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Martin
Description

Part of their X Series line of great instruments, this Martin Special GPC koa Grand Performance acoustic-electric guitar is an innovative instrument combining Martin's acclaimed Grand Performance body style with a koa HPL top, back and sides for enhanced warmth, clarity and projection. Koa's distinctive grain pattern is complemented by a hand-rubbed finish, herringbone ink rosette and chrome enclosed-gear tuners. Powered by Fishman's MX onboard electronics, the Special GPC koa delivers a natural acoustic tone at high volumes on stage or in the studio. This Special GPC Koa is crafted for discerning players seeking an exotic wood acoustic-electric guitar with premium appointments and Fishman pickup performance.

Koa Pattern HPL Top, Back and Sides Provide Rich, Balanced Tone

This Martin Special GPC koa's construction's koa pattern HPL produces a warm, resonant tone with pronounced mids and tight, articulate bass. The high pressure laminate body and top also give you the beautiful aesthetics of koa woodgrain.

Fishman MX Pickup Captures Natural Acoustic Sound

The Special GPC koa comes equipped with Fishman's MX pickup, which accurately reproduces the guitar's acoustic tone when plugged in. The pickup uses a flexible film sensor to capture the guitar's soundboard vibration and body resonance. This translates to a warm, natural acoustic sound at high volumes on stage and in recording environments. The MX system also features volume and tone controls, allowing players to shape their amplified tone to perfection.

Grand Performance Body Style Offers Comfort and Playability

This X Series Special GPC koa model features Martin's Grand Performance body, which produces a versatile sound with plenty of projection. The Grand Performance body is slightly smaller than a dreadnought, providing exceptional comfort and playability. Its tapered shoulder and narrower nut width make it ideal for fingerpicking and strumming, while the moderate depth results in a controlled bass response. Overall, the Grand Performance shape strikes a balance between volume, comfort and tone.

Premium Appointments Complement Koa Aesthetic

Several premium appointments adorn the Special GPC koa, highlighting its stunning koa pattern HPL woodgrain. A herringbone ink rosette circles the soundhole, while chrome enclosed-gear tuners provide vintage-style tuning stability. A satin finish protects the koa while allowing it to breathe freely for the best possible tone. Together with the koa top, back and sides, these appointments produce an instrument that is as visually striking as it is musically compelling.

Martin GPC Special Koa Pattern HPL Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural
Martin GPC Special Koa Pattern HPL Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural
Martin GPC Special Koa Pattern HPL Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural
Specs
Body
  • Body type: GPC-14 Fret
  • Cutaway: Cutaway
  • Top wood: Koa Pattern HPL
  • Back & sides: Koa Pattern HPL 
  • Rosette: Herringbone Ink
  • Bracing pattern: Scalloped X
  • Body finish: Hand-rubbed
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: High-Performance Taper
  • Nut width: 1-3/4"
  • Fingerboard: FSC Certified Richlite with mother-of-pearl dots, 28 style pattern
  • Neck wood: Natural Birch Laminate
  • Scale length: 25.4"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Hand-rubbed
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Yes
  • Brand: Fishman MX
  • Configuration: Soundhole-mounted preamp
  • Preamp EQ: No
  • Feedback filter: No
  • Tuner: No
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Koa pattern HPL
  • Tuning machines: Chrome Enclosed Gear
  • Bridge: FSC Certified Richlite
  • Saddle & nut: White Corian, Compensated White TUSQ
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: Tonewoods
  • Case: Padded gig bag
  • Country of origin: Mexico
Reviews

4.57

30 Reviews

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

One of my favorites!
This guitar has sold me on HPL
Yes

Most Liked Positive Review

5

This guitar has sold me on HPL

I've had an alvarez for the past 15 years that has served me well, however the frets are pretty much worn down to the point they were in need of replacing. I decided to just get a new guitar and retire the old guy, went to GC and tried a few acoustics and ultimately settled, so I thought, on another new alvarez. As I was walking out of the room I saw the Martin and it was within $40 of the alvarez and I figured, what the heck I'll just give it a quick play. I couldn't believe how great this thing sounds for being composed mostly of paper and wood scraps. It's not a perfect comparison to a high end Martin, but it definitely comes close. It is bright, clear and still punchy on the lower notes with very good sustain. I immediately put the alvarez back and took this guy home with me. I couldn't find much online about this exact model, it doesn't even show up on the Martin website. However from what I can tell it's the same as any other all HPL body Martin's with a different color wood grain. The wood grain pattern has no effect on tone with the all HPL versions so it's really just cosmetically what you like. Up close you can absolutely tell this isn't real wood (except for the headstock, and even the fret board is passable as real wood). And it actually started to make me wonder if I should return this and get the all wood Alvarez. Upon further thinking I decided it was a stupid and superficial thing to care about. This guitar played better and sounded better than any of the real wood instruments in it's price range. Build quality is great. No sharp fret ends, no glue on the body, no cracks or dents. I tuned this once so far. On the way home from GC in the back seat of my vehicle. It's now been 3 days since then and the tuning has held which is shocking. I never thought I'd like a fake wood instrument, but time makes fools of us all and martin can apparently build a fantastic guitar out of paper.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Nice sound, but with some faults

I play at some parties, but mostly recording in a small home studio. This guitar has a very nice deep and rich sound - great for full chords to back up vocal(s). Despite its description as an environmentally adaptable guitar, the neck compressed slightly when kept it in a colder room of the house, exposing undressed fret ends which were very sharp. More like what you might expect from a $100 guitar. Additionally, the action on higher frets began to get higher within the first couple of months. Martin does not include a truss rod wrench with the guitar! Had to order one. Altogether, great sound, but sub-par quality for a Martin. Still would recommend the guitar, just for the sound.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing24
  2. Jamming19
  3. Small Venues16
  4. Recording14
  5. Rock Concerts6
Cons
  1. Poor Quality3
  2. Flat Sound1
  3. Not Consistent1
  4. None, but the fret board could better quality1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced21
  2. Novice6
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Good Feel27
  2. Stays In Tune26
  3. Good Audio25
  4. Fun To Play24
  5. Consistent18

Reviewed by 30 customers

  • Great Little Guitar for the Price

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byGuitarGeorge

    fromAnn Arbor MI 48103

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use it for my home studio to improvise and write new songs.

  • Would not recommend

    2

    submitted2 years ago

    byCaptain Kirk

    fromOrlando

    This guitar is unacceptable to cost this much and yet has so many flaws such as neck issues, Sounds get lost between 10 and 14 field due to either low action or some other issue. Poor quality, sound is not bad when playing chords but still for the price is poor quality

  • Not real wood

    4

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byLarissa

    fromCentral Point, Oregon

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This guitar is beautiful & the sound is great. However, when I bought it for my husband for Christmas I was under the impression it was real wood. We found out it was actually laminate, not real wood. We did some research & found out which ones were real wood & decided to return & purchase a Martin Dreadnought that was real spruce. My husband wanted something he could pass down as a family heirloom & laminate does not have the same appeal & authenticity.

  • Formica guitar

    3

    submitted2 years ago

    byMark

    fromWillis, VA

    It looks nice and the neck is the best I have played however the entire guitar is Formica not Koa wood. I felt mislead by the caption. The sound is average with too much boom and there was a buzz when playing a G chord. The pick up is Not the quality one would expect and the EQ isn't very responsive. I took it to a Martin service tech and he told me to send it back. Good for a beginner.

  • this is amazing

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    bybenjamin

    frompa

    i bought this guitar bc my ibanez was a little old and wasn't playing good so i was looking for guitars and came across this one and i was lucky enough to find this on sale so i bought it and it is amazing it is so worth the price i highly recommend it you're gonna love it

  • My First Martin!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byShawn

    fromYucaipa, CA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    So far, I love it! Not quite as loud unplugged as I thought it would be, but really nice, deep tone that really resonates. The neck is comfortable and easy to play.

Q&A

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

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byD

    fromCa.

    Where is the guitar made?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The GPC is made in Mexico.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked bycass

    fromCA

    What size pick guard could I order to add to this guitar?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    They're pretty standard......Proline Acoustic M5-Style Pickguard Black

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byScott

    fromDowney, Ca

    On Martin's website a bag is included with purchase, as with Taylor as well even when purchased from a dealer like guitar center. Does this guitar come with a bag?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes, a gigbag is included

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byOllie

    fromSalt Lake, Utah

    Does this guitar have an automatic tuner and an electric port?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This is an acoustic electric but it doesn't have a built in tuner.
    Open Reply - Ronald
    It does not have a tuner and there isn't a pickup in it.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byJana

    fromOklahoma

    Is this a good learning guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar would be a good choice for a beginner.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byKanaboy

    fromHonolulu, Hi

    What does Koa pattern mean? Is it notKoa wood?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    No, it is not. It's referred to as an HPL HPL stands for high pressure laminate. It is a composite material made from paper and resin that is pressed at very high pressure. The surface will have a wood pattern (Mahogany, rosewood, Koa, etc.) and a protective clear coating. It is not a wood veneer.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked bykim

    fromwetumpka al

    does it come with a hard shell case

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    This guitar comes with a gig bag.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byHenry

    fromBoston, MA

    If I order this guitar and do not like it, can I send it back for a full refund? Also, if this guitar goes on sale or if a qualifying coupon becomes available soon after I receive it, can I get a refund for the difference in price?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    We do have a 45 day return period for this model. Yes, we will price match ourselves and our own sales for 45 days,

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byDon

    fromWellington NV

    Ok so the Body on this guitar is shallower in depth in the sound hole than a standard martin dreadnought guitar? Sorry for so many questions, I just want to make sure that it is a shallower body and shallower sound hole than a dreadnought before I purchase it, thanks..

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Yes it is. It's 4.5 where the standard size is roughly 5"

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byDon

    fromWellington NV

    Does this have a shallow body like an 000 martin? I like the looks of this guitar and the price but I am wanting a shallower body than a dreadnought, thanks..

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Not an shallow of a body, but not far off from it. The standard 000 body is about .5-1" narrower, depending on the model.