Introduction
Martin Guitars has been crafting high-quality acoustic instruments since 1833, earning a reputation for unmatched tone and playability that makes them a favorite of professional musicians and hobbyists alike. Their Road Series line aims to bring Martin’s signature sound and feel to gigging musicians in need of an affordable, stage-ready acoustic. Of the many excellent models in the Road Series, the DCRSG dreadnought cutaway stands out for its unique blend of tonewoods, smooth playability, and built-in electronics. This versatile acoustic-electric is built to the same standards of quality as Martin’s more expensive guitars, while keeping costs down through streamlined appointments. The DCRSG delivers the rich, resonant acoustic sound Martin is known for, combined with great amplified tone and playability that make it an ideal choice for working musicians and discerning players.
Design and Construction
The Martin DCRSG features a dreadnought cutaway body style, one of the most popular acoustic shapes that provides a well-balanced tone. The wider lower bout produces more low-end, while the shoulder cutaway allows easy access to the upper frets.
The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, a popular tonewood prized for its strength, lightness, and balanced tonal response across the frequency range. Sitka spruce provides excellent clarity in the treble registers along with warmth and body in the low mids and bass. This gives the DCRSG a rich, resonant, and articulate voice.
The back and sides are crafted from exotic mutenye, an African tonewood. Mutenye has a unique look reminiscent of rosewood with brown and black striping. It also brings out deep lows with sparkling highs, adding complexity to the guitar’s overall voice. Compared to mahogany, mutenye has more high-end shimmer which complements the low-end punch.
The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, a sustainable composite material that mimics the feel and sound of ebony. Richlite provides a smooth and comfortable playing feel, along with crisp note articulation. It’s also more durable than traditional wood fingerboards.
The DCRSG has a high performance taper neck profile that is designed for comfort during long playing sessions. It has a slimmer nut width that transitions to a fuller "C" shape along the rest of the neck. This tapered design allows for fast, low-action playability up high while still retaining the rigidity to provide clear notes and sustain lower on the neck.
Sound and Tone
The Martin DCRSG produces a rich, balanced acoustic tone that showcases the guitar’s quality build and solid wood construction. The combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and mutenye back and sides results in a full-bodied and resonant acoustic voice. There’s a pleasing warmth and depth to each note, with sparkling highs and tight low end.
When plugged in, the Fishman Sonitone electronics accurately capture the DCRSG’s natural acoustic sound. Thanks to the under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp system, the amplified tone retains all the character and nuance of the unplugged guitar. There’s no harshness or quackiness that can plague cheaper acoustic-electric systems.
This versatile tonal palette allows the Martin DCRSG to handle a wide variety of musical styles and playing techniques. It has enough punch and articulation for energetic strumming, while also possessing the balance and clarity needed for fingerstyle playing. The well-rounded tone works equally well for flatpicking lead lines, arpeggios, and embellished chords.
Some examples of genres and styles where the DCRSG truly shines:
- Singer-songwriter acoustic rock and pop
- Folk, country, Americana
- Bluegrass and newgrass
- Blues, especially with slide and fingerpicking
- Classical and nylon-string influenced styles
- Percussive acoustic guitar techniques
The bottom line is that the Martin DCRSG provides a dynamic yet refined acoustic voice that sounds fantastic in both amplified and un-amplified scenarios. This versatility is a testament to Martin’s expertise in crafting high-quality acoustic guitars.
Playability
The Martin DCRSG’s playability makes it a joy to play for extended periods. The smooth satin finish on the high performance taper neck, combined with the cutaway body style, allows easy access all the way up the fretboard. Even when playing complex chords and riffs in the upper register, the comfortable neck profile ensures your hand won’t fatigue quickly.
The action on the DCRSG is set low and buzz-free from the factory. This allows effortless fretting without having to press the strings down hard. The guitar stays in tune through multiple songs, thanks to the Richlite bridge and quality tuners. You can play for hours without having to stop and tune.
Weighing under 5 lbs, the DCRSG is lightweight for a dreadnought acoustic-electric. The comfortable body contours and forearm bevel make it easy to play while standing with a strap. The neck shape and width also facilitate playing while seated without any sharp edges digging into your body. Overall, the DCRSG’s smooth playability makes practice sessions fly by.
Electronics and Amplification
The Martin DCRSG comes equipped with Fishman’s Sonitone pickup system, providing natural amplified tone when you need to plug in. The Sonitone system uses an under-saddle piezo pickup combined with Fishman’s Sonicore pickup inside the guitar body. Together, these two pickups capture the full range of the DCRSG’s acoustic voice – from the tight lows to the clear, balanced highs.
When plugged into an acoustic amplifier or PA system, the DCRSG delivers excellent amplified sound comparable to its natural acoustic tone. Simple volume and tone controls allow you to shape your amplified tone to fit any venue or style. Just plug in via the endpin jack, dial in your levels, and you’re ready for amplified performances. The preamp is designed to produce feedback-resistant sound even at higher stage volumes, letting you confidently turn up without unwanted squealing or humming. Overall, the Fishman electronics offer easy plug-and-play functionality combined with the warm, organic tone Martin guitars are known for.
Build Quality and Aesthetics
As expected from a guitar maker with Martin’s reputation, the DCRSG is built to exceptionally high standards using solid tonewoods and quality craftsmanship. The guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, which is known for its balanced and resonant tone. The back and sides are made from exotic mutenye, which gives the DCRSG a unique and visually striking appearance.
The mutenye has an eye-catching grain pattern and coloration that ranges from chocolate brown to reddish hues. The combination of the blonde Sitka spruce top and deep mutenye back and sides makes for a guitar that really stands out aesthetically. Some musicians may choose the DCRSG for its looks alone.
Beyond the excellent tonewoods, Martin’s attention to detail is evidenced throughout the DCRSG’s construction. The dovetail neck joint, rosette appointments, and binding are executed with care and precision. Players can feel confident that this guitar will hold up well over years of playing.
Adding to the guitar’s long-term durability is the included hardshell case, which protects the DCRSG when transporting it between venues or while traveling. The case keeps the guitar safe from dings, dust, and other potential damage. Having a high quality case is essential for maintaining the condition and playability of a guitar over time.
Overall, the DCRSG exemplifies the solid build and craftsmanship that Martin is known for, while also offering striking visual appeal thanks to the mutenye back and sides. This is a guitar built to look good and sound great for many years to come.
Value for Money
The Martin DCRSG represents a solid value for your money when you consider the quality of materials and workmanship. As a USA-made acoustic guitar featuring all solid wood construction, it compares very favorably to similar instruments in this price range of around $1,500.
Many lower-priced acoustic-electrics in this category use laminate woods or cheaper tonewoods that can’t match the resonance and richness of solid Sitka spruce and mutenye. The DCRSG’s solid wood build produces a full, balanced acoustic voice along with the ability to age well over years of playing. This guitar is built to last for decades when properly maintained.
Another major value factor is the inclusion of professional-grade Fishman electronics. The Sonitone pickup and preamp system captures the DCRSG’s natural acoustic sound beautifully when plugged in. It’s a pro-level system you’d expect to see on guitars costing much more. Being able to amplify your acoustic tone cleanly and accurately is crucial for live performances.
The versatility of the DCRSG is another feather in its cap when considering value. It’s well-suited to a wide range of musical genres and playing scenarios, from folk gigs to studio work. You can use it as an all-purpose acoustic guitar knowing it will deliver quality sound and reliability night after night. This versatility means you’re getting excellent bang for your buck out of one high-performing instrument.
Overall, the combination of solid tonewoods, Fishman electronics, playability, and versatility make the DCRSG an excellent value at its price point. It’s a USA-made acoustic guitar that can hang with models costing even more, representing a worthwhile long-term investment for serious players.
Conclusion
The Martin DCRSG acoustic-electric guitar lives up to its reputation as a top-quality instrument. Its key strengths make it a great choice for intermediate to advanced players looking for versatility.
This guitar really shines when it comes to its rich, balanced acoustic tone. The combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and exotic mutenye back and sides produces a sound that works beautifully for styles like folk, country, and fingerstyle playing. When plugged in, the Fishman electronics accurately capture the DCRSG’s natural acoustic voice.
In terms of playability, the DCRSG is smooth and comfortable thanks to its high performance taper neck and cutaway body style. This allows for easy access to the upper frets while still being lightweight enough for extended playing sessions. The guitar also holds its tuning well even during aggressive strumming.
While the DCRSG sits at the higher end of the price spectrum for an acoustic-electric, it offers professional grade components and solid wood construction that make it an investment. This is a gig- and recording-ready guitar built to last years of playing.
For intermediate to advanced players seeking the perfect do-it-all acoustic-electric, the Martin DCRSG comes highly recommended. Check out this video for a great demo of the DCRSG’s exemplary tone and playability:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID_HERE
Ideal User and Musical Styles
The Martin DCRSG is an ideal choice for guitarists looking for a versatile acoustic-electric for live performances and recording. Its combination of rich acoustic tone and natural amplified sound make it a great fit for players who need to cover both intimate acoustic sets and bigger amplified shows.
The use of exotic mutenye wood for the back and sides gives the DCRSG a unique look and sound that will appeal to players looking to stand out from the crowd. The mutenye’s crisp tone and distinctive visual grain patterns make this an excellent option for guitarists wanting something beyond traditional mahogany or rosewood.
Thanks to the professional-grade Fishman electronics, the Martin DCRSG is ready to plug in and shine in any amplified gig or recording scenario. Musicians who require high-quality amplified tone will appreciate the DCRSG’s ability to capture the nuances of the acoustic sound when plugged in. No more fighting with subpar pickups or feedback on stage.
When it comes to musical styles, the balanced and articulate tone of the DCRSG suits many genres. Its dynamic range and note separation are ideal for intricate fingerstyle playing, while the punchy low-end provides a solid foundation for energetic strumming. Genres like folk, country, bluegrass, and pop can all benefit from the DCRSG’s well-rounded acoustic voice. The cutaway body style also gives players easy access to the upper frets for more complex lead lines and solos. Whether you’re playing coffee shop sets or touring larger venues, the DCRSG has the acoustic chops and amplified functionality to keep up.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Rich, resonant, and balanced acoustic tone. The all-solid-wood construction with a Sitka spruce top gives the DCRSG a full, vibrant acoustic voice that projects well.
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Smooth playability from the neck shape and cutaway. The high performance taper neck has a comfortable, fast feel. Paired with the cutaway body shape, it provides easy access to even the highest frets.
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Visually striking look from the mutenye back/sides wood. The exotic mutenye wood has an eye-catching grain pattern in hues of brown and black that makes this guitar stand out.
Cons:
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More expensive than some import acoustic-electrics. As a US-made guitar with solid tonewoods, the DCRSG costs more than many imported acoustic-electrics using laminate woods. Players on a tight budget may want to consider one of those more affordable options.
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Dreadnought body may be too boomy for some styles. The large dreadnought body produces a deep low end and boomier bass than smaller body shapes. For very delicate playing styles, a concert or orchestra model may be a better fit.