Gearank

Gearank Recommendation

The Martin D-10E appeared on our recommended list for Acoustic-Electric Guitars from April 2021 until August 2022 when it was out-ranked by the Taylor 214ce.

Overview

With their long history of building guitars since 1833, and long line of big name artist endorsers, C.F. Martin & Co. is an acoustic guitar brand that's hard to miss. Even more so when you consider that they were the ones who developed the popular dreadnought design.

The D-10E updates their classic dreadnought design with modern electronics and makes it more accessible.

It features a solid sitka spruce top with non-scalloped x-bracing, paired with sapele sides and back that form its ever so familiar dreadnought shape.

It also features Martin's famous square tapered headstock.

All this results in tone that follows after the many dreadnoughts that they've made, only this one is more accessibly priced.

The D-10E comes equipped with a discrete preamp and pickup system from Fishman called the MX-T system, which is an upgraded version of their Sonicore. It mounts inside the soundhole with tone and volume control, and it even has a discrete display for its built-in tuner function.

Thanks to the D-10E, we can have a good quality solid-top Martin guitar without going over $1,000.

Specifications

• Body Shape: D-14 Dreadnought
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
• Body: Sapele
• Finish: Satin Natural
• Bridge: Richlite
• Neck: Select Hardwood (Depending on Wood Availability)
• Neck Profile: High-Performance Taper
• Fingerboard: Richlite
• Fingerboard Radius: 16"
• Number of Frets: 20
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Nut Width: 1.75"
• Electronics: Fishman MX-T (Active - battery required)

Demo