Introduction
The Martin 000-10E is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar that delivers the acclaimed Martin tone and playability in a compact auditorium body. With a solid sapele top, back and sides, this guitar produces a balanced and articulate sound with the warmth and richness characteristic of Martin instruments.
The 000-10E is an ideal choice for intermediate players, working musicians, and singer-songwriters looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric at an accessible price point. The comfortable Performing Artist profile neck with a slim taper makes this an easy guitar to play, while the onboard Fishman MX-T electronics provide natural amplification for live gigs or recording.
With its solid wood construction and satin finish, the 000-10E retains the elegance of Martin’s more expensive models. Its smaller body size makes it a versatile pick for players who want excellent acoustic tone and amplified performance in a compact, stage-friendly package. From the workbench to the recording studio to the coffee shop stage, the 000-10E is built to be an affordable workhorse instrument for today’s modern acoustic guitarist.
Martin 000-10E Specs
The Martin 000-10E features an elegant and balanced auditorium body shape with a total length of 19 7/8" and a waist of 15". This comfortable mid-size design is crafted with solid sapele back and sides paired with a solid sapele top. Sapele is a tonewood known for its crisp treble, warm midrange, and good bass response.
The Performing Artist neck has a low oval profile that measures 1 3/4" at the nut and 2 1/8" at the 12th fret. It has a width of 1 11/16" at the nut and 2 5/32" at the heel. This comfortable and slim taper provides excellent playability. The neck is constructed with Stratabond laminate for strength and stability.
Electronics are handled by the Fishman MX-T system, which includes an undersaddle transducer and soundhole mounted preamp with volume and tone controls. This provides natural amplified tone and stage-ready performance.
Other hardware appointments include a Tusq nut and saddle, chrome enclosed tuning machines, and a Corian nut. The 000-10E comes strung with Martin SP Lifespan 2.0 strings in a light gauge.
Sound and Tone
The Martin 000-10E produces a warm, balanced acoustic tone with excellent projection and sustain thanks to its all-solid sapele wood construction and traditional X-bracing. The auditorium body shape provides a comfortable balance of volume, articulation and bass response.
When played unplugged, the 000-10E delivers the rich, complex tone that Martin guitars are renowned for. The sapele wood offers a balanced tonal palette, with warm lows, pronounced midrange, and crisp treble notes. The notes bloom nicely and ring out with sustained resonance. Volume is impressive for a small-bodied acoustic, easily filling a room and projecting to an audience.
Through the onboard Fishman MX-T electronics, the 000-10E maintains its natural acoustic tone. The pickup accurately captures the nuances of the sapele top and delivers excellent amplified tone. There’s enough punch and volume for performing live, without sounding harsh or prone to feedback. The tone remains balanced across the frequency range, with no uneven peaks or drop-outs. Overall the 000-10E sounds just as pleasing plugged in as it does unplugged.
Playability
The Martin 000-10E features a Performing Artist taper neck profile that is designed for comfort and playability. The neck has a slim taper that feels great in the hand, allowing for easy fretting and chord changes.
The string action on the 000-10E is set low and comfortable right out of the box. There is no fret buzz or dead notes, allowing clear and ringing tones when fretting chords or playing lead lines up the neck. The action is suitable for both strumming and fingerpicking styles.
The 000-10E excels as a versatile guitar that handles many different playing styles with ease. The comfortable neck and low action lend themselves well to intricate fingerpicking patterns, while still providing the perfect platform for rhythmic strumming. The balance and mid-size body shape also make the 000-10E a great choice for flatpicking lead lines.
Whether you prefer to play folk, country, rock, or jazz, the 000-10E is a guitar that feels great to play. The slick neck and comfortable body size allow for extended practice sessions without fatigue. Players of all levels will enjoy the easy playability and versatility of the Martin 000-10E.
Build Quality
The Martin 000-10E demonstrates excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail that Martin guitars are known for. The all-solid wood construction is precisely cut and assembled for a perfect fit. The sapele binding along the top and back is smoothly finished with no gaps or imperfections.
The satin finish on the sapele top, back, and sides allows you to feel the natural grain of the wood. It is evenly applied with no drips or inconsistencies. The finish appears durable enough for years of playing while still feeling smooth to the touch.
Other appointments like the rosette, fretboard, and bridge are cleanly installed and smoothly finished. The fret ends are nicely rounded over with no sharp edges. The nut slots and saddle are precisely cut for proper string spacing and action.
Overall, the guitar exhibits Martin’s trademark high-quality fit and finish you would expect from an American-made acoustic. While made in Mexico, it adheres to Martin’s strict quality control standards. The solid wood construction and attention to detail ensure this is a guitar built to last. The 000-10E should hold up well under regular use and provide many years of playing enjoyment.
Aesthetics
The Martin 000-10E has a beautiful aesthetic thanks to its solid sapele wood construction and natural satin finish. Sapele is known for its distinctive and attractive grain patterns, which create an eye-catching figured look on the 000-10E’s top, back, and sides.
The sapele has a warm, reddish-brown hue that radiates when illuminated. There are flowing lines and organic visual textures in the wood grain that give each 000-10E a unique appearance. It’s more refined than mahogany, with a refined and elegant aesthetic.
The natural satin finish allows the sapele’s inherent beauty to shine through. It has a smooth semi-gloss sheen that enhances the wood’s visual qualities. A dark mahogany burst finish around the top edges provides nice visual contrast.
Overall, the 000-10E has a refined yet organic look that will impress guitarists. The sapele wood creates a stunning bookmatched grain pattern on the top, while the satin finish perfectly complements its inherent beauty. It’s an acoustic guitar that looks as good as it sounds.
Accessories
The Martin 000-10E comes with a high quality hardshell case that provides excellent protection during transport and storage. The included case features plush interior lining and sturdy exterior construction to keep your guitar safe from bumps, dings, and humidity changes.
Having a good hardshell case is essential for protecting any acoustic guitar investment. The included case alone is a nice added value with the 000-10E package.
Some other useful accessories to consider for your new Martin 000-10E include:
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Guitar strap – A comfortable strap makes playing the 000-10E on stage much easier. Levy’s and Elixir make great leather and nylon straps.
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Extra strings – It’s handy to keep a few sets of extra strings on hand for quick changes. Martin SP Lifespan 2.0 strings are designed to last longer.
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Capo – A capo is useful for quickly changing the key of songs. Shubb and Kyser are two excellent capo brands.
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Humidifier – Maintaining proper humidity levels inside your guitar with a Planet Waves humidifier will help avoid cracks.
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Tuner – A clip-on tuner like the Snark SN-1 makes tuning on stage a breeze.
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Polishing cloth – Martin’s Polish Cloth keeps your guitar looking its best between cleanings.
Pairing the right accessories with your Martin 000-10E can help you get the most out of this fantastic auditorium acoustic-electric. Protecting it with a hard case and maintenance tools will help keep it sounding its best for years to come.
Alternatives
The Martin 000-10E stands up well when compared to other guitars in the same price range. Within Martin’s own Road Series line, it compares favorably to models like the 000RSC and 000C16RGTE. The all-solid sapele construction gives it a fuller, richer tone than the 000RSC’s laminate back and sides. And while the 000C16RGTE offers some nice appointments like a cutaway and gloss finish, the 000-10E provides better value at a lower cost.
Compared to similarly priced acoustic-electrics from other major brands like Yamaha, Takamine, and Alvarez, the 000-10E is very competitive. Models like the Yamaha FG-TA or Takamine GN93CE have laminate construction, whereas the Martin uses solid wood throughout. This gives the 000-10E a more complex, nuanced tone. The Fishman electronics are also comparable in quality to the pickup systems found on models from other brands.
Overall, the 000-10E punches above its weight class relative to other entry-level acoustic-electrics. Martin’s legendary reputation for quality shows through even on their more affordable instruments. For players looking for an all-solid wood guitar with great electronics under $1000, the 000-10E is an excellent choice.
Value for Money
At around $1,299, the Martin 000-10E offers excellent value for money. It’s priced very competitively compared to other all-solid wood acoustic-electrics in this size range from major brands. Models like the Taylor 314ce and Gibson Hummingbird Studio are significantly more expensive despite having similar specs on paper.
The 000-10E manages to keep costs down through the use of sapele rather than more premium tonewoods like mahogany or rosewood. Yet it retains the exemplary build quality and craftsmanship that Martin is renowned for. Owners consistently praise the guitar for sounding as good as models costing two or three times as much.
Over the long-term, the 000-10E should easily withstand years of playing while retaining its tone and structural integrity. The all-solid wood construction means it has the potential to mature and open up with age. Compared to laminate guitars in the same price bracket, the 000-10E is an investment that should offer lifetime enjoyment as well as strong resale value.
For intermediate players or working musicians on a budget, the 000-10E hits a real sweet spot between price and performance. It’s a perfect example of Martin finding ways to make their guitars more accessible to a wider range of players, without compromising on their renowned standards of quality.
Conclusion
The Martin 000-10E is an excellent choice for players looking for an affordable, high-quality acoustic-electric guitar. Its solid sapele wood construction and comfortable Performing Artist neck provide great tone, playability, and long-term durability. The Fishman MX-T electronics accurately reproduce the 000-10E’s warm, balanced acoustic tone when plugged in.
While it doesn’t have the premium appointments of Martin’s more expensive models, the 000-10E retains the exemplary build quality the brand is known for. Attention to detail in the bindings, fretwork, and satin finish result in an instrument that looks, sounds, and plays far above its price point. The included hardshell case adds even more value.
For intermediate players, traveling troubadours, and working musicians on a budget, the Martin 000-10E is easy to recommend. It provides the coveted Martin experience in an affordable, road-ready package.
The Martin 000-10E can be purchased online from top retailers like Sweetwater and Guitar Center, as well as the official Martin Guitar website. Local guitar shops may also carry it, but due to its popularity, the 000-10E may need to be specially ordered. Wherever you buy it, the 000-10E is sure to provide years of musical enjoyment.