Submitted by kimmattis123 (see all reviews from this person) on 9/17/2008

Where Purchased: Flea market

Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 150 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

It sounds pretty good. It's a weird model. Its a lot like a Martin Sigma Dreadnaught [ in fact almost identical ] BIG booming sound, Sounds like a "D"

Sound Rating: 7

Setup

Setup was good [ for a flea-marketer] it rattles a bit up the neck around 12/14 and I've been working on that.

Setup Rating: 6

Appearance

Looks good, It looks like a copy of a Martin D-35/D-42,[ the regular Sigma is more like a D-18] Mother of somthing inlay all over the neck and headstock. Spruce top [solid], Magohany back and sides -bookmatched. Gold plated hardware. Fit and finish were great, Nice high gloss finish.

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

Dont know, Martin bought Goya and started to make these in Korea with the Gibson type-- 335 model number? I've never seen another, Its very solid and Sigma like.

Reliability Rating: 7

Customer Service

Who knows? Does Martin even recoginize this model? Martin's CS is GREAT but this? And from a flea-market? 50/50. Its not made anymore [ why make 2 sigmas?] I'm not sure why they made this model.

Customer Service: 5

Components

Wood is good, inlay work is very good, tuners are asian fair quality, gold plating is thin. Wood workmanship is very good and its a very solid import guitar. GREAT beater. BIG neck, baseball bat thick.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

When my daughter said she was buying a Martin from a flea-market I cringed. but its a nice import guitar. People [esp, Martin people] just stare at it - its so Martin like but says Goya on the faceplate and made by Martin on the inside label . No real case- I had to buy a good one. IF stolen where would I get another? The guy wanted $200 but we got this for 150. Used Sigmas go for around that and more, so it was a pretty good deal. Made in early 90s. I think.

Overall Rating: 7