Introduction
Martin Guitars has been crafting fine acoustic instruments since 1833, when founder C.F. Martin Sr. opened up shop in New York City after immigrating from Germany. Nearly 200 years later, Martin is still considered one of the top names in acoustic guitars, with instruments hand-built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The company is renowned for pioneering the dreadnought body shape, advancing acoustic guitar bracing techniques, and defining the American flat-top guitar.
The Martin GPX1AE is an affordable Grand Performance acoustic-electric model that delivers many pro-level features at a mid-range price point. This guitar is aimed at players looking for the legendary Martin sound and quality without breaking the bank. The solid spruce top and comfortable body size make it well-suited for both fingerstyle playing and energetic strumming across many musical genres. The Fishman Sonitone electronics package also makes the GPX1AE a great choice for gigging musicians or home recording. Overall, it’s an ideal way to get into the Martin acoustic family.
Body & Construction
The Martin GPX1AE has a Grand Performance style body shape, which is one of Martin’s larger body designs. It’s about 15 inches across at the widest point of the upper bout.
The top is made from solid Sitka spruce, which gives it a nice crisp and articulate tone. Sitka spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops thanks to its strength, lightweight nature, and balanced tonal response.
The back and sides are made from Martin’s Hybrid "X" Series HPL, which stands for high pressure laminate. It’s designed to have similar tonal qualities to mahogany or rosewood while being more affordable. The HPL material has an attractive wood grain aesthetic.
Overall, the Grand Performance body provides excellent projection and volume. The combination of solid spruce top with HPL back and sides makes this an affordable option in Martin’s lineup while still retaining their signature tone.
Neck & Fingerboard
The Martin GPX1AE features a smooth and comfortable neck profile that most players will find very playable. It uses Martin’s Performing Artist taper profile, which gets progressively thinner as you move up the neck. This makes chording and fretting easy for your left hand.
The neck itself is made from Martin’s Stratabond laminate, which combines multiple strips of wood to provide stability and rigidity. It has a satin finish for a smooth feel.
The fingerboard is made from Richlite, an eco-friendly composite material that has a feel similar to ebony. Richlite is dense and durable, providing crisp note articulation.
The scale length on the GPX1AE is 25.4", which is Martin’s standard scale and should feel familiar to most players. The nut width measures 1.75", which gives enough room for fingerstyle playing while still being comfortable for chording.
Overall the neck and fingerboard specs make this an easy playing acoustic-electric suitable for various techniques and playing styles. The smooth tapered neck profile combined with the Richlite fingerboard and 25.4" scale length come together to offer great comfort and playability.
Hardware
The Martin GPX1AE features quality hardware that complements its design and construction. The tuning machines are sealed chrome gear tuners that do a great job of holding the guitar in tune. The tuners have a smooth feel and precise tuning action.
The bridge and saddle are made of FSC Certified Richlite, which is a durable and sustainable composite material made from recycled paper and resin. Richlite has a similar look and feel to ebony, with a dark coloration and smooth texture. It’s an excellent bridge material that transfers string vibrations well. The saddle has a compensated design that sets the string spacing and intonation accurately. Overall, the hardware components on the GPX1AE are high-quality and contribute to the guitar’s great tone and stability.
Electronics & Pickup
The Martin GPX1AE features a Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system, which helps accurately capture its natural acoustic tone when plugged in. It uses an undersaddle piezo pickup paired with an onboard preamp with volume, tone, and 3-band EQ controls.
The preamp also has a built-in tuner and phase switch to help prevent feedback at higher volumes. One unique feature of the GPX1AE’s electronics is the USB output, which allows you to plug the guitar directly into a computer or recording interface.
This makes home recording very convenient – just plug into your laptop and start tracking acoustic guitar tracks without needing any external mics or DI boxes. The USB connectivity produces a clean, quality signal thanks to the Sonitone preamp’s studio-grade AD/DA conversion.
Overall, the Fishman pickup and preamp system is versatile and easy to use, providing excellent amplified acoustic tones plus direct recording capabilities other guitars in this price range lack. The USB output is a big selling point for recording enthusiasts or those wanting to capture song ideas at home.
Sound & Tone
The Martin GPX1AE produces a wonderfully balanced and articulate acoustic tone when unplugged. The solid Sitka spruce top provides brightness and clarity in the high end, while the HPL back and sides add warmth and body to the mids and lows. It’s a very responsive and dynamic sounding guitar acoustically.
When plugged in, the onboard Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system accurately captures the GPX1AE’s acoustic sound. There’s no unwanted quackiness or harshness – it’s a very natural amplified tone. The preamp provides volume, gain, brilliance and bass controls to shape the EQ. You can easily dial in just the right amount of low end thump or top end sparkle. There’s also a phase switch and tuner built right into the preamp.
Overall, the GPX1AE is extremely versatile tonally. It can cover many different music styles and genres equally well. Fingerpickers will appreciate the balanced and clear acoustic voice. Strummers will enjoy the dynamic amplified sound with built-in EQ flexibility. It’s an excellent all-purpose acoustic-electric in terms of its tonal abilities.
Playability
The GPX1AE features Martin’s Performing Artist taper neck profile, which is designed for comfort during long playing sessions. The neck has a smooth, slim profile that feels great in the hand. It’s not overly chunky but has enough thickness to be sturdy and stable.
The string action on the GPX1AE is set up well right out of the box. The action is low and fast, making chords and leads easy to play without buzzing. Individual string height can be adjusted easily with the bridge pins if needed, but the factory setup is dialed in nicely.
The fretwork on this Martin is very good, which is expected for a major brand like Martin. The frets are smoothly finished with no sharp edges. They have a nice crown and curve that makes string bending comfortable. The fret ends are neatly trimmed and dressed for a seamless feel when transitioning up and down the neck. Overall the fretboard feels great and allows fast, fluid playing across the entire neck.
The GPX1AE’s playability makes it a pleasure to play for extended periods. The neck shape provides hours of comfort, while the low action and quality fretwork remove any obstacles to fluent playing. It’s clear Martin designed the GPX1AE to play as good as it sounds.
Build Quality
The Martin GPX1AE showcases the exceptional craftsmanship that Martin is known for. Every part of the guitar is built with meticulous attention to detail, from the intricate wood binding to the flawless fretwork.
The all-solid wood construction gives the GPX1AE a sturdy yet lightweight feel. The joints are tight with no gaps, and the bridge and nut are cut and fitted precisely. Small touches like the herringbone purfling around the top add an element of class.
The finish options of natural gloss and satin sunburst burst are both smoothly and evenly applied. There are no blemishes in the finish, and the edges are clean with no overspray. The gloss finish allows the beauty of the solid spruce top to shine through.
Overall, the fit and finish is impeccable, which is expected from a reputable brand like Martin. Owners praise how refined the guitar looks and feels, with flawless fret ends and smoothly finished frets. The GPX1AE easily matches or exceeds other Martins in its price range in terms of attention to detail and quality craftsmanship.
Value for Money
The Martin GPX1AE has a current street price of around $799 USD. This positions it as a mid-priced acoustic-electric guitar, but the value it provides makes it an excellent buy.
When looking at other comparable models in this price range from major brands like Taylor and Yamaha, the GPX1AE stands out for its use of solid wood construction on the top. Most competitors in this range rely on laminate tops and backs, so the solid Sitka spruce top on the GPX1AE gives it an advantage in tone and projection.
The onboard Fishman electronics and USB output also give the GPX1AE excellent value, as most acoustics in this range lack built-in pickups and USB connectivity. Having these features included helps justify the price point and expands the guitar’s versatility.
Considering the Martin name and build quality reputation, the GPX1AE manages to deliver their trademark sound and playability at a relatively affordable price point. For players looking to get into a Martin acoustic without breaking the bank, the GPX1AE represents an excellent entry point into their lineup.
When weighing all these factors, the GPX1AE punches above its weight class and gives players professional features and tone without the premium price tag. Its combination of design, materials, electronics, and craftsmanship make it one of the best values on the market in its class.
Conclusion
The Martin GPX1AE is an excellent choice for musicians looking for a quality, affordable acoustic-electric guitar. Its solid spruce top and HPL back and sides produce a balanced, resonant tone. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate comfortable playing, while the Fishman Sonitone pickup accurately captures the acoustic tone when plugged in.
Final Verdict:
The GPX1AE punches above its weight class, offering Martin’s legendary build quality and tone at a reasonable price point. It’s an ideal gigging and recording guitar.
Pros:
- Quality all-solid wood construction
- Great unplugged and amplified acoustic tone
- Fishman electronics with useful EQ controls
- Built-in USB connectivity for recording
- Comfortable neck and playable setup
- Visually appealing wood grains
Cons:
- Not 100% all solid wood
- Electronics could be better, but good for the price
- Doesn’t come with a case
Recommendation:
For guitarists seeking an affordable way into the Martin brand, the GPX1AE is easy to recommend. It provides professional features and excellent acoustic tone without breaking the bank. The onboard USB recording makes it especially appealing. Unless you need an all-solid wood body, the GPX1AE is a fantastic value worthy of consideration.