If you’re wondering if Martin D-13E is a good acoustic-electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right part of the Internet! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that model. Surely, it’s really popular among the gigging musicians, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Martin D-13E is one of the best mid-level acoustic-electric guitars available on the market right now. It’s a well-made and great sounding instrument suitable for the most demanding guitarists.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this guitar so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that model. We’ll also investigate if the D-13E model has any potential flaws. Hopefully, this guide will help you to figure out if this guitar is a good fit for you!
Specs & Pricing
Martin D-13E Road Series is a high quality acoustic-electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. It’s a really popular model used by a lot of musicians all around the world.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top with solid siris back and sides. This unique combination of woods results with a versatile, crisp and clear guitar tone which can be used in all different styles of music. What’s important, the guitar also features a select hardwood neck with richlite fingerboard. These materials guarantee a smooth and enjoyable playing experience.
It is also worth mentioning that the manufacturer equipped this model with Fishman MX-T electronics. This is a really big advantage of that guitar, because it allows you to easily use that instrument on stage. Even when it’s plugged in into an amp, it sounds really balanced and natural.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar. It’s not the most expensive Martin guitar out there, but at the same time it’s not the cheapest either. A lot of guitarists may consider it as too expensive, but the truth is that it’s definitely worth the money. It’s all about the quality!
Here’s the sound demo of Martin D-13E – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Martin D-13E is an excellent instrument for both amateur and more intermediate guitarists. No matter how advanced you are, you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that model.
Still, due to the high price, it’s mostly used by experienced and professional guitarists. This guitar sounds great during live gigs, so it’s a perfect choice for any singer-songwriter or rhythm guitarist.
As I mentioned before, it’s also a really versatile instrument. Whether you prefer playing with your fingers or with a guitar pick, you can be sure that the D-13E will sound really natural and balanced. It’s great for such genres as country, folk, blues and rock.
Overall, the vast majority of guitar players will be satisfied the quality of Martin D-13E. Honestly, there’s not much to complain about – it’s really well made and it sounds awesome. Who needs anything else? That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Martin D-13E
Although Martin D-13E is a fantastic guitar, it’s still not one of the most expensive guitars made by this brand. Does it mean that there’s something that you should be worried about? Not necessarily!
In fact, the main disadvantage of that guitar is the price. Martin manufactures both cheaper and more expensive guitars, so the D-13E falls somewhere in the middle. If you’re on a really tight budget, getting this particular model may be a bit challenging fir you.
Additionally, some guitarists report that the built-in tuner is not the best either. It’s just not accurate as you’d expect it to be. This is not a massive problem, but it can be really annoying when you get a really expensive guitar and you experience problems with such small thing.
Summing up, the main cons of Martin D-13E are:
- relatively high price
- built-in tuner – it isn’t that good
- the overall quality (Mexican-made Martin guitars are a bit worse than American-made Martin guitars)
Still, the advantages of Martin D-13E outweigh the disadvantages. There’s not much to complain about apart from these minor issues. It’s not a cheap instrument, but it’s definitely not overpriced!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If don’t like the sound of Martin D-13E or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine! Thankfully, there’s still quite a lot of other really good acoustic-electric guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few good alternative options that also deserve a lot of attention.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature Model. This is a really unique and affordable model suitable not only for fans of Johnny Cash! It sounds great when you plug it into an amp and it has a very interesting black design. Surely, it’s one of the best alternatives for those who can’t afford getting the D-13E!
Alternatively, you can also check out the Gretsch G5024E Rancher. This is an another high quality acoustic-electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. Gretsch is known for manufacturing excellent hollow and semi-hollow body guitars, but not many people are aware that they also make fantastic acoustic guitars as well. The Rancher definitely proves that statement!
Additionally, you can also check out the Takamine GD11MCE. This is a really good sounding and affordable all-mahogany guitar. Guitars made entirely of this type of wood sound really warm, so they’re perfect for fingerpicking and fingerstyle playing. If that’s your kind of vibe, you should definitely check it out.
Still, I think it’s still worth it to save up to eventually get the Martin D-13E. It’s not that easy to beat its high quality!
FAQ
Where is Martin D-13E made?
Martin D-13E is manufactured in Mexico, just like all the guitars from the Road Series.
Where can I learn more about Martin guitars?
If you want to find out more about Martin guitars, make sure to visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Martin D-13E is a truly amazing acoustic-electric guitar. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all guitarists who are searching for a great sounding and reliable instrument suitable for practice, live gigs and studio recording.
What do you think about Martin guitars? Would you add this model to your own collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
