5 Best Martin Guitars in 2023 – The Only Guide You Need

Last Updated on March 21, 2023 by Teemu Suomala

We can proudly say that Darren Shepherd has played every guitar featured in this article. These Martin acoustic guitars are here based on extensive research and decades of combined guitar experience of Darren and Teemu.

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Best Budget – Martin D-X2E

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• Tough HPL back and sides can take abuse without breaking
• Loud, punchy tone with plenty of balance
• Tapered neck is very easy to play
• Onboard electronics provide versatility
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Lacks sustain
• TUSQ saddle and nut really choke the tone
• Lacks onboard tuner

The Martin D-X2E comes out on top of other Martins in this price range because of the price-to-performance ratio. It is just as suitable for a seasoned pro as it is for a beginner. 

Best for Working Guitarists – Martin D-12E Road Series

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• All solid-wood construction for amazing unplugged tone
• Richlite fingerboard and bridge for added durability
• Easy playing, High-Performance tapered neck feels very comfortable
• Inclusion of an onboard tuner makes it easy to tune up mid-set

Cons:

• May be out of the price range of beginners
• Upgrade the Corian nut and Tusq saddle to bone – you’ll thank me later

Make no mistake about it: the Martin D-12E is ready for the rigors of the road.

Best for Playing the Blues – Martin 000-10E

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• All solid-wood construction for durability and tone
• Smaller body size is easier to handle than a dreadnought
• Fishman MX-T electronics make it easy to plug in and tune up
• Very comfortable to play sitting down
• A lot of pro features for the money

Cons: 

• Not as loud as a dreadnought when played acoustically with others
• A bone nut and saddle would be nice

If you’re looking to get down and dirty with some fingerstyle blues, this is the Martin I would choose.

Best for Electric Players – Martin SC-13E

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• Neck is smooth and effortless to play
• Cutaway and heelless design allow unlimited access to the upper frets
• Fishman MX-T electronics make it extremely versatile
• Koa veneer and visual appointments set it apart from traditional acoustics

Cons:

• Not loud unless it is plugged in
• Neck design takes a while to get used to if you’re already an acoustic player

If you’re in the market for an acoustic-electric that really caters to your electric tastes, the Martin SC-13E should be at the very top of your list.

Compare Key Specs of The Top 5:

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Compare The Tonewoods:

For more cool info about tonewoods, check this acoustic guitar tonewoods article.

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If you’re reading this, then you’re probably already familiar with Martin’s high stature in the guitar world. You might also be considering your first (or 10th) Martin guitar. If you are, then you need to keep reading.

You’re in the right place because we have spent hours of exhaustive research to bring you the 5 best Martin acoustic guitars that are available today. In fact, it has taken me so long to come up with this list that my boss thought I was dead for quite some time (sorry, Teemu). 

But I have a job, and part of my job is making sure you get the most accurate information out there. Yes, it is hard to play guitars for a living, but someone has to do it. 

Here are our top picks for the best Martins!

For more budget friendly Martins, check this article.

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5 Best Martin Guitars

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying A Martin

C.F. Martin & Co. (founded in 1833) is responsible for introducing the dreadnought body style to the guitar world and has single-handedly defined what an acoustic guitar should sound like.

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Best Overall Martin – Martin HD-28

Specs

Body Style	Dreadnought
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Solid East Indian Rosewood
Neck	Select Hardwood
Neck Shape	Modified Low Oval, High Performance Taper
Fretboard	20 frets, Ebony
Nut	Bone
Nut Width	1.75″
Electronics	No
Saddle	Compensated, Bone
Scale-Length	25.4″

Check our full acoustic guitar pickup guide here.

If you’re wanting the king of acoustic guitars and will settle for nothing less, then look no further than the Martin HD-28. It is the same design as the famous D-28 Martins played by countless musicians for decades. It’s the best Martin acoustic guitar to me.

Balanced, loud, yet well-behaved, the Martin HD-28 is a hearty nod to the classic Martin guitars of years past. 

All of the familiar visual features are there:

• open-geared tuners,
• bone nut and saddle,
• and ebony fingerboard

all come together for a straightforward guitar that defined how an acoustic guitar should sound. 

This is the guitar that many acoustic players work hard to own. Don’t sell yourself short and grab the real thing. 

I chose this to be #1, because it gives you the whole package. Balanced tone, premium Martin quality, and comfortbale playability. Amazing classic Martin guitar.

Here’s another sound demo for you:

Pros:

• Incredibly balanced tone and volume
• Bone nut and saddle transfer the sound more effectively than other materials
• Cuts through a mix when played with a group
• Classic design and visual appointments give it a stunning look that will look better with age
• True Martin guitar sound

Cons:

• Price is a bit steep for most beginners/intermediate players

What others are saying:

I waited 30 years to buy a Martin which was 31 years too long. Everything about this guitar is a credit to Martin’s craftsmen. I find myself playing every day. The tone, the ease of play, the projection combine to draw you to the instrument. Before you realize it, an hour has passed. An hour absent the troubles of the world. – Mark from WA

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Best Budget – Martin D-X2E

Specs

Body Style	Dreadnought
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	High-pressure Laminate
Neck	Select Hardwood
Neck Shape	Performing Artist
Fretboard	20 frets, Select Hardwood
Nut	White Corian
Nut Width	1.75″
Electronics	Fishman MX
Saddle	Compensated, White Tusq
Scale-Length	25.4″

The Martin D-X2E is a great choice for budget-minded guitarists who want that classic Martin tone without dropping a ton of money. 

Let’s look at the construction. Players get a solid Sitka spruce top with HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) back and sides. This makes the guitar much stronger when it comes to construction without sacrificing tone and playability. 

The Martin D-X2E may not have the sustain that all solid-wood Martin guitars have, but it definitely has that familiar dreadnought volume. It is clear, cutting, and well-balanced. 

Throw in a select hardwood neck/fingerboard combination with Martin’s High-Performance taper, and you have a guitar that sings with a voice that only a true Martin can do. The Martin D-X2E also sports the Fishman MX electronics system so players can plug in and turn it up!

The Martin D-X2E comes out on top of other Martins in this price range because of the price-to-performance ratio. It is just as suitable for a seasoned pro as it is for a beginner. Martin D-X2E is a great affordable acoustic guitar.

For more under $1000 Martins, check this article.

Hear how this guitar sounds:

Pros:

• Tough HPL back and sides can take abuse without breaking
• Loud, punchy tone with plenty of balance
• Tapered neck is very easy to play
• Onboard electronics provide versatility
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Lacks sustain
• TUSQ saddle and nut really choke the tone
• Lacks onboard tuner

What others are saying:

This is the guitar I’ll be rolling with probably for the rest of my life. Love the color in this Natural (mahogany finish) D-X2E, and the rounded-edge, square Martin headstock has always been so pleasing in my eyes. The pick guard and spruce top are just beautiful, too. Since I had an all mahogany Guild D-240E prior, I was curious to see how I felt about the HPL sides and back. It has a nice texture and also feels very durable. Doesn’t seem like a noticeable sacrifice in any way, and if it makes the guitar a little more affordable, that’s a win-win imo. Most importantly this guitar sounds fantastic, especially with some Martin Monel strings. So stoked to have this one. – Eric from Indianapolis

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Best for Working Guitarists – Martin D-12E Road Series

Specs

Body Style	Dreadnought
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Solid Sapele
Neck	Select Hardwood
Neck Shape	Performing Artists
Fretboard	20 frets, Richlite
Nut	White Corian
Nut Width	1.75″
Electronics	Fishman MX-T
Saddle	Compensated, White Tusq
Scale-Length	25.4″

Martin has always made instruments that hard-working touring musicians could rely on no matter what. That spirit is alive and well in Martin’s Road Series. 

Players get an all-solid-wood Martin guitar in all its glory. A solid Sitka spruce top is mated with solid Sapele back and sides for a big, loud, beefy tone with plenty of sustain. The Richlite bridge and fingerboard are the only parts of the D-12E that are not solid wood. 

That’s pretty snazzy – especially since this guitar is so affordable compared to other solid-wood Martin guitars. 

One major thing that really brings this guitar together is the Fishman MX-T electronics. It’s the same system used in the D-X2E, but it incorporates a soundhole tuner that mutes the electronic signal so your audience doesn’t have to hear you tune up in mid-set. 

That is a pro feature for sure. 

The added visual adornments make it look like a much higher-end Martin. Make no mistake about it: the Martin D-12E is ready for the rigors of the road. 

Hear how this Martin sounds:

Pros:

• All solid-wood construction for amazing unplugged tone
• Richlite fingerboard and bridge for added durability
• Easy playing, High-Performance tapered neck feels very comfortable
• Inclusion of an onboard tuner makes it easy to tune up mid-set

Cons:

• May be out of the price range of beginners
• Upgrade the Corian nut and Tusq saddle to bone – you’ll thank me later

What others are saying:

Well.. this guitar is worth every penny and then some. For an “entry level” Martin…it definitely doesn’t sound or feel like entry level. Right out of the box it was ready to gig. The quality of the fit and finish is top notch and the richlite fretboard feels way better than I was expecting. I’m 100% satisfied and recommended this guitar to anyone looking for a more affordable high end instrument. – Jim from Massachusetts

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Best for Playing the Blues – Martin 000-10E

You can find more great acoustic guitars for blues here.

Specs

Body Style	Auditorium
Top	Solid Sapele
Back & Sides	Solid Sapele
Neck	Select Hardwood
Neck Shape	High-performance Taper
Fretboard	20 frets, Richlite
Nut	White Corian
Nut Width	1.75″
Electronics	Fishman MX-T
Saddle	Compensated, White Tusq
Scale-Length	24.9″

If you’re looking to get down and dirty with some fingerstyle blues, or you’re looking for a guitar that is smaller than the familiar dreadnought body shape, then the Martin 000-10E is the guitar you need.

If you’re familiar with Eric Clapton and his 1939 Martin 000-42 or his 1966 Martin 000-28, then you’re already familiar with what these guitars can do. 

If you aren’t, you really need to watch his groundbreaking MTV Unplugged performance. It will change your life. 

The Martin 000-10E shares the same body style as Clapton’s models, but features an all-solid-wood Sapele body. A hardwood neck and Richlite fingerboard and bridge put it right up there with the D-12E as far as construction is concerned.

As for the tone, you’re going to get a darker, warmer sound with punchy bass – perfect for blues licks and fingerpicking. This is about as close to a mahogany body as you can get.

Throw in the Fishman MX-T electronics with a soundhole tuner and you’re ready to lay down those blues scales and chord progressions anywhere you want. 

Martin 000-10E is a great guitar for Bob Dylan style blues.

Hear how this guitar sounds:

Pros:

• All solid-wood construction for durability and tone
• Smaller body size is easier to handle than a dreadnought
• Fishman MX-T electronics make it easy to plug in and tune up
• Very comfortable to play sitting down
• A lot of pro features for the money

Cons: 

• Not as loud as a dreadnought when played acoustically with others
• A bone nut and saddle would be nice

What others are saying:

So for weeks I was searching for a new acoustic sub-$1500 for acoustic gigs with a reliable sound and playability. I took the change on the 000-10e without playing it in person and was very glad I did. Immediately out the box the guitar was playing perfectly. The guitar subtly responds to any attack on the strings, from loud picking, to finger picking. The sound is unique but familiar (if that makes sense). We all have this sound in our head of what we want our acoustic to sound like, even if we do not know how to explain it. And Martin knocked this out of the park for the price! The built in tuner is super helpful and pickups sound great going right into the mixer/PA. Extremely happy with my purchase! – Fritz from US

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Best for Electric Players – Martin SC-13E

Specs

Body Style	Cutaway
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Koa veneer
Neck	Select Hardwood
Neck Shape	Low Profile Velocity
Fretboard	20 frets, Ebony
Nut	White Corian
Nut Width	1.75″
Electronics	Fishman MX-T
Saddle	Compensated, White Tusq
Scale-Length	25.4″

Electric players are often forgotten about in the acoustic guitar world. The SC-13E offers electric players the experience of a Martin guitar without worrying about the playability limitations of conventional body shapes. 

All of that playability is useless without a sound construction. The Martin SC-12E sports a solid Sitka spruce top paired with a Koa veneer body that not only looks gorgeous but provides plenty of tonal balance and sustain as well. 

The neck is different than most Martins. Martin refers to it as their Low Profile Velocity design, and that’s a very accurate statement. Electric players will appreciate the low action and smooth feel as they explore the upper frets. 

The Fishman MX-T electronics make it a real winner by providing unparalleled plugged-in tone with a soundhole-mounted tuner. The versatility of the SC-13E is boundless, allowing players to light up a stage with its exotic looks and tone, record crisp passages in the studio, or just jam with friends. 

If you’re in the market for an acoustic-electric that really caters to your electric tastes, the Martin SC-13E should be at the very top of your list.

Hear how SC-13E sounds:

Pros:

• Neck is smooth and effortless to play
• Cutaway and heelless design allow unlimited access to the upper frets
• Fishman MX-T electronics make it extremely versatile
• Koa veneer and visual appointments set it apart from traditional acoustics
• Acoustic electric guitar with Martin quality, sound, and feel

Cons:

• Not loud unless it is plugged in
• Neck design takes a while to get used to if you’re already an acoustic player

What others are saying:

Got my Martin SC-13E about a month ago and I love it. The tone is incredible as is the volume. Which is surprising for a smaller body guitar. And the smaller body fits me well. But the real story is the neck. Such a pleasure to play. It is advertised as an acoustic guitar for electric guitar players and it lives up to the hype. It did have a slight string buzz on the high E string in the higher register so I had it set up. The cost was minimal and well worth it to make it perfect. I LOVE THIS GUITAR and now my luthier loves it too. Well worth the money. – Norm from Nevada

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Runner-Ups That Just Missed The Top 5

• Runner-Up Best Overall – Martin D-18
• Runner-Up Best for Working Guitarist (Best Under $1000)- Martin D-10E
• Runner-Up Best Budget – Martin D-X1E
• Runner-Up Best for Electric Players – Martin GPC-16E
• Runner-Up Best Blues – Martin 000-X2E

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Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose The Right Martin Guitar for You?

Check our full How to Choose the Right Martin Guitar-guide here.

What you should know before buying:

• Martin guitars come in a variety of styles. Choose the style that best fits your playing abilities.
• Martins can be expensive. Make sure you budget correctly.
• Martin guitars can look the same but some are made with man-made materials such as Richlite, Micarta, TUSQ, and Corian. This will affect the overall tone of the guitar.
• Models with an “E” behind them denote that the guitar is equipped with Fishman MX (no tuner) or Fishman MX-T (tuner version) electronics. 
• Be warned: your friends will want to play your new Martin! It’s just impossible for them to resist. 

If you are a beginner, check our Beginners Martin guitar guide here.

What makes a good Martin?

This depends entirely on your personal tastes. I have broken down the reviews into helpful sections that are most commonly asked about.

There will always be a battle between all solid-wood guitars and those constructed of man-made materials. To say that one is better than the other is a matter of opinion. All of the Martins that I have played have been exceptional guitars. 

Also check this article: Are Martin Guitars Any Good?

What are Martin guitars good for?

Martins are more versatile than ever thanks to their new, innovative designs (such as the SC-13E). Martins are mostly known for their relationship to bluegrass, the blues, and folk music. Martin guitars just happen to be the weapon of choice for these musicians.

But this does not limit them to just these styles of music. They can be used in every genre – from jazz to rock and everything in between.

Learn how to take care of your acoustic guitar here.

Who should buy Martin guitars? 

Anyone who is looking for flawless craftsmanship and high-quality acoustic playability, tone, and looks deserve to get their hands on a Martin acoustic guitar. I have personally never heard anyone say that they regretted buying one. 

Who should look for another option?

If you’re into more innovative looks and styling, Martin guitars might be a little bland for you. You may check out Blue Ridge guitars for more fancy inlays and such.

 If you’re not really worried about acoustic tone but want exceptional playability and a great plugged-in sound, then you might be better off considering an Ovation.

If you want a deeper, louder sound than a Martin acoustic guitar can provide, then I would recommend checking out a Gibson Jumbo-style acoustic.

Where Are Martin Guitars Made?

The main Martin guitars factory is located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA.

Martin also has another factory in Navojoa, Mexico where they manufacture some cheaper guitar models, as well as strings and other instruments.

Learn more about where Martin guitars are made here.

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Conclusion On Best Martin Guitars

If you’re in the market for a Martin guitar, then use our guide as a road map to find your dream guitar. There were many, many hours spent compiling this list.

After traveling many miles to remote music shops and putting callouses on my callouses, it’s about as well-researched as it can get. These truly are the best martin guitars out there.

But it was totally worth it.

Even if the bossman thought I was dead, I enjoyed playing every single guitar listed here. I tried to get one thrown in as part of my pay, but alas, my request was denied. That’s ok: at least you have enough information to make a sound decision on your first (or next) Martin acoustic guitar. 

Now, the next step is simple: just choose one! You’ll write me thank-you notes, and my sore fingers will appreciate them. I promise you: you won’t go wrong. 

Check our picks for the best acoustic guitars under $1000.