Which martin guitar is the best

On the whole, this is an affordable starter guitar, and the added preamp system opens some on-stage performance opportunities. Martin DX Johnny Cash has a warm and resonant sound, amplified by the no-cutaway design and the presence of a scalloped X-bracing inside.

The deep bass and rich overtones with an excellent projection make this guitar very suitable for country and folk style playing and all forms of traditional American music.

The high end is bright without being overbearing, but the bottom end sounds a bit darker. A word of advice: use the amp system sparingly as it messes up the mid-range. Martin DX Johnny Cash is a full-sized dreadnought electric acoustic guitar that smaller-framed fingerpickers may find challenging to play. So, you should not worry about fret buzz caused by winter pitting or spring swell.

The series was initially launched in the s when the company had to find a way to cut costs but keep making cool-looking and great-sounding guitars. As an all-mahogany acoustic guitar, Martin DM delivers a richer, warmer, and fuller tone than most spruce top dreadnaughts.

The mid-range dominates the sound field, but some subtle highs and gentle overtones can also be heard. That said, the guitar lends itself very well to blues tunes. Despite the lack of a cutaway and the full dreadnaught size, Martin DM is very comfortable to play straight from the box. The The pins are made of ebony, while the nut and the compensated saddle are made of natural bone, which is a qualitative leap from our previous candidates.

The headstock is fitted with solid vintage-style tuners and decals. Few budding fingerpickers are lucky enough to start learning the secrets of acoustic playing on a Martin DM. Still, it is an excellent choice of a first guitar for the selected few who can afford it. One is more likely to see this acoustic guitar in the hands of an experienced professional rather than a novice.

Despite its name, the M StreetMaster is not the guitar one is going to do some downtown busking with. This auditorium-style acoustic guitar with a cutaway captivates with its simplicity.

As a result, its tone is full and balanced with well-defined amplitude and focus. Even without a spruce top, the StreetMaster manages to deliver a far livelier tone than most of its siblings in the series, which makes it the perfect guitar for some on-stage accompaniment. Finally, the auditorium body style accounts for a superb projection. The auditorium design of the M StreetMaster is more compact than a full-sized dreadnought, and the presence of a cutaway facilitates access to the upper frets.

The M StreetMaster features an all-mahogany body and neck with a delicate satin finish. The fretboard and the bridge are made of some Mexican ebony called Katalox, which is a step back from the more expensive rosewood used to make the same parts of Martin DM. The entirety of each guitar is… Check Latest Price.

The DE is an affordable no-cutaway D Fret acoustic-electric guitar designed for traveling musicians. Unlike our all-mahogany candidates, the Sitka spruce top of DE delivers a crisp tone with clear rounded bass and a clear high end. The action setup guarantees a good projection and an excellent tone sustain when playing unplugged.

When you plug-in, make sure to fidget the amp settings a little bit to achieve an equally refined tone. The Martin DE weighs less than five pounds, which makes it easy to carry around. The built-in soundhole tuner automatically mutes the audio output allowing the guitarist to tune up without a pedal. Still, it features an outstanding build quality and some unique design features. The modification embodies all of the best guitar-making practices that Martin Guitar has employed for many decades now.

The guitar has excellent mid-scooped bass, while the rosewood back and sides provide a superb tone sustain. The spruce bracing is forward-shifted but not scalloped. A small precaution: your Martin D does not like humid places.

The one thing that makes the Martin D so comfortable to play is the asymmetrical design of its neck. What Martin has done with this line of guitars is to remove much of the overall size that you would expect from a classic dreadnought. This reduction in size to the hollow body has a noticeable knock-on effect on the overall sound that the guitar produces. This is something to note when looking for a new guitar as you cannot expect to generate the same tones with a much smaller body.

The solid Sitka Spruce top does mean that it retains some of that Martin charm, but overall the quality between this model and say the D is very noticeable. At just 34 inches in length, the Martin LX1E is hands down one of the best compact guitars in the market today. Unlike the LX1E, the LX1 does not feature any electronic capabilities and serves purely as an acoustic guitar. Unlike its acoustic-electric counterpart, the LX1 is an impressive travel-sized instrument.

When this particular model first came out it caused controversy amongst die-hard Martin fans due to the materials used for the body. This was one of the first times that Spruce and Mahogany was used in a Martin guitar and despite the initial uproar, proved to be popular amongst musicians. Trading body size for portability is always a risky move by guitar manufacturers as sound quality often sufferers. Thankfully here Martin has managed to just about get the best out of both worlds with a model that is not only suitable for smaller players who like to travel light, but also those who value sound quality above all else.

This is because Martin has produced such a wide range of models and model variants over the years that there is bound to be one that suits your size and style.

Every single one is high quality meaning they will last a long time and be more than durable enough to learn to play with. The only thing to bear in mind is the price. Answer: This is a common myth associated with the brand. Due to their premium price tag and reputation as one of the best acoustic guitar manufacturers around, it is often assumed that they are overly complicated to play.

This is not the case as they are no more difficult to play than any other brand. Answer: This is a real plus side of investing in and owning a Martin. Naturally, the answer to this question will vary dramatically depending on how well you look after your instrument, but generally speaking, if you properly maintain a Martin then it has the potential to survive for well over 30 years. This longevity is mainly down to the superior materials used and the tried and trusted designs that have been refined over many years.

It also comes some way to explaining why Martins carry such a hefty price tag. Of course, the Martin family does use machines where needed but are very careful to ensure no machine ever replaces a human job within their factory. Therefore you can guarantee that when buying a Martin you are getting a handmade product.

Answer: Martin is big on allowing customers to design their own bespoke instruments. All you need to do is get in touch with them via an authorized dealer to build your perfect acoustic guitar. Usually, when we come to the final part of our reviews there is a clear favorite to talk about. However, with the Martin lineup, we have been looking at today, this is proving incredibly difficult.

That being said, we do have a few thoughts and ideas that could give you some guidance when making your choice. They are known for being great fingerstyle guitars. Some players may want a body with a cutaway, like the Koa Series. These guitars are about half the size of a dreadnought and they are easy to play. When you think of classic Martin guitars, flat-top steel-string instruments are generally what comes to mind. But Martin does make some great nylon string guitars, as well, like the CE Nylon.

What kind of string you prefer will probably have to do with the kind of music you plan to play. Most popular styles of music are played on steel strings, so they would probably be the more versatile option. That being said, many players prefer nylon strings for their warmth and soft feel. Other players may just want to add a different option. Nylon strings are typically used for classical and folk styles, but they can easily cover jazz, flamenco and even some rock and blues styles as well.

Build quality is always a concern with any instrument. These instruments have great attention to detail, from the construction of the body to any necessary fret work. They are generally made in Mexico, where labor costs are a bit cheaper. Some cheaper components may be used as well. That being said, they are still great guitars for the money. Taylor is close for sure, as well as some smaller boutique brands. While all of these guitars will play well, there are definitely some differences.

The style guitars usually make great fingerstyle and single-note guitars, while the dreadnoughts will generally be better for strumming. A nylon string will have a smoother feel than a steel string. Some players may feel the need for a cutaway; others may not. Price is a factor here, as well. More expensive Martins with ebony or mahogany fretboards will certainly play a bit smoother than more affordable options with the Richlite fingerboard.

Martin guitars definitely have their own sound, especially classic models like the D Its dreadnought style offers a deep but well-balanced tone with maximum projection. A guitar like the M will have a darker sound due to its mahogany concert-style body. The D15M will similarly be darker than the average dreadnought.

The nylon string will have a softer sound than any of the steel string options. The smaller, Little Martin guitars will sound brighter and more mid-focused than a full-size acoustic. Martin guitars used to be mainly for those of a certain income level, but in recent years the company has developed several more affordable models.

Part of the reason Martin can make more affordable instruments now stems from the addition of a facility in Mexico. For some, only a U. Ultimately, go with the best guitar for your style and budget. Yes, Martin guitars are good. They are the oldest guitar company in the U. These instruments have stood the test of time. While there is some variation in quality depending on price and style, every Martin is a very solid acoustic instrument. Martin guitars are known for being some of the best acoustic guitars ever produced.

Depending on the style, their guitars can cover pretty much any genre of music where acoustic guitars are used. Their best-known guitars like the D and offer a depth of sound that is rarely matched in acoustic instruments. Perhaps this question is best answered by checking the prices for vintage Martins. Some of their guitars which are now almost years old are still fetching several thousand dollars.

The higher-end models generally hold their value more than the budget-friendly options, however. Table of Contents. Best for the Money. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Best for Beginners. Best for Small Hands. Best for Strumming. Premium Pick. Best for Intermediate Players. Best for Fingerpicking. Are Martin Guitars good? What are Martin Guitars known for?

Do Martin Guitars hold their value?