Martin 1100010E Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Martin 1100010E is an acoustic-electric guitar that combines excellent craftsmanship and tonewoods to deliver impressive sound in both acoustic and amplified settings. Martin has been designing and building high-quality acoustic guitars for over 180 years, earning them an excellent reputation among musicians. The 1100010E model offers their signature sound and playability along with stage-ready electronics and other features to take your performance to the next level.

This versatile guitar uses solid sapele back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top to provide balanced tone and articulation. The neck is constructed from Stratabond laminate for stability and durability. Onboard electronics include a Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system for natural amplified sound. Overall, the 1100010E provides clear and balanced tone, comfortable playability, and professional features at an accessible price point within the Martin lineup.

Body & Neck

The Martin 1100010E features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid mahogany back and sides. This classic tonewood combination produces a nicely balanced sound across the tonal spectrum - the spruce provides shimmery bright treble tones while the mahogany offers a smooth, rich low end.

The guitar has a sleek tapered headstock and 25.4" scale length mahogany neck. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret creating excellent upper fret access. The fingerboard is made from solid black ebony which contributes to the 1100010E's clear, articulate tone. It's topped with 20 frets and a smooth Corian nut. Overall the neck feels very comfortable and playable thanks to Martin's Performing Artist taper profile.

When it comes to acoustic-electric guitars, the preamp and pickup system are crucial components that translate the guitar's natural acoustic tone into amplified sound. The 1100010E is equipped with Fishman MX electronics that feature an undersaddle transducer and soundhole-mounted preamp with volume and tone controls. The undersaddle pickup captures the guitar's organic resonance with excellent clarity and dynamics. The preamp provides EQ shaping to dial in your amplified tone.

In addition to the solid wood construction, the 1100010E incorporates several modern enhancements that improve the playability and reliability of this stage-ready acoustic-electric. The neck incorporates Martin's patented mortise and tenon neck joint which creates a super solid wood-to-wood connection between the neck and body. The fingerboard and bridge are crafted from Richlite, a durable composite material that has many of the tonal qualities of ebony without being prone to cracking. The 1100010E also features a low-profile Venus nut and Micarta saddle for excellent sustain and tone transfer.

If you're looking for a premium acoustic-electric guitar that delivers exceptional Martin tone and playability with modern appointments, the 1100010E is an excellent choice. It produces clear, balanced tone that projects beautifully when plugged in. The Fishman electronics accurately capture the 1100010E's lush acoustic voice. It's a great guitar for gigging musicians, recording artists, and discerning players that want the ultimate acoustic experience.

For guitarists seeking an affordable acoustic-electric option, check out the PURE GEWA PS510198. This beginner-friendly model features a laminate spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, and built-in EQ and tuner. The PS510198 delivers decent plugged-in tone and playability at a budget price point. While it can't match the premium quality of the Martin 1100010E, the PURE GEWA PS510198 is a great entry-level choice for acoustic players wanting to go electric without breaking the bank.

Electronics

The Martin Acoustic-Electric 1100010E features an excellent electronics system designed by Fishman, a respected brand in acoustic amplification. It uses the MX pickup and preamp system, which accurately captures the guitar's authentic tone and projects it through an amplifier or PA system.

The MX pickup uses an undersaddle transducer to detect the vibrations of the strings. This produces a balanced and natural amplified tone across all six strings. The pickup blends well with the guitar's acoustic resonance to avoid quackiness on the low end or shrill highs.

The preamp provides tone shaping controls including volume, 3-band EQ, phase switch, and brilliant tone enhancer. This allows you to sculpt your amplified tone, adding sparkle or boosting the lows as needed. The preamp is intuitive and easy to control during a live performance.

Overall, the Fishman electronics lend themselves well to this Martin guitar. The pickup captures the nuances of the wood body and neck, while the preamp gives you tonal control. The system is stage-ready for live amplified performances or recording work.

The Fishman MX electronics provide natural acoustic amplification that preserves the Martin 1100010E's balanced tone. While Martin is known for their all-acoustic guitars, the addition of Fishman electronics makes this an extremely versatile electro-acoustic model. Guitarists can easily go from stripped-down acoustic jams to plugged-in gigs with the same great instrument.

For guitarists looking for an alternative, Fender's Paramount series offers comparable electronics and amplification. The Fender PM-TE electro-acoustic guitar has a Fishman pickup and preamp system as well. It provides crisp, balanced acoustic tone when plugged in. The Paramount models cater more towards vintage visual aesthetics compared to Martin's traditional styling.

In the end, Martin and Fishman are a potent combination for amplified acoustic tone. The electronics allow you to bring out the nuances of the 1100010E model. And with their reputation for quality, this Martin acoustic-electric will serve guitarists well for any gig situation. Whether you need a guitar for the coffee shop or the concert hall, the Fishman electronics make this Martin extremely versatile.

Sound

The Martin 1100010E produces a well-balanced tone that works great for various playing styles and genres. The solid Sitka spruce top provides excellent clarity and articulation in the highs and mids, while the East Indian rosewood back and sides offer a range of warm low end tones.

Strumming results in a bright and vibrant sound with defined note separation. Fingerpicking brings out the nuance in each string, with the rosewood adding depth and resonance to complement the crisp spruce. The sound projects with volume to fill small venues without amplifying. Players can go from light, chimey tones to rich, complex chords.

The guitar's responsive strings and slick neck make it easy to control dynamics and playing intensity. Guitarists can play soft, mellow passages just as nicely as aggressive, driving lines. From detailed arpeggios to rhythmic strumming, the Martin 1100010E provides a balanced tonal palette for diverse styles. The all-mahogany neck contributes to the guitar's excellent sustain.

Overall, the well-rounded sound of the Martin 1100010E works for various genres from folk to rock and styles from fingerpicking to strumming. It offers the versatility to handle the needs of many guitarists.

Playability

The Martin 1100010E acoustic-electric guitar is a joy to play thanks to its comfortable neck profile and low action. The neck has a slim taper that makes it easy to wrap your hand around for chording and single note playing. It uses a Performing Artist taper which is a slimmer profile compared to Martin's standard necks.

This guitar plays fast right out of the box because of its low action. The action refers to the height of the strings from the fretboard. A low action allows you to press down the strings with less effort, enabling faster lead playing. The 1100010E has a fast and slick 25.4" scale neck that facilitates intricate solos.

Between the slim neck design and lowered action, this Martin guitar provides buttery smooth playability. Your fingers will fly up and down the fretboard with precision and ease. The ergonomics are designed to get out of the way so you can concentrate on making music without fatigue or strain. Whether you're a beginner or professional, you'll appreciate how effortless this acoustic-electric is to play.

Build Quality

The Martin 1100010E impresses with its high-end appointments and excellent craftsmanship. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a modified low oval neck for comfort and playability.

Some of the high-end details include a bone nut and saddle, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and pearl dot inlays. The use of solid wood construction and premium materials like bone and ebony result in better resonance and sustain. The neck joint is also smoothly finished for a seamless feel.

Overall, the build quality lives up to Martin's reputation for finely crafted instruments. From the choice of tonewoods to the attention to detail, this guitar is built to last and sound its best for years to come. The high-end appointments like bone nut and saddle make a noticeable difference in the tone and playability.

Versatility

The Martin 0-XTE Acoustic-Electric guitar is highly versatile for both plugged-in and unplugged playing.

Unplugged, its body shape and tonewoods make it ideal for fingerstyle playing and rhythm work. The mahogany back and sides have a balanced, articulate tonality with good projection that cuts through when played acoustically.

Plugged in, the Fishman Sonitone electronics and preamp give you a lot of control over your amplified tone. You can shape your sound with the built-in EQ and blend the mic and pickup sounds to craft anything from a lively acoustic tone to a subdued electric sound.

The 0-XTE works well for live gigs, recording sessions, practice, and jamming thanks to its acoustic/electric versatility. The guitar plays and sounds fantastic unplugged, yet gives you the option to plug-in when needed with its high-quality electronics. Overall an excellent choice for players who want flexibility in both acoustic and amplified settings.

Comparison to Similar Guitars

The Martin CE1100 Performing Artist Acoustic-Electric Guitar holds its own when compared to other high-end Martin guitars and similar models from other brands in this price range.

Compared to other Martin acoustic-electric guitars, the CE1100 utilizes Martin's patented high-performance neck taper and low-oval profile that makes it extremely comfortable and easy to play for long periods of time. Many musicians find the CE1100 neck to be a perfect blend between vintage and modern Martin necks. It provides the slim, fast feel that many players prefer today, while retaining some old-school substance and contour.

The CE1100 is very comparable to the Martin GPC-13E in terms of build, sound quality, electronics and playability. The GPC-13E sells for around the same price point as the CE1100. However, the CE1100 offers all solid wood construction while the GPC-13E has laminated back and sides. So the CE1100 gets a slight edge for its traditional all solid wood body.

Stacking the CE1100 against similar high-end acoustic-electrics from Taylor, Guild, Takamine and others, the CE1100 is right in the mix in terms of playability, tone and amplified performance. It stands out from the pack due to its impeccable attention to detail and craftsmanship that Martin guitars are so renowned for. The all solid wood body construction produces full, complex acoustic tone that simply can't be matched by laminated wood instruments.

So while the CE1100 may carry a premium price tag, it delivers a level of quality and ownership experience consistent with Martin's reputation for building the world's finest acoustic guitars. Overall, it's an excellent choice for those seeking a professional-grade acoustic-electric with rich, nuanced unplugged tone and stage-ready amplified performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Gorgeous solid Indian rosewood back and sides provide rich, complex tone
• Fishman Sonitone electronics reproduce the guitar's natural sound accurately
• Slim neck profile makes playing very comfortable and smooth
• Lifetime limited warranty provides peace of mind
• Wide tonal range allows for versatility across musical styles

Cons

• Higher price tag compared to other acoustic-electrics
• Electronics can pick up some background noise on high gain
• Guitar case sold separately
• May be too bassy for some players' tastes

Overall, the Martin 1100010E offers exceptional build quality, electronics and playability for intermediate to advanced players looking for a versatile, great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar with premium appointments. The lifetime warranty provides assurance that this is a guitar built to last. The rich tones of the solid rosewood back and sides make this a special instrument. While not cheap, it delivers outstanding performance and craftsmanship worthy of the Martin name.

Conclusion

The Martin 1100010E Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a high-quality instrument that will appeal to a wide range of players. Its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, articulate tone that works well for various music genres. The Fishman electronics accurately convey both the plugged-in and unplugged sound.

This guitar feels comfortable to play thanks to its Performing Artist taper neck profile and low action. The solid build quality ensures it will last for many years. While not as affordable as some other acoustic-electrics, the Martin 1100010E offers great value by delivering professional features, electronics, and craftsmanship.

Overall, the Martin 1100010E is an excellent choice for intermediate and advanced level guitarists looking for a durable, great-sounding acoustic-electric. It's a versatile instrument that can handle both live gigs and studio sessions. The top-notch tonewood combination, electronics, and playability make this a guitar that players will enjoy for years to come. For those seeking a high-quality acoustic-electric with professional features, the Martin 1100010E is easy to recommend.