Martin Guitars Take Center Stage in New Ryman Tour Exhibit

By Lane Vaughn

When the Ryman opened in 1892, Martin Guitars had already been shaping music for over five decades, and the rich tones of these instruments found a home inside the wooden interior of the Mother Church.  

Many of your favorite artists from Dolly Parton to Bob Dylan have graced the Ryman stage with a Martin guitar in hand, and you can now see some of these signature instruments featured in our new exhibit, included on every daytime tour. 

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A LEGENDARY SOUND

Founded in 1833 by German immigrant C.F. Martin, a master cabinetmaker and woodworker, Martin Guitars has been a family-owned business for nearly two hundred years. Initially established in New York, Martin relocated to Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1839, where the company remains to this day. 

For nearly a century, the design of classic guitars remained largely unchanged, but in the 1930s, Martin revolutionized the industry with key innovations. Among these was the Dreadnought body style—a larger, more powerful design—as well as the 14-fret neck and X-bracing system that became a signature of the brand. These innovations set the gold standard for acoustic guitars, delivering a louder, more percussive sound perfect for larger venues and concert halls. 

The Martin’s bold, resonant tone quickly made it a favorite among early country music stars like Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry, and its legacy has only grown since. Martins have graced iconic stages such as Woodstock and MTV Unplugged, as well as recording studios worldwide. 

Martins have also left a lasting impression on the Ryman stage, with some iconic guitars even returning in the hands of a different artist. Johnny Cash played a Martin D-28 during his 1956 Opry debut; Joni Mitchell later played the exact same model—a 1956 D-28—on The Johnny Cash Show. Hank Williams played a D-28 throughout his many Opry appearances in the 1950s; in 2005, Neil Young performed with one of Hank’s original D-28s at his Heart of Gold concert, recorded at the Ryman. 

For many, owning a Martin is not just acquiring a guitar, but stepping into the legacy of the greats who have played these timeless instruments.  

MARTIN AND THE RYMAN

In our captivating new Martin exhibit, the Ryman showcases 16 prototype signature artist models. Nearly all these artists collaborated with Martin directly to create their unique guitars. When you tour the Ryman, you can get up close to these masterpieces, each with its own story to tell. Here’s just a glimpse of the legendary models you can experience in person: 

Joan Baez: 1998 Joan Baez 0-45JB

Legendary folk singer and activist Joan Baez, whose relationship with Bob Dylan was recently profiled in the Oscar-nominated biopic A Complete Unknown, had a Martin in tow for some powerful political moments. At the same podium where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, Baez led the crowd in several verses of “We Shall Overcome” and “Oh Freedom” on her Martin. When she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, she played her signature Martin during the performance.  

John Mayer: 2006 John Mayer OMJM

On his debut single “No Such Thing,” John Mayer played a Dave Matthews signature Martin that he had purchased with money his label gave him to help with equipment costs. Five years later, Mayer designed his second namesake guitar with Martin, an Orchestra Model with a smaller neck profile than most.

Shawn Mendes: 2022 Shawn Mendes 000JR-10E 

Shawn Mendes’ first vintage acoustic guitar was the Martin 1950 000. He used this as the inspiration for his own signature model, which is a junior-sized 14 fret design. Mendes’ Martin features some custom inlays, such as the swallows etched on the wings of the bridge, which match his tattoos. Mendes’ signature is located on the third fret, a position inspired by one of John Mayer’s models where the signature is placed higher than usual. Sustainability is important to Mendes, so his guitars are made with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood. 

Elvis Presley: 2008 Elvis Presley D-28

Elvis played a Martin D-28 in his one-and-only performance at the Ryman, during his infamous Grand Ole Opry debut. The original leather cover of his Martin is on display at Graceland. In the Ryman’s exhibit, you can see the limited-edition commemorative D-28 created in his honor. 

Whether you're a lifelong fan of Martin guitars or a newcomer to their magic, this exhibit at the Ryman invites you to experience the history and artistry of some of the world’s most treasured instruments. 

Each signature model on display represents a unique story of artistic collaboration and innovation, continuing the legacy of C.F. Martin’s vision, which began nearly two hundred years ago. Don't miss your chance to see these legends up close—book your tour today! 

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