Guitarist

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…

- Words Rob Laing Photograph­y Joseph Branston

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.

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 ??  ?? The Sigma logo and headstock shape retain a lot of original parent company Martin’s style The level of workmanshi­p and attention to detail are surprising­ly good on the GMC-STE+ Fishman’s renowned Sonitone system features volume and tone controls neatly stowed away inside the guitar’s soundhole A lot of Gibson’s Hummingbir­d aesthetic has been carried over to Sigma’s DM-SG5
The Sigma logo and headstock shape retain a lot of original parent company Martin’s style The level of workmanshi­p and attention to detail are surprising­ly good on the GMC-STE+ Fishman’s renowned Sonitone system features volume and tone controls neatly stowed away inside the guitar’s soundhole A lot of Gibson’s Hummingbir­d aesthetic has been carried over to Sigma’s DM-SG5
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 ??  ?? The DM-SG5 benefits from solid-as-a-rock Grover tuners The Fishman Isys system has a comprehens­ive range of preamp controls – as well as a handy tuner Both guitars feature bone nuts and saddles – an unusual feature on acoustics in this sub£500 price range
The DM-SG5 benefits from solid-as-a-rock Grover tuners The Fishman Isys system has a comprehens­ive range of preamp controls – as well as a handy tuner Both guitars feature bone nuts and saddles – an unusual feature on acoustics in this sub£500 price range
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