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Martin

Description

The Martin SC-10E is an accessible acoustic-electric guitar with a look and feel unlike any other model in the company's history. One peek down the soundhole confirms it, where a large X-brace marks the spot of departure. Of course, Martin invented X-bracing in 1843, but never before have they put such a brace on the backof the guitar. The asymmetric body shape is also a new one—the contour is made for comfort. Grab the neck and you'll notice a difference, too—the profile is closer to an electric guitar than an acoustic. Made for the modern player, the SC-10E doesn't deny Martin history, it expands upon it, offering traditional tones with a playability and visual appeal all its own. 

Want a Martin acoustic guitar that's comfortable?

Want a Martin acoustic guitar that's comfortable? 

The SC-10E has an offset body that conforms to the contours of your own, making it ridiculously comfortable whether you sit or stand. It's shallower than a dreadnought (4" versus 4.8"), mitigating feedback while still providing acoustic punch. Martin reconfigured the bracing to increase the low-end response, but every string rings with the same volume for a truly balanced sound. The top is Sitka spruce; back and sides are koa veneer over a mahogany core. 

The Martin SC-10E is an acoustic that feels like an electric

The Martin SC-10E is an acoustic that feels like an electric

It's often jarring to switch between electric and acoustic in the same set, because the neck profiles are so dissimilar. That's not a problem with the SC-10E—it plays as fast as your favorite electric. The back of the Low Profile Velocity neck is thicker by the bass strings and thinner by the treble strings near the nut. As you move up, it reverses—the treble side gets bigger, the bass side, slimmer. Though it might be difficult to visualize, the ergonomic feel is easy to internalize, making this Martin one of the easiest guitars to play in the company's lineup.

Why this guitar is superior for soloing

Why this guitar is superior for soloing

A cutaway is key for playing single-note lines high on the fretboard, and the one on the SC-10E acoustic-electric guitar is unlike anything Martin has ever done before. It's sculpted and smooth; the lack of a neck heel means you can soar up all 20 frets without your hand smacking into a hunk of hardwood. Keep the action low if that's your style, or raise it up if you play more rhythms—Martin's Sure Align system means everything can be adjusted in minutes. The SC-10E comes with a Fishman MX-T pickup, onboard tuner and a gig bag. 

Features

  • Spruce top with koa fine veneer back and sides
  • Select hardwood neck in a 25.4" scale length
  • Ebony bridge and fingerboard
  • Fishman MX-T electronics

Specs

Body
  • Body type: S 13-fret cutaway
  • Top wood: Spruce
  • Back & sides: Koa fine veneer
  • Bracing pattern: Tone tension X brace, treble-side scalloped X with non-scalloped tone bars
  • Body finish: Satin
Neck
  • Neck shape: Low-profile velocity
  • Nut width: 1.75"
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Neck wood: Select hardwood
  • Scale length: 25.4"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Satin
  • Bridge: Ebony, Katalox, Richlite or granadillo
  • Saddle & nut: Compensated white TUSQ saddle and white corian nut
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Fishman MX-T
Other
  • Tuning machines: Open-gear
  • Orientation: Right-handed
  • Number of strings: 6 string
  • Case: Gig bag
  • Country of origin: Mexico

Warranty

One year warranty on Martin Backpackers, Little Martins and ukuleles. Limited lifetime on other Martin guitars.

Featured Articles

Reviews

4.4

10 Reviews

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Great Guitar, Terrible support from Martin, Setup Hack

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Love it!

Up front I like brighter sounding acoustics (and electrics) and this model Martin was a real revelation. It feels like an electric neck to me so easy to play and the workmanship is outstanding. I was a little thrown by the bolt in neck but I get it now, it allows for owner adjustments (though I would still take it to a luthier) but what floored me was how singing this guitar is all the way up, even chords up at the 12+ frets sound full and loud. This is a pretty darn loud guitar. It has a nice deep penetrating low end but not a fat low end like a more traditional expensive Martins it has bite but a very appealing musical bite. (Think P90 as opposed to Humbuckers) (I'm speaking only played acoustic have not plugged it in yet) again I like it because it sings with a great sustain but not too much low end which can be difficult to record and sing against. Notes just seem to push tone out I was able to push this guitar until it seemed like the strings were rubber bands but it never quit it just kept the tone clear and ringing. Love the design of the bouts feels great to have on your lap. It sounded great flat picked finger picked nail picked strummed hammered pulled nothing did not sound excellent to my ears. I also tried a Taylor 214 CE K which I thought sounded great on videos but wow it sounded choked in many ways and chords that barked out and shouted on the Martin sounded muffled and pretty weak on the Taylor. That's when I decided this Martin was it. (In some ways this guitar sounds like a 12 string because of the bell like clarity and definition just what I was looking for).

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Great Guitar, Terrible support from Martin, Setup Hack

I like this guitar, it sounds good and records well. Out of the box, the action was terrible. Martin sells this with the promise of adjustable neck angle by inserting various wedges. Wedges are not available from GC and cannot be ordered from Martin unless you are a repair shop (thus the 3 stars). So, right out of the box Martin recommended I take the guitar to a repair shop and spend a bunch of extra money to get the action they advertised for this guitar! SHAME ON YOU MARTIN!!!! Luckily I came up with a Hack. I removed the neck, got a set of automobile feeler gauges and cut one into 2 1/8 inches long strip to fit in the neck slot. The thickness of 0.14 inches worked best for my current strings and saddle setup. But, I can adjust when needed by going up or down in feeler gauge thickness. See picture. The picture also shows that the fit an finish are not really up to Martin standards, note the incomplete and sloppy sound hole rosette inlay. Nice Guitar but dishonest marketing by Martin with some sloppy construction.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing8
  2. Jamming6
  3. Recording3
  4. Small Venues3
  5. Rock Concerts2
Cons
  1. Flat Sound1
  2. Not Consistent1
  3. Cannot buy neck angle adjustment wedges1
  4. Strings are rough1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced8
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Good Feel8
  2. Fun To Play7
  3. Good Audio7
  4. Consistent3
  5. Stays In Tune3

Reviewed by 10 customers

  • Great Guitar

    5

    submitted10 months ago

    byBob

    fromKing of Prussia Pa

    I received my SC10e as a gift. Great playing and sounding guitar. Martin Guitar sells a set up kit including a set of shims, a torque wrench, truss bar wrench and action gauges. I've been playing for 55 years and it's one of the easiest playing acoustics I own.

  • Disappointed

    2

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byRoy

    fromFayetteville NC

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Another Mexican Martin guitar… had string buzz at the bridge of the G string right out of the box… same as another Mexican Martin I already own. The neck is tapered and gets wider towards the body. Great if you want to solo non stop but I am more into strumming. Hard to make Barr chords up the neck. Retuned it for a Taylor CE-14…

  • Why I down graded

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byMarc

    fromLake Worth Beach FL

    Love the sound

  • A great acoustic for electric guitar players

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byTina

    fromLos Angeles

    I've had this guitar for 6 months now. I haven't had to do anything to it. The setup was low and perfect. It's so easy to play up and down the thin neck. The asymmetrical lower bout is really comfortable on the lap. The cutawayis incredible (I own a 12 fret with no cutaway and its a battle) People try and compare this to a aged dreadnought and it's not a reasonable comparison. This is more like a 000 in terms of sound but i don't get a lot of low end. I find the guitar is bright. If you like playing lead guitar then this is great option for an electric player.

  • Great Guitar, Terrible support from Martin, Setup Hack

    3

    submitted4 years ago

    byM

    fromSan Francico

    I like this guitar, it sounds good and records well. Out of the box, the action was terrible. Martin sells this with the promise of adjustable neck angle by inserting various wedges. Wedges are not available from GC and cannot be ordered from Martin unless you are a repair shop (thus the 3 stars). So, right out of the box Martin recommended I take the guitar to a repair shop and spend a bunch of extra money to get the action they advertised for this guitar! SHAME ON YOU MARTIN!!!! Luckily I came up with a Hack. I removed the neck, got a set of automobile feeler gauges and cut one into 2 1/8 inches long strip to fit in the neck slot. The thickness of 0.14 inches worked best for my current strings and saddle setup. But, I can adjust when needed by going up or down in feeler gauge thickness. See picture. The picture also shows that the fit an finish are not really up to Martin standards, note the incomplete and sloppy sound hole rosette inlay. Nice Guitar but dishonest marketing by Martin with some sloppy construction.

  • Very Surprised

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byGreg

    fromHagerstown, MD

    I turned 50 and wanted to splurge and get a really good guitar (Gibson J45, Martin D28, etc). I went to 4 guitar shops and tried everything. I wanted to hate this guitar since it's nontraditional, but it was comfortable, had the type of sound I wanted, and was easy to play. Sold!

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Q&A

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

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byKurt

    fromundisclosed

    What kind of batteries and how do you change them in the SC 10 E series acoustic guitar

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    I apologize for the inconvenience, this item is no longer available.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byRandy

    fromFishers, Indiana

    The description said "Back & sides: Koa fine veneer". That sounds like back and sides are layered something like plywood. My question, What is the Koa glued to? Thanks

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    I’m sorry, I don’t know for sure but I think it's Sapele.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byChad Sears

    fromAthens Ga

    Does it fit in a standard acoustic case?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byManuel

    fromReseda, CA

    what guitar cable is compatible with the sc 10e

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Livewire Elite Instrument Cable 10 ft. Black

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked bytim

    fromConyers, Ga

    What is the difference between this guitar and the one I bought a few months ago, an SC-13E?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call to better help you out – 855-770-3373