Recently found one of these used but in absolutely mint condition for 350$ with the bag. And I feel like it was the deal of the century. Had a setup done by previous owner with a really low action and no buzz or anything abnormal. And I have a Yamaha fg800 I started on with bone upgrades saddle pins and nut and I just can’t get enough of the Martin. It’s a much darker bluesy tone with much more bass. Yet it’s more mellow. I wish I could afford a solid wood Martin but honestly I’m pretty dang happy with the X series.
My current X series sounds fantastic! It handles the elements very well. Extreme heat and cold have not been an issue and it's been tested 3-4years and going incredibly strong still. Hard road use, little maintenance. Awesome affordable quality tool! 🤙
I changed from lifespan phos bronze to kovar luxe - both light gauge - on my Martin 012 28 and love them - a bit softer in sound but better note separation - I'm a bare finger picker and I love them
I’ve got several Martin laminates hpl, including this one they all sound and feel great! I also have several high end guitars that I would not want to use outdoors/ campfire environments so the HPLs are great instruments in these situations. Also very durable
I’ve got the dread, similar to the one in the video. I use it as my travel guitar. Truth be told I was impressed with the tone for it being all HPL. Also a great guitar to leave out if you’ve got small kids around.
The way Martin does HPL is using wood dust and sawdust put under pressure (possibly with a resin, pressure increasing temperature) to produce a material like many counter tops. It is bonded to an image of a nice wood back. How do these sound compared to a carbon fiber guitar? Thanks Quinton and Paul.
High-pressure laminate guitars have their time and place. I was fortunate enough to purchase a Yamaha for $100.00 (an HPL instrument) which sounds quite good for what it is. I would need to try the demonstrated instruments in the hand to see how they felt to play. They sound nice enough over my speakers.
Having had both Carbon Fiber guitars and these HPL Martins....I like these Martin Guitars for the sound as it still sounds like a Martin. The Carbon Fiber type guitars (for my ears) gets on my nerves after playing them awhile ( sounding harsh ). These Martins don't do that . Had a Carbon Fiber Cello.......same thing. Sounded great at the first 15 minutes, but the more I played it , the more I didn't like it. Sold the Carbon Fiber & got a Eastman Cello which I just LOVE. Just throwing in my 2 cents from experience with both. Others may prefer Carbon Fiber instruments. Thanks (as always) for the reviews you guys do ! 🎸🎸🎸
Hope they have the stratabond neck like the older models . Those necks stayed "put". I think these are wonderful travel guitars / second "stage" guitar. Do these have electronics built in ?
The Martin Special X Koa do not have built-in electronics. For $499 though, the price is pretty good. If you want electronics the Martin D-X1E is only about $50 more. I have a Martin D-X2E (HPL back and side with a solid spruce wood top). I've been very happy with it. Sounds terrific acoustically and plugged in to an amp.
@@louieo.blevinsmusic4197 Depends on what size body you like but they all should sound just fine in drop D - you may want to look at an E1-D, that's the model I reference above that is all solid wood for under $600.00. CANNOT go wrong with an EASTMAN. If you want their high end dred that would be the E40D. I have one of those as well and they are great. (and I have a slew of high end Martin, Gibson, Collings, and Taylor guitars)
The price is ridiculous for non-wood guitar. I guess you pay for the name. I can buy two solid top wood guitars from different brand for the price of this Martin.
Recently found one of these used but in absolutely mint condition for 350$ with the bag. And I feel like it was the deal of the century. Had a setup done by previous owner with a really low action and no buzz or anything abnormal. And I have a Yamaha fg800 I started on with bone upgrades saddle pins and nut and I just can’t get enough of the Martin. It’s a much darker bluesy tone with much more bass. Yet it’s more mellow. I wish I could afford a solid wood Martin but honestly I’m pretty dang happy with the X series.
Ive had one for 15+ yrs. Setup hasnt changed. Sits at the shop and has been a awsome knock around guitar. Sounds better plugged in also
My current X series sounds fantastic! It handles the elements very well. Extreme heat and cold have not been an issue and it's been tested 3-4years and going incredibly strong still. Hard road use, little maintenance. Awesome affordable quality tool! 🤙
I changed from lifespan phos bronze to kovar luxe - both light gauge - on my Martin 012 28 and love them - a bit softer in sound but better note separation - I'm a bare finger picker and I love them
I’ve got several Martin laminates hpl, including this one they all sound and feel great! I also have several high end guitars that I would not want to use outdoors/ campfire environments so the HPLs are great instruments in these situations. Also very durable
I’ve got the dread, similar to the one in the video. I use it as my travel guitar. Truth be told I was impressed with the tone for it being all HPL. Also a great guitar to leave out if you’ve got small kids around.
The way Martin does HPL is using wood dust and sawdust put under pressure (possibly with a resin, pressure increasing temperature) to produce a material like many counter tops. It is bonded to an image of a nice wood back. How do these sound compared to a carbon fiber guitar? Thanks Quinton and Paul.
High-pressure laminate guitars have their time and place. I was fortunate enough to purchase a Yamaha for $100.00 (an HPL instrument) which sounds quite good for what it is. I would need to try the demonstrated instruments in the hand to see how they felt to play. They sound nice enough over my speakers.
Having had both Carbon Fiber guitars and these HPL Martins....I like these Martin Guitars for the sound as it still sounds like a Martin. The Carbon Fiber type guitars (for my ears) gets on my nerves after playing them awhile ( sounding harsh ). These Martins don't do that . Had a Carbon Fiber Cello.......same thing. Sounded great at the first 15 minutes, but the more I played it , the more I didn't like it. Sold the Carbon Fiber & got a Eastman Cello which I just LOVE. Just throwing in my 2 cents from experience with both. Others may prefer Carbon Fiber instruments. Thanks (as always) for the reviews you guys do ! 🎸🎸🎸
Another fun review guys. In my opinion, nobody does all solid better than Martin, and nobody does laminate/ layered guitars better than Taylor.
Takamine are way better.
Laminate Single O sounds kinda cool. For the right price point, I would be interested...
They sound OK to me. Just wondering how long the HPL lasts. Does it start going soft after a while? Great price for a budget Martin though.
Hope they have the stratabond neck like the older models . Those necks stayed "put". I think these are wonderful travel guitars / second "stage" guitar. Do these have electronics built in ?
The Martin Special X Koa do not have built-in electronics. For $499 though, the price is pretty good. If you want electronics the Martin D-X1E is only about $50 more. I have a Martin D-X2E (HPL back and side with a solid spruce wood top). I've been very happy with it. Sounds terrific acoustically and plugged in to an amp.
Really important point about needing to humidify the wood braces - I didn’t consider that!
For a bit more, $579.00, you can an ALL WOOD Eastman. (Yes, I am a Martin guy AND an EASTMAN guy)
Me too
Eastman’s are fantastic but I like these because I can leave them out.
Never played an Eastman. What type of Eastman’s should I check out? Especially one that sounds great great in drop D?
@@louieo.blevinsmusic4197 Depends on what size body you like but they all should sound just fine in drop D - you may want to look at an E1-D, that's the model I reference above that is all solid wood for under $600.00. CANNOT go wrong with an EASTMAN. If you want their high end dred that would be the E40D. I have one of those as well and they are great. (and I have a slew of high end Martin, Gibson, Collings, and Taylor guitars)
I have a Martin with HPL back and sides and it’s terrible. Always go for all wood.
pretty is what counts wee lovely
Don't mind the laminate body, hate the necks
The one guitar I liked in the store and finding out it’s not wood ☹️ why is it so expensive at $600+
They sound hollow
Koa has a more airy lighter ambience imo but the hpl is another cause
The price is ridiculous for non-wood guitar. I guess you pay for the name. I can buy two solid top wood guitars from different brand for the price of this Martin.
I haven't heard anyone say anything good about them
HPL 😂😂😂😂 the price is not under pressure.
They can sell their garbage mixed with epoxy
Koa-like plastic 🤣🤣🤣
I'm sorry,but sounds very bad.