Sigma GMC-ste+ & DM-sG5
The German company with a reputation for value now finds inspiration in classic designs from the Gibson and Martin stables…
Despite its history as a CF Martin & Co brand at the beginning of the 70s, there’s still the sense that today Sigma is a dark horse in the contemporary acoustic world. Indeed, many newcomers may not even be aware of its roots as an affordable Japanese-made entry-level to the Martin family. Although the rights to the Sigma name were purchased by German company AMI ahead of a 2011 relaunch, the familiar Martin shapes and logo remain along with a reputation for quality in the lower and middle areas of the acoustic market for these Chinesemade instruments. Still, the sense that Sigma is a little under the radar in terms of visibility in the UK remains, but its line continues to expand and so does its sources of inspiration beyond its originator’s classic flat tops.
Like Martin, Gibson has its own iconic examples of acoustic design. Models that are part of the lineage of rock ’n’ roll, folk and country music — the J-45, SJ-200 and Hummingbird. And Sigma has its sights on them with the JM-SG45+ and the GJASG200+, as well as the DM-SG5+ we have here. With a 2018 Gibson Hummingbird retailing at just under £3,000, it’s beyond the reach of many, although Epiphone, of course, offer their own affordable spec electro at a fraction of the price.
Meanwhile, the GMC-STE is an electro cutaway that’s very much in keeping with Sigma’s roots in Nazareth – an OM cutaway that comes in at a price that’s viable for newcomers to electro-acoustics and those who may need one for the occasional acoustic set or songs live.
It’s understandable to approach a £300 acoustic guitar with muted expectations. Unsurprisingly, the back and sides of the GMC-STE are laminate mahogany. The Sitka spruce top is solid and our model’s top has characterful streaks in its grain. The overall impression of the build is an instrument above its price-point. The low profile mahogany neck is satin-like, as is the case with the body, the edges of the
Micarta ’board rounded. It should be a welcoming experience for new acoustic players, with the shallower OM depth bringing the guitar closer in a seated position than most of the ever-popular dreadnoughts. It’s heartening to see a bone saddle and nut here too, a calling card of the kind of value Sigma offers and features that have an impact on longevity and tonal performance.
While the logo on the GMC-STE could be mistaken for its founder’s from a distance, Sigma has changed tack with the more vintage look of the square-shouldered dreadnought DM-SG5+. The decidedly 70s typeface isn’t coincidental – this guitar is apparently a recreation of a Japanese model the company produced in that first decade of its existence. But the scratchplate and parallelogram inlays highlight another inspiration. After all, Gibson isn’t shy about calling the Hummingbird “the world’s most distinctive acoustic guitar”.
Sigma does a fine job of capturing the American heartland vibe. Like the GMC, it’s another 14-fret body flat-top with Sitka spruce top and the bold flame afforded by laminate mahogany back and sides. And like Gibson’s own Hummingbird, it features the smooth action and stable performance of Grover tuners. The scratchplate isn’t of the thickness of Gibson’s traditional tortoise Hummingbird motif, and the gold in the plant and hummingbird etchings seem duller, but the design itself is remarkably close.
The thin UV Heritage Cherry finish of the top is key to the aesthetic here, lacking the warmer red tones of Gibson’s hummingbird at the edges. We’re not sure how ‘cherry’ you can call this, but the paler tones have their own appealing, cloudy quality.
Feel & Sound
What’s surprising is how close to Hummingbird territory this DM-SG5+ gets. It may not have the breadth of dynamic response to more experienced ears, or ageing potential of its nitrofinished solid wood-constructed inspiration, but it’s not as far away as some might imagine. And for those priced out of Gibson ownership (and have always lusted after a Hummingbird), that’s welcome news.
It’s a vintage-y voice that feels at home within the plains of Americana and country. The higher end is warm and rounded and blends with deep, robust lows. But while some dreadnoughts reward a lighter touch, it feels like you need to dig in a little more to mine the qualities of this guitar and its medium action. A heavier plectrum pays dividends for the dynamics of rock strumming and wringing resonance from single notes too. It highlights how easy it is to overlook the importance of pairing the right pick with your playing approach and instrument.
In contrast, the GMC-STE offers a lower action and brighter character all round. Zingy highs and punchy mids are in keeping with what we’d hope from a Martin-style OM, but the sense of balance with a resonant low end is still a surprise for a guitar at this price. It feels tactile for fingerstyle folk, rewarding the dynamics of
It’s heartening to see a bone saddle and nut here too – a calling card of the kind of value Sigma offers
touch and suggesting a guitar that could go the distance with a beginner.
Undersaddle pickups are a compromise by their very nature. But that has advantages when players need to make themselves heard in a full-band sound. The cheaper GMC-STE offers more control with Fishman’s Isys+ preamp’s volume, bass, treble, phase and tuner. But the DM-SG5’s Sonitone has the advantage of steering clear of interrupting its vintage allure with streamlined tone (treble roll-off ) and volume controls just inside the soundhole.
Our Martin-style GMC benefits most from the character of its piezo, and the bass control is useful to shape the low end to taste for different playing applications. But the qualities of the guitar come through more than one might imagine with a high output and far less of the brittle nature that can surface from electros in this price bracket.
We wondered if the DM-SG5’s lack of dedicated bass control would prove an issue on a guitar that has such a bold low end, but it feels well-balanced and quite warm for an active piezo system. But the Sonitone performance would benefit from the added EQ control offered by an acoustic combo or preamp unit for gigging acoustic players.
Verdict
Since Sigma’s return in 2011, its consistency has been notable and these two distinctly different models add to that reputation. With the continuing development of manufacturing technology and fierce competition between brands, the GMCSTE+ shows how much value is on offer for acoustic players at the entry level. We found it to be of a standard that transcends the connotations of a starter guitar – it’s hard to think of a better electro to begin on for the price. The DM-SG5 offers some of the Hummingbird character and charm at a more accessible price.
The performance of these two guitars further strengthens this company’s commitment to its founding values. It’s also a reminder that this often-overlooked name really should be a go-to for players to try.