Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $324

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$200

$601+

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High-end

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Description

Introducing the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin, a compact yet powerful addition to the world of acoustic guitars. Crafted with Martin's usual steadfast dedication to quality, this guitar delivers a rich, full-bodied sound, defying its small size. Excellent in its durability and playability, the Little Martin is the ideal guitar for both beginners and seasoned musicians looking for a portable practice instrument.

This remarkable guitar belongs to Martin's innovative X Series, a testament to Martin's commitment to sustainability and accessibility. Recognizing the increasing scarcity of traditional tonewoods, Martin has ingeniously incorporated high-pressure laminate (HPL) into the construction of these guitars. This combination of compressed wood fibers and traditional tonewoods result in an instrument that is not only affordable and long-lasting but also capable of producing that iconic Martin sound.

Your Little Martin purchase comes with a highly durable padded gig bag, complete with a tough ballistic cloth exterior and a plush interior. Equipped with backpack straps and a front zipper compartment, it ensures both the safety of your instrument and the convenience of easy portability.

Key Features:

  • Part of Martin’s forward-thinking X Series
  • Constructed with a blend of high-pressure laminate (HPL) and traditional tonewoods
  • Compact size, ideal for students and traveling musicians
  • Comes with a durable padded gig bag with backpack straps and a front zipper compartment
  • Offers the classic Martin sound at an affordable price
  • Excellent durability and easy playability

Product specs

Brand Martin
Model LX Black
Finish Black
Year 2003 - 2019
Made In Mexico
Categories Acoustic Travel Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material High Pressure Laminate
Body Shape Travel
Color Family Black
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Composite
Model Family Martin LX
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Martin Little Martin
Sides Material High Pressure Laminate
String Type Steel
Top Material High Pressure Laminate

FAQs

Is the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin is ideal for beginners due to its compact size and comfortable playability, making it easy to handle and learn on.

What materials are used in the construction of the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin?

The Martin LX BLACK Little Martin features high-pressure laminate for the top, back, and sides, providing durability and resistance to scratches and blemishes.

Does the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin have a built-in pickup for amplification?

No, the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin does not come with a built-in pickup, making it a purely acoustic guitar without electronic amplification capabilities.

How portable is the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin for travel?

The Martin LX BLACK Little Martin is highly portable due to its travel-sized body, making it an excellent choice for musicians on the go.

What kind of sound can I expect from the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin?

Despite its small size, the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin delivers a balanced tone with good projection, suitable for practice and intimate performances.

The Guitar Spa Singapore

The Guitar Spa Singapore

Martin Little Martin LX Black Guitar Review

Video thumbnail for Martin Little Martin LX Black Guitar Review by The Guitar Spa Singapore

Martin Little Martin LX Black Guitar Review

The Guitar Spa Singapore

The Guitar Spa Singapore

Video thumbnail for Little Martin LX Black Demo and Review by Jason Pilling Music - Behind the Scenes

Little Martin LX Black Demo and Review

Jason Pilling Music - Behind the Scenes

Jason Pilling Music - Behind the Scenes

Video thumbnail for Little Martin LX Black & Martin Retro Monel Strings by Terry McKay II

Little Martin LX Black & Martin Retro Monel Strings

Terry McKay II

Terry McKay II

Video thumbnail for Little Martin LX Black Unboxing & Guitarchaeology by PinetopJackson

Little Martin LX Black Unboxing & Guitarchaeology

PinetopJackson

PinetopJackson

Video thumbnail for Martin LX Black acoustic guitar soundcheck by Tamás Pógyor

Martin LX Black acoustic guitar soundcheck

Tamás Pógyor

Tamás Pógyor

Reviews

PROS

  • Compact size ideal for travel and kids

  • Surprisingly robust sound for its size

  • High-quality gig bag included

  • Durable and built like a "little tank"

  • Easy to play, even for beginners

  • Good tuners and fretboard quality

  • Stays in tune with aggressive strumming

  • Lighter strings enhance its sound

  • Solid build quality for the price

  • Attractive matte black finish

CONS

  • Tuning stability issues in some units

  • Can sound "boxy" to some players

  • Matte black finish shows body oils

  • High action out-of-the-box in some cases

  • Requires setup tweaks for optimal playability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin LX BLACK Little Martin.

Build quality

  • The Martin LX BLACK features a body made of high-pressure laminate (HPL), praised for its durability and resistance to environmental changes.

    Source
  • The full HPL body features a printed koa grain design that looks decent from a distance but is noticeably artificial up close.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar includes a birch laminate neck called Stratabond and a Richlite fretboard and bridge, highlighting its use of alternative materials.

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Use cases and applications

  • Owners appreciate the guitar's resilience, making it ideal for environments like camping and winter living room storage without worrying about damage.

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  • The guitar is ideal for travel and camping due to its compact size and durability against temperature and humidity changes.

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  • The Little Martin is favored as a reliable backup for gigs, useful for situations like unexpected string breaks during performances.

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User experience

  • After a year of ownership, users report satisfaction with the guitar's stability and sound quality, despite its unconventional materials.

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  • The short 23” scale may require adjustment for those accustomed to full-sized guitars, but it's suitable for travel purposes.

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  • A user prefers the concert body shape of the Little Martin for its comfort, compared to the Baby Taylor's dreadnought shape.

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Comparisons

  • Some users feel the black finish gives the guitar a plasticky look, contrasting with more traditional wooden finishes.

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  • Owners note that the Martin LX BLACK is often unfairly compared to models like the GS Mini, which is larger, more expensive, and reportedly less durable for rugged use.

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  • The Little Martin is noted for its fuller sound compared to the Baby Taylor, which is described as louder and clearer.

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  • Unlike the Taylor BT-1, the Martin requires less attention to humidity due to its laminate construction, making it more user-friendly for beginners.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Some users find the action too high out of the box and recommend lowering the saddle for improved playability.

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  • Owners recommend changing to silk and steel strings for a clearer, brighter sound, reducing the bass-heavy tone out of the box.

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Value and pricing

  • Many suggest purchasing used between $250-300 for the best value, highlighting its affordability compared to other options.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Sean Long uses Martin LX BLACK Little Martin

Sean Long

Guitarist

While She Sleeps

...
Verified via Instagram

Sean shows his Little Martin in several photos on his Instagram

See how Jasper Steverlinck uses Martin LX BLACK Little Martin

Jasper Steverlinck

Singer, Guitarist

Arid

...
Verified via Photo

Jasper Steverlinck used the Martin LX BLACK Little Martin guitar during the 10th season of the Belgian music program "Liefde voor Muziek" on VTM, where he performed a Metallica song and shared a story about it in the episode. This is supported by an image from the show.

See how Eloise uses Martin LX BLACK Little Martin

Eloise

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

It's the guitar in the video. It's also in alot of her pictures and other videos. It seems to be her go-to guitar. Edit: So I saw her in Atlanta, and she had TWO of these!?? I guess one had different tuning for songs like Lines or other stuff with drop d...

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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