Martin GPC-X2E 11GPCX2E-01 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Martin GPC-X2E is an acoustic-electric guitar that is part of Martin's Performing Artist Series. This series aims to deliver professional-level features and playability in affordable all-solid wood instruments.

The GPC-X2E combines traditional Martin craftsmanship with modern appointments to create a guitar that excels both onstage and in the studio. It features solid mahogany back and sides paired with a solid Sitka spruce top. This tonewood combination produces clear, balanced tone and projection. The GPC-X2E also has a Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system for natural amplified tones.

Overall, the Martin GPC-X2E offers players a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar with authentic Martin sound and feel. It's an excellent choice for gigging musicians who want great acoustic tone with stage-ready electronics and playability.

Body Style and Design

The Martin GPC-X2E features a grand performance style body made from solid mahogany back and sides. This gives it a deep and full-bodied tone, with the mahogany providing a nice blend of warmth, resonance and complexity to the sound.

The grand performance shape has a slightly smaller lower bout and narrower waist than a dreadnought, but a longer body than a concert style. This provides excellent comfort and playability, while still giving you plenty of volume and bass response. Many players find the grand performance shape strikes the perfect balance.

The GPC-X2E has a solid Sitka spruce top, which gives you clear, projecting trebles and good articulation. The combination of solid spruce and mahogany produces a balanced and versatile tone across the tonal spectrum - great for various playing styles and genres.

Aesthetically, the all-mahogany body gives the GPC-X2E an elegant and traditional look. The materials are high-quality solid woods, not laminates, resulting in a resonate and responsive acoustic guitar.

The Martin GPC-X2E's body style and design provide an excellent blend of comfort, playability, balanced tone, and aesthetic appeal. Players looking for a versatile grand performance acoustic-electric guitar would do well to consider the GPC-X2E. The solid woods deliver excellent resonance and responsiveness, while the grand performance shape strikes a great balance across the tonal spectrum.

For players seeking an alternative acoustic-electric guitar with a similar grand performance shape, the Epiphone EIFBVSNH1 is also worth a look. The Epiphone features a select spruce top and mahogany back and sides, producing a balanced and warm tone. While not all solid woods like the Martin, the Epiphone still delivers great playability, comfort and acoustic tone. The EIFBVSNH1 also comes in at a more budget-friendly price point than the GPC-X2E, making it accessible for players looking for an affordable grand performance acoustic-electric.

The Martin GPC-X2E is an excellent choice for players looking for a high quality acoustic-electric guitar with traditional styling and a balanced, versatile sound. With its grand performance body shape, solid wood construction and Fishman electronics, it delivers outstanding tone and playability whether plugged in or unplugged. Players who need amplified acoustic tone will appreciate the Fishman Presys blend system, which allows for shaping your amplified tone. The GPC-X2E produces rich acoustic resonance when unplugged, while giving you quality amplified sound when needed. It's a great option for guitarists who play a wide range of musical genres and venues. For another quality acoustic-electric guitar choice, check out the Epiphone EIFBVSNH1. This steel string acoustic-electric model from Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson collection offers players another excellent option with solid spruce and mahogany construction, along with Shadow ePerformer electronics. It has a slightly different body shape than the Martin, providing an alternative feel and look. The Epiphone acoustic-electric guitars deliver comparable build quality and amplified performance for players shopping in this segment. Whether your preference is the traditional styling of the Martin GPC-X2E or the contemporary looks of the Epiphone EIFBVSNH1, both of these acoustic-electric models present outstanding value and performance.

Neck and Fretboard

The Martin GPC-X2E features a high quality neck and fretboard made of solid hardwoods. The neck uses Martin's High Performance Taper profile, which is designed for excellent playability and comfort.

The fretboard on the GPC-X2E is constructed from solid East Indian rosewood. Rosewood is known for its hardness and durability, providing a smooth playing surface that holds up well under heavy use. The rosewood fretboard has a rich brown color and attractive grain patterns.

The neck joins the body at the 14th fret in traditional Martin style. This allows excellent access to the upper frets while maintaining the classic Martin look and feel. The neck has a satin finish for a smooth, natural feel during playing.

Overall, the hardwood neck and fretboard on the GPC-X2E provide a great feel and playability, with the quality you expect from Martin. The neck profile is designed for comfort during long practice or gigging sessions, while the rosewood fretboard offers durability and smooth playability.

The Alhambra 4Z-US is another quality acoustic-electric guitar option worth considering. Alhambra guitars are made in Spain and offer excellent value for the price. The 4Z-US features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, producing a balanced and resonant tone. It has a comfortable neck profile and rosewood fretboard, much like the Martin GPC-X2E. An onboard preamp and tuner provide plug-and-play functionality for live performances. Overall, the Alhambra 4Z-US delivers warm, balanced acoustic tones and quality construction at an accessible price point. You can learn more about this model here: Alhambra 4Z-US.

When shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar, it's smart to try out different models in your price range. While the Martin GPC-X2E is an excellent choice with top-notch playability and tone, the Alhambra 4Z-US also merits consideration if you want great value. Testing out different guitars in person allows you to evaluate neck shapes, body sizes, and overall feel. This helps ensure you select the right acoustic-electric to match your playing style and musical needs.

Electronics and Pickup

The Martin GPC-X2E features the Fishman MX pickup system, which is known for its natural, well-balanced sound reproduction. This combines an undersaddle transducer with an internal microphone to capture both the guitar's top vibration and interior resonance.

The controls are simple and intuitive with just volume and tone knobs, making it easy to dial in your amplified tone. The volume blends the pickup and mic, while the tone provides basic EQ shaping. No need to mess with onboard preamps or EQs. This straightforward system makes it easy to plug in at a gig or rehearsal while retaining the excellent acoustic tone of the guitar.

The Fishman MX captures the GPC-X2E's warm, rounded tone and articulate string separation cleanly and accurately. It's a hassle-free system that amplifies this guitar's excellent acoustic voice very well. Just plug in and you're ready for the stage or studio.

Hardware

The Martin GPC-X2E features high quality hardware that contributes to its full, balanced tone and smooth playability.

It has a solid black richlite bridge and saddle that provide strong support for the strings while transferring vibrations efficiently. Richlite is a durable and stable composite material well-suited for acoustic bridges.

The tuners are die-cast enclosed types, also in black. Enclosing the gears protects the tuning mechanisms while providing a sleek look. The tuners turn smoothly and hold tune precisely even during vigorous playing.

Overall, the hardware components on the GPC-X2E are thoughtfully designed for optimal functionality, reliability and aesthetics. Players can depend on the bridge and tuners to allow the top to vibrate freely and the guitar to stay in tune through long practice sessions and live performances.

Sound Quality

The Martin GPC-X2E produces a well-balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, both when played acoustically and amplified. The solid Sitka spruce top and solid sapele back and sides provide a robust and clear unplugged sound, with a focused and articulate bass, balanced mids, and bright treble notes. The natural acoustic resonance really shines through thanks to the soundboard's X-1 bracing, crafted from solid Adirondack spruce for optimal vibration and sustain.

When plugged in, the Fishman Sonitone electronics accurately reproduce the GPC-X2E's inherent acoustic tone. The sound remains clear and balanced across lows, mids, and highs thanks to the Sonitone's thoughtful voicing. Single coil magnetic pickups placed near the bridge and neck enhance the amplification without coloring the natural acoustic tone too dramatically. Overall, the GPC-X2E offers the balanced and nuanced sound expected from a quality Martin acoustic,whether played acoustically or plugged into an amplifier or PA.

Playability

The Martin GPC-X2E has a comfortable and smooth neck that lends itself well to chording, single-note playing, and fingerstyle techniques. The action is set low from the factory, allowing for easy fretting without buzzing. This makes the GPC-X2E a versatile guitar suitable for various playing styles and guitarists with different hand sizes. Both novices and experienced players will find the GPC-X2E comfortable to hold and play for long periods of time. The slim neck profile and smooth satin finish allow for quick shifting up and down the neck. Whether strumming open chords or playing intricate lead lines, the GPC-X2E facilitates dynamic and expressive playing without hand fatigue. Its ergonomic neck design and low action help bring out the best in a guitarist's technique.

Pros

The Martin GPC-X2E offers quite a few advantages that make it a great choice for an acoustic-electric guitar in this price range.

• Quality Materials and Construction: The GPC-X2E features a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the same combination found on Martin's more expensive models. This results in a guitar that looks, feels, and sounds like a true Martin despite the lower price point. The high pressure laminate neck and Richlite fretboard also feel great and are designed for durability.

• Great Amplified and Unplugged Tone: Through the Fishman Sonitone electronics, the GPC-X2E reproduces the rich, vibrant unplugged tone of the guitar very accurately. Many reviewers have been impressed with how closely it captures the true Martin acoustic sound. And unplugged, it offers the balanced tone and excellent projection expected from a Martin guitar. So whether practicing at home or plugging into an amp or PA system, the GPC-X2E excels.

Cons

The Martin GPC-X2E does come with some drawbacks that are worth considering before purchasing.

• Higher price point - This is not an entry-level acoustic-electric guitar. With a retail price of $1,299, the GPC-X2E sits at the higher end of Martin's product line. While the quality justifies the price for many players, it does put this model out of reach for some budgets.

• Electronics may add feedback on stage - The onboard Fishman Sonitone electronics make this an extremely stage-friendly acoustic-electric. However, any amplified acoustic runs the risk of feedback issues, especially when playing live at higher volumes. This shouldn't deter most players, but it's worth being aware of if planning to use the GPC-X2E heavily as a gigging instrument.

Verdict

The Martin GPC-X2E is an excellent choice for gigging musicians who want the warm, rich sound of an all-solid wood acoustic guitar combined with the convenience of built-in electronics. This guitar delivers impressive volume and dynamics unplugged, while the Fishman Sonitone electronics and Sonicore under-saddle pickup accurately convey the guitar's natural tone when plugged in.

While not cheap, the GPC-X2E is a worthy investment for serious players looking for a versatile, great-sounding acoustic-electric guitar built to Martin's high standards. The comfortable Performing Artist profile neck, solid wood construction, and Fishman electronics make this an acoustic that will rise to any occasion, whether strumming at home or plugging in at a gig. For those seeking excellent playability, rich acoustic tone, and stage-ready amplified performance, the Martin GPC-X2E is a top choice.