Thin Body Acoustic Guitar Martin For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

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

I am a petite female and love the size of this Martin Little! I had considered purchasing a baritone ukulele with 6 strings because I wanted a very small body. The Little is larger than a baritone uke but is still within the range of PERFECT and came with an acoustic/electric option so I can jam! I have larger guitars but this little gem is easy to travel with and durable with great sound! I purchased a tuner cause the pick up didn't come with one. Absolutely love the colors on the neck! So happy with my purchase!Chelley

I have had my Little Martin for a couple of years at this point and of the four guitars I own, this is the one that gets played the most. This is because due to the small size and very stable construction materials and techniques, it is always near by, ready to pick up and play at a moments notice. While I keep more expensive and delicate guitars in their hard cases with humidifiers to maintain homeostasis as much as possible, the Little Martin is quite at home on a Jamstand next to my desk. I do keep a Planet Waves humidifier between the strings, even when the LM is on the stand because I live in the NE USA where the winter air in my home is very dry due to forced hot air heating. Since the body of the guitar is the High Pressure Laminate (HPL), it appears to me unaffected by changes in temperature and humidity, but I have found that without the humidifier, the bracing seems to dry out more and the sound can become a little 'pingy'. In fact this was my first impression when I picked it up at the local GC after ordering online. If I had not been able to play one in-store previously, I would have been disappointed with the tone and probably returned it. Instead I put on a new set of strings and put the humidifier between the strings and kept it in the quality Martin gig bag that came with it. Within a week it was sounding much better, more like the one that I tried in-store previously. Since the GC stores have good humidity levels in the acoustic rooms, this is a good way to try out a new guitar (after making sure it is in tune). The only reason that I ordered online to pickup in store was that when I was ready to buy, my local GC did not have it in stock at the time.Ron the eternal guitar novice

I was looking for a small guitar to practice with when I travel. The big dread takes up too much space so the small LX makes sense. Even my wife was good with me getting another guitar, imagine that! Anyway, sounds good, plays great like a Martin should. Made in Mexico and of high-pressure laminate it should not be affected by humidity or lack there of. I feel like it is a great value for the money. I even find myself picking it up around the house more often than my other guitars because the smaller size makes it comfortable on the couch. Buy it, you wont regret it.xrayman8

This is a sweet little guitar and it's not just for kids. I have trouble with my shoulders, so holding this is not a problem, like it would be with a larger guitar, for long periods of time during practicing. It should not be expected to have the same big volume as any full size performance guitar, but it has a good depth of tone, and is just plain fun to play. It is sturdy and stays remarkably in tune for long periods of time, which is surprising. I have owned this guitar for over 5 years now, and it is no worse for the wear. Love it!Blaise

This is my third Little Martin. I love the sound plugged and unplugged. I am a therapist for children on the Autism spectrum and other special needs children and music seems, in many cases, seems to pause the child's disability and let them attend with great eye contact and focus. Children who are verbally limited sing songs (e.g., Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald etc…) and in that moment you see that child smile/and or laugh and learn, and thats what its all about. My Martin's are my weapon to battle Autism and all disabilities that plague our young children.Frank

I've owned one of these for years. It doesn't hang well (neck dive), has the sound that you'd expect out of a shoebox sized cavity (no bass), and is over priced. The only reason for owning one of these is if you are severly cramped for space. Get a Baby Taylor, instead of this thing. They are close to the same price, the last time that I checked.Ken

When I first saw these in the CF Martin catalog, I thought how weird looking they were. When I asked at a local shop about them, I was told they would order one for me, but I would not like it! But I liked classical, nylon string guitars and I wanted to own something from CF Martin. Other than this, Martin GTR does not make anything else like that, unless they invented something since I quit looking. I was very fortunate to discover Musicians Friend, and they at one time had these with a passive pickup. These were on sale at a very good price! I ordered one, it arrived in very good shape, in very good time. I fell absolutely totally in love with it, weird shape and all. You could tell it was a Martin, it reeked quality. It's small, the tone is great, but the volume is not huge. Use it for travel, camping, hanging on the wall for odd moments of practice. It's not a case queen, fussy little guitar, but protect it from too much heat and moisture, it is made with wood and glue. With a pickup you could probably blow away a concert hall with it. Look in the sound hole, it will say where it was made there, and tell you to always use extra-lite nylon strings. No truss rod was standard for ages with nylon string guitars, the Backpacker does not have one. Most guitars eventually need the action adjusted to suit the player, including ones costing 10 to 20 times as much as this one. Mine came with a very nice strap and a special gig bag, both very useful. If this appeals to you, don't hesitate to give it a try. I've had mine for years and still love it. Check on you-tube.Still Learning

I have had mine for 10 years or more and enjoy it very much. It's not full body sound it's there to have something to practice and play when on holiday or outside on the deck enjoying a cold one. It doesn't take up much room when packing the car either And yes the one I have is an actual classical backpacker guitar that Martin made years ago. I use it with high tension strings DAddario Pro Arte at standard tuning and it holds up very good stays in tune never have a problem with it going outGerry

I'll make this short. Another Martin has entered the home. The Streetmaster is another outside the box model from Martin. I searched and found one in stock at Sam Ash in Charlotte. Only a 1.5 hour drive up from Columbia. Kylene Edson had it ready, set-up was perfect, action and playability is definitely Martin. The color, "rustic brown" is different, but my wife wants art and guitar. She began lessons 4 weeks ago. Me, 40+ years of hearing loss. But, since I have bought my lot of 24 guitars since October '19, it is her turn for a few. (Little secret-I play so when they get broke in I will do it!) I would have liked a hard-shell case but the gig bag is substantial and well padded. Overall, excellent solid wood mahogany sound and nice to look at. Thanks Kylene and Sam Ash of Charlotte for having it in stock.MICHAEL

Overall: I have been playing guitar for 28 years now I believe. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania so C.F. Martin has always had a place in my heart since I began playing. The guitar out of the box was perfectly tuned dropped a half step. It looks amazing, and sounds amazing, through the highs, midrange, and lows it just resonates so wonderfully. I prefer a parlor style body to a dreadnought style and let me tell you this thing delivers such beautiful tone through out it's solid mahogany construction. I was on the fence of getting the 000-15 to the Streetmaster. I am glad I went with the Streetmaster the relic finish and prewar styled tuners looks amazing. I get compliments from everyone that sees and hears it. I would also like to comment that the soft gig bag case is really nicely made and has more protection than a standard run of the mill gig bag.Jimmy

So, this has always been a dream guitar for me. The weird thing is, I’ve actually owned one before but was not impressed with the sound. I had read in previous reviews that the 000-17’s have a cheap guitar sound, and when I owned the previous guitar I was in agreement with those reviews…so, sold it. However, a year later I played one at a local guitar shop and it punched me in the face!!! It was crunchy, punchy, resonant, and had some real cojones to it! I WAS LIKE “WHAT!!!” This ain’t the same guitar I remember, so, I ordered a new one online. When it arrived, my brand new 000-17 sounded just like my first one (Solid tone, but kinda lifeless). I was pretty let down. I was wondering what the deal was. What was so different between the two that I’ve owned, and the one I played at the shop?? So, before I just sold it AGAIN, I put some Martin Retro 13 gauge strings on it and ebony bridge pins on it and BOOOOM!! There it was!! That had to have been the difference between the two I owned and the punchy bad boy in the shop. This guitar is now the all around banger I hoped and heard it would be!! This guitar should be sold with 13 gauge retros on it, because as the reviews state it does sound slightly cheap with the 12’s. When you add the 13’s it’s like putting a set of nuts on it! This thing deserves an overall 5.0 rating, but I think people (Like I did) get rid of it or bash it before they find out what a beast this thing can be! If you are looking to buy one…DO IT!! Then, add 13 gauge Martin Retro strings (And bone bridge pins), and just wait for this bad boy to attack!! I seriously could go my whole life with this one guitar because of it’s character, voice, tone, punchiness, crunch, resonance, playability, craftsmanship, KILLER STYLE, and all around package!! Just ignore the negative reviews and listen to your boy… GET THIS GUITAR!!Zach Scoggins

I know this is alot of money to spend on a guitar. I am a working man too. I firmly believe this is the most money that a player should be spending on any guitar. I am a guitar PLAYER. I DONT buy guitars to hang on the wall so I can appreciate the gloss finish and drool over the pearl inlays. When I buy a guitar, I intend to play it until it is worn. I have done that with all of my acoustic and my electric guitars. If you are the kind of player who knows a few chords, and likes to sit down and strum a pretty guitar with figured inlays and flashy hardware, this guitar definitely is not the instrument for you. When you buy guitar, you can change every part on it, except the body and the neck. If you're going to buy a guitar with intent to change the neck and body, why not just buy a guitar with the neck and body you want, and change the hardware? If you are a player who is professional, serious, and wants to make a sound for yourself, well this guitar is the guitar for you. Yes, It DOES have the neck AND the body you want. The neck feels incredible. It is UNPARALLELED when it comes to feeling this guitar. Don't believe me? Find one and try playing it. It's like the Rickenbacker of acoustic instruments. The top of the guitar is the first thing that the sound bounces off of, and the shape and bracing in this acoustic allows for the hardwood of the spruce to do its job; to vibrate and give the guitar an excellent punch, and to twang and crunch when picking each string individually. It is an unbeatable sound from the first strum, but the real treat is the resonation. The sides of a guitar are where the it's sound rings after strumming. When you let this guitar ring, it gets a deep, rich, and woody sound from the mahogany sides. Somehow, this guitar is both punchy and gives a solid chimey crunch, but also resonates warmly with a full, rich, and deep sound. I have played and owned MANY guitars, but this one takes the cake. It is the best acoustic I have ever played.Marty

My first gut reaction to this guitar was repulsion. To be fair, I unboxed it in very unflattering light. It was strung with Retro monel strings which I personally do not like at all. I looked at the flat, Whiskey Sunset finish. All splochy and just cringe I wanted to yeet the damned thing. I strummed it twice and put it back in the case.

Two weeks later, one morning I tried it again. I sat in great morning sunlight and noticed it was a guitar going for a totally different vibe than anything else out there. And once I understood what it was it made sense. And I began falling in love with this thing.

Construction is perfect. Materials are top shelf. My top is heavily bear clawed as well as figured. Growth rings are parallel and very tight. Super high quality wood, actually. The neck is one piece mahogany, not glued up. The neck wood is also perfectly quarter sawn. The fret oard wood, though an uncommon rosewood has the basic density and pore structure of ebony, ut us a uniform dark cocoa brown color. Mine looke l8ke brown ebony. And it takes a polish like ebony will. You just dont find this wood quality on guitars at this pricepoint. The wood is as good as in my Larrivee LV03, which is a lot higher end guitar that has similar build quality

The guitar is incredibly light, weighing about 35% less than the Larrivee. It is lightly braced. The top is very "live." Doesnt take much wake it and it is very dynamically responsive. As a result, the guitar has a sort of "reverb" to its tone. It is actually the top being so live that open strings ring very easily. Gives the guitar a different vibe thats really cool. It's a subtle thing and would only matter for fingerstyle.

In fact I see this as exclusively a fingerstyle guitar. This is THE guitar to buy for fingerstyle Delta Blues. Detune it and it sounds greasy, growly, and downright nasty. It's sick. Nothing else I own is even close for this genre. The tone is very mid forward. Very warm. Not a lot of top end detail. Soft attack. Bass is tight and focused, but not overpowering. Perfect for pedaled bass notes. This is one of the fattest sounding gits I've heard heard. In electric guitar world its a Strat or P90, neck pickup position, tone rolled back a bit.

I would highly recommend the 000-17 for fingerstyle playing where dynamically responsive, mid forward, aggressive, warm fat tone is wanted. But the guitar isn't a good choice if you aren't a Bluesman. Flatpicking on the 000-17 sounds like poo tbh. You arent going to like it for strumming Kumbayah.

The 000-17 perfect for Blues. And thats great because thats what I wanted it for.Ken Smith

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

What a great guitar and feels like it should cost hundreds more. Martin craftsmanship, warranty and tone are second to none. Love the all mahogany style which Martin has made since the 1930's. Amazing tone that takes some time to loosen up. I use this for recording and playing live. A superlative acoustic in fit, finish and tone. The chime, definition and resonance is amazing. The all mahogany tone seems to stand out against other guitars but still has that sweet bark. The guitars tone is balanced, sweet and has a uniquely solid bass, sweet mid and crystal trebles. Playability is perfect, fast and easy with with intonation being right on. Love the form and dimensions and feel of the neck. The tuners not only look great but tune precisely and look awesome, open gears are the way to go. I love the understated look of it's design and distressed finish, may not be for everyone, for me it's perfect. Each one looks different and mine has a polished patina after playing allot where the arm rests. It excels in fingerstyle and fairly aggressive strumming. It prefers a smooth articulate crosspicking attack for a balanced output. it's truly versatile for every style of music. Finally as for the tone, you only have to look on you tube to hear the sweet, unique qualities of this Martin. It's a keeper and will only get better with time. BTW love the case too. Try one, but bring your wallet, because you will want one and won't get it out of your thoughts if you leave without it!Bart

I purchased mine used and couldn't be happier! I did have to get the string action lowered, but aside from that, this thing sings!! It looks great, sounds great, plays great and the ALL Mahogany wood it's made from even Smells great!! It has a Satin finish rather than gloss as the specs say, but that's even better for the sound quality. It is very light to hold and the flat radius rosewood fretboard is very comfy to play. The grand performance body size is much more louder than I expected. The tone is balanced across the strings making it sound full and just right with a warmer sound vs a really high tinny sound which I do not like. The enhanced Fishman electronics are awesome as well, simple, but awesome! Does Not have a tuner, but definitely not a deal breaker by any means. I love that it is made in USA😁🙂😁 and not china🙄… For the price range and all it's awesome features, it's definitely worth the money! If you're looking for a light weight all Mahogany wood guitar made in USA that sounds n plays awesome and smells good too, Lol.. then you'll love this!Dachsheenie

I've been playing for 55 years. I bought this guitar to replace my daily player, a 30 year old Gibson reissued Gospel that I bought new. This Martin sounds amazing. I bought my granddaughter a Baby Taylor last year and she likes playing guitar, so I gave her this Martin so she can plug it in when she plays at school. I was so impressed with these Martins that I ordered a D-15M for myself. It came yesterday and I am thoroughly blown away by the sound. I own a D-35, HD-28, D-1 and a Baby Martin. These Streetmasters prove to me a person doesn't have to spend the big bucks to get a great sounding guitar.Rod

I have too many guitars but this is the first review I've ever left. This guitar is so easy to play, I played the X series and they just felt really clunky, cheap and dull. The weight was like holding particle board. This guitar is smooth, satin finish just feels tactile friendly. I don't like high-gloss anything. The neck feels a bit heavier than i usually like but this is so much easier to pick up and play vs. my D-28 or even the sc-13e that is interesting. The sc-13e is fun to play but it does not have that Martin sound that this GPC has. The electronics sound surprisingly good as well for a peizo. I usually don't like piezo pickups. I must say this is now my favorite guitar. I have several Taylors that I like a bunch but this guitar is like a Martin-Taylor hybrid sound in a GCP body! I don't know if that makes sense. To pay under $900 for this guitar. This is a quality build don't care if it's not Made in The U.S.A. That's a lie. I do a little but this guitar is awesome. I can't put it down.Jeffrey

I used this guitar for practice, for fun and for play songs. Amazing sound and body!!! Completely professional sound. Stunning performance and very professional instrument. My first electro-acoustic guitar and I am very sure that I bought and amazing guitar. I am gonna enjoy it for a long timeJosias

I first looked at Martin guitars 45 years ago when a store owner refused to let me try one unless I was going to buy it. I know I looked like a punk kid, but I took my money down the street and bought a Gibson instead… Flash forward to 2 weeks ago when I'm looking for a second quality acoustic to keep at home (my Breedlove stays at my girlfriends house several hours away), and the description of this Martin GPC hit all the check-offs – starting with all solid-wood construction (including the ebony fretboard), on-board electronics, cutaway design. I also really like the look of the Grand Performance body – not a collectors edition, but quality materials and build. Who knows if I'd like it until I played it (as I told the music store owner in '76!)? First I have to say it plays a little stiffer than I'm used to, maybe because I usually play XL strings and these are Lights (12-54 I think), maybe because nut-to-saddle is a bit longer… I was immediately pleased with strong bass response and balance from bass to treble strings, unplugged. I plugged it in straight into my PA, and found rich harmonics and natural sustain that was an improvement over the Breedlove. Then I ran it through my vocal harmonizer, which adds a few effects if I want it to; it processed beautifully. I like it best straight into the PA with a bit of reverb and tone tweaking between the tone control inside the sound hole and the PA tones… The more I play it, the better I like it! I may put those XL's on, but I have a feeling I'll stick with the Light strings. I thought I needed another acoustic guitar that played like an electric, but I'm so pleased with the rich tone and reproduction through PA that I see now I need this guitar on its own merits, and not a sub for my missing Breedlove. I won't be using Musician Friends' 30-day trial to send it back… I wonder if Mr. Store Owner ever thought twice about protecting his valuable stock from my grimy little amateur paws?Dave P

Overall: I bought this guitar a little over a month ago. Guitar was in perfect playing condition right out of box. Usually first thing I do is change the strings as soon as I open. But I noticed they were very bright and had no sign of aging. Good thing I didn’t because the lifespan 2.0 strings it comes with are amazing. After 40 plus hours of playing strings still had no dirt or grime on them. I always thought all strings are the same. Probably got 3x the life out of these. So once I plugged it in I couldn’t believe how great it sounded. Every little note was so clear and it picks up all the little accents in my playing so well. You can really hear every note so clear. It is an expensive guitar but if you are a serious player and want the best you will not be disappointed with this guitar. The fishman pickup is great. So much tone. Unplugged sounds great too. Also I wasn’t crazy about how they put the electronics in sound hole. But now I kind of like it now they’re hidden and keeps it looking more natural. They’re in there pretty deep so you won’t hit them when playing. I am familiar with the Grover open back tuners also. They are great very smooth and hold in tune excellent. I must mention I chose this one for the neck profile also the modified low oval is easier on the hands then the performing artist neck. I got the low oval on my 00015M both are great guitars but I needed one with a cutaway and acoustic-electric.Anthony

I'm an amateur guitar player, but a lifetime musician (drummer)… been teaching myself guitar now for several months on a couple different low end guitars. I decided it was time to upgrade. After lots of research, I decide the Martin road series would be the best option for me. I was right… this guitar is amazing, I love the tone, the playability and the space on the fret board. I have little fat fingers and I need the space between the strings. The 1-3/4 nut allows good space for us fat finger dudes. Can't go wrong with the Martin… now I fully understand why Martin is one of the best… I won't be going away from Martin. Found my lifetime guitar!Eric

I'm a gigging musician with over 60 years on guitar. I play finger style mostly. I'm also a singer songwriter. I almost didn't even try this guy. Yes it's a model that's only sold by some retailers but it is still a Martin in every way. I ordered it shipped to store. When I went to pick it up, it was obviously a repack from a GC store and had a few nicks and dings and old nasty strings. The store had thrown a new set of strings in the box but didn't even wipe the guitar down before shipping. I almost refused it and left the store with bad feelings. Fortunately, my local GC offered to restring it and clean it up as a good faith gesture. I agreed to give it a try. Best decision I've made recently. It plays beautifully. Very balanced sound from low to high. Good factory setup with no buzzing anywhere, even when I dig in. Good response and feel from light and delicate finger style to hard strumming. This has become my #1 gigging guitar. The built in tuner and electronics work well and sound great with my Fishman Loudbox Performer. Thank you GC for saving a sale and making me a happy old picker.Thomas

This Martin DC-X2E sounds nice and plays ok. Action was a little higher than I like but not too bad. Not a big fan of the very-wide neck. Sometimes the high E gets muted by my palm when reaching over the frets playing fingerstyle (lower area of the neck). So even with my fairly long fingers, having to stretch my fingers around the massive neck to avoid muting the high E gets tiresome quick. Basically, it's a bit difficult to play. In my opinion, it definitely does not play nearly as nice or easy as my Taylor 214ce or even my GS Mini. This Martin does sound great though. It's a great guitar overall.Johnny

I was looking for an acoustic-electric with a cutout. I didn't want to modify my existing acoustic to add electronics and I've started playing higher on the neck. I thought long and hard about buying a guitar under $400 knowing it would probably be "good enough", but I have a Martin X-Series 12 string that I absolutely love after being disappointed with a cheaper guitar. I also weighed "country of origin". I am so glad I didn't settle for less! This Martin X-Series guitar was set up perfectly right out of the box. The narrow neck makes it a dream to play and the SOUND! Nice deep sustained tones playing unplugged, and then when plugged in it's just awesome! I LOVE the soft rich tones!Harlan

This is my 4th Martin and I absolutely love my 000-42! I've owned an 000-EC for a few years and loved it too but needed to sell it for financial reasons and was looking for another 000. I wanted the same tone and playability without paying the overhead for a guitar from the custom shop, I found it. Most people think you're paying an upcharge for the ornamentation (the inlay's pretty phenomenal) but may not realize the wood is also much higher quality on the 42 which lends a crystal clear mid-tone and longer sustain than the 000-26. The 42 has a top with really narrow grain which gives it a creamy finish that looks and sounds exactly like Engelman spruce. I know they used the Engelman on the higher end Madagascar models that year so maybe I just got lucky. I've owned an Engelman top before and I'd swear the top on my 42 is Engelman spruce, it was an open box purchase from musicians friend and I couldn't be happier with the look, sound and purchase price. From the first time I played it, I fell in love with this guitar.Mike R

I have mixed feelings about this one. I decided to get something fancy for my sixtieth birthday; I usually just go for the sound. The 00042 is definitely ornamental. I can tell you what I like and dislike about it. What I like best is the neck. The neck is so perfect you can lower the action almost to touching the frets, and it doesn't buzz anywhere. It comes with a pretty case, not that plastic molded one that Martin seems to think is so great. The guitar is also beautiful, although the back of the D-35 is prettier. Where it falls short is this: it doesn't ring like the D-35, and it is very expensive. I bought my first D-35 in 1971 for 700, so it's hard to get used to these prices. I think the guitar industry is going a bit crazy. However, if you want a really ornamental guitar, the 000-42 is for you. It is nice. . . it is expensive, but it is nice…but it's expensive…but it IS nice.Guitar Buying Addict

Hi Its the Old Time Picker again, This Martin is perfect, I have a Martin HD35 three high end Taylors 810, 524, 562, and a Gibson J15, So I know great guitars and this Martin 000 18 is a perfect guitar, In the past Martin was a little off on the 18 line of guitars with the binding being a little ruff, But not anymore, They have really stepped up to the plate with this one, It is perfect on the fit and finish and the sound is everything you want a Martin to be.i recommend This guitar to anyone of any style age or level of playing. Give it a try MF will take it back if you don't like it. Give ex 3231 a call Dawana will get you taken care of, She's Great. I've Ordered over 60 orders from MF and give them a 10 rating, well its back to Picken and Grinin, My Little puppy, Mr. Snickers sings with me everyday he's great to, hahah,,,, The Old Time PickerOld Time Picker

I've bought several guitars along the way, always knowing that I wanted a Martin 000. Somehow I found myself able to get the guitar I've always wanted and I'm so happy! Why did I wait so long? First of all, Martin Guitars are very nice. VERY NICE. The best. Especially once you get into the 18 series on up. The quality and craftsmanship lives up to the reputation. Of course, all of the hard work that Martin puts into their instruments results in breathtaking sound that only a Martin Guitar can produce. As soon as I picked up the guitar I could feel the power. My first chord was an open D, my go to key anytime I pick up a guitar to try. It's something you have to feel, but all I can really say is that the sound of this 000-18 is glorious. A very round classic sound, with a bit of chime on top. This 000-18 has a wide sonic range, but mid-range focused. The mahogany has that sweet tone which is great for all styles of play. This is definitely a finger pickers dream guitar, but can handle flat picking. I also like that I can lay into this guitar and the strumming remains crisp and not muddy. Drop tunings and capo up and down the neck is near perfect! This is my all around, do it all guitar! This guitar sings. Projection, sustain, volume when you need it, it's all there! Some guitars sound boxy and cheap. Not Martin. Not this one. It actually sounds like I should have paid more. The 000-18 does not come with electronics, but that's okay. You may not want any for this guitar. At least for a while. If you're a professional gigging musician than you could add a pickup, but there could be other choices out there suitable for gigging and amplified performance. The Sitka spruce top is gorgeous. Booked perfectly with silking that I can spend forever looking at. The neck is very smooth and modern feeling. I like it because it's not too thin, but allows me to play all styles. Satin finish makes me want to play all day long. And YES. I shallJay

Overall: Bought this Martin, it is everything the 00018e is except I get to pick out the pickup I want. I like it much more than a Dred, it is perfect in my hands and very light. The sound is typical of a high-end Martin 000. The Dred is just too boomy and could not cut through the mix in recording or playing live. This guitar is great for strumming picking or lead. Bottom end is still great with the added bonus of sparkling high end and playing lead is a thrill. You got to get you one.Randall

Bought for studio work. Smokes! Guitar's natural eq is a perfect hi/lo cut for a mix with a nice mid presence. Very balanced with everything you need and nothing you don't. Wanted for more finger-style tracking. Have several other usual-suspect woods/brands/models but missing something in this 'space'/role. Was a perfect fit!.Daniel

This guitar sounds great, bright and deep just like a Martin. It also plays great. I give it five stars with no hesitation.Ted

I did not expect what I got, I thought it was a D-17 with a cool paint job. What I got was a very cool looking Martin D-17 that sounds amazing and plays like a dream. I changed the strings immediately and now it is perfect. It has great tone and I could not be more impressed.Ted

Overall: I'm 62 years old and have been playing for 50 years . Unfortunately I had to stop playing for the last 2 due to wrist pain which was from excessive playing, which needed time to heal and made me sell all of my gear . So last week, I decided it was time to get back into it and decided to just go with acoustic and I have always wanted a Martin but, did not have the big bucks for for a USA made one. So after researching, I decided on this one and am glad that I made the purchase . Even though it's all HPL with a stratabond neck, the tone from this is all 100% Martin .It stays in tune forever and the added gig bag is extremely well made along with being a huge plus . My only gripe was that the action is a bit high but, sanding down the saddle a bit took care of that, and I also ordered a truss wrench from Martin's site as well, so problem solved. The Black Satin Finish is beautiful and means that I won't have to spend any coin on polish or lemon oil for the neck as well , thanks to the stratabond neck. These made in Mexico X series are a great deal for the guitarist like myself who is on a limited budget who has always wanted a Martin.Jeffrey

I love this guitar. Im just a mid-level guitar player on a bit of budget and this has been the perfect guitar for me. I wanted something different and I like that all the hardware is blacked out. It sounds great! Even my girlfriend who is not a musician could tell how nice it sounds. I also like that its made in Mexico and not over seas. The soft carry case is great to with a big pocket for sheet music and a small pocket to hold guitar picks. Musicians Friend was great with delivery and it came right on time in perfect condition. Just be aware that the black finish on the body is a very flat black (it looks more satin or even shiny in a few of the online photos). I recommend this guitar to anybody looking in this price range.joelster1975

It arrived a day early. The setup and action were great right out of the box. Sounds great acoustically, but it really shines when it's plugged in. Fat low end with clear mids and highs. Martin really hit the mark with this guitar. Great price point and playability.Cookie

Needed a compact guitar with full sound (sailboat dinner cruises – tight space). Plugged in through the board with a chorus pedal sounds as good or better than the full sized guitar I had been using with a lot less passenger head bumping. Easy to play. Quick change battery compartment.Nick

I purchased this guitar to get back into playing during COVID, after selling off my HD-35 and an older LX1 many years ago for personal reasons. Even back then, the LX1 which is nearly the same as this one besides this one handing electronics and a rosewood “paint” job, I often would defer to my LX1 over my HD-35. Part of the reason is the ease of use while still offering a distinct Martin sound, and the design instills confidence that I won’t lose sleep if I ding it or I let a drunk friend play a few tunes. I had that original for many years, and have had this version for about a month. The guitar itself has a surprising amount of heft, and I think many will be surprised by its projection. The solid Sitka spruce top is the mvp here, and should be a must unless you’re concerned about humidity and/or purchasing this style for absolute travel readiness. The solid top will hold up well in changing climates and travel, but the HPL top of the standard LX may be a safer bet if that is a concern. I think most people will benefit from solid top, so that’s my suggestion, plus you get that Martin smell, albeit faintly, with the solid top. Playability-wise, the guitar is clear and punchy while playing fingerstyle or doing solo runs, and strumming offers a surprising amount of boom and clarity. The only caveat is the transition or light strumming to full strumming, as it seems the guitar needs to rev up a bit to get into its full potential. However that could be some of my cobwebs I’m still throwing off. I’ve only used the onboard electronics is few times and they are about what you’d expect from a guitar in this price range. The plugin is on the lower bout near where the guitar sits on your right leg, and is powered by a 9v. Two control dials are available through the sound hole, and overall reproduce the guitar well enough, but a secondary EQ will most likely be required for serious production/recording… works great for just throwing down a songwriting session though! To round it off, the guitar comes with an included soft gig bag, which can be worn as a backpack or hand carried. Which is something I love, it also has a large pocket for whatever small items you may need. And the guitar comes with a 1 year Martin warranty, which should be enough to weed out any manufacturing defects. Overall, I am proud to have this guitar back in my hands, and love the durability, ease of use, value, and most surprisingly the sound of this guitar. This is truly a great guitar and is a lot of fun to bring everywhere!Dan K