Tag: Martin

Watch Martin Guitar’s New Documentary ‘Ballad of the Dreadnought,’ featuring Vince Gill, Sturgill Simpson and More

In homage to creating the first dreadnought in 1916, Martin Guitars is commemorating the 100 year anniversary with a new documentary, The Ballad of the Dreadnought. Watch here. Narrated by actor and Martin player Jeff Daniels, The Ballad of the Dreadnought traces the rise of the Martin Dreadnought from selling only a few dozen guitars…

Whitney Phaneuf
May 6, 2016

Merlefest 2016: Watch John Oates Go ‘One On One’ With His Mahogany Martin

After Hall & Oates came out of Philly with a blue-eyed soul sound that would top the pop charts by the late 1970s and through the early ’80s, John Oates eventually became sort of a Pip to Daryl Hall’s Gladys Knight. But today, Oates is one-on-one onstage with an acoustic…

Mark Kemp
May 1, 2016

Review: Martin’s 00L-17 Recalls Depression-Era Flattops

The 00L-17 sounds every bit as awesome as it feels. It’s got a lovely, uncluttered sound, heavy on fundamentals but with shimmering overtones and a nice natural reverb. The string-to-string balance is excellent, as are the projection and sustain. It’s definitely a more powerful instrument than would be expected of one of its size and scale length.

Adam Perlmutter
April 14, 2016

Martin Guitars ‘Distressed’ at Tarantino’s Treatment of Priceless Instrument

Why in the world was Quentin Tarantino--the "Madman of Movie Mayhem"--given access to a one-of-a-kind, century-and-a-half-old Martin guitar?

Mark Kemp
February 5, 2016

Martin Unveils Lennon D-28 & More at Winter NAMM 2016

C.F. Martin & Co. unveiled a pair of stunning commemorative guitars on Jan. 21 at Winter NAMM 2016: the D-222 Anniversary Edition, marking the 100th birthday of the steadfast dreadnought; and the D-28 John Lennon 75th Anniversary model, an imaginative homage to the late Beatle. In addition, Martin introduced new…

Acoustic Guitar Editors
January 25, 2016

Martin’s All-Mahogany 00-15E Pairs Vintage Look, Modern Electronics

The 00-15E’s mahogany soundboard isn’t as excitable as spruce, but the guitar is responsive whether I’m playing gently or digging in with a pick. Single-note lines and complex chords alike are clear and brilliant up and down the neck.

Adam Perlmutter
January 25, 2016

Stylized photo of a guitarist playing a dreadnought acoustic guitar. Photo by Jay Blakesberg

The Big Gun: Martin Dreadnought Celebrates 100 Years

In 1916 C.F. Martin & Co. created the biggest six-string guitar ever built. Here's a look at how the dreadnought has played a singularly unique role in the shaping of popular music.

Greg Cahill
January 21, 2016

Martin Dreadnought Inspires a Classic Rock Song

Robbie Robertson liked the opening words, “pulled into” somewhere, but got stuck for the rest of the line...

Mark Kemp
January 21, 2016

Enter to Win the Martin HD-28

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED Our lucky winner was Timothy T. from Fuquay Varina, NC

Sponsored Story
January 1, 2016

Martin CEO-7 Review

In a sense, all of Gibson’s flattop guitars are indebted to Martin designs, but with the CEO-7, Martin tips its hat to Gibson. Inspired by a mid-1930s L-00, this CEO is a no-frills flattop with distinctively sloped shoulders, a 14th-fret neck-to-body junction, and a sunburst soundboard finish.

Adam Perlmutter
December 31, 2015

Review: Martin GPCRSGT is Effortless to Play and Easy to Record Thanks to USB Output

This is not your grandfather’s Martin

Adam Perlmutter
July 20, 2015

screen grab of willie nelson playing Trigger

Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Trigger, Willie Nelson’s Martin N-20 Acoustic [Video]

Nelson and his Martin N-20 acoustic, Trigger, have been inseparable for five decades.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
February 11, 2015

Martin Guitar Unveils New Models and Vintage Tone System at NAMM 2015

In conjunction with the National Association of Music Merchants winter conference, which runs January 22-25, Martin Guitar will debut ten new models—some of which include its new Martin Vintage Tone System (VTS) process. See the full list below and here. 000-15M Burst – The 000-15M Burst, constructed with solid mahogany…

Acoustic Guitar Editors
January 12, 2015

Review: Martin D-35 Brazilian 50th Anniversary is an Instant Collectible

This special guitar is one of Martin’s finest D-35s to date

Adam Perlmutter
December 16, 2014

Player’s Choice Guitar of the Year: C.F. Martin D-28

Two elements that may have nudged the D-28 ahead of the pack in terms of popularity were the herringbone trim and scalloped top braces.

Mark Kemp
July 29, 2014

A Conversation with C.F. Martin IV, the CEO of Martin Guitars

After 27 years at the helm of America’s oldest and most storied guitar maker, Chris F. Martin IV has learned a thing or two about preserving a legacy. Unlike his father, C. F. Martin III, who headed the company through the disco era and resulting acoustic guitar market crash, Martin…

Greg Cahill
March 21, 2014

Review: Martin DCPA4 Siris Has a Modern Look and Versatile Sound

The DCPA4 Siris’s feel reflects its fusion of traditional and contemporary specs.

Teja Gerken
September 19, 2013

Acoustic Guitar editor Teja Gerken holding guitar for 11 affordable small bodied flattop guitars

Martin 000X1AE Review

Martin 000X1AE acoustic guitar review.

Teja Gerken
February 11, 2013

Review: Martin’s DRS1 is a Solid Dreadnought Designed For the Working Musician

Luckily for those unable to afford a D-28, Martin recently unveiled the DRS1—a guitar with many similarities to the American-made D-15, but built in Martin’s Mexican facility.

Adam Perlmutter
January 13, 2013

Review: Martin 000C Nylon Has Familiar Steel-String Sound with Electronics and Some Unusual Features

The Martin 000C's strong lower mids combine with a crisp high end to produce a scooped tone completely different from the sound usually associated with classical instruments.

Doug Young
January 4, 2013

Review: Martin 0-28VS is a 12-Fret Loaded with Character

This updated and reissued design is part of Martin's Vintage series.

Stevie Coyle
January 3, 2013

Review: Martin OM-21 Keeps Characteristic Tone with Updated Features

The OM-21 has been part of Martin’s line for quite some time, but the latest version has some updated features.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
December 12, 2012