I played a version of this two months ago. Amped it up, great sound and very easy to play. Just like you said, the body sits easy in your lap. The neck seemed quick like an electric and very easy to play, just like you indicated. I think it’s a great guitar. Not for me since I don’t gig but if I did it would definitely be in my collection. Thank you again for these wonderful videos.
The Ziricote guitar is much "warmer" through my nice studio monitors, and sound a bit more balanced. The Koa seems much brighter, a bit louder and has more "attack".
I traded in a much more expensive Taylor 516 for one of these. At the same time as trying out the SC13-E, I tried an 0-18 and an OM-21. The SC13 was the one I went for. Note: I was looking for an all round acoustic guitar here.Over 2 months of ownership now I can say for me personally, this is the best Martin I've owned. That's included 2 000-15's, D-15, 000C-16e, D-16 and a 000-28. In fact since replacing the not so great Fishman electronics with an LR Baggs Anthem I'd say it's the best all round acoustic I've owned to date. Setup, comfort and playability is superb. A wonderful neck esp if you have smallish hands. Very balanced tone with great clarity, good projection, volume and proper Martin sound (the initial treble 'fizz' has reduced as it settled down). Great value for money! I now await the bomdardment of upset high end Taylor, traditional Martin owners..
I was curious and played a SC-10E at a music store in my home town. I was pretty blown away. I then wanted to try a SC-13E, thinking they would be better. I drove over 50 miles and I played 3 13E's that had the same electronics (all Fishman's). I did NOT plug any of them in. I couldn't believe that the original 10E was SO much more warmer (Matt finish) and had such projection and certainly had some of the tone of your Martin sound. All were good, the 10E was GREAT. 1599.00 for the 13E and only 1299.99 for the 10E. So I will NOT be buying the 13E but will be buying a 10E. I love saving money but would have bought the best sounding. Who would have thought that I'd end up liking the warmth and tone of the cheaper one best?
I tried one of the earlier models and was most definitely impressed, with both the playability of it as well as the sound. I bet if you try it you’ll buy it. The one I played had Fishman electronics. If they make an solid b/s I probably couldn’t afford it. A shade top would be great 👍
I bought mine from you guys awhile back ,no issues with it works for me well at gigs since I do some soloing on the acoustic,I have it set up ala lifeson stand where I’m mobile freely between the electric and the Sc13e.I wish it came with a case not a gig bag and when I first got it ,it felt like a toy in size and weight,but it hold its own.Thanks you guys,rock!
I've had an SC13e for a year. Never had a Martin, but I always liked the sound. My wife bought me the SC13e for Christmas online during the COVID scare a little over a year ago. My experience: 1) The tuner was so slow it would not display as you tuned. 2) The pickguard had sharp edges. Hurt to play it. 3) Fret sprout, cut my hands. Sliding a piece of note paper up and down the fretboard shredded the paper. I contacted Martin and sent it back to them. Results: The tuner still doesn't respond. Nothing done. It still sucks! Pickguard: They did bevel the pickguard, but originally said that they only bevel the pickguards on their "more expensive" guitars. I don't know what they call expensive. Fret sprout: It was OK when I got it back, but it developed the problem again. Two hundred dollars in luthier tools and three days labor later I fixed it myself. Thought I was done with that problem. But the fret sprout issue has returned again. When the weather warms up I have an offer from my dealer to have their technician try to fix it one more time. Note: I have twenty guitars. One of them is my father's 1940's Gibson. NONE of them ever had a problem with sharp frets. This Martin was Made in Mexico. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. A friend came over to visit a couple of weeks ago and I was telling him about my experience with this guitar. As I went to open the gig bag they call a case, one of the cheap plastic tassels broke off the zipper. He tried not to laugh. I failed to see the humor. I am disappointed. I expected better from a Martin product. Oh well, Caveat Emptor!
It sounds like you got a dud. I would have just asked Martin for your money back or at least upgrade you. That is funny about the comment they made. "we only do that on expensive guitars". For such an expensive guitar that is MIM, and it doesn't have all solid wood, it's a pretty cheap comment. With that said, I played the SC 13 special and the SC 13 today at a GC and they played and sounded good, none of the issues that you have. I preferred the neck on the sc 13 spec, but I don't think I would drop 1800 on one, plus tax.
@@googleboy7 That bums me out dude, because they basically made a qualitative point about your purchase. i.e you didn't spend enough for us to care, or the money that you did spend was on an inferior product. Which amounts to it's your own fault. Which of course you and I know it is not. Whether you spend $500/$1,000/$5,000 that should not inform Martin's decision to help you. I rarely buy new gear, but if you do decide to go in another direction you can usually find a really good used Taylor for $1000-$1500. Good luck! They have "better" QC than Martin.
@@pepppery To be candid. Martin did take the guitar back and try to fix it. They beveled the pick guard.. But they could not fix the tuner. They tried to dress the fret sprout, but it came right back. Martin blamed it on "humidity". Funny, NONE of my other 24 guitars have that problem, including my dad's 1946 Gibson. I baby my guitars. A friend came over and when I went to open the case, the cheap plastic strap broke off the zipper. Ok, I bought $200 WORTH OF Luther tools and I'm going to try and fix it myself. On a positive note, I recently bought an EART Tele clone. The fret work is magnificent! Shalom/gw
I'm confused. I bought this model and wanted to adjust the action so I contacted martin to get specific instructions on Changing the shims and removing the neck etc. They told me to not touch it and it's set up out of the box and if I need an adjustment to use the truss rod set screw like most other guitars
Any chance you're planning on reviewing the SC-10E? I'm having trouble finding an actual hands on review of that 2022 model. The specs on Martin aren't very clear on the differences between it and the older SC-13E.
How can a little fine piece of veneer on both identic laminate back and side can make such a huge difference in term of sound ? I dont get it xD. Also, does veneers are assemble on each end (top and bottom) of the plywood, or really just an aesthetic piece ? im asking because im looking to get the dreadnought version a little more boomier d-13e ziricote :)
Couple points ... it's called SC-13E because it's a "Style 13" guitar, not because it has 13 frets ... the skeleton tuners on the SC-13e Special are unique ratios for each string, the purpose being the same amount of turns yields the same cents difference on each string.
The SC series has custom lights, 11-52 gauge, strings. How would the guitar sound with, 12-54 gauge strings? Has anyone out there tuned their SC to an open (D or G) tuning?
@@B__Mer where did you learn about it? I just got the SC-10E in guitar center and was contemplating exchanging it for a 000-15M or an SC-13E Special Road Edition. Then I saw this and was wondering if I should return it and just wait and learn piano this year and save guitar for next year.
I wish acoustic guitar manufacturers would put a little more style into their guitars like electrics do. These may be great guitars, but they're so boring looking. Why not give people options with different colors, patterns, etc. You could still keep the same old look like these as an option, but why not give other options?
Im a martin guy but I think they could do with getting a few pointers from Taylor on how to get the best sound out of any layered back and sides.. the 100 and 200 series tylors sound great but any x series martin or or non solid wood martin sounds like a toy imo.
Laminates are slightly different. This is a veneer. SOLID African Mahogany (Khaya) core, with veneers on both sides. That's an upgrade from inexpensive "laminated" guitars where its pretty wood on the outside but inexpensive wood hidden inside. YMMV
Love your thoughts and depth of analysis guys, but you keep interrupting each other! Neither of you gets a full thought out before the other one jumps in!
Laminates are slightly different. This is a veneer. SOLID African Mahogany (Khaya) core, with veneers on both sides. That's an upgrade from inexpensive "laminated" guitars where its pretty wood on the outside but inexpensive wood hidden inside. YMMV
@@MaurysMusic I do agree. Especially when there's different needs for different people. I would like to see it made of solid wood. I 💕 the design and engineering. Maybe some day.
I played a version of this two months ago. Amped it up, great sound and very easy to play. Just like you said, the body sits easy in your lap. The neck seemed quick like an electric and very easy to play, just like you indicated. I think it’s a great guitar. Not for me since I don’t gig but if I did it would definitely be in my collection. Thank you again for these wonderful videos.
NICE VIDEO !!! Greetings from Europe , Estonia.
The Ziricote guitar is much "warmer" through my nice studio monitors, and sound a bit more balanced. The Koa seems much brighter, a bit louder and has more "attack".
but its laminate not solid wood....is there really a difference?
@@glennc100 Laminates have as much difference and variation in tone and timbre as solids, maybe even more actually.
@@MichaelMakowski2006 didn’t know. So the difference between the special and standard SC wood is the ziricote?
I traded in a much more expensive Taylor 516 for one of these. At the same time as trying out the SC13-E, I tried an 0-18 and an OM-21. The SC13 was the one I went for. Note: I was looking for an all round acoustic guitar here.Over 2 months of ownership now I can say for me personally, this is the best Martin I've owned. That's included 2 000-15's, D-15, 000C-16e, D-16 and a 000-28. In fact since replacing the not so great Fishman electronics with an LR Baggs Anthem I'd say it's the best all round acoustic I've owned to date. Setup, comfort and playability is superb. A wonderful neck esp if you have smallish hands. Very balanced tone with great clarity, good projection, volume and proper Martin sound (the initial treble 'fizz' has reduced as it settled down). Great value for money! I now await the bomdardment of upset high end Taylor, traditional Martin owners..
I was curious and played a SC-10E at a music store in my home town. I was pretty blown away. I then wanted to try a SC-13E, thinking they would be better. I drove over 50 miles and I played 3 13E's that had the same electronics (all Fishman's). I did NOT plug any of them in. I couldn't believe that the original 10E was SO much more warmer (Matt finish) and had such projection and certainly had some of the tone of your Martin sound. All were good, the 10E was GREAT. 1599.00 for the 13E and only 1299.99 for the 10E.
So I will NOT be buying the 13E but will be buying a 10E. I love saving money but would have bought the best sounding. Who would have thought that I'd end up liking the warmth and tone of the cheaper one best?
I had both 10 e way better🙏🙏
I tried one of the earlier models and was most definitely impressed, with both the playability of it as well as the sound. I bet if you try it you’ll buy it. The one I played had Fishman electronics. If they make an solid b/s I probably couldn’t afford it. A shade top would be great 👍
I bought mine from you guys awhile back ,no issues with it works for me well at gigs since I do some soloing on the acoustic,I have it set up ala lifeson stand where I’m mobile freely between the electric and the Sc13e.I wish it came with a case not a gig bag and when I first got it ,it felt like a toy in size and weight,but it hold its own.Thanks you guys,rock!
I picked this up a few months ago and it’s such a joy to play. Love it
I've had an SC13e for a year. Never had a Martin, but I always liked the sound. My wife bought me the SC13e for Christmas online during the COVID scare a little over a year ago. My experience: 1) The tuner was so slow it would not display as you tuned. 2) The pickguard had sharp edges. Hurt to play it. 3) Fret sprout, cut my hands. Sliding a piece of note paper up and down the fretboard shredded the paper. I contacted Martin and sent it back to them. Results: The tuner still doesn't respond. Nothing done. It still sucks! Pickguard: They did bevel the pickguard, but originally said that they only bevel the pickguards on their "more expensive" guitars. I don't know what they call expensive. Fret sprout: It was OK when I got it back, but it developed the problem again. Two hundred dollars in luthier tools and three days labor later I fixed it myself. Thought I was done with that problem. But the fret sprout issue has returned again. When the weather warms up I have an offer from my dealer to have their technician try to fix it one more time. Note: I have twenty guitars. One of them is my father's 1940's Gibson. NONE of them ever had a problem with sharp frets. This Martin was Made in Mexico. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. A friend came over to visit a couple of weeks ago and I was telling him about my experience with this guitar. As I went to open the gig bag they call a case, one of the cheap plastic tassels broke off the zipper. He tried not to laugh. I failed to see the humor. I am disappointed. I expected better from a Martin product. Oh well, Caveat Emptor!
It sounds like you got a dud. I would have just asked Martin for your money back or at least upgrade you. That is funny about the comment they made. "we only do that on expensive guitars". For such an expensive guitar that is MIM, and it doesn't have all solid wood, it's a pretty cheap comment.
With that said, I played the SC 13 special and the SC 13 today at a GC and they played and sounded good, none of the issues that you have. I preferred the neck on the sc 13 spec, but I don't think I would drop 1800 on one, plus tax.
@@pepppery This guitar cost me over $1,500. But Martin says that's not expensive. I guess I should just feel grateful that I own a "Martin"!
@@googleboy7 That bums me out dude, because they basically made a qualitative point about your purchase. i.e you didn't spend enough for us to care, or the money that you did spend was on an inferior product. Which amounts to it's your own fault. Which of course you and I know it is not. Whether you spend $500/$1,000/$5,000 that should not inform Martin's decision to help you. I rarely buy new gear, but if you do decide to go in another direction you can usually find a really good used Taylor for $1000-$1500. Good luck! They have "better" QC than Martin.
@@pepppery To be candid. Martin did take the guitar back and try to fix it. They beveled the pick guard.. But they could not fix the tuner. They tried to dress the fret sprout, but it came right back. Martin blamed it on "humidity". Funny, NONE of my other 24 guitars have that problem, including my dad's 1946 Gibson. I baby my guitars. A friend came over and when I went to open the case, the cheap plastic strap broke off the zipper. Ok, I bought $200 WORTH OF Luther tools and I'm going to try and fix it myself. On a positive note, I recently bought an EART Tele clone. The fret work is magnificent! Shalom/gw
As Bruce Davidson says "Explore the space baby, explore the space...Oh, and I need a little more cowbell..."
Great video guys - those guitars look and sound real nice.
I'm confused. I bought this model and wanted to adjust the action so I contacted martin to get specific instructions on Changing the shims and removing the neck etc. They told me to not touch it and it's set up out of the box and if I need an adjustment to use the truss rod set screw like most other guitars
Any chance you're planning on reviewing the SC-10E? I'm having trouble finding an actual hands on review of that 2022 model. The specs on Martin aren't very clear on the differences between it and the older SC-13E.
I am waiting for a lefthanded version and al in solid woody.
How can a little fine piece of veneer on both identic laminate back and side can make such a huge difference in term of sound ? I dont get it xD. Also, does veneers are assemble on each end (top and bottom) of the plywood, or really just an aesthetic piece ? im asking because im looking to get the dreadnought version a little more boomier d-13e ziricote :)
is an all-sollid wood version of this model?
I wished a could play a guitar as well as you do quinton
Good comparison. These SC-13Es are really something special = all 3 trims. SC-10E might become just as popular. #martinpride
Ziricote sounds so much fuller than the Koa to me.
SC 13E or the Taylor 214 ce DlX ??????
Couple points ... it's called SC-13E because it's a "Style 13" guitar, not because it has 13 frets ... the skeleton tuners on the SC-13e Special are unique ratios for each string, the purpose being the same amount of turns yields the same cents difference on each string.
The SC series has custom lights, 11-52 gauge, strings. How would the guitar sound with, 12-54 gauge strings? Has anyone out there tuned their SC to an open (D or G) tuning?
Bolt-on-neck could be useful for travel. The back seems to have x-bracing
The Fishman pickup sounded better, it was like there is more space between the strings. Thanks for the video and namaste
I’m still hoping they make a version with all solid wood
It's coming
@@MaurysMusic would you think maybe this year? Or probably next? I’d love a solid wood version of this.
@@B__Mer seriously? That would be amazing.
@@B__Mer where can I read it?
Can’t find any articles about it.
@@B__Mer where did you learn about it?
I just got the SC-10E in guitar center and was contemplating exchanging it for a 000-15M or an SC-13E Special Road Edition.
Then I saw this and was wondering if I should return it and just wait and learn piano this year and save guitar for next year.
Expensive for this Dali type aesthetic...I love my 000-15M Martin.
Thanks for the review 🎶🎶🎶
Interesting style. Just love a dreadnought
This will not leave a good mark for Martin…imo Picasso may
Love the fact that Paul is out there selling guitars (not saying that in a bad way) and Quinton is least bothered 😅
My Ovation sounds like those Martins if I play it in my shower stall.
Not a fan of koa, solid or not.
Absorbs more vibration than most anything else.
why are these guys always fighting to talk first . be polite and professional
That X is bracing
7:20 Subterranean Homesick Alien
The Ziricote sounds HUGE compared to the Standard.... not even in the same ballpark... HA.
I wish acoustic guitar manufacturers would put a little more style into their guitars like electrics do. These may be great guitars, but they're so boring looking. Why not give people options with different colors, patterns, etc. You could still keep the same old look like these as an option, but why not give other options?
Im a martin guy but I think they could do with getting a few pointers from Taylor on how to get the best sound out of any layered back and sides.. the 100 and 200 series tylors sound great but any x series martin or or non solid wood martin sounds like a toy imo.
Zircote sounds much more full, and chimey
Laminated blah
Laminates are slightly different. This is a veneer. SOLID African Mahogany (Khaya) core, with veneers on both sides. That's an upgrade from inexpensive "laminated" guitars where its pretty wood on the outside but inexpensive wood hidden inside. YMMV
look like talyor guitar
Love your thoughts and depth of analysis guys, but you keep interrupting each other! Neither of you gets a full thought out before the other one jumps in!
It’s a pity they look wonky and poor. Wish they were better looking as the clearly sound great and work well for gigging
Laminates are like breast implants. You don't get what you thought you were getting.
Laminates are slightly different. This is a veneer. SOLID African Mahogany (Khaya) core, with veneers on both sides. That's an upgrade from inexpensive "laminated" guitars where its pretty wood on the outside but inexpensive wood hidden inside. YMMV
@@MaurysMusic I do agree. Especially when there's different needs for different people. I would like to see it made of solid wood. I 💕 the design and engineering. Maybe some day.
Why Gibson and Martin dreadnoughts all the time ? I’m very tired of seeing this,
I'm a dread/classic guy, disappointed that Martin would come out with more aesthetically-challenged crap like these. Next...
Martin exists to please you alone?
@willwetherell7265 it appears so. Jajajajaja Jajajajaja