Martin Cherry Blossom Guitar For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

Gorgeous resonance and crisp, clean highs, with an emphasis on a very centered midrange. Not as deep as mahogany, nor as resonant as rosewood, nor bell-like like granadillo or ziricote, cherry has its own earthy crisp sound. If you like that, this guitar is a beaut-incredibly playability and sound (and looks pretty too).JB

I have several guitars but none a good as my new OME Cherry Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar. Action is low and is a dream to play. Sounds great as it is easy to play. I've always wanted a Martin but never purchased one. I would trade all my guitars for this one if I had too. Thank you SAMASH a sweet deaL.Dennis

A great feel and sound right out of the box. Beautiful cherry back and sides with a matte finish contrast with a high gloss spruce top. After a slight height adjustment to the saddle and nut (personal preference) this baby plays like butter. Deep resonant sound in an OM body and crystal clear highs. The electronics are spot on and easy to use. The hard shell case fits nice and snug. A pure pleasure to play. I can't wait to hear this one open up sonically with some age.Sofa Strummer

Gorgeous resonance and crisp, clean highs, with an emphasis on a very centered midrange. Not as deep as mahogany, nor as resonant as rosewood, nor bell-like like granadillo or ziricote, cherry has its own earthy crisp sound. If you like that, this guitar is a beaut-incredibly playability and sound (and looks pretty too).JB

I have several guitars but none a good as my new OME Cherry Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar. Action is low and is a dream to play. Sounds great as it is easy to play. I've always wanted a Martin but never purchased one. I would trade all my guitars for this one if I had too. Thank you SAMASH a sweet deaL.Dennis

A great feel and sound right out of the box. Beautiful cherry back and sides with a matte finish contrast with a high gloss spruce top. After a slight height adjustment to the saddle and nut (personal preference) this baby plays like butter. Deep resonant sound in an OM body and crystal clear highs. The electronics are spot on and easy to use. The hard shell case fits nice and snug. A pure pleasure to play. I can't wait to hear this one open up sonically with some age.Sofa Strummer

I really liked this little guitar, BUT…I read the reviews and decided to buy in-store so I could play the guitar before buying, and I'm SO glad I did. I went into my local Guitar Center and played THREE of these Martin LX1E guitars, including one that had been specially unboxed so I could try it after two others failed my examination. All three guitars had a very pronounced buzz in the frets. It was not that noticeable when I played them acoustically, but the buzz was very noticeable when I plugged them in to an amp. I even tested the amp with other guitars, to make sure it wasn't the amp. It wasn't. Its a great little guitar, great tone and very playable, BUT my advice would be not to buy this one on-line. Play it first. Play up and down the whole fretboard, and plug it into an amplifier and play again. I have been playing for more than fifty years and have never experienced playing three brand new Martins that were simply not up to snuff. Weird!Tele Playr

The guitar itself can have five stars. Nothing wrong with it. The problem I have is that it is not the old LX1E lefty that Martin used to make and I used to own. It is advertised incorrectly here as containing the Fishman I-sys electronics that contained a volume, base/treble controls and a phasing button for feedback. It also no longer contains the tuner. This is basically the LX1 Little Martin with a Sonitone pickup under the bridge and tone/volume control in the sound hole, which I despise. I prefer the old version where the tuner and controls were on top side (as shown in the picture variety). This needs to be updated!!! I now have no tuner on this guitar when I fully expected one. I would recommend the Little Martin guitar but it needs to be advertised correctly.Jules

I bought this guitar for my son so he can have a smaller guitar to lug around in school. We were surprised when we received the product that the pickup that was installed is a Sonitone pickup instead of what's advertised – an Isys T preamp. The Isys preamp has a tuner, phase and tone control whereas the Sonitone is built into the sound hole and only has the volume and tone control. I brought this up with customer support saying I only wanted the product that I thought we were buying. I received excuses and a repeated offer to return the guitar. We chose to keep it because we need it and like the Martin sound. However MF does not stand up to what they advertise and could not provide a reasonable explanation why the product was switched. Even as I write this review, the description still says it has the Isys pickup. Good luck to future buyers and know that you are buying a different product.Pasigenyo

Overall: Bought this guitar when it first came out. It's HPL so the finish doesn't really matter compared to other HPL back and sides but the neck feel and solid wood neck improves pliability from the previous earlier HPL models I have owned. From the first strum I knew I had a good one and I doubt you'll regret buying one of these. Big Martin sound for not a lot of money.Lewis

This guitar was in tune when it arrived, I highly recommend this to musicians who don't care about buying collectors art. My step-dad has over 30 k in 5 American Martin's. They are amazing, but i can take this work on the grip truck. The action is subperb.. buy this guitar, the help from ams was awesome go Glenn! This is probably best cheap quality acoustic electric for the 700 under marketConor

I was looking for a second acoustic so I didn't have to keep my D-35 out and exposed to the temperature and humidity fluctuations we get in the Northeast during the winter. I wanted a guitar with a similar profile that would feel like my D-35 (not a practice or parlor guitar). I randomly spotted this guitar and my first thought was "that's…. interesting." The design grew on me and as a history buff I couldn't help but think how cool it would be to have this guitar on my wall for decades. Out of the box, the guitar played horribly. The action was EXTREMELY high on it. The strings that came with it were utter trash. Luckily my friend works on guitars so I had him adjust the truss rod and put on 11 gauge Martin Silk and Steel folk guitar strings. The guitar sounds excellent now; not quite as loud and vibrant as much D-35 but given the price difference, it shouldn't! The look is even better in person than the pictures. This is clearly one of those "love it or hate it" guitar slash artwork situations. As much as I would love to give the guitar 5 stars (where it is currently for me) I have to knock it down to 4 simply because of how bad the truss rod and strings were out of the box. Without those adjustments and the string change, I would've been forced to send the guitar back unfortunately. However if you have the ability to make those changes (you may as well order strings when you order the guitar) AND you dig the look, buy this guitar with no hesitation. I can't imagine not having it now!NoCo Strummer

This guitar sounds so wonderful! Even being the less expensive one. It was an easy purchase. Sam Ash called me each w3eek before and after delivery. I would not hesitate to buy online from Sam Ash again!SAM

I play in a 60's tribute band and I thought this would be a great stage guitar for the show. I was VERY pleased to find out it actually is a very good guitar. I was worried the graphics would kill the tone but the material Martin came up with for the top actually sounds pretty good, plus the Fishman pickup makes it all the better for stage. I may get a sound hole plug to help with stage feedback but my only real wish is that the action was a little better. Its OK, but I prefer a little lower, so I think I'll be adjusting that. All-in-all worth the $600LW

Chitarra veramente bellissima, ottime finiture è un suono bellissimo, bilanciato. Solo un piccolo aggiustamento all’action perché un po’ alta, un quarto di giro al Truss rod con chiave esagonale. Grazie a StrumentiMusicali.netLuca Armenia

The change of richlite to wood for the neck, fretboard and bridge made a huge change to the sound of this guitar. Much more sustain. The guitar sounds and plays great!Dean

There is truly nothing I can say negative about this guitar. Sounds great, looks great, feels great. I've owned and collected many guitars, some with a price point much more than this, and I am very please and surprised to say that this guitar is on par if not even slightly BETTER than some of the more expensive guitars I own! If you're thinking about getting this guitar, DO IT! You won't be disappointed! ….the only thing I would change about this product is that I wish it came with a hardshell case. I did end up ordering a Martin 345 Dreadnought Hardshell Guitar Case and it fits like a glove. The soft case it comes with is just ok.Vanessa

I bought this guitar a few weeks ago and I am in love. I was actually looking to buy a D-16 or a Gibson J-45 and found this hanging up on the wall in my store. Took this down and loved the sound as soon as I strummed it. It has that beautiful rosewood tone and the deep sound of a full size dreadnought. Since this guitar is exclusive to Guitar Center, and it's family brands it is not featured on the Martin website (i was skeptical about this at first). But I can personally say that it is just as good if not better than any of the standard Martins and the specs don't lie. Also it is manufactured in the U.S.A in Nazareth, PA. I highly recommend you try this guitar if you are able to.Michael

This is my 4th Martin Dreadnought. I have had a Custom D (Mu Friend Martin), a D-28, a D-16 Adirondack, and this one. They have all been great but there was always something missing. For example, the D-28 was a joy to play and sounded great but lacked deep end rumble and punch. (I have since come to appreciate that is part of the appeal to many, and a product mostly of the bracing). The D-16 Adirondack had plenty of low end rumble, and it was stunning to look at, but for some reason it seemed to lack mid-range punchiness, and the high notes were kind of meh. I gave my Custom D to my son to take to college and was without any Martin Dread. I was playing just a Gibson J-45 which is a dream to me, but it also lacks mid-range punchiness and I was convinced it would get lost in a bluegrass jam circle setting. Then I discovered this rosewood Martin, which to me looks like a D-28 but with HD-28 style bracing. I suspected that it would deliver the what was missing from all my other Martins, and it has totally confirmed by suspicions. It's a joy to play, and it is beautiful to look at. The rosewood is so dark and stunning that you don't even really notice that it has a Satin finish. It delivers the low end rumble, in a somewhat more refined way than the Adirondack. The mid-range and high notes are all stunning. There is a bell like quality to anything played on the b and high e strings. The fretwork is flawless. Every guitar I have ever owned has had a least one place on the fretboard that I haven't really liked. I can't find it on this guitar. It just seems like a really well conceived and executed guitar from Martin, and you can't beat the price.Penalty Box

For the price it's a great buy, I wanted to upgrade from my Epiphone dove-pro electric acoustic and this Martin checked all the boxes. I purchased it almost a year ago today and I can't say anything bad about it if I wanted too. Plus I love that padded case it comes with.. specially cause I injured my back before I bought it so it's great havin a case that's lowkey like datB_THEKING

Things I liked: – Playability : The neck shape, neck finish, nut width, radius, and fret size are just perfect for my hands. – Setup was perfect out of box : To me, the action and intonation couldn't be better. – Comfortable size : This is my first non-dread size guitar, and I'm happy that I chose this size. I really didn't know that 000 would be this much more comfortable. – The included hard shell case is pretty nice. – The built-in Fishman Sonitone UST pickup was not too bad – sounded better than I expected. it's not that quacky. it's totally usable on stage. I would suggest to try it before replacing it. Some people might like the sound. Things I didn't like: – low volume – low bass response I replace the tusq saddle with a bone saddle. I also replaced the UST pickup with K&K pure mini pickup. I'm satisfied with what I have now. If available, I highly recommend to try GPRS1 instead of 000RS1. They are almost identical except the body depth. GP is slightly deeper than 000, hence it makes up for the disadvantages of 000 listed above.faithinlight

Overall: Original unopened uninspected by zZounds, in the heavy duty box from Martin. Mine was packed well enough, but still a little surprised how little bubble pack it had, or needed. The guitar seems perfect, no blemishes, straight neck, just beautiful. Rings like a bell despite needing a set up. Saddle has tons of room to sand down to most anyone’s preferred height/action. Nut seems like it’s in similar ready to set up condition. But even out of the box it sounds absolutely great and isn’t terrible to play. The little booklet that comes with it lists features, including “non adjustable” truss rod. I hadn’t come across this in my (limited) research into D18s. Martin guitar forums are divided on it, but I think the idea is “the old ones that people worship didn’t have adjustable truss rods, so we’re following the recipe”. Fine, but why not put that in the specs too? It’s not a cheap guitar. Taking a chance on it and seeing how it does. I’ll care for it properly and if it craps out and needs a neck reset or god forbid a new neck, I’ll rant and rave about it. But for now, let’s see how it sets up!Dan

I can't say enough about this guitar. For as long as I have been a guitar player (and a Pennsylvanian, for that matter) I have known Martin guitars. They are always prominently used and sold around this area. I looked up to my idols who played them, even older players like CSN and Neil Young and Clapton. I dreamed of owning one and as a kid, I loved the white binding on dark wood, seemingly drawing me in to a D-28, which is arguably the most popular Martin ever. As a kid, I almost got a Martin DM, but ended up with a cheaper Epiphone. After college, I decided to get my first Martin Custom D Rosewood – essentially a D-28 with a mortise and tenon neck joint and a D-15 A-Frame bracing and styling – sold exclusively here on MF (and GC). It's a great value for a guitar, but had to keep it constantly humidified because of the thin-skin matte finish. It can get really dried out and in fact, was in that condition when I received it (used). Great guitar, but I was always chasing buying a brand new Martin to call my own. I played some in stores of course and always A/B'd them, but it wasn't until a factory tour that I got a real idea of the breadth that the Martin line possesses. There is the 1833 Shop there with an adjacent players room filled with a good spread of Martins of all values and construction style. I was simply playing them to see which ones spoke to me, sonically and soulfully. I played the D-28, the D-35, the D-41, the D-15, 00-15M, the CEO, a 12 string, Eric Clapton model 000-28, etc. They all had their magic I'm sure, but when I landed on the D-18, I was simply blown away. It had a completely organic and natural sound – I could literally hear the wood. It's an absolutely lovely woody tone – this sounded better than the rest to me. I also LOVE the understand design and simplicity. It's a true working man's instrument – plus it features forward shifted X-Bracing which gives a lot more bass. The new improvements are all choice! 100% my fav. acousticIan from PA

I bought this guitar last year at a locally owned music store and was happy to do so as you don't find many of them stocked at large corporately owned brick and mortar stores. When I purchased it, I fell in love with the look and overall sound of the guitar and felt I was indeed buying a piece of history. The overall materials, finish and body construction are excellent and it produces a rich tone even with older strings. However that is where the positive remarks end. The more I want to love this guitar, the more it disappoints for the simple reason that it is incredibly difficult to play. Whether this is due to a poor set up or poor fretboard construction I really can't say, but I have to put this thing down after more than after five or ten minutes of playing – it is that bad. The same is true for the D-15 I spent a pretty penny on too. How a guitar maker that's supposedly been around since 1833 can produce something this hard to play is beyond me. Older D-18s I have played are not much better as they are incredibly hard to fret and buzz incessantly. So before you spring a couple of grand for this "piece of history," reconsider something that actually plays with ease. For this reason alone, I certainly would never invest in another one of these or a D-28, D-35 etc.. that costs even more. I can name several other major brands that put this guitar to shame due to their playability but won't to avoid embarrassing the manufacturer. But I will say that Martin's quality control folks ought to check these things out before shipping them out the door. Believe me, Martin's reputation and its chances of survival depend on it.Tom R

Overall: I am barely into my third year playing guitar. I progressed from a Yamaha FG800 to an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 MCE. I always wanted a Martin but I can't drop the coin for the D-18 or the D-28 that I really want, so I bought this without seeing or hearing it. I was honestly worried that a guitar with HPL back and sides could hang with an all solid wood guitar. Bad weather and the Pandemic slowed delivery down to four days via Fedex, but it is what it is. The first half hour of playing I was really wondering if I was going to like it. It took a little time to get used to that booming bottom end. But once I did, I learned to modulate it where necessary. And it plays so much smoother than my Epiphone. I am looking forward to playing with a friend who has a D-28 this summer to just compare them. Listen, I know this a made in Mexico Martin. And purists might turn their nose up. But play one and see, if like me, you think this is an amazing guitar at this price point. Heck. Now I don't know why I should keep the Epiphone. Call me a believer. The only thing i would ask Martin to do is add a nice white or black binding on this to protect the top and add a liitle flair. Heading to the Martin Website to get me a sticker for the mancave and a nice Martin ballcap. Love it.Blair

I had played this Martin D-41 some 25 years ago and was just amazed at the tonal quality and punch this artful guitar produced. Not to mention it was the most beautiful acoustic I'd ever seen. I have played several different brands and models since and nothing quite reached the level of that D-41. I longed for that guitar all those 25 years until last year. Went to my local Guitar Center and they were out of them. I ordered one and a week later it arrived. Took it out of the box and and a crowd of guitar techs gathered over her. Breathtaking look about this guitar. I was sent into a private room and played for 45 minutes just amazed at what she sounded like. The setup was very close to what I'd preferred and will never regret the expenditure for a long time dream guitar. Named her Deena!Tim

I just got my martin d16 gt from guitar center. It's used. I looked up the serial number and it was built in 2000. I was surprised that it was a 22 year old guitar. It's in remarkably good shape for something that close to being an antique.

To be fair, it looks used. There are pick scratches all over the front. A few dings…but that's because the previous owner played it…because it's an out standing instrument. The sound is phenomenal and it plays great. It still looks great even with the cosmetic imperfections.

There is very little fret wear. That was surprising considering it's age. Maybe it's been crowned? Hard to say.

It was a little boxy sounding when I took it out of the box, but it loosened up fast. I could literally hear it opening up as I played it on the first day (I played it a LOT that day).

Phenomenal guitar. Worth every penny, maybe more. Highly suggestRobert Kuhn

I play locally for hire as a solo acoustic guitar / vocalist. My primary guitar is a Martin GPCP Aura. I purchased the Martin SC 13E in hopes of finding a guitar with better action and playability. My first reaction to the 13E was really nice and it did play with less effort / strength than my GPCP. The first issue I noticed was string buzz on the 1st and 2nd strings. It wasn't awful but noticeable. I played the guitar that weekend at two shows. I was still noticing the buzz. So, I started the set-up investigation. The neck relief, the slight bow forward that a guitar neck needs, looked really good, maybe could use a bit more to help with the string buzz. This is an easy truss rod adjustment; however, I didn't change the truss rod setting. The next thing I looked at was the distance of the string height, above the 12th fret. My thought was I would try to lower this slightly if I decided to keep the guitar. The next weekend I got the guitar out at home before getting ready for my show that evening, to run through a new song I was planning to do at hat nights show. I took the SC13E out of the bag and the 1st and 2nd strings were touching the guitar at the 20th fret. I thought the saddle had somehow pushed down lower into the bridge…. I exchanged that guitar for another SC1E. GC person was easy to work with and got the exchange handled quickly. About 3-4 days I had my second SC13E in my hands. It also had the same string buzz, even though the neck relief and action looked good. I played a couple of shows with this guitar and then I started noticing the buzz getting worse. If you are still reading, the reward is at hand. lol I have decided that the problem with this guitar, and probably the other guitar, is the neck angle is off. I will explain why I think it is off and explain how you can check your guitar. I have watched hundreds of youtube videos trying to learn how to set-up and care for my instruments. I have watched neck adjustment videos put out by fender, for their strat guitars, because I wanted to know how to adjust my Acoustasonic Strat. But what I am getting ready to sell you, I have discovered on my own and may not be accurate, but here it goes. If I put a capo, or hold the strings down with my hand. on the 12th fret, there is a space between the strings and the frets above the 12th fret. A pretty wide gap at the 20th fret. On the SC13E the strings are almost touching and the 1st string is touching. Wa La I believe that neck angle is off. I think it was off on both guitars. So check yours before missing your return date. If you check your guitar and it has this problem, don't totally freak out. The SC13E has an adjustable neck angle, so it can be made perfect. If you find what I described above, I suggest contacting Martin Guitar and GC. Another thing to be aware of, the three Martin guitars I have owned had the nut groves cut too narrow. I took my GPCP to an excellent luthier. He filed the width and depth to correct specifications and filed down my frets (I had two that where high) Both of the SC13E guitars needed to have the nuts filed. If you are trying to tune your guitar by making a very slight turn to get it just right and the string doesn't increase pitch and then jumps to a sharp pitch, the string is probably pinching in the nut grove. Both SC13E's were boogers to tune for that reason. One of them broke the B string while tuning up from dropping the pitch. I am returning my second SC13E tomorrow and I think I am going to give it a rest for awhile. Maybe look for something different. FYI: I love my Martin GPCP Aura, unfortunately they discontinued that model. The sound I get from the Fishman Aura electronics is the best I have heard. PS: part of the reason the SC13E plays easier is they use a lighter gauge string. I put a set of the MA535T Martin Lifespan strings on mt GPCP and even with the truss rod loose, the strings don't pull on the neck hard enough to give me the neck relief that is needed. The SC13E is a beautiful guitar to look at and the electronics onboard sound very nice. I learned, I'm not a big fan of having the controls inside the sound hole. A little awkward to get to while strumming and the phase reverse switch is way back from the opening. If you like using the hole covers to fight feedback, I'm pretty sure you would be out of luck. I think this price range of acoustic guitar should come with a hard case. I gave this guitar a 2 rating because it has potential BUT i do think both of these guitars suffered from poor quality control. My luthier could have made both of these guitars sing beautifully but I refuse to buy a new guitar and send it for repairs, even if the repairs are set-up issues. A new guitar on the north side of a thousand dollars should show up playing without string buzzing and the strings close enough to the neck that you hand doesn't feel like you just hung from the monkey bars during an entire recess.Dale

This is a beautiful instrument with a stunning full acoustic sound despite the deep cut away and relatively small body size. The amazing design allows for unlimited access to the upper frets and the whole instrument feels very comfortable to play. I wanted an acoustic guitar with the accessibility of an electric and this new design from C.F.Martin delivers that in droves without ever loosing it's acoustic personality and sound. I own a super jumbo acoustic made by another company but the SC13e makes it sound dull and lifeless even before it is plugged in. The SC13e has that familiar Martin sound which is full and beautiful. The fishman pickup will then allow that sound to be delivered to anywhere from a gig in a noisy pub to full stadium if required. What a stunning instrument!Reviewed by Kenny's Music custom

Mine is suppose to be rosewood but looks like the Macassar. Top is the same. Took it out of the box, tuned it and took it to a gig. Frets were finished ends and tops. Saddle height not too high not too low. Just needed to tighten the truss rod a little bit. Gig bag/case is well padded. Nice dreadnaught sound acoustic and plugged in. Well worth the extra price from the entry level DX.James

I got this one in a trade just yesterday which involved my Martin OMCX1E, which I had only bought brand new, not even 2 months ago. The previous owner had bought it brand new a few months ago but didn't take a liking to it, because it was too big for him to play. At least that's what he told me. He much prefers Auditorium sized acoustics while myself at heart, am a dreadnought guy, so this trade benefitted us both. The guitar was in immaculate condition and was already set up, so the inly thing that I did was to slap on a new set of Martin 2.0 lifespan strings which made a difference. First of all, the tone on this one , easily blows away the OMCX1E and I just love the Burst finish along with Massascar design on the HPL back and sides, which IMO, make this beauty stand out. Plus it also came with the heavy duty, Martin gigbag which is a huge plus. This one is without a doubt, a keeper.Jeff O 36

I use it primarily for fingerstyle. The staff was absolutely fantastic and totally knowledgeable about all the different brands/models. This Martin projects warmth and tone. Sounds wonderful!M

Was the next best thing that I have ever got myself other than my truck. Ty love the way it sound and the way it plays……rosad-rober

First I should say this is my third Martin, the others being a D18 1934 GE and an OM-H28 VTS. I've wanted a 00-sized guitar and after having played several I chose the CEO-7. Boy, am I fortunate. I'm having more fun with this guitar than I really thought possible. First, it looks so cool. More Gibson L-00 than Martin (hence the "My Favorite Marti(a)n" nod in the title). But it plays and sounds just like a Martin–and that's a great thing. I've often said that if American history and culture had a soundtrack, it would be played on a Martin. And if I were doing the playing, it would be on my CEO-7. It fits like a glove and the sound rocks my soul. When played softly, it produces a sweet and delicate sound. But when you lay into it, it becomes gritty and bluesy. I've swapped the plastic bridge pins for bone and I'll probably upgrade the tuners at some point, but everything else is tops–addy top; mahogany back and sides; looks like a mahogany neck; ebony fingerboad and bridge; 1 3/4 bone nut. It's a lot of value for the price. Honestly, hands down THE BEST guitar I've ever owned. No regrets. I'll have this one forever.ScottyJ

I have been deliberating on getting a Martin D28 for a decade. I finally bit the bullet and spent the money but opted on the CEO 7. I couldn't be more happy. First off its gorgeous with the sunburst top and choice mahogany back and sides. The size drew me in because of comfortability and I play a lot sitting and lounging. To me it is way more comfortable than the dreadnot while not loosing any (or significant) volume. Plays like a dream. I shouldn't have have waited so long. I did opt to add an ivory arm rest and I think it just increases the big sound of this little guitar.Jon

This guitar is comfortable in my hands…it just feels good. Finger picking, flat picking, strumming…whatever style you prefer…it'll be fine. Clear and crisp and rings like a bell. Small but mighty. I've played (or tried to play) a bunch of guitars over the last 50 years. I'm a ham and egg player. Electrics and acoustics – Fenders, Gibsons, Martins, Gretschs, Epiphones, Guilds, Dan Electros and on…and this Martin CEO-7 is among the sweetest ever. This one makes me want to play it, and, most important, makes me want get better at playing it. This one makes me lose track of time.Hroogar

dream come true!! this guitar is amazing, set up out of the box perfect, only thing is sharp fret edges on the bottom of the neck.Sounds amazing and you know its a Martin when you hear it.very impressed with this guitarEric

I would of preferred to buy a solid top Martin for my son but he has an attic bedroom which fluctuates with the heat and we were worried about keeping it stored safely so at his request I brought him this one instead. I had previously seen and held the solid mahogany version and so when this arrived it did look different (not quite as nice) and there was a slight difference it tone and resonance however it still looked and sounded great compared with other guitars around and under the same price range (£500) we had tried. My son is 16 and an intermediate level guitar player and found it comfortable and fun to play and it is a really good sounding guitar (particular at the lower end) especially when amplified. He particularly likes the neck profile of this Martin which is tapered and neither too far or too thin. A good value Martin that should last him years without the worry of the extra care you need to take with solid wood Martins so a good middle ground for us. Would recommend.Mr F. c.

Overall: I've been playing guitar a long time, both electric and acoustic. This is my first Martin and first American made instrument. Bottom line – it's awesome, and the American quality is very apparent. I had a lower end acoustic which I actually loved, but was on the hunt for an acoustic-electric. After getting frustrated with lower priced overseas instruments, I finally said "that's it! I'm getting a Martin." I still didn't want to spend $2.5-$4k though, but wanted an American made Martin with included electronics. This one fit the bill.My one concern was whether this guitar would still sound good, loud, and have enough bass given the shallower depth. I actually had the opportunity to play the D-16E side-by-side with a "Martin Special 16 Style" (which is exclusive to a competitor store). That instrument is a full depth dreadnought but otherwise very similar. Without much scientific evidence, I would say the D-16E sounded better. It may have been a little quieter, but I felt it had a more balanced sound and less boom. 90% of the time, I play my guitar on recordings in multi-instrument arrangements and have to cut the low end anyway. Even still, played solo, it sounds amazing and I think it has plenty of volume and bass.I'm a perfectionist when it comes to intonation and setup. This thing was absolutely perfect out of the box. I checked intonation, action, string height at the nut, neck relief – I absolutely do not need to take it in for an initial setup. The frets are also nice and smooth at the edges of the fingerboard. I initially thought I didn't like the vintage style open gear tuners, but I actually love the way they operate – they are very smooth and accurate. And I think they look very classy too.As far as appearance I think it is absolutely beautiful. I love the simplicity of it. I like the satin finish on the back and sides and the gloss top. The top wood grain on mine looks great. Just enough pattern to add some character without a lot of bold striping. I chose the mahogany one for a few reasons – 1) it was a little cheaper, 2) I listened to some comparisons and although the mahogany vs. rosewood were very, very similar, I thought the mahogany sounded a little better, and 3) the mahogany I think is even simpler looking than the rosewood, which I like. The mahogany D-16 is more like a D-18, where the rosewood D-16 is more like a D-28. I thought the binding was black, but was pleasantly surprised to see it's actually a beautiful dark tortoise shell.The only thing I would be a little critical on for this guitar is the electronics. The single tone knob adjusts from flat EQ to "scooped" EQ. To me, both of these settings have too much mid and high end. I would like separate bass, mid (preferably sweepable), and treble controls. And the enhance does make it sound a bit more natural, but it really doesn't affect the sound that much. I think they should've gone simpler and just left off the tone knob and enhance knob. They could've preset some enhance from the soundboard pickup and then let the user EQ it to their liking with a DI or amp, since that needs to be done anyway. However, I think a lot of acoustic-electrics plugged in directly suffer from similar issues (except maybe for ones equipped with something like the L.R. Baggs Anthem). I did get a pretty good sound plugged in after adding some EQ in my DAW and a little reverb. Likewise, if I were to plug in for live performance, adding a DI box or an amp with EQ controls would help immensely.On the plus side for the electronics, I do like that the controls are somewhat hidden in the sound hole. I also like that the output jack is separate from the button. I had another acoustic-electric with the output jack in the strap button, and I needed a special adapter to get any of my several straps to hook onto it securely. And it's nice to have the battery accessible from outside the guitar. Systems like the L.R. Baggs Anthem require a battery bag velcroed inside the instrument which requires string removal (or extreme loosening) to change.Jason

I bought this beauty about a month ago at Sam Ash. I visited three or four times and spent several hours playing different acoustic electrics in their acoustic room before I decided on this guitar. Not only is it easy on the eyes, but it sounds so good especially amplified. It has a great tone and really nice low end. At first I had some buyers remorse, but now that I've played it through multiple amps and have used it to record, I'm confident I made the right choice.JW

Finally got a Martin made in Nazareth, PA. The reviews were right on down to the smell of wood the first time you opened the case. Sounds sweet unplugged. The feel of the neck and the action couldn't be better. Not as loud as a full bodied dreadnought as expected. When I plugged it in my Fishman Loud Box Artist, I was blown away. It made me hear what this amp was really made for. But here's the problem. After a few minutes of strumming the guitar and enjoying the sound, the 1E string rolled off the edge of the fret. I ignored it and kept playing because the sound was so good. But then it happened again in less than 20 minutes of playing. Both times happened on the third fret so I looked at it closely. I pressed the string and lightly pushed it down and it easily rolled off the edge. I've been a guitar player for well over 40 years and the last time I had this issue was with a guitar with a badly replaced frets & fretboard. I don't know if this is just a defect on this particular D-16e guitar or the design is just not right for me. Either way I'm not happy with it so I returned it. It used to be when people ask me about Martin guitars, I tell them if it's made in Nazareth, PA you can never go wrong. That's a myth to me now. It may be a one in a million thing, but if you're that guy in a million, it's a world view changing experience. What else do I believe in that's not really true?Roberto

I have been really enjoying the OMJM. It actually feels quite similar to a shorter scale guitar, as the neck is so good. only you can properly strum it like a dreadnought if you want to, it feels great having the power and versatility to do so on a smaller bodied guitar. The neck plays great also for the bluesier things too. The sound of it is fantastic, so articulate, and it records so well, you literally don’t have to eq it in anyway, it is so balanced whereby no bass notes/treble notes over power the others even when fingerpicking. very inspiring instrumentReviewed by Project Music custom

I think this is a great guitar. It is a very specific guitar, though. Martin makes nothing else like this. It has a very similar body to the OM-28 and Clapton models, but the neck really sets the guitar apart. The lower profile neck makes it almost play like an electric guitar. I wasn't going exactly for the John Mayer tone, in buying this guitar, but it definitely factored into the purchase. What really sets the guitar apart are the specs. I loved the OM-28 V, and even liked the tone in that guitar a tiny bit more than in the OMJM, because it has a different type of bracing, but I went with the OMJM because the neck, because I couldn't live with the v neck, and the difference in tone is really negligible. I got this guitar as an impusle purchase. I was looking for guitars from the $1,000-$1,500 price range. I figured, though that in that range, especially with Martins and Taylors, I would not have ended up completely satisfied. I saw no point in buying a guitar in that range, especially, as it would be something I could see myself getting rid of after a handful of years. So, I ended up taking a risk with the OMJM and it really paid off. Everyhting quality wise that I was hoping for, and I can see myself keeping this guitar indefinitely. Moreover, just playing the guitar has inspired me and allowed me to reach a new level of playing. It is almost as if my job is to just release songs from this guitar, and they just write themselves. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend investing in this guitar. I can only look forward to it becoming more beautiful with age. The guitar comes with Martin's thinline + pickup system. I actually prefer this system for its simplicity. Though you cannot have complete tone control, all you have to do is plug and play. I have only had enough time to play one show with it, and I plugged it straight into the PA system. I was very surprised at how great the guitar sounded through the system, and found that the pickups reproduced a very accurate and clear tone. In purchasing this guitar, I was looking at a players' series model with the aurora system. Though the guitars do not compare, I was less inclined to purchase one of the players series. Though the features are great on that system, I was most nervous about out of warranty repairs. Though the thinline system in the OMJM is simple by comparrison to Taylor's ES, or the Aurora system, it won't be a huge cost to replace down the road if things go wrong with it. I also enjoy the system because the OMJM retains the look of a true acoustic, and the only thing that gives it away is the jack incorprated into the strap button. The quality on this guitar is up there with the best guitars I have ever played. Though the guitar looks stellar in pictures, you really have to see the guitar in person to appreciate the workmanship. Furthermore, the inlays and bindings are very tastefully done. They are not too flashy, and when included with the vintage toner and open gear tuners, they really make for a rich looking guitar. The guitar looks especially great in the case, as the maroon liner really complements the vintage toner and finish. The finish upon receiving the guitar was flawless and the aroma of the rosewood sides and spruce top really hit you when you first open the case. I have had the guitar for a couple of months now and that smell is still one of my favorite qualities of the guitar. Even the small things, like the pickguard which was perfectly flawlessly polished and was of a much higher quality than the printed tortoise shell pickguards of other similarly priced guitars. In terms of tone, I don't think anything beats this guitar. I am partial to rosewoods, but this guitar really sings, given that it is a narrower and smaller body. This guitar plays everything well from strumming to fingerstyle. I love how not only is the guitar loud and warm, but it gives more of a raw, masculine tone. I think a lot of people feel that you are paying for the name with this guitar, but it is based off of the OM-28 vintage, and that guitar is $3100 dollars. With the OMJM, you get not only the pickup system installed, but also higher quality inlays in the bridge pins and the paua rosette lining the soundhole. Is it worth the $200 dollar premium? More or less, yes. I was a little disappointed with the case. The black layer began to peel less than a month into owning the guitar. Also, the locking latch keeps jamming and when it pops out, the top slams back down. I don't think it is bad, but just another annoying thing. Aesthetically, it is a great case, but it has not up to the standards I was hoping for. Also, not a big fan of the "JMC" embroidered on it. Always face questions about whose initials they are.Mdn25

I both strum and fingerpick and this guitar just sings. It wasn't so out of the box, terrible action! A trip to my luthier friend and she came alive! Delivery was a bit late and nerve racking but all was good when i first opened the case… wow what a gorgeous sight and that smell… wow!David

This is the first high end purchase that I have been satisfied with! It was brand new! 2 Heritage and 2 Gibson' s have been switched at the last minute after months of waiting and following updates of the newly manufactured item that had been ordered! Please send me the name and contact information of my Gear Advisor for this purchase.John L

Well, this guitar is fabulous. What did you expect? The sustain is endless, the set-up perfect and it plays better than anything I have played before, which of course it should given the price. I can’t keep my hands off it.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

A stunning build quality, beautiful tone & tonal balance. The 00 body size coupled with the high quality rosewood makes for a type of natural EQ & compression of the inherent bass characteristic of the tone wood. The trebles are very present & detailed in the chords & hauntingly beautiful played in single note runs. This guitar makes me wish it was my first good acoustic, for the money I have never seen anything close. Martin reigns.Mr. T

I am a singer, songwriter, church musician, and quartet member. I have been playing and singing for over 60 years. own more than a few guitars. Most are Martins. I was looking for a smaller, lighter, easy to transport acoustic to use in my street ministry. This one caught my attention and since it was a Martin, I expected it to be a quality instrument. I am not disappointed. I've owned several Mexican made Martins over the last few years finding most to be well made, quality instruments. I have to say that this is probably the best one so far. Fit and finish is comparable to the lower priced US made models. That is to say, very good. Sound and playability is very good. The strings on this instrument are well matched for a balanced sound from bass to treble. The bass is not quite as deep and booming as a full sized dreadnought but still strong. Highs are crisp and clear. Scale is a little shorter than a full sized guitar but due to the 1.75" nut width, it doesn't feel cramped. It chords well up and down the neck and intonation is near perfect. Great for finger picking, too. The action could be a little bit lower for me but plays great right out of the box. I am very happy with this instrument and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly smaller body size in an affordable Quality guitar. And it is a Martin 😊Thomas

I was looking for a beginner guitar for my grown but petite daughter that would fit her as well as give her a great start. I let her try several and she liked the feel and the looks of the Martin DJR-10E in Sapele the best. I liked the sound and the fact that I could depend on Martin Quality. It's been about a month now and neither of us has been disappointed. It's an easy to play and great sounding guitar, which makes her want to pick it up and play. We're both very well pleased with it.JIM