UPPER NAZARETH TWP., Pa. — The twang of an electric guitar resonated through the halls of Martin Guitar's museum Monday.
It was a strange sound, because C.F. Martin and Co. is more known for its iconic acoustic models.
Thanks to a new exhibition, "The Tom JeBran Collection," guitar fans can learn more about Martin's rare version of electric guitars, which first were designed in the 1960s.
The year-long exhibition showcases Martin's line of electric guitars, dubbed the F-Series and GT-Series.
Each series will be on display for six months until September 2025.
An unveiling of the F-Series occurred Monday at the museum located at 510 Sycamore St.
It features a handful of JeBran's own collection, F-series electric guitars, including the F-50, F-55, and F-65 models, alongside a 1962 Martin 112T amplifier.
Rock out at at a new exhibition at Martin Guitar that showcases its electric F and G series @MartinGuitar pic.twitter.com/sJi1NacRbk
— Micaela Hood (@micaelahood) September 9, 2024
The first F-series guitar was made in 1961 and used by R&B and funk musician, Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
Currently, Jackson Browne uses the F-50 in his concerts.
Chris Martin, executive chairman of C.F. Martin & Co. and great-great-great grandson of Christian Frederick Martin, who founded the company in 1833, was gifted an GT-75 series one year for Christmas.
"When I think about what the motivation was for my family to design these guitars, particularly the F-series, I think it is that [we were] trying to pay attention to rock 'n' roll and the electric market," Martin said.
"But back at a time when there weren't as sophisticated acoustic electric pickups that are available today."
Following the F-series exhibit, the museum will transition to display six of JeBran's GT Series electrics, including the GT-70 and GT-75 models, also made in the 1960s.
JeBran is president of Lehigh Valley-based Trans-Bridge Lines Inc.
A longtime music lover and blues fan, he was gifted a Martin GT-75 by his father in 1967.
"I am greatly honored that Chris Martin and Jason Ahner [Archive and Museum manager] asked me to be part of the museum in this way. I thank both of them for their work on this new exhibition," JeBran said via email on Thursday.
"It looks amazing and I am happy to share my collection of Martin electric guitars with museum-goers. The priceless guitars have more value to me than any price that could be attached to them. It's all about the sound, fast action, good look, and craftmanship that we all appreciate about any Martin Guitar."
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
