A very complete 65-minute factory tour is free of charge and offered weekdays every 30 minutes during working hours. During my October visit, talent specialist Joel Zingone was a compelling host.

The Martin & Co. guitar factory and museum houses a vast array of storied instruments, including vintage guitars and ukuleles dating back to 1834 and the company's origins in Germany.

This guitar, initially valued at $100,000, now sells for $109,999. At left, below, near the end of the creation process, a Martin guitar is polished, then strung and packed in a case.