Introduction
Martin Guitars has been a leader in acoustic instruments since 1833, when founder C.F. Martin Sr. opened a small guitar shop in New York City. Nearly two centuries later, Martin remains dedicated to building the highest quality guitars, using premium tonewoods and time-honored craftsmanship. The Martin M-36, part of their Standard Series, exemplifies Martin’s commitment to excellence. This model features their iconic 0000-14 fret jumbo body style, providing the perfect canvas for Martin’s characteristic full, rich tone. With its solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, the M-36 delivers the look, feel, and sound that discerning players expect from a Martin acoustic. In this review, we’ll explore what makes the M-36 such an exceptional instrument.
Martin M-36 Specs and Features
The Martin M-36 has a large 0000-14 fret jumbo body size that produces a deep and powerful acoustic sound. Measuring 16 inches across the lower bout and 4 5/8 inches deep, this guitar has impressive bass response thanks to the generous size and shape.
The top is made of solid Sitka spruce which gives the M-36 excellent clarity and articulation. Sitka is known for its strength and balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The back and sides are solid East Indian rosewood which adds warmth and richness to the sound. The three-piece back design further enhances the bass frequencies.
The combination of the Sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides delivers a beautifully balanced tone with sparkling highs, strong mids, and deep low end. The jumbo body size allows the M-36 to project its voice powerfully without sacrificing nuance.
Neck and Fingerboard
The M-36 features a one-piece mahogany neck with Martin’s comfortable and playable low profile shape. Mahogany provides stability and sustain while remaining lightweight. The neck has a satin finish for a smooth feel during faster lead lines.
The fingerboard is made from ebony, known for its hardness and durability. Ebony also enhances the treble response. The fingerboard has a radius of 16" for comfortable chord shapes and bends. The scale length is 25.4". The nut width is 1-11/16", providing ample room for fingerstyle playing while still playable for strumming. The 20 frets are medium sized for versatility. Overall the neck offers a great feel for various techniques.
Hardware
The M-36 features high-quality hardware to complement its tonewood construction and deliver excellent playability. It comes equipped with open-gear nickel tuning machines with a classic butterbean design on the headstock. These keep the guitar in tune well and are easier to turn than friction pegs.
The guitar has an ebony belly bridge for transferring string vibrations efficiently. The bridge utilizes Martin’s patented long saddle, which improves intonation across the strings. There is also an ebony bridge plate and pins to anchor the bridge securely.
The M-36 has a beautiful natural gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish that allows the spruce and rosewood to resonate freely. This thin, protective finish enhances the appearance of the woods’ grain patterns. It gives the guitar an elegant yet understated aesthetic.
Sound Quality and Tonal Characteristics
The Martin M-36 produces a rich, resonant, and powerful sound with impressive projection and dynamic range. The solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides generate a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.
The M-36 excels in the midrange, with clear and articulate mids centered around the punchy sweet spot of the dreadnought body. The notes ring true with excellent sustain. The rosewood back and sides provide warmth and complexity in the lower mids along with sparkling highs.
This guitar can achieve substantial volume without sacrificing tone. The M-36 projects with ease in both small solo performances and on loud concert stages. The strong bass response allows rhythmic chording and flatpicking to be heard. The ample headroom means the M-36 can be played hard without distorting or feeding back.
The responsive top wood also allows for excellent dynamic control based on your attack. You can shape phrases from soft and sweet fingerpicked passages to aggressive flatpicking. The M-36 is a versatile instrument that excels in the hands of those who control dynamics skillfully.
Playability and Comfort
The Martin M-36 features a slim, comfortable neck profile that is ideal for most hand sizes. The neck has a satin finish that allows for smooth, fast playing up and down the fingerboard.
The neck has a low oval shape that fits nicely in the hand. It has a width of 1-11/16" at the nut, providing ample room between strings for fingerstyle playing. The string spacing remains consistent up the neck.
The action on the M-36 is set low at the factory, making it very comfortable to play right out of the box. It has just enough relief in the neck to allow the strings to ring clearly without buzzing. The action can be adjusted easily with the truss rod if needed.
Overall, the M-36 is a very playable and comfortable guitar. The slim neck and low action facilitate complex fingerstyle techniques like Travis picking. The smooth neck also makes it easy to play quick flatpicking runs. The jumbo body shape nestles nicely against the body when playing seated. The M-36 is built for long, fatigue-free practice or gigging sessions.
Musical Styles
The Martin M-36 acoustic guitar is highly versatile and well-suited to a wide range of musical genres and playing styles thanks to its balanced tone and comfortable playability.
The jumbo body shape and solid tonewood construction give the M-36 excellent projection, sustain, and dynamic range. This makes the guitar an exceptional choice for fingerstyle playing, allowing intricate melodic lines and bass notes to ring out clearly. The strong fundamentals and overtone-rich voice also lend themselves beautifully to fingerpicking chordal work.
Flatpicking is another technique that the M-36 handles with ease. It has the punch and volume required for driving bluegrass rhythms, and the warmth to complement fiddle melodies. The responsive top end allows flatpickers to dig in and vary their attack for tone shaping.
While not a dreadnought, the M-36’s large lower bout still provides enough body to make strummed accompaniment sound full and balanced. Its comfortable neck profile and action facilitate rhythmic chord work. This makes the guitar suitable for folk and pop accompaniment duties. However, players looking for maximum "boom" may prefer a dreadnought shape.
The M-36’s balanced EQ range, vintage-inspired tone, and dynamic sensitivity allow it to cover an array of genres convincingly. From blues to country and rock to jazz, the M-36 slots into both studio sessions and live performances with ease. It’s a great all-rounder for the gigging acoustic player looking for one quality guitar to cover diverse musical ground.
Pricing
The Martin M-36 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $3,299. This positions it in the upper mid-range bracket of Martin’s acoustic lineup.
At this price point, the M-36 offers excellent value for money considering the quality of materials and workmanship. The use of solid Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood tonewoods, combined with Martin’s expert craftsmanship in the USA, results in a guitar with exceptional sound, playability and aesthetic appeal.
The M-36’s 000 body size makes it comparable to other models like the 000-28 and 000-18. These are priced at $3,199 and $2,699 respectively. The M-36 holds its own against them with its slightly larger body size, three-piece rosewood back, and forward-shifted bracing.
When looking at other major acoustic guitar brands like Taylor and Gibson, the M-36 competes well. The Taylor 814ce and Gibson J-45 Studio are priced in the same ballpark, but may not offer the same legacy of quality and craftsmanship.
Overall, the Martin M-36 represents an excellent investment. The all-solid wood construction and timeless style ensure it will hold its value and become an heirloom instrument. Serious players who appreciate traditional Martin tone will find the M-36 well worth its premium price tag.
Accessories
The Martin M-36 is a premium instrument that deserves premium accessories to protect it and optimize its tone. Here are some recommendations:
Cases and Bags
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Hardshell case – Provides the most protection during transport and storage. Models like the Gator Cases Journeyman Series are ideal.
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Padded gig bag – More affordable option for players who need basic protection without the bulk of a hardshell. Reunion Blues makes quality gig bags.
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Neck support – Add a neck support system to the case to prevent damage from neck movement. The Humidipak by Kyser is a popular option.
Strings and Picks
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Phosphor bronze acoustic strings (light gauge) – Provides warmth and richness. Brands like D’Addario and Elixir are recommended.
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Picks – Celluloid picks like the Dunlop Tortex provide a bright tone. For fingerstyle, try a thumb pick like Alaska Pik.
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Capo – A must-have for quickly changing keys. Consider the Shubb Deluxe Series capo.
With high-quality accessories tailored to your playing style, you can protect your investment and get the most out of your Martin M-36.
Alternatives to Consider
The Martin M-36 is an excellent guitar, but there are other models worth considering depending on your needs and preferences.
Other Martin Models
Some other popular Martin models in a similar price range include:
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Martin 000-28 – This 000-size guitar has a slightly smaller body than the M-36 but impressive volume and tone. The mahogany back and sides make it sound warmer compared to the rosewood M-36.
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Martin D-28 – Iconic dreadnought body shape. Booming bass, strong mids and bright treble. Versatile across many styles. Slightly more expensive than the M-36.
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Martin 000-18 – All-mahogany back and sides give this a smooth, mellow tone. Nice balance of warmth and articulation. More affordable option.
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Martin OM-28 – "Orchestra" body shape is slightly bigger than 000. Balanced tone with clear trebles. Another versatile option.
Competitor Models
The M-36 also faces some strong competition from other brands:
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Taylor 814ce – Bright, balanced tone. Taylor’s proprietary bracing system and modern build. Slightly wider neck than M-36.
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Gibson J-200 – Deep, booming bass thanks to its large body. Excellent projection. Luxurious aesthetic details.
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Guild F-55 – Impressive value for money. Vintage styling and full-bodied jumbo tone from this Gibson competitor.
The M-36 is an outstanding guitar in its own right, but weighing all the alternatives can help find your perfect fit. The most important thing is choosing a guitar that inspires you!