- Harmony Central® - User
Reviews
Images eBay:
 |
|
Phil Mailloux |
|
Phil Mailloux
basses, Australia |
|
Maingard |
current |
South Africa |
|
Main Street Guitars |
2008 to present. |
A brand of M&M Merchandising. Fort
Worth, Texas. Made in China.
Main Street Guitars
- 2008 - The original address that our founders 1st
store was on Main street.
Dating Main
Street Guitars
Our serial number has the date made in it:
K0612t0516 - this one was built in the
12th month of 2006." [Source: Mark W.
Jabben, M&M Merchandisers, Inc,
email 6/1/2009]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Main+Street
see
M&M Merchandisers |
|
Maison
 |
|
Korean
Maison catalogs
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_maison.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Maison
http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data4/Maison/
Images eBay:
 |
|
Maize Guitars |
1992 to present |
Premium grade acoustic guitars and
basses made in Cave Junction, Oregon.
"I began manufacturing guitars in
1992. The label visible through the soundhole has a year and
number such as 96-03, which would have been the third guitar
built in 1996." [Source: Dave, Maize Guitars email 24/3/2008] |
|
Majesty |
2000 to present |
Brand
established by Yasuke Kawakami in Japan 2000. Ukeleles made
until 2002, when he migrated to Canada and now makes guitars
under his own name. [Source:
Y Kawakami
]
see Y Kawakami |
|
Mako
 |
1985-1989
|
Quite a theory
on the origin of this make. [Source:
Guitar site ] According to Vintage Guitar
Price Guide - a budget line by Kaman.
Mako catalogs
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_mako.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/MAKO
Image
JC Guitars
|
|
Malapanis |
current |
Thomas
Malapanis,
Image
Fine and Rare
Guitars:
 |
|
Malden guitars

 |
2002 to present |
" We started in 2002. - First
series had no serial numbering system. Afterwards we used first
two digits/year, second two digits/month, and last four
digits/serial number.
Serial number are written on headstocks." [ Source: Victor,
malden guitars, email 18/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Malden
Images eBay:
 |
|
Pedro
Maldonado |
|
Pedro Maldonado, Luthier,
Torremolinos, Spain
Image eBay:
 |
|
Stewart
Male
 |
? to 2004 |
Stewart Male Guitars, Lilydale
Victoria, Australia, Stewart passed away Dec 2004.
He was famous for strats. |
|
Mallia Basses |
current |
Custom hand made basses, Sydney,
Australia |
|
Miquel Malo |
1993 to present |
Miquel Malo (b 1943) , classical
guitars from Mardrid, Spain. Set up own shop in 1993.
[Source:
Zavaletas]
Image
Trilogy Guitars:
 |
|
Mandolintom |
|
see Tom Chippindall |
|
Manea Guitars |
|
"For each acoustic guitar I hand-write the company name and date
of manufacture inside on the soundboard beneath the bridge,
toward the tailblock. They also have a label clearly visible
through the soundhole. The electric guitars have a label
underneath the neck pickup that includes the company name, date
of manufacture and a serial number.
All of my guitars are hand-made by me and will include the
company logo of an eagle's claw piercing a musical note (Freedom
Indo Music) wither inlaid or hand carved on the headstock,
either inlaid or hand-carved." [Source: Dumitru Manea, Manea Guitars, email 22/3/2008] |
|
Manhattan |
|
A Harmony Brand
according to
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
Made by Egmond
according to
http://www.daisybelle.nl/nedgit.htm
http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/misc/europe/cheap_lb.html
According to
the Harmony Central reviews there is also a made in China
Manhattan brand made in the late 1990s and 2000s - possibly the
same US importer?
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Manhattan |
|
Manjon guitars
 |
1990 to present |
I have been making
guitars since 1990 in Barcelona. All my guitars, on the
label, have written a serial number. You can consult with me the
year they were build. In almost all of my guitars, in the inside
face of the soundboard, you can see written the year of
manufacture. Production is limited at maximum 10 guitars per
year." [Source: Antonio Manjon, email 8/4/2008]
Antonio Manjon
trained from 1990-1998 under the following teachers: Juan A.
Sabate, Arturo Sanzano, J.A.Chacon, Jose Luis Romanillos,
Jonathan Hinves. Since 1995 he has constructed
classical concert guitars, having participated in several guitar
festivals and conferences such as: Cartagena, Sevilla, Lleida,
Barcelona (Spain), Iserlohn (Germany), Mottola (Italy),
Montpellier (France) ...
 |
|
Mann |
|
Mann was an "offshoot" of Ibanez
made at the same place Ibanez guitars (Fuji
Gen Gaki factory, Japan).
Many were sold through Canadian Distributors during the 1970s
and early 1980s.
Dating Mann
guitars
Same letter, then number serial system
as Ibanez
Image eBay:
 |
|
Manne Guitars |
1986 to
present |
Dating Manne Guitars
http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/manne.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Manne |
|
Andy Manson
Guitars
 |
|
Guitars made in the UK.
Dating Andy
Manson Guitars
"The
serial no. is the date backwards'
[Source:
Guestbook Andy Manson Guitars ] |
|
Manuel & Patterson |
1990 to present |
Phil Patterson & Joe Manuel
designing and building guitars since 1990. Abita Springs Guitar
Company LLC., Abita Springs, Louisiana, USA |
|
Felix
Manzanero |
current |
Felix Manzanero (b 1937). Felix
Manzanero began his apprenticeship under José Ramirez II
(1885-1957). After 12 years there,
Felix started his own business and workshop. [Source:
Zavaletas]
Image eBay:
 |
|
Manzanita |
1985 to present |
Manfred Pietrzok
first used the Manzanita
(for the California Manzanita tree)
label in 1985. In 1993 M.Pietrzok and
Moritz Sattler founded Manzanita
Guitars.
Jörg Driesner joined in
1997.
|
|
Manzer
 |
1974 to present |
Linda Manzer guitars are made in Toronto,
Canada.
Linda Manzer guitar dating
"I started building in 1974 and have a serial number system
(stamped on the head block) that only I have a record of - so
they'd have to write me to find out when it was built." [Source:
Linda Manzer, email 21/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Manzer
Images courtesy
Sterling Guitars:
 |
|
Maple Lake
 |
2003 to present |
Budget line acoustic / electric
guitars imported by Wechter
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Maple+Lake
Image eBay. |
|
Mapson |
1995 to present |
Luthier James L Mapson, archtops,
Santa Ana, California USA
Files from internet archive
Mapson archtops
pricelist 1999
Mapson archtops
pricelist 2001
Mapson pricelist
2005 |
|
March
 |
current at 2010 |
March compact guitars, ideal for
travel, are made in Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Jean Lamarche.
"I started to commercialize the
March Guitars and J-Walker brands in 2007.
You could say the guitars are
manufactured in Montreal, Canada. To be exact, the final
assembly and finishing is done in Beaconsfield, which is a small
city in the suburb of Montreal.
As mentioned on my website, I
built my first guitar - you could say it was the J-Walker
ancestor - in 1981. The guitar was made out of composite
material, and the tuning keys at the end of the body like on the
J-Walker. The string tensioning system was quite primitive
though and the guitar shape less than ergonomic. Interestingly
enough the guitar had a built in battery powered amp and a
speaker. It was truly intended to be a traveling guitar and I
actually used it around Europe and North Africa, carrying it in
my back pack.
The J-Walker are "headless", there
is no headstock. The logo is on the top horn on the body.
Dating March guitars
There is a sticker with the model
name and serial number is at the back of the end of the neck -
what would normally be the headstock on regular guitar. The
serial number has three fields, the first one being the year of
manufacturing i.e. 08 means the guitar was manufactured in 2008.
The serial number is also written on one of the control cavity
wall.
To continue on the serial number
topic, the second field a single letter serie ID (has to do with
small differences in the guitar design). Serie A were the first
commercial J-Walker guitars I made - 100% by hand. There 10 of
these guitars around, if you ever see one in Australia let me
know! " [Source: Jean Lamarche, email 9 March 2010]
 |
|
Marchione Guitars
 |
1990 to present |
"I started
building my guitars in New York City in 1990.
Dating
Marchione Guitars
My guitars all dated the day they are prepared for lacquer and
this becomes the serial number. For example, a guitar completed
today would receive the serial number of 032408. Depending on
the model it's written on different parts of the guitar under
the lacquer and on Acoustics on the internal wood as well as the
label." [Source: Stephen Raphael Marchione, email
24/3/2008]
 |
|
Marcia
 |
1920s |
Oscar Schmidt Stellas with the
"Marcia" peghead stamp means they were made for distribution in
Canada
Images 1925 Marcia guitar eBay:
 |
|
Marco Polo |
1960-1964 |
Japanese imports by Harry Stewart
and the Marco Polo Co, Santa Ana, California, USA. [Source:
Vintage
Guitar Price Guide
] |
|
Antonio Marin Montero
 |
presently made |
Classical guitars by Antonio Marin
Montero are made in Granada, Spain
Image:
Guitar Salon
Image (& headstock
Classic Guitar)
 |
|
Francisco (Paco) Santiago Marin |
|
Nephew of Antonio Marin Montero.
See bio at
Zavaletas
Image
Danzeff:
 |
|
Marina |
|
Found this Marina brand guitar on
eBay. Made by the Chuan Yin Musical Instruments Co Ltd in
Taiwan. This factory only produced guitars from 1971-1996.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Marina
 |
|
Luigi
Mariotti |
|
Zurich, Switzerland
Image
Mariotti:
 |
|
Dean Markley |
1984-? |
Dean Markley offered some guitars
from 1984
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Dean+Markley |
|
Marleaux Basses |
1990 to present |
"I started to built basses 1990.
On headstock we sign the serial Nr on each instrument.
So you can contact us and ask for date of manufacture. [Source:
Gerald, Marleaux Bass Guitars, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany,
email 26/3/2008] |
|
Marler Guitars |
circa 1985 to 2005 |
"Start date: The beginning
manufacture date is hard to pinpoint. Mike Marler made his first
electric guitar out of a toilet seat as a joke around 1977.
Approximately 1985 he started to get serious about making
acoustic guitars and started numbering some of his guitars. He
began accumulating so many around his house he started giving
them away to his friends as he did not feel they were worthy of
sale to the public.
At Ser. #25 (made in 1999 - which I own) he decided to go
public. He started selling his work in 2000.
End Date: May 2005 upon Mike passing away.
All Marler guitars were made in Portales, NM where Mike lived
his entire life. They were made at his home at first on his
kitchen table and later in the shop that he built.
Most of his guitars were dated on an interior tag.
There really is no such thing as a used Marler. People just
don't sell them and if they did the price would be astronomical.
The last one sold was a demo unit that was out on consignment
when Mike passed away.
Ironically that went to a man in Australia that paid $4000.00
and flew here to get it. One owner that had multiple Marler's
traded another Marler owner.
Those are the only movements I know of.
I maintain a registry of Marler's here:
http://marlerguitars.com/new/dox/guild/registry.htm
Info the the numbering sequence
and early days are here:
http://marlerguitars.com/new/dox/guild/intro.htm

[Source: Mike Davidson,
webmaster, marlerguitars.com, email 4/4/2008] |
|
Marling |
~ 1975 |
Budget line by
EKO. [Source:
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
] |
|
Marlow Guitars |
|
"I've been making guitars for over
22 years now." [Source: John Marlow, email 30/3/2008] |
|
Marma |
|
http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/guitars_germany.html
http://www.meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/marma2.html |
|
Marquis
 |
?1960s |
Marquis brand guitar ? made by
Teisco.
Images eBay:
 |
|
Earl S Marsh |
1995 to present |
Manufactured since " 1995.
Made in the town of Boston in Lincolnshire, England.
The date is on the label inside the guitar.
The date and signature of the maker is also written with pencil
inside the upper bout of the top table of the guitar. (Can be
seen with a mirror)
Each guitar is named individually with a female name written on
the T-shirt of the cartoon (copyright) on the guitar label.
Coding system is:
ie C626: C = classical, 6 = 6 strings, 26= 26th guitar made.
F626: F = flamenco, 626 is as above.
DSC626: DSC = double skin concert, 626 is as above.
DST626: DST = double skin Torres, 626 is as above. " [Source:
Earl S Marsh, email 17/4/2008]
 |
|
Marshall |
|
Made by Gibson
around 1930. [Source:
Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars] |
|
Alan Marshall |
|
see Northworthy |
|
John
Marshall |
1993 to
present |
Custom guitars, USA |
|
Martelle
 |
1934 |
Made by
Gibson for a Mid-West distributor in 1934. After 1934, the
Martelle brand continued to be produced by Regal of Chicago.
[Source and image:
Buffalo Brothers] |
Bernd
Martin
|
1976 to
present |
"I have been making guitars since 1976. In the meantime my
son Lucas Martin is also making guitars. Our Instruments are all
labeled and dated, on the label and/or on a back- strut in the
interior". [Source: Bernd Martin, Sacromonte , Granada,
Spain. email 30/3/2008]
Soundfiles
http://www.wulfin-lieske.de/english/guitars/nav7_guitars_c_berndmartin.html
http://www.frankbungarten.de/guitars6.html
http://www.frankbungarten.de/cds.html
http://www.wulfin-lieske.de/english/nav6_media_recordings.html |
|
CF
Martin

 |
1839 to present |
Important dates for CF Martin
guitars [Source: Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars
]
1833 Christian
Frederick Martin opens music store in Hudson St, New York.
Some instruments are made.
1839 Martin
moved to Nazareth, PA to take up full time guitar making.
Labels and stamps continued to say "New York" until 1898.
Unlike most
guitar manufacturers CF Martin remains in family hands.
CF Martin
guitar serial numbers and dating
info
TRY THIS ONE FIRST:
http://www.guitardating.com/martin.php
http://martinguitar.com/history/dating.html
If you have a Martin that does not have a serial number and was
manufactured prior to 1898, it may only be identifiable by
measurements, appointments and stampings. Contact Martin direct
– photos will help
http://www.musictrader.com/martguit.html
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html
Martin guitar catalogs
1898-1983
Vintage CF Martin Guitar catalogs
1941
http://www.maestroantonioplectro.com/vintage_martin_guitar_catalogs.htm
http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm
2002-present
http://www.martinguitar.com/catalog/
Martin
reference books at Amazon
C. F. Martin and His Guitars, 1796-1873 (H. Eugene and Lillian Youngs Lehman Series)
Martin Guitars A Technical Reference Revised and Updated Book 2
Martin Guitars: Illustrated History
Martin Guitars A History Revised and Updated Book 1
Martin Guitars: An Illustrated Celebration of America's Premier Guitarmaker
Martin Guitar Book (Softcover)
Martin Guitar Masterpieces: A Showcase of Artists' Editions, Limited Editions, and Custom Guitars
C. F. Martin & Co.: Guitars Mandolins Ukuleles
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Martin
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Martin
The
unofficial Martin forum
http://p082.ezboard.com/btheunofficialmartinguitarforum
Image
Dearmond made 1966 Martin GT-75 Archtop electric guitar
eBay. These guitars were only built for a very short period of
time (1966-1968)

|
|
Chris
Martin |
current |
Handmade
guitars, Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Image courtesy of Marco. This
guitar serial number 10 was completed 2005:
 |
|
Joaquin
Martinez |
|
Paracho, Mexico
Image eBay:
 |
|
Marty Guitars |
1982 to present |
Simon Marty,
Woodburn,
New South Wales,
Australia
Image:
Trilogy Guitars:
 |
|
Maruha |
1960s-1970s |
Japanese acoustic
guitars and ukuleles
Made in Japan between the
1950's-1980's by the Gakki Seizo Company.
[Source:
Tiki King]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Maruha |
|
Marvel
 |
1950s-1970s |
Budget guitars marketed by Peter
Sorkin Company, New York, USA [Source: Vintage Guitar Price
Guide] Some made in Japan possibly USA also.
Harmony
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php?id_brand=22
 |
|
The Marvel |
|
Image eBay
label reads "The Marvel" Howard W.
Foote and Co. Chicago
: |
|
Marveltone
 |
1920s? - |
Marveltone was a brand of Chicago
based distributor, Targ & Dinner. Based on examples on the
interweb Marveltone guitars were made in USA in 1920s through to
Japan later on.
Images eBay, GBase:
 |
|
Andres D.
Marvi
 |
current at
2010 |
Andres D Marvi
guitars are made in Granada, Spain.
Andrés D. Marvi,
born in 1956 in Germany, devoted himself to designing his
traditional handmade guitars with the aim of creating his own
sounds. In 1984 till 1992, Marvi took part in guitar courses
guided by José Luis Romanillos. Soon his talent as a craftsman
was confirmed as well as his manual dexterity and capability.
Since 1988, Andrés Marvi is living in a small Spanish village
near Granada where he currently is making his instruments.
In 2003 during a
master class in Munich, Flamenco phenomenon Gerardo Núñez first
saw and played a Marvi guitar. The admiration and astonishment
of Gerardo towards its sound and easiness when played, were so
obvious to him that he now owns a Marvi blanca and a Marvi negra.
Gerardo Núñez used
his Marvi guitars on his newest CD as well as his well known
instructional DVD "La Guitarra Flamenca" by Encuentro, please
have a look at our production pages. Other top players like
Aniello Desiderio, Goran Krivokapic, Graham Anthony Devine… all
play and record with these amazing instruments. Led by his goal
of creating his own sound, Marvi was able to blend the
influences of several building styles into a thoroughly modern
version of the Spanish Guitar, resulting in a very exceptional,
differing and personal construction setup: the sides are doubled
for strength, the elevated fingerboard makes it very easy to
play, his necks go all the way to the sound hole. Marvi’s
personal setup not only adds strength, but also improves
sustain, timbre and responsiveness. [Source: Geert Doumen, email
12/2009
La Sonata
Images courtesy of
Classic Guitar:
 |
|
Marwin |
|
A Harmony Brand
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php |
|
next |
|
Mas-MD
| Me-MJ |
Mo- |