Martin LX1 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

An Overview of the Martin LX1 Little Acoustic Guitar

The Martin LX1 Little is an impressively playable, light, and affordable acoustic guitar model from the iconic American guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co. This compact guitar offers many of the hallmark design elements of Martin instruments in a more accessible package aimed at new players and those seeking a highly portable acoustic.

With its smaller concert-style body, modified low-oval neck, and Stratabond laminate construction, the LX1 delivers classic Martin tone and feel while keeping costs down. Though made in Mexico, it upholds Martin's emphasis on quality materials and craftsmanship. For guitarists wanting a comfortable, great-sounding Martin acoustic that's easy to transport and gentle on the wallet, the LX1 Little stands out as an excellent choice.

Construction

The Martin LX1 Little Martin acoustic guitar features a modified 0-14 body size that is smaller than a typical dreadnought, making it a nice compact size while still producing full acoustic tones. Despite its smaller size, it doesn't sacrifice any build quality or features.

The LX1 has a solid Sitka spruce top, which is known for its crisp, articulate tone and good volume projection. Sitka spruce is a popular choice on acoustic guitars due to its resonance and responsiveness.

The back and sides are made from high-pressure laminate mahogany-pattern, giving a balanced midrange and warm low end while reducing overall weight. The neck is also constructed from laminated mahogany.

The compact size makes the LX1 comfortable to hold and easy to transport or travel with. The smaller body shape doesn't inhibit the full acoustic sound, which punches above its weight. Overall, the high-quality tonewoods and construction allow this little Martin to produce a pleasing, well-rounded acoustic tone.

If you're looking for another quality compact acoustic guitar option, check out the Ibanez Q54-BKF. This mini acoustic guitar has a smaller 3/4 size body while still delivering impressive volume and projection. It features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, producing a balanced and nuanced acoustic tone.

The Q54-BKF has a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard for smooth playability. It comes equipped with an Ibanez AEQ2T preamp system, giving you onboard tone controls and a built-in tuner. The guitar's smaller size makes it great for travel or practice, while its electronics provide stage-ready amplified tones.

In terms of construction, the Q54-BKF shares some similarities with the Martin LX1. Both guitars utilize tonewood combinations that emphasize warmth and balance. The compact bodies deliver unexpected volume while remaining comfortable to handle. And the high-end appointments like solid wood tops allow these mini acoustics to sound great unplugged or amplified.

So if you like the appeal of the Martin LX1 but want to check out other small body acoustic options, the Ibanez Q54-BKF is worth a look. Its smooth playability, electronics, and impressive acoustic tones make it another great choice for a portable and capable mini acoustic guitar.

Sound

Martin is best known for its use of alternative tonewoods that help project incredible sound. Unlike many entry-level acoustics, the LX1 features solid sapele back and sides. Sapele is known for its bright and balanced tone, with clear highs and tight lows. It's an ideal wood for small-bodied guitars like the LX1 where projection is especially important.

The LX1 also utilizes a solid Sitka spruce top. Sitka is a popular top wood prized for its complex overtones. Combined with the sapele back and sides, it helps the LX1 punch above its weight class tonally. Despite the smaller body size, owners report excellent volume and sustain. The tonewood combination allows the LX1 to be surprisingly loud for an auditorium-sized acoustic.

Many are impressed with the LX1's ability to hold its own when played alongside larger guitars. It has the crisp articulate sound expected from a Martin acoustic. Overall the tonewoods and construction allow the LX1 to project with authority in a wide range of playing scenarios. Another great small-bodied acoustic to consider is the Angel Lopez EC3000CN. This guitar also utilizes tonewoods like solid spruce and mahogany to achieve impressive volume and resonance despite its compact size.

With its comfortable body size and excellent acoustic sound, the Angel Lopez EC3000CN is a great choice for players looking for a highly portable acoustic that doesn't compromise on tone. It produces a balanced and dynamic sound with sweet highs, tight lows, and good note separation. The all-solid wood construction allows it to resonate loudly when strummed, with warm overtones and long sustain.

Many reviewers have been impressed by the EC3000CN's ability to deliver volume that belies its modest proportions. It has plenty of projection to hold its own in jam sessions or live performance settings. The tone is clear and focused, with enough richness and depth to handle various playing styles. Overall it's an excellent travel-sized guitar that sacrifices little in terms of acoustic sound.

Playability

The Martin LX1 has an easy-to-play modified low oval neck shape that feels familiar and comfortable right away. The satin finish on the neck allows smooth movement up and down the fretboard during faster lead playing.

The action on the LX1 is set medium-low from the factory, making it very playable for both rhythm and lead work without buzzing. The action can be further adjusted to preference using the bridge pins.

The fretboard width is 1-3/4" at the nut, providing ample room for fingering chords and single-note runs without feeling cramped. The fretboard itself is made of solid Morado or East Indian Rosewood which contributes to the warm, balanced tone.

Overall, the playability of the Martin LX1 is one of its standout features. The comfortable neck shape, smooth satin finish, low action, and quality fretboard come together to make this an acoustic that feels great to play right out of the box. Both beginners and experienced players will enjoy the easy playability.

Hardware

The Martin LX1 features high quality hardware that enables smooth, stable tuning and great tone production.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed nickel open-geared tuning machines. They provide precise and smooth tuning adjustments, maintaining proper string tension for optimal intonation and resonance. The open-gears allow for finer tuning control.

Nut and Saddle

The nut and saddle on the LX1 are made from a composite material called NuBone. This synthetic bone alternative results in excellent transfer of vibrations. It's engineered to have a similar density and stiffness to real bone, providing bright and balanced acoustic tone across all six strings. The NuBone nut delivers defined note articulation, while the saddle gives a smooth and warm tonal output.

Electronics

The Martin LX1 features simple but quality electronics. It has a Fishman Sonitone soundhole pickup, which is known for providing a balanced and clear amplified tone. The pickup has an undersaddle transducer design, which captures the guitar's natural acoustic sound. There is no onboard preamp or controls, so the pickup connects directly to an external acoustic amplifier or PA system. This helps keep the design streamlined. The Fishman pickup requires no battery and has a passive output, reducing potential noise issues. While some guitarists may want onboard tone controls, the Sonitone is a fuss-free pickup that accurately amplifies the LX1's inherent acoustic voice. It's a nice match for the LX1's design ethos of simplicity and quality.

Tone

The Martin LX1 has a warm, balanced tone that projects nicely without being too bright or boomy. The solid sitka spruce top produces clear, detailed trebles with a pleasant sparkle. The mahogany back and sides add some warmth and sweetness to the bass and mids. Overall, the guitar has a balanced and versatile tonal character suitable for a wide range of music styles from folk to pop. It's voiced well for fingerpicking and strumming. The EQ emphasis is on the mids and lows which gives it a pleasing vintage-like sound. It lacks some of the crispness and shimmer in the treble tones compared to spruce/rosewood models, but this also makes it less fatiguing to play for long periods. The LX1 has an organic, natural tone quality reminiscent of Martin's heritage as the pioneer of the modern flat top acoustic guitar. While not as complex as premium models, it still captures that vintage Martin essence at an affordable price point.

Compatibility

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is well suited to a variety of styles thanks to its versatile sound and playability. Its compact size makes it a great choice for travel or practice. The LX1 works well for folk, country, bluegrass, and other fingerstyle genres where a balanced tone and responsive dynamics are desired. It can handle strumming chords or intricate fingerpicking equally well.

The smaller body size and moderate projection give the LX1 an intimate voice. It's a smart choice for vocal accompaniment, especially in coffeehouse or campfire settings. The slim neck and lower action facilitate quick chord changes and fretting agility ideal for rapid playing.

Overall the LX1 Little Martin pairs nicely with light playing techniques where a focused midrange tone and excellent high-end clarity help the guitar cut through. The LX1 may not be loud or robust enough as a flatpicker's main axe, but it shines when used to showcase delicate articulation, warm melodies, and sweet harmonies.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact size and light weight make it very portable and easy to travel with
• All solid wood construction provides excellent resonance and sustain
• Fast and comfortable neck allows for easy chord changes and speedy leads
• Bright, crisp tone perfect for fingerpicking and strumming
• Comes ready to play out of the box, ideal for beginners
• Carrying bag included for protection during transport
• Lifetime warranty from a leading guitar manufacturer

Cons

• Not as loud as a full size dreadnought
• Limited headroom and dynamic range compared to larger guitars
• Basic electronics and lack of cutaway can limit more advanced playing
• Not as complex or warm sounding as more expensive models
• Low action can cause fret buzz on lower frets for some players
• No option for electronics may be limiting for stage use
• Higher tension strings may cause the top to bow over time

Final Thoughts

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is an excellent entry-level acoustic guitar that punches above its weight class when it comes to sound quality and playability. Though it's Martin's lowest priced guitar, it maintains many of the design elements and the signature sound that has made Martin famous.

The use of solid sapele back and sides gives the LX1 a surprisingly full and balanced tone, while the solid spruce top provides crisp highs and good projection. Though small, the guitar feels comfortable to play thanks to the modified low oval neck profile. The hardware is high quality, staying in tune well and making restringing an easy process.

Overall, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is an outstanding choice for a travel or starter instrument. The compact size makes it highly portable, while still delivering impressive volume, sustain and tone. The all-solid-wood construction means this should be a lifetime instrument, aging beautifully over decades of playing. For guitarists wanting an affordable way to enjoy the acclaimed Martin sound and experience, the LX1 is a perfect fit.