Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

  1. #1

    Default Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    Newbie here and brand new to mandolin. Im looking for information on a mandolin i picked up off Craigslist. Its a sigma sm-3s. It has the martin logo inside which i do realize sigma used the martins good name in attemps to sell more. Does anyone have one of these sigmas and any info would be appreciated, such as are they real wood, pressed, carved, $ worth, etc. it is an oval hole 2 point florentine style in excellent condition. It seems very easy to play with a nice sound however that is coming from someone whom knows nothing about mandolins. I have played the acoustic guitar before so i know a little about music, at least the difference in low action and sound tone. So far i love playing this mandolin and it holds it tune. The next mandolin i would like to get is an eastman 515 f style as i want a different style mandolin to play as well as the oval hole and i love the look of the eastmans vs the kentucky sunburst as my sigma is sunburst (yes i know looks mean nothing and i am still keeping my options open). Thanks for any info!

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    Actually Sigma was a Martin brand name used on instruments they imported. You have that part wrong. While you're waiting for some answers take a look through these past threads.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Boulder, CO & Chesterfield, MO
    Posts
    2,562

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    Sigma was a Martin brand. Your mandolin was likely made in Korea, 1980's to early 90's. Does it say on the label where it was built? The s designation in the model number denotes a solid spruce top. Back and sides might be laminate. You can probably tell by comparing the grain on the inside to the grain on the back. If it matches, then solid. If not, likely laminate.

  4. #4
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    Martin had Sigma mandolins made in Korea. The SM-3 is the quasi-generic two-point, oval-hole copy of the '60's Gibson A-5, with the scroll headstock.

    I think, based on rapidly dissolving memories of that period, that the "s" suffix meant a solid top, a plus. Don't bet the farm on that, though. SM-3's have been on the market for $200 or less; dunno what you paid for yours, but if it has a solid top, could have a market price a bit higher.

    My experience with Martin's Sigma imports is generally positive -- decently made instruments. However, most of the Sigma instruments I ever played were guitars; don't believe I ever had a Sigma mandolin around.

    If you like it, and if you paid a reasonable price for it, could be a good player until you get your Eastman. The Gibson A-5 was the mandolin associated with "Jethro" Burns, a world-class jazz etc. player, so the two-point, oval-hole shape got popular for a period in the '60's and '70's. You'll see Aria, and other Asian brands, with that look, as well as Sigma.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Va
    Posts
    2,573

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    I've played a couple of Sigma mandolins. In my experience they were well built if slightly overbuilt, decent mandolins. Not as good as the alvarize or arias I've seen sound wise but if you love to play it play the ##### out of it and have fun. I don't have any idea if it's solid wood, carved, or its valve but if you have it and love to play it none of that matters.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    Thanks for the info!

  7. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Newbie here...Info on Sigma sm-3s

    From UMGF in 2009:

    https://umgf.com/viewtopic.php?p=1098406#p1098406

    This guy lists all the solid top instrumnt from a catalog:

    I have a Sigma catalog from (I think) 1989 which lists all the model specs current at that time.
    The solid spruce top models are:
    CR-8 (classical)........... Second Generation Sigma
    DM-18
    DR-28
    DR-28S
    DR-28H
    DR-35
    DR-41
    SCR-8 (classical) ...... Sigma Genereation III
    SDM-18
    SDR-28
    SDR-28H
    SDR-41
    SM-1 (A Mandolin)
    SM-3 (Florentine Mandolin)
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •