Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $500
Standard/Professional
$200
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
The Martin DRS1 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar marks the return of Martin's Road Series, which was originally introduced in 2001, designed for working and traveling guitarists on a modest budget, who require their instrument to be durable without giving up the quality of its sound.
The top, back and sides are crafted of solid sapele and braced for resonance and projection. The DRS1 neck is built with solid mahogany for extra rigidity and durability, and the belly bridge and fingerboard are made of Richlite that achieves a similar look to ebony.
This DRS1 comes equipped with the Fishman Sonitone sound reinforcement system, which has a preamp mounted in the soundhole with rotary controls for volume and tone. The Sonitone is powered by a 9-volt battery and has an endpin jack. Includes case.
FEATURES Body size: D-14 fret Top: Solid sapele Rosette: Single ring Back material: Solid sapele Side material: Solid sapele Binding: None Neck wood: Solid mahogany Neck shape: Modified low oval Headstock: Solid/standard taper Scale length: 25.4'' Fingerboard width at nut: 1-11/16'' Fingerboard position inlays: 1/8'' dots - one @3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, two @ 12th, one @ 15th and 17th frets Bridge material: Black richlite Bridge style: Belly Tuning machines: Chrome enclosed with small button Pickguard: black Case: 345 hardshell Interior label: Paper label Electronics: Fishman Sonitone
Product specs
| Brand | Martin |
| Model | DRS1 |
| Finish | Natural |
| Year | 2012 - 2025 |
| Made In | Mexico |
| Categories | Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Back Material | Sapele |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Color Family | Natural |
| Finish Style | Satin |
| Fretboard Material | Composite |
| Model Family | Martin DRS1 |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Martin Road Series |
| Sides Material | Sapele |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Sapele |
FAQs
-
What is the body shape of the Martin DRS1, and how does it affect the sound?
-
The Martin DRS1 features a dreadnought body shape, known for its powerful, robust sound with strong bass and clear treble, making it ideal for various playing styles, including strumming and flatpicking.
-
What materials are used in the construction of the Martin DRS1?
-
The Martin DRS1 is constructed with sapele for the top, back, and sides, which contributes to its warm and balanced tone. The fretboard is made from a composite material.
-
Does the Martin DRS1 come with any built-in electronics?
-
No, the Martin DRS1 does not include any built-in electronics, making it a pure acoustic guitar without an active preamp or pickup system.
-
Is the Martin DRS1 suitable for beginners?
-
Yes, the Martin DRS1 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and balanced tone, providing an excellent playing experience for those new to acoustic guitars.
-
How many frets does the Martin DRS1 have?
-
The Martin DRS1 has 20 frets, which is standard for many acoustic guitars, offering a range suitable for most playing styles and genres.
Videos
Acoustic Letter
Martin DRS1 Review - How does it sound?
Reviews
PROS
-
Rich, deep tones with excellent resonance for a full-bodied sound
-
High-quality craftsmanship with a satisfying Martin sound and feel
-
Versatile sound, great for multiple genres and playing styles
-
Holds up well over time, maintaining its tone and audio quality
-
Comfortable playability, suitable for musicians of all skill levels
-
Excellent value for an all-solid wood guitar in its price range
-
Beautiful sapele wood with a pleasing woody aroma
-
Smooth and full sound both acoustically and when amplified
-
Can withstand rough playing and still sound great
-
Comes with a factory Martin hardshell case
CONS
-
Battery holder is inconveniently located inside the sound hole
-
Buttons could be better positioned on the body for easier access
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin DRS1.
Build quality
Value and pricing
-
A used DRS1 typically ranges from $500-600, with older models featuring a multi-laminate neck potentially priced $50 less.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
Owners have used the DRS1 for touring, praising its performance over extended periods.
Source
Comparisons
-
The DRS1 is considered a good entry to Martin, with the D-10e being its closest current equivalent but supplied with a gig bag instead of a case.
Source -
The D-10E, a successor to the DRS1, offers an option with a spruce top for a different tonal quality, priced slightly higher than the all-sapele version.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 25 Ratings
61
this guitar is freaking awesome!!!
i got this guitar about a year ago, new, it has held up great and still has the same great tone and audio, amped or acoustically... it sounds awesome with most genres that have acoustic guitar in it and is very versatile, i do recommend getting a hard case bc who wants a damaged guitar, right? but you probably already know that lol... but i definitely recommend this, it has been great and i absolutely love it!!!
Workhorse acoustic/electric for the road
This guitar likes to be beaten to death. To really get the top moving you have to punch it a bit but I'm kind of a rough player and most of what I do is country-punk/blues-doom so I need an acoustic that can take a beating. Heavy bottom. Beautiful tone unplugged with a nice rich sound when amplified through the Fishman pick-up. I hate the battery holder being stuck with a piece of velcro inside the sound hole, though. That thing is a major pain in the ass to change with the strings on.
192
Very big fan of this guitar.
This guitar has a very nice tone. I love using it and it's very pretty.
Artist usage
Add artist
Se le ve usandola en el Lollapalooza 2019 y su sonido aparece en muchos en vivo de mas adelante, tanto como solista y con Ases Falsos
Mike shows off his Martin acoustic he uses which he has had fixed by the people at Martin Guitars
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin DRS1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.