Introduction
The Martin DC-Aura GT is a premium acoustic-electric guitar that was discontinued in 2019 after a 7-year run. Even though it’s no longer in production, the DC-Aura GT remains highly sought-after by acoustic guitarists for its impressive sound, playability, and top-tier appointments.
This iconic guitar pairs the bold, balanced tone of a Martin dreadnought with Fishman’s advanced Aura imaging technology to deliver exceptional amplified sound. The solid woods and thoughtful design provide rich, nuanced acoustic resonance along with natural amplification that preserves the guitar’s inherent character.
In this in-depth review, we’ll break down the DC-Aura GT’s specifications, sound, playability, and value. We’ll help you understand why it’s still considered one of the best acoustic-electrics Martin has produced, even warranting its high prices on the used market. Whether you’re an acoustic guitarist considering a used DC-Aura GT or just an admirer of premium Martins, read on for a comprehensive look at this discontinued treasure.
Martin DC-Aura GT Specs & Features
The Martin DC-Aura GT has a classic dreadnought body shape with a single cutaway for upper fret access. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, which provides excellent resonance and volume projection. The back and sides are made of East Indian rosewood, which gives the guitar a rich, complex tone with strong midrange and overtones.
The neck is constructed from mahogany and has a Performing Artist taper profile that is comfortable for most playing styles. It has a high-performance taper that provides rigidity and stability. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony, which allows for excellent tone transfer and articulation.
Electronics on the DC-Aura GT are the Fishman F1 Aura+ system, which uses advanced imaging technology to capture the true acoustic tone of the guitar. It has an onboard mic and pickup, with controls for volume, blend, image selection, notch filter, and tuner. This allows players to get very natural amplified tones similar to using a microphone in a studio or on stage.
Other specifications of note:
- Scale length: 25.4"
- Nut width: 1-3/4"
- Forward shifted bracing for improved volume and tone
- Multi-stripe rosette and bound body edges
- High gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Available in natural and sunburst finishes
The combination of premium tonewoods, Fishman electronics, and Martin craftsmanship makes the DC-Aura GT a versatile acoustic-electric with exceptional sound. The specs allow players to get the most out of this guitar in both acoustic and amplified scenarios.
Acoustic Sound
The Martin DC-Aura GT produces a rich, full-bodied acoustic tone thanks to its premium tonewood combination of solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides. The spruce top provides crisp highs and excellent projection, while the rosewood back and sides add warmth, complexity, and depth to the midrange and bass frequencies.
Reviewers consistently describe the DC-Aura GT’s acoustic voice as well-balanced across the tonal spectrum. It delivers sparkling treble, lush and resonant mids, and tight, pronounced bass without any ranges overpowering the others. There is a harmonic richness that comes from the rosewood, while the spruce projects the sound boldly.
Volume and projection are particular strengths of the DC-Aura GT. It’s extremely responsive, able to deliver powerful rhythmic chops when strummed as well as delicate fingerpicking nuance. The dreadnought body shape further enhances the projection, making this an excellent guitar for live performances where sound needs to carry over accompaniment and fill a room. It’s equally at home in a studio setting, capturing the warm and textured acoustic tone beautifully.
Overall, the Martin DC-Aura GT lives up to its premium pedigree with exceptional acoustic sound across the board – a balanced, nuanced, and resonant tone from its all solid-wood construction. It’s an extremely musical and versatile instrument acoustically.
Plugged-In Sound
The Martin DC-Aura GT comes equipped with Fishman’s F1 Aura+ electronics, providing natural amplified tone that sounds like you’re playing through a high-quality microphone. The Aura imaging technology can emulate the sound of different miked acoustic environments, allowing you to dial in studio-quality tone whether playing live or recording.
When plugged in, the DC-Aura GT retains the nuances of its acoustic voice, with the Aura system applying sophisticated EQ modeling to craft an impressively realistic amplified sound. There’s none of the quackiness or sterile tones you may get from cheaper piezo systems – it’s as if you placed a quality condenser mic in front of the guitar.
The Aura’s controls let you choose from different mic models and placement options to shape your ideal amplified tone. You can go for a crisp, close-miked studio sound or a roomy hall ambience. The imaging adjusts quickly, providing great flexibility. Overall, the Fishman Aura+ electronics in the DC-Aura GT excel at producing natural amplified tone that accurately captures the guitar’s rich acoustic voice.
Playability
The Martin DC-Aura GT features a comfortable and fast-playing neck profile that provides excellent playability across the fingerboard. The neck has a "Performing Artist Taper" which is a slim profile that tapers from 1 3/4" at the nut to 2 1/8" at the 12th fret. This gives the neck a modern, slim feel while still providing rigidity and stability.
The action on the DC-Aura GT is set very well from the factory, with an ideal medium-low action that makes playing across the fingerboard feel effortless. There is no fret buzz or choking out when playing high up on the neck thanks to the expert setup. The action allows for easy fretting and fast runs without feeling like you need to press excessively hard.
The cutaway on the DC-Aura GT provides unfettered access to the upper registers, making it easy to play leads and solos up to the 24th fret. Shredding on the upper frets feels natural and comfortable thanks to the neck joint, cutaway design, and exemplary setup.
Overall, the ergonomics and playability of the DC-Aura GT make it a joy to play. Whether strumming open chords or soloing, the guitar feels fast, comfortable, and inspiring. The modern neck profile provides hours of fatigue-free playing while still retaining the rigidity needed for excellent tone production. For players looking for buttery playability in a premium solid wood dreadnought, the DC-Aura GT delivers in spades.
Versatility
The Martin DC-Aura GT is a versatile acoustic-electric guitar that handles a wide range of musical styles and playing techniques with ease. Its premium build quality and Fishman Aura electronics make it shine for fingerstyle playing, strumming, and flatpicking alike.
Many players praise the DC-Aura GT’s versatility across various genres. It has the clear articulation and balance for intricate fingerstyle passages, while also having the punch and projection for aggressive flatpicking in rock or blues. The rich overtones from the rosewood back and sides also lend themselves well to strummed chords in folk or country playing.
The cutaway dreadnought body style gives comfortable access to higher frets, expanding the DC-Aura GT’s capabilities for lead guitar lines. Overall, it’s an exceptionally versatile acoustic guitar that excels both acoustically and plugged-in for small gigs or studio work. Most guitarists find they can cover a lot of musical ground with the DC-Aura GT as their main acoustic axe.
Martin DC-Aura GT vs Standard DC-Aura
The Martin DC-Aura GT can be compared to the standard Martin DC-Aura model, which shares some specs but also has some key differences.
The DC-Aura GT has a solid Sitka spruce top, while the DC-Aura has a solid spruce top – Sitka spruce is known for providing slightly better resonance. The GT also has East Indian rosewood back and sides, compared to mahogany on the standard DC-Aura. These tonewood differences give the DC-Aura GT a richer, deeper sound.
Electronics also vary between the models. The DC-Aura GT comes equipped with the Fishman F1 Aura+ system, which uses imaging technology to capture the true acoustic tone. The standard DC-Aura has the Fishman Sonitone electronics, which are good quality but not as advanced.
When it was available new, the DC-Aura GT commanded a higher original MSRP of around $2,999, while the DC-Aura was priced closer to $2,299. For players looking for the absolute best acoustic sound and amplified performance, the premium features of the DC-Aura GT justify the extra cost. However, the standard DC-Aura provides excellent quality and value for those on a tighter budget.
Overall, the Martin DC-Aura GT represents the pinnacle of this series, with slight upgrades in tonewoods and electronics that result in noticeably better sound. Yet the standard DC-Aura shares much of the same DNA at a more accessible price point for most players. Choosing between them means weighing your budget against your desire for that extra level of acoustic excellence found in the DC-Aura GT.
Pricing & Value
The Martin DC-Aura GT originally retailed for around $3,499 when it was available new. However, since the model has been discontinued, it can now only be found on the used market. Used prices for the DC-Aura GT in good, playable condition tend to range from $2,200 to $2,800.
Compared to other premium acoustic-electric guitars, the DC-Aura GT represents a solid value, albeit at the higher end of the market. The use of solid tonewoods like Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood, along with the quality Fishman Aura electronics, make it competitive with other high-end acoustics. The Taylor 810e and Gibson J-45 Studio, for example, have original MSRPs in the same ballpark.
The DC-Aura GT commands a bit of a premium over Martin’s standard DC-Aura model. The GT upgrades include an all-solid wood body, different neck shape, ebony fingerboard, and gloss finish. Many players feel the upgrades are worth the extra cost for a noticeable bump in tone and playability. However, the standard DC-Aura also provides excellent bang for the buck at a more accessible price point.
Overall, while not cheap, the DC-Aura GT delivers pro-level features, tone, and craftsmanship. For players wanting a premium Martin acoustic-electric, it remains a fantastic value buy on the used market. The discontinued status means deals can be found for much less than the original $3,500 price tag.
User Reviews & Opinions
The Martin DC-Aura GT has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from owners. Many praise the guitar for its rich, balanced acoustic tone and natural amplified sound.
Owners frequently describe the guitar as having excellent resonance and projection. The solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides produce a full, warm tone. Both fingerstyle and strumming players mention the guitar’s dynamic range.
When plugged in, the Fishman Aura electronics accurately convey the guitar’s true acoustic tone. Owners mention the electronics provide a very natural amplified sound, without quackiness or feedback issues. The imaging technology allows for convincing different mic’d tones.
In terms of playability, owners find the DC-Aura GT comfortable and enjoyable to play. The smooth satin neck, low action, and cutaway facilitate playing higher up the neck.
Some users do report issues with minor cosmetic imperfections given the guitar’s high price. This includes small dings, finish checking, or glue spots inside the body. However, these are considered minor and don’t affect the tone or playability.
Overall, the vast majority of user reviews rate the DC-Aura GT extremely positively. It receives consistent 5-star ratings for its impressive acoustic sound, electronics, and craftsmanship. Most owners say it’s well worth the premium over a standard DC-Aura.
Alternatives to Consider
The Martin DC-Aura GT is a premium acoustic-electric guitar, so alternatives in the same class are worth comparing.
Other high-end Martin acoustic-electric models like the D-28 or OM-28 can make excellent alternatives. The all-solid wood D-28 produces the classic Martin dreadnought tone, while the OM-28 has a slightly smaller body for added comfort. Both models pair beautifully with the Fishman Aura electronics.
Taylor and Gibson also produce exceptional acoustic-electrics for around the same price point or less. The Taylor 814ce or 914ce provide the signature Taylor blend of brightness and sustain thanks to their Grand Auditorium shape and V-Class bracing. Gibson’s J-45 Studio offers a full, balanced tone and vintage styling.
For those with smaller budgets, the Takamine P3NY preamp system competes well with the Aura electronics at a fraction of the cost. Models like the Takamine P3NC46 have excellent build quality with solid tops and rosewood back and sides.
The bottom line is there are quality alternatives from Martin’s competitors and within their own lineup. It comes down to the specific tonewoods, body styles, electronics and appointments you prefer. The DC-Aura GT remains a top contender in the premium acoustic-electric category based on its exceptional craftsmanship and amplified performance.