Location: C.F. Martin Guitar Museum, Nazareth PA

Project: Indoor/Outdoor Audio Visual System

The Challenge: The museum area is 32,000 square feet, with open ceilings and partitioned sections. As part of the overall visitor experience, flexible, multiple zone audio and video distribution was needed. Mainly featuring music played on Martin Guitars, the system required intelligible, but not overpowering sound. The project also required outdoor audio distribution that was audible only to the museum’s boundaries. Future expansion capabilities where essential to the planning as well.

The CSI Solution: Having already worked with CSI on other projects, Martin consulted with us for a solution for the museum. CSI’s engineering team provided an analysis of existing room acoustical parameters and anticipated system performance criteria. Next we provided final design, drawings and installation documentation and cost. As a result, C.F. Martin commissioned CSI to provide the audio/visual system.

The Project: The scope included installation of a custom designed Bose speaker array and a Crestron controller. To remain aesthetically pleasing, the speakers needed to blend into the background. Flexible speaker zones were established and a 6-disc CD changer, XM radio reception and inputs for future sources were also installed. CSI provided the equipment rigging, system tuning, testing and operator training. CSI also worked closely with an electrical contractor on the wiring and connections needed to sufficiently power the system. The status of the entire system may be viewed on a touch panel or via web browser interface. The later element was advanced for the time period that it was developed. The project was completed in 2006.

The Result: The Guitar Museum is rated #1 of its kind by USA Today. The museum serves up some of the music made with Martin guitars over the course of its history, thereby allowing the museum’s beautiful static displays to come to life. The site is a “must visit” for guitar enthusiasts, who delight in the way it has pulled together the pieces of the Martin legacy into an entertaining and informative stroll.

Site Contact: Fred Everett, Director of Manufacturing Support, 610-759-2837