Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

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.

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Martin DRS1 Review - How does it sound?

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 Review - How does it sound? by Acoustic Letter

Martin DRS1 Review - How does it sound?

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 vs Guild D-125 Guitar Comparison by Acoustic Letter

Martin DRS1 vs Guild D-125 Guitar Comparison

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 Review from Acoustic Guitar by Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Martin DRS1 Review from Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Demo by Guitar Center

Martin DRS1 Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 VS Martin DRS2 by WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Martin DRS1 VS Martin DRS2

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

WM SOUND Guitars 원미사운드

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1 Acoustic Guitar | Elderly Instruments by Elderly Instruments

Martin DRS1 Acoustic Guitar | Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Video thumbnail for Martin DRS1   All Solid by top acoustic

Martin DRS1 All Solid

top acoustic

top acoustic

Video thumbnail for MARTIN DRS1 (Review and Demonstration) by Eric David

MARTIN DRS1 (Review and Demonstration)

Eric David

Eric David

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

  • The serial number is stamped into the neck block where the neck joins the body, providing a way to verify authenticity.

    Source
  • The DRS1 features all solid sapele construction with a Richlite fretboard and bridge, appealing to players seeking sustainable materials.

    Source

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

User experience

  • Some owners find the appearance of earlier Stratabond necks unappealing, preferring the look of the solid necks introduced in later models.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Martin DRS1 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Martin DRS1 is a standout in its price range, offering musicians a rich, lively tone and exceptional build quality. Its use of solid sapele and innovative materials like Stratabond for the neck demonstrates Martin's commitment to sustainable guitar building. While the Fishman Sonitone preamp is basic, the overall value for money is hard to beat, making the DRS1 a formidable choice for both practice and performance.

positive

Review: Martin’s DRS1 is a Solid Dreadnought Designed For the Working Musician | Acoustic Guitar

acousticguitar.com
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 25 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
gillyn

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!!!

currocano

Martin Hantin

Maravilla Pura, sonido gordo y precioso, una Martin calidad-precio perfecta!

ryangunwitchblack

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.

chromium_toaster

Very big fan of this guitar.

This guitar has a very nice tone. I love using it and it's very pretty.

dukejr24

Beautiful Guitar

All around beautiful guitar in both sound and look. I recently traded this in for a D-28

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Cristóbal Briceño uses Martin DRS1

Cristóbal Briceño

Singer, Guitarist

Ases Falsos

...
Verified via Photo

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

See how Mike Duce uses Martin DRS1

Mike Duce

Guitarist

Lower Than Atlantis

...
Verified via YouTube

Mike shows off his Martin acoustic he uses which he has had fixed by the people at Martin Guitars

See how Mon Laferte uses Martin DRS1

Mon Laferte

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Territorioinformativo

Mon Laferte is pictured with her Martin DRS1 acoustic-electric guitar in a photo published by Territorioinformativo.

See how Enrico Rafael Laoagan uses Martin DRS1

Enrico Rafael Laoagan

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Enrico Rafael Laoagan was seen using a Martin DRS1 acoustic-electric guitar during an acoustic performance in 2019, as shown in a photo on his official Facebook page.

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.

Gibson LS6 Deluxe
Gibson LS6 Deluxe Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Toronado Deluxe
Fender Toronado Deluxe Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Mustang 1965 Reissue
Fender Mustang 1965 Reissue Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Marshall JCM900 4100
Marshall JCM900 4100 Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall JCM800 2203 Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

More Martin Acoustic-Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides