Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (38)
$449.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (19)
$449.99
Amazon
4.3 (81)
$449.99
Reverb
5.0 (32)
$449.00 New
$290.79 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (12)
$449.99
zZounds
5.0 (10)
$399.00
Thomann
4.3 (3)
$585.00 $579.00 $6.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£419.00

Average Price: $440

Standard/Professional

$200

$601+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Martin LX1 Little Martin". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* 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 LX1 Little Martin is a compact acoustic guitar designed for musicians on the go. Its modified O-style body combines the durability of mahogany-pattern high-pressure laminate (HPL) with the rich, clear tone of a solid spruce top, resulting in a surprisingly resonant sound for such a small instrument. The HPL construction also makes this guitar resilient to temperature and humidity changes, making it a reliable travel companion.

The LX1's 23" scale length and low-profile neck provide a comfortably loose feel for players of all sizes, while its hand-rubbed satin finish enhances the natural beauty of the spruce and HPL. Single notes ring out with piano-like clarity, and full chords bloom with rich overtones. Despite its diminutive size, the LX1 projects with impressive volume and sustain, making it a small but mighty acoustic instrument.

Key Features:

  • Solid spruce top for a clear, articulate sound with a balanced frequency response
  • Mahogany-pattern high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides for durability and punchy midrange
  • 23" scale length and low-profile neck for a comfortable feel for players of all sizes
  • Hand-rubbed satin finish for enhanced wood beauty and resonance
  • Compact size for easy portability and playability
  • Resilient construction resistant to temperature and humidity changes

Product specs

String Type Steel
Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Shape LX1 Modified 0-14 Fret
Body Style No Cutaway
Back & Sides Wood Mahogany High-pressure Laminate
Top Wood Spruce
Finish Hand Rubbed
Body Bracing Modified X Series X, Crowned Cross Brace
Neck Wood Rust Stratabond
Neck Shape Modified Low Oval
Radius 16"
Number of Frets 20 (total), 14 (clear)
Scale Length 23"
Nut Width 1.6875"
Nut/Saddle Material White Corian/16" Radius Compensated White TUSQ
Bridge Material Richlite
Tuning Machines Chrome with Small Buttons
Strings Lifespan 2.0 92/8 Phosphor Bronze, .013-.056
Case/Gig Bag Gig Bag
Body Length 15"
Body Width 12"
Body Depth 3"
Overall Length 34"

FAQs

Is the Martin LX1 Little Martin suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is an excellent choice for beginners due to its smaller size, which makes it more comfortable to play, especially for younger or smaller players.

What type of wood is used in the Martin LX1 Little Martin's construction?

The Martin LX1 Little Martin features a spruce top with mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, offering a robust and balanced tone.

Does the Martin LX1 Little Martin come with a case?

Yes, the Martin LX1 Little Martin comes with a gig bag, providing convenient protection and portability.

What is the neck profile of the Martin LX1 Little Martin?

The Martin LX1 Little Martin has a modified low oval neck profile, which offers comfortable playability for both beginners and experienced players.

How many frets does the Martin LX1 Little Martin have?

The Martin LX1 Little Martin has a total of 20 frets, with 14 frets clear of the body, allowing for a range of playing styles.

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Martin LX1 vs Baby Taylor - A Travel Guitar Comparison

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 vs Baby Taylor - A Travel Guitar Comparison by Acoustic Letter

Martin LX1 vs Baby Taylor - A Travel Guitar Comparison

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Taylor GS Mini VS Martin LX1 by Acoustic Letter

Taylor GS Mini VS Martin LX1

Acoustic Letter

Acoustic Letter

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 Demo - Top 5 Travel Guitars by PMTVUK

Martin LX1 Demo - Top 5 Travel Guitars

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar Review - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar Review - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 Review One Year Later: Is It Still Worth It? by Calidore Robinson

Martin LX1 Review One Year Later: Is It Still Worth It?

Calidore Robinson

Calidore Robinson

Video thumbnail for Little Martin LX1 Vs  Baby Taylor BT2E - The Battle Of The Travel Sized Guitars by Guitar Gear Gyan

Little Martin LX1 Vs Baby Taylor BT2E - The Battle Of The Travel Sized Guitars

Guitar Gear Gyan

Guitar Gear Gyan

Video thumbnail for Little Martin LX1 Acoustic Guitar Review | Travel Guitar Review by Blaze Guitar Lessons

Little Martin LX1 Acoustic Guitar Review | Travel Guitar Review

Blaze Guitar Lessons

Blaze Guitar Lessons

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 Little Martin Guitar Playing Video by Uke Like The Pros

Martin LX1 Little Martin Guitar Playing Video

Uke Like The Pros

Uke Like The Pros

Video thumbnail for Martin LX1 Demo! (Little Martin) by PINK TIGER STUDIOS

Martin LX1 Demo! (Little Martin)

PINK TIGER STUDIOS

PINK TIGER STUDIOS

Reviews

PROS

  • Perfect size for travel and easy to carry

  • Durable with HPL back and sides and Stratabond neck

  • Surprisingly good tone for a small guitar

  • Resonant and loud considering its size

  • Excellent craftsmanship and build quality

  • Stays in tune for days

  • Great action right out of the box

  • Balanced sound with good sustain

  • Highly playable, not a toy

  • Affordable compared to similar travel guitars

CONS

  • Neck dive due to lightweight body

  • Gig bag lacks sufficient storage space

  • Doesn't sound exactly like a full-size guitar

  • Vulnerable to damage if dropped

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin LX1 Little Martin.

Comparisons

  • The LX1's "boxy" sound contrasts with the Taylor GS Mini's more open tone; some prefer the latter for a richer sound experience.

    Source
  • The LX1 is often chosen as a second guitar; full-size models like the Taylor Academy 12 offer better sound and comfort for primary use.

    Source
  • The LX1 and Baby Taylor were both tested, with a preference for the Martin due to its mellower tone and lower price.

    Source
  • The LX1 is compared unfavorably to the Martin 000-Jr, with the latter offering better low-end and sound quality due to its solid wood construction.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners frequently use the LX1 as a durable "knock around" guitar for travel or outdoor activities, highlighting its portability and resilience.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the LX1's small size for its mobility, allowing for comfortable playing in various settings, such as a hammock.

    Source
  • Some users note that the GS Mini's fretboard provides a more satisfying play experience, especially for casual or at-home playing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The LX1 is suitable for children or smaller players, but adults may prefer a full-size guitar for more comfortable playing.

    Source
  • The LXK2 is praised for its reliability and sturdiness, making it ideal for travel and outdoor use without the need for careful handling.

    Source
  • The LX1 is favored by users for its small size, making it ideal for walking around settings like schools or public spaces.

    Source

Build quality

  • The LXK2 uses a full HPL body and Stratobond neck, with actual wood only in the bracing, contributing to its durability and resistance to temperature changes.

    Source
  • Some owners report tuning instability with the LX1, suggesting potential issues with its tuning machines or nut slots.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some users recommend lowering the saddle to improve action height, enhancing playability right out of the box.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners find the LXK2 to be a good value when purchased used for $250-300, or slightly more for a new unit on sale.

    Source
  • The GS Mini is often considered a better value despite its higher price, due to its superior tone and build quality compared to the LX1.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
gearguy99

good small body acoustic but mediocre acoustic.

I actually like the very loud and bright tone I get from it. However most acoustic players enjoy a “fuller” tone therefore in terms of other acoustics it’s honestly not that great. (used on “Not So Kino”)

michaelpole

very good, great travel instrument

Crazy how this little guitar can create such a big sound. I use this everywhere from the studio to Swansea beach and it is perfect for any situation.

sonnivate

Hole-y

Once upon a time it fell off my bed. There is a big hole on the side of it. It sounds really janky but sometimes that sits well in the mix.

willemtk

My travel guitar

Great travel guitar , all the songs Ed Sheeran sounds great on this model

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Céline Dion uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Céline Dion

Singer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo Celine can be seen playing an LX1 LITTLE MARTIN.

See how Jan Borysewicz uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Jan Borysewicz

Guitarist, Bassist

Lady Pank

...
Verified via Photo

Jan Borysewicz can be seen using the Martin LX1 Little Martin in a video posted on his official Instagram account.

See how Negative XP uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Negative XP

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Here Negative XP is seen using his Martin Mini paired with a Pignose mini electric guitar amp for both his live performances in Zilker Park, and at the Light Wave Carnival performance.

See how Anil Öztas uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Anil Öztas

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Anil Öztas uses a heavily customized Martin LX1 Little Martin guitar since 2019, featuring abalone inlay on the fretboard, headstock, body, bridge, and around the soundhole. This guitar is equipped with a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker and Schaller M6 tuners.

See how Ian Munsick uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Ian Munsick

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

This Facebook post confirms that Ian Munsick uses the Martin LX1 Little Martin guitar.

See how Romain Humeau uses Martin LX1 Little Martin

Romain Humeau

Singer, Guitarist

Eiffel

...
Verified via Photo

Romain utilise une martin mini (potentiellement une lx1) à partir de "mousquetaire #1" en 2016 jusqu'à aujourd'hui, et semble avoir remplacé sa Yamaha Compass series.

Album Usage

The Martin LX1 Little Martin has been featured on the following albums:

1 alternative for Martin LX1 Little Martin, curated by the Equipboard community.

Martin LX1E Ed Sheeran ÷ Signature Edition

$350.00

limited edition

It is the Ed sheeran signature guitar that was created upon his 'divide' album's release

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