Best Martin guitars: we rank the legendary acoustics of an industry icon

As the inventors of X-bracing and the dreadnought body shape, C.F. Martin & Co is interwoven into the DNA of acoustic guitars as we know them today. So when you buy one of the best Martin guitars, you’re quite literally buying into a piece of guitar history. Few other brands come with such a storied heritage, making Martin’s some of the most sought-after six strings around.

While Martin's esteemed heritage does come with premium pricing, their catalog also features excellent affordable options, like those in the X-Series. Martin is not content to rely solely on its established formulas. The introduction of the offset SC series a few years ago caught many by surprise, but Martin's innovation paid off, as it has quickly become a popular model.

In their 190-year history, Martin has produced millions of acoustics across a wide array of ranges, making it challenging to pick the best one. Fortunately, we’ve scoured its extensive lineup to present you with the best Martin acoustics. Our list includes a variety of models to suit different playing styles, whether you need an electro-acoustic for gigging or the best option for beginners, Martin has something for everyone.

If you’re unfamiliar with Martin Guitars or new to the acoustic guitar, be sure to check out our buying advice section before making your choice. If you’re ready to see the best Martin acoustics available today, keep scrolling to see our top picks.

Our top picks

For our top pick, it just had to be the Martin D-28 Re-Imagined. A reissue of probably the most famous acoustic guitar ever made, the D-28 has been heard in the hands of legendary guitar players like Elvis, McCartney, Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Kurt Cobain. With its benchmark dreadnought sound and outstanding clarity, the D-28 isn’t just the best Martin guitar, but one of the best acoustic guitars period.

From classic guitar to modern classic, the Martin SC-13E takes second place for us. It’s a modern acoustic through and through, with Fishman electronics, Sure Align neck system, and unique offset looks that are a far cry from the classic dreadnought shape Martin is known for. It may be modern, but it sounds every bit classic Martin with plenty of low-end despite its unusual shape.

Best overall

It’s the defining dreadnought in acoustic guitar history, so no surprise to find the Martin D-28 at the top of our list. When Martin announced they would be ‘re-imagining’ their classic dreadnought there was much skepticism but we needn’t have worried, this remix is absolutely brilliant.

The forward-shifted bracing means there’s an increase in projection but without any hint of being boomy. Instead, it’s balanced no matter your playing style, the embodiment of an all-rounder when it comes to acoustic guitar tone. There’s that piano-like clarity we know and love from Martin, making it a brilliant recording guitar, as well as great for pairing with a live vocal.

The neck profile has changed too, with a higher nut width but slimmer neck profile offering a slick feeling playing experience. It improves how fingerstyle feels thanks to the string spacing, but it still feels fast when you need it. Despite these slight changes, it still feels every bit the legendary dreadnought we know and love.

Best modern Martin

When the Martin SC-13E first landed guitarists couldn’t believe it was actually a Martin. So radical is the design of the body with its cavernous cutaway and revolutionary neck heel that it was met with some skepticism but we needn’t have worried, this guitar is absolutely brilliant.

Martin had to design special bracing to accommodate the radical body shape, but they somehow managed to maintain that timeless Martin tone. Acoustically it’s punchy with plenty of projection and a lovely balanced sound across the spectrum. When you plug it in there’s a little quack and compression when you play aggressively, but it’s not an issue for the majority of playstyles.

The neck is something else as well thanks to that revolutionary Sure Align neck system that delivers a heel-less attachment, giving you unparalleled upper fret access. The profile itself is helical, which is a fancy way of saying it gets thinner as you move toward the body. Whilst it’s a guitar for the future, even traditional players might find themselves swayed by the extraordinary playability of this acoustic.

Read the full Martin SC-13E review

Best mahogany Martin

There’s a lot to be said for futuristic designs and complex manufacturing procedures but sometimes the best things are the simplest. The Martin 000-15M is a prime example of this, an acoustic guitar with no extraneous frills that delivers a phenomenal playing experience.

It’s an all-solid Mahogany construction but it’s not just a Delta blues machine, the 000-15M delivers a supremely balanced tone that’s full of clarity and articulation. It doesn’t have as wide a range as a Spruce top guitar, but we found that to be to its advantage, as it sits nicely in a mix or accompanying vocals.

Despite the lack of cutaway, you can still easily reach the 12th fret for when you do want to do some blues licks, and the overall profile is somewhere between a ‘C’ and ‘V’ shape. The narrower nut width makes everything feel very comfortable whether you’re fretting chords or playing fingerstyle.

Best premium Martin

When you get to a certain price point with acoustics guitars, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re in status symbol territory, but with the Martin D-45, it’s an instrument that really is worth every penny. Marrying timeless design with the best in materials and build quality, this is a sumptuous guitar for professional players.

The sound is absolutely incredible, from the merest strike of your fingers to the hardest strum you can muster, playing the D-45 is an astounding experience. The bass response is incredible, a testament to the quality craftsmanship but it still retains an excellent balance with full mids and velvety highs.

The asymmetric neck profile is a joy to play on, and the fretboard has been PLEK’d to ensure every fret is perfectly aligned and the playing surface is totally flat too. It’s a feel that’s somewhere between modern playability and classic heft, and it all adds up to the supernatural experience of playing one of these incredible guitars.

Best for fingerstyle

Aiming to give acoustic guitar players a no-frills experience without compromising on tone, the Martin 000-17’s looks hide a deceptively deep sound. The burst finish brings a decidedly vintage aesthetic to the ‘17, but it’s every bit the modern acoustic guitar underneath.

A classic Spruce and Mahogany tonewood combo delivers a lovely balance of tone and it’s louder than you’d think even with its slightly smaller size. Fingerstyle works incredibly well with this acoustic, thanks to the even balance of bass and trebles.

The neck very much sits in the Goldilocks zone of being thin enough for fast playability but hefty enough to feel comfortable with complex chords. The frets are nice and even across the length of the rosewood fretboard, making for an effortless playing experience.

Best on a budget

Whilst it’s billed as entry-level, the Martin X Series D-X1E is actually significantly more expensive than your average beginner acoustic guitar. However there’s something to be said for making a strong start when you begin playing the acoustic, and that’s certainly what you’ll get with this dreadnought.

New to the 2024 models, we have figured high-pressure laminate top and sides, to add a bit of visual pizzazz. Although HPL is used to keep the costs down, the D-X1E has an excellent response, especially when you play it gently. Fingerpicking feels great but it’s not averse to digging in either, responding with a confident voice.

Out of the box, the action is really low so it will definitely make for a great first playing experience. It’s a silky smooth feel on the fretboard and gives confidence to new and old players alike. Add in Martin’s proprietary E-1 electronic pickup system and you’ve got a great beginner guitar that will take you to your first shows.

Best for beginners

Despite being on the lower end of the price scale, the Martin DJR-10E features an all-solid construction and build quality that belies its price tag. Coming in a junior dreadnought size, it’s comfortable for beginners and veterans alike.

The DJR-10E has a sublime unplugged sound and whilst it lacks the low end of a full-sized dreadnought, it certainly sounds big enough when you strum open chords. With fingerpicking, you get a mellow and round sound that’s lovely and responsive. The onboard preamp leaves a little to be desired, but the unplugged experience more than makes up for any shortcomings here.

The smaller size makes it super comfortable in your lap, and the fretboard feels lovely to play thanks to the 16” radius. It’s a great guitar whether you’re sitting on your sofa strumming or properly going for it in the classical position.

Best for travel

Made popular by Ed Sheeran, the Martin LX1E Little Martin is a 3/4 acoustic guitar that’s a lot louder than you’d expect. Ideal for traveling guitarists or younger players, the LX1E is one of the most popular acoustic guitars of the last ten years.

Of course, due to its small size, there’s not that boomy low end you get with a dreadnought, but despite that, it still offers an inspiring sound that’s articulate with plenty of action in the mid and high end. There’s a little boxiness but it responds fantastically well to playing dynamics to make up for it.

As it’s a short-scale guitar, the frets are closer together than some might be used to. For players with smaller hands, this means an easier time fretting complex chords, or for beginner players just getting started with the instrument. No matter what your playing ability, it feels fantastic with both strumming and fingerstyle, making it a brilliant guitar all around.

Read the full Martin LX1E Little Martin review

Best 12-string

t’s fair to say that acoustic 12-string guitars add a distinctive, harmonically rich texture to any track. Just think back to those early David Bowie tracks, or maybe the most iconic intro ever – Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. There’s just something so captivating about the choral tones of a 12-string guitar. Martin’s D-X2E Brazilian 12-String is one of the best in its current range.

Slotting nicely into the X-Series, the D-X2E is a solid spruce top with Brazilian rosewood High-Pressure Laminate back and sides. Having twice as many strings as a regular, coupled with Martin’s boomy dreadnought body, this thing is like a cannon. It’s attention-grabbingly loud but with a confident clarity and articulation that some 12-strings struggle with. New to the 24 series is Martin’s own electronic system, the E-1. Although it doesn’t set the world on fire, it does the job admirably, leaving little space for criticism.

As a 12-string, a slight neck dive is to be anticipated, and it's fair to say it doesn't claim the title of the most versatile acoustic out there. It might not be the ideal choice for Andy McKee-style fingerpicking. Nevertheless, if you're after a Martin 12-string that won't break the bank and still has ample charm, the D-X2E 12-string is your go-to.

FAQs

How we choose the best Martin guitars

At Guitar World, we are a team of passionate guitarists who appreciate the timeless craftsmanship and exquisite tone of Martin guitars. With our deep admiration for Martin's rich heritage and commitment to excellence, we have meticulously explored and played numerous guitars to identify the best Martin instruments available.

To compile our list of top Martin guitars, we combine our practical expertise, meticulous research, and insightful discussions with our editorial team. We consider factors such as tone, playability, build quality, aesthetics, and value for money, ensuring that we showcase the finest acoustic guitars on the market.

As devoted musicians ourselves, we understand the significance of finding the perfect instrument that resonates with your playing style and musical preferences. Whether you're a fingerstyle aficionado or a strummer, our goal is to provide reliable and informed recommendations that help you discover the ideal Martin guitar for your musical journey.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.

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