Legendary guitars ... but EXPENSIVE

C.F. Martin & Co. in Nazareth, makers of handcrafted acoustic guitars for 177 years, will open their famed factory and museum doors to more than 1,400 members of the Martin Owners Club, as well as wave hello at an event organized by the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum (UMGF) this weekend.

Martin Guitar enthusiasts from across the country and around the globe will come together 8-4 Friday Aug. 6 for a day-long event of musical camaraderie, entertainment, exclusive first looks at new guitars and product demonstrations, factory and museum tours, live music, guitar clinics, an open mic staging area and an opportunity to socialize with Martin Guitar employees and Chris Martin IV, the sixth-generation head of the company.

“This annual weekend continues to grow with every year and one day hope to eventually out do Woodstock!,” Martin said.

After shelling out all that $ for a Martin, owners definitely deserve some perks! www.martinownersclub.com

Saturday Aug. 7 is the "Martin on Main" event, which will feature an all-day music and arts celebration with more than two dozen performers on stages throughout the city of Nazareth. What exactly makes the UMGF "unofficial" is unclear.

The Martin Guitar factory and museum is at 510 Sycamore St., Nazareth. Even if you don't own one of their guitars, I recommend visiting the museum and taking the tour sometime. Get started at www.martinguitar.com.

For all the gorgeous guitars in the museum, ironically, one of the most famous Martin guitars of all is Willie Nelson's notoriously beat-up"Trigger."