Videos (2)

View All
Martin Guitar Nazareth Factory Tour Part 1

Martin Guitar Nazareth Factory Tour Part 1

Martin Guitar Nazareth Factory Tour Part 2

Martin Guitar Nazareth Factory Tour Part 2

Martin

Description

The Martin Special D all-solid dreadnought acoustic guitar is a testament to Martin's renowned craftsmanship, offering exceptional tone and durability at an accessible price. Built with all-solid wood construction, the instrument features a Sitka spruce top paired with sapele back and sides, delivering a balanced, resonant sound with defined bass and shimmering highs. The dreadnought body shape provides bold projection, making it ideal for solo performances or ensemble settings. The satin finish enhances the natural beauty of the wood while allowing it to resonate freely. With its focus on tonal richness and responsive playability, this guitar is designed for players who demand quality and reliability in their instruments.

Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar With Sitka Spruce Top for Clear Projection

The solid Sitka spruce top of this acoustic guitar provides exceptional tonal clarity and dynamic range. Spruce is widely regarded for its ability to produce a punchy, articulate sound that suits both strumming and fingerpicking techniques. The top's stiffness allows it to handle dynamic playing styles without sacrificing responsiveness, ensuring every note rings out with precision. Paired with scalloped X-bracing, the spruce top vibrates freely while maintaining structural integrity, delivering bold projection and balanced resonance. This combination ensures a lively, clear tone that holds its own in both intimate and larger settings.

Martin Sapele Back and Sides for Warmth and Depth

The sapele back and sides of this instrument contribute to its warm and full-bodied sound. Known for its tonal similarity to mahogany, sapele enhances midrange warmth while providing a touch of brightness for balanced harmonic output. Its dense grain structure ensures durability and stability, maintaining consistent tone over time. The satin finish complements the natural beauty of the wood while allowing it to resonate freely. Together, these elements create a guitar that delivers rich, nuanced tone with a pleasing blend of warmth and clarity, ideal for musicians seeking depth and character in their sound.

Comfortable Martin Neck Profile for Extended Playability

The neck of this dreadnought acoustic guitar is designed for comfort and precision, featuring a Modified Low Oval shape that provides a relaxed yet secure grip. With a Performing Artist taper, the neck transitions smoothly for effortless movement across the fingerboard, making it ideal for both intricate fingerstyle techniques and aggressive chord strumming. The FSC-certified Richlite fingerboard offers a smooth playing surface and excellent durability, ensuring consistent performance even under demanding conditions. This ergonomic design minimizes hand fatigue, enabling extended playing sessions without sacrificing control or comfort.

Durable All-Solid Wood Construction

This guitar's all-solid wood construction ensures both tonal richness and long-term durability. The Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides are carefully chosen for their acoustic properties and ability to age gracefully, improving tone over time. The dovetail neck joint reinforces structural integrity, while the satin finish protects the wood without compromising resonance. These high-quality materials and thoughtful craftsmanship make the guitar a dependable choice for players seeking an instrument that will stand the test of time and deliver consistent tonal performance.

Built for Serious Guitar Players Seeking Quality Build and Tone

The Martin Special D all-solid dreadnought acoustic guitar offers a perfect balance of tonal richness, projection and durability for musicians who demand excellence. Its all-solid wood construction and responsive neck design ensure superior sound and effortless playability. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, this guitar delivers the quality and reliability needed to inspire your musical journey.

Open Box Martin Special D Classic Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Level 2 Natural 197881386108
Open Box Martin Special D Classic Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Level 2 Natural 197881386108
Open Box Martin Special D Classic Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Level 2 Natural 197881386108

Features

  • Solid Sitka spruce top delivers dynamic tone and excellent projection
  • All-mahogany body creates warm rich sound with enhanced resonance
  • Dreadnought body shape ensures bold volume and balanced low-end response
  • Hand-rubbed finish enhances natural wood tone and aesthetic appeal
  • Modified low oval neck provides comfortable playability for all styles
  • 20-fret fingerboard allows smooth navigation across the entire neck
  • Bone nut and saddle improve sustain and tonal clarity
  • Forward-shifted X-bracing enhances resonance and overall tonal balance
  • Ideal for both strumming and fingerstyle techniques with versatile sound
  • Premium craftsmanship ensures durability and exceptional sound quality

Specs

Body
  • Body type: Dreadnought, non-cutaway
  • Top wood: Solid spruce
  • Back & sides: Solid sapele
  • Bracing pattern: X
  • Body finish: Satin
Neck
  • Neck shape: Modified Low Oval
  • Nut width: 1.687"
  • Neck wood: Select hardwood
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Scale length: 25.4"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Hand-rubbed
  • Bridge: Ebony
Other
  • Tuning machines: Chrome
  • Orientation: Right handed
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Case: Gig bag
  • Country of origin: Mexico

Reviews

4.32

19 Reviews

81%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Very Special Indeed

I took basic Mel Bay guitar lessons when I was 10 years old with a backyard guitar that cost my mother I think $50 back in the day. As usual for an undisciplined kid, I found the process of practicing difficult and got bored easily. I excelled in singing instead so I laid the guitar down only to wonder for the rest of my life, could I have actually been a good guitar player had I just stuck with it? Now in my 50s I decided I would buy this Martin Special D Road Series Dreadnought solid spruce topped guitar and am completely satisfied. The tone is full and rich with distinctive highs and lows that's described for this guitar. I'm making sure that I'm keeping it in a humidified room between 40 to 50% stored in its case. After the initial break in tune period of the first couple of days, it's holding in tune very nicely. The high strings need to be adjusted as they rattle a bit. The Guitar Center technician explained this may happen and to bring it in for adjustments as this is a known Martin trait. So I plan to take care of that soon and begin my lessons with a local instructor. Wish me well in my journey and I wish you well in your journey as well. Happy playing. You'll love this guitar.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Stay away from it.

Bought a new one beginning of January, actually loved everything about it, but after 2 weeks, started getting fret buzz on the 1st and 2nd strings. A few days later, it was unplayable. The base of the neck was separating from the body. guitar center staff said it was the 4th one they had returns on because of issues.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing13
  2. Jamming12
  3. Small Venues7
  4. Recording5
  5. School Bands3
Cons
  1. Not Consistent2
  2. Poor Quality2
  3. Requires Constant Tuning1
  4. Action a little high. Easy fix1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced10
  2. Novice5
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Good Audio16
  2. Good Feel16
  3. Fun To Play15
  4. Stays In Tune14
  5. Consistent13
  • Stay away from it.

    1

    submitted23 days ago

    byBrian

    fromSaginaw, MI

    Bought a new one beginning of January, actually loved everything about it, but after 2 weeks, started getting fret buzz on the 1st and 2nd strings. A few days later, it was unplayable. The base of the neck was separating from the body. guitar center staff said it was the 4th one they had returns on because of issues.

  • Great guitar

    5

    submitteda month ago

    byDerrick

    fromLouisville,Ky

    Great sound for the money. Comparable to a D-18

  • Great for smaller fingers!

    5

    submitted6 months ago

    byJeff

    fromNaples, FL

    I wasn't crazy about this guitar when I first got it. Didn't feel quite right. Been playing for years just for my own enjoyment and never considered such details as nut width. Well, this one is 1 11/16" vs 1 3/4" that I was used to. Once I realized that, I started to appreciate how I could more easily fret 2 strings with one finger. Now I absolutely love it! And all solid wood Martin for under $900? All day long!

  • Richlite on a Martin? Shame shame shame

    1

    submitted6 months ago

    byAl

    fromSt. Clair Shores, MI

    Solid wood construction? I don't think so. The fingerboard is part of the construction of this instrument and Richlite is just basically glue and pressed paper. Boo

  • I'm in love

    5

    submitted8 months ago

    byMallory

    fromBethlehem PA

    Just got this last week and I don't think I've put it down. It's so smooth and the tone is incredible for the price. I was really surprised ( thought I shouldn't have been) at the quality and tone of this guitar. Highly recommend.

  • I never thought I'd be able to afford a Martin guitar!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byJoe

    fromEugene Oregon

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Guitar center had a killer deal on this particular Martin guitar model, and I decided to give it a go. Very sweet, the most I ever spent on a guitar, and I would do it again. Very nice finish, not shiny, kind of satiny. Easy to play, it was fretted well. My friends are all jealous! I like the fact that it's solid wood, it's not all glued together plywood or some other materials that the lower echelon guitars tend to use. It has very good resonance, I noticed that when I plucked the string the tone went on for a looooong time. It came with a really nice case too. It reminds me of my old trombone case kind of velvety inside. In short, it's probably the best acoustic guitar I'll ever have. Thanks for building the quality even into your lower level guitars, Martin!

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byFILO

    fromRichland Hills, TX

    Are the top, sides, and back of the guitar solid wood?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, the Martin Special D Classic Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar features an all-solid wood construction.
  • asked byBob

    fromLake Isabella, CA

    Which hard shell case will this guitar fit?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Martin Molded Dreadnought Hardshell Case Black
  • asked byJohn

    fromLaGrange,Ga..

    Is this guitar played by others ? Like demo

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, this is new.
  • asked bySAB

    fromundisclosed

    Does this guitar have a pickup system in it?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, it doesn't.
  • asked byEdward

    fromJackson, NJ

    does this product fall under the 45 day return policy?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, it does.
  • asked byBeverly

    fromPalatine, Il

    Does the Special D Martin guitar go through the Plek process?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, it does.
  • asked byHowie

    fromSan Diego, Ca

    What strings does it come with?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Martin uses Authentic Acoustic Lifespan® 2.0 Guitar Strings Phosphor Bronze
  • asked byZac

    fromMissouri

    Does this have a truss rod?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Martin Special D does have a truss rod.
  • asked byArnold

    fromPahrump Nv

    What kind of gig bag is included?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Martin 12B0012 Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag Black(113570154)
  • asked byArnold

    fromPahrump Nv

    How's the action on this guitar?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Excellent. In regard to acoustic's, one of the best.
  • Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • Next