Martin LXK2 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Martin LXK2 is an acoustic guitar that offers the iconic Martin tone and playability in a more affordable price point than their all-solid wood models. This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top with laminate mahogany back and sides, giving it clear and balanced tone while keeping costs down. The LXK2 is an ideal choice for players looking for the Martin sound and feel without breaking the bank. Though not an all-solid instrument, the LXK2 still delivers on the Martin promise of quality craftsmanship and musical tone. This guitar is well-suited for various styles including folk, rock, country and more. Overall, the LXK2 provides an excellent entry point into the Martin acoustic family.

Body Style

The Martin LXK2 features the iconic body shape of the Little Martin series. It has an affordable, smaller body size that retains the rich tones of a larger acoustic guitar.

The scaled-down Little Martin design has a 24-inch length with distinctive Martin styling. The satin finish spruce top gives the body an attractive appearance while keeping costs down. The sides are made from mahogany HPL (high pressure laminate) which is durable and helps project the guitar's sound.

Despite the petite body dimensions, the LXK2 still delivers the full, resonant sound that Martin guitars are known for. The smaller body also makes the LXK2 lightweight and comfortable to play for extended periods. Overall, the classic Little Martin shape in a reduced size makes this an accessible, quality acoustic.

The body style of the Martin LXK2 is designed to balance playability with classic Martin tone. Many guitarists appreciate a smaller, more portable instrument that still sounds great. While full-size dreadnought acoustics have booming projection, their large size can feel unwieldy. The LXK2 gives you impressive volume and resonance in a scaled-down package.

In contrast, Fender's Fender CN-140SCE 0970264321 has a larger dreadnought body shape. The bigger body produces loud acoustic projection to fill rooms. However, the larger CN-140SCE isn't as easy to transport and may feel uncomfortable during lengthy playing sessions. The choice between larger and smaller-bodied acoustics depends on your needs as a guitarist.

The LXK2's diminutive proportions make it a versatile fit for many different players. Young beginners can learn on a guitar that's a comfortable size for small hands. The lightweight LXK2 is ideal for children to hold and practice chords. Advanced guitarists can keep an LXK2 on hand as a travel instrument for vacations or tours. The small Martin body slips easily into luggage for flights.

Women and musicians with smaller stature frequently choose the LXK2 body for a right-sized acoustic. The scaled-down proportions are less bulky in your lap or on a strap. While full-size acoustics can be unwieldy, the compact LXK2 feels well-balanced. The smaller body is crafted specifically for enhanced playability and easier handling.

The body style also affects the LXK2's gorgeous aesthetics. The petite proportions make the guitar a stylish accessory on stage. The striking sunburst finish and vintage shape are eye-catching. The LXK2's refined appearance complements a wide range of musical genres and fashions. Overall, the Little Martin body is a smart choice for travel, comfort, style, and classic Martin tone.

Tonewood

The Martin LXK2 features solid Sitka spruce for the top wood. Sitka spruce is a premium tonewood prized for its lightweight and stiff properties that promote crisp trebles and excellent resonance. The tight and uniform grain of Sitka spruce allows it to vibrate efficiently, resulting in enhanced volume, clarity, and sustain.

Sitka spruce is the traditional choice favored by Martin for their acoustic guitar tops. Its bright and zingy tone with strong projection allows it to cut through when playing live. The solid Sitka spruce top of the LXK2 contributes to its acoustic volume and full-bodied tone.

While laminate spruce is less expensive, solid spruce like that used on the LXK2 offers superior acoustic properties. Laminate is less resonant and projects less volume than solid spruce, which allows the top of the LXK2 to naturally amplify the strings' vibrations. Overall, the solid Sitka spruce top gives the LXK2 excellent tonal qualities expected from a Martin acoustic guitar.

Another popular acoustic guitar that features solid spruce top is the Yamaha APX600M SMB. This guitar has a solid Engelmann spruce top, which is known for its rich overtones and excellent resonance. The APX600M also has a Nato back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. It comes equipped with a System66 electronics system for plugging into an amplifier. The APX600M produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, with crisp highs, pronounced mids, and tight low end. Its cutaway body style allows easy access to upper frets. Overall, the Yamaha APX600M SMB is another quality acoustic-electric guitar option with a solid spruce top and appealing specs at an accessible price point.

Neck

The Martin LXK2 features the patented Rust Stratabond neck. The Rust Stratabond neck was designed by Bob Rust to be strong and stable while using minimal wood. It's a multi-ply laminate constructed primarily of Northern Hardrock maple with black richlite reinforcements and stainless steel string support rods. This construction provides excellent stability and rigidity to the neck while reducing the overall weight. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret, allowing excellent access to the upper registers. It has a standard 25.4" scale length and a 1-3/4" nut width. The low oval profile neck shape is comfortable and easy to play. Overall the Rust Stratabond neck provides a great blend of strength, stability, playability and comfort on the Martin LXK2.

Fretboard & Bridge

The Martin LXK2 Little Martin has a fretboard and bridge made of man-made materials designed to be more durable and stable than traditional wood.

The fretboard is constructed from Richlite, a paper-based composite material that mimics the look and feel of ebony. Richlite fretboards are highly resistant to weather changes and remain straight and true over time. Many players appreciate the smooth, fast feel of Richlite which enhances playability.

The nut is made from Corian, an acrylic-based material known for its hardness and ability to hold string spacing precisely. Corian nuts greatly improve tuning stability compared to traditional nut materials like bone or plastic. The corian nut on the LXK2 provides excellent sustain and resonance while protecting against string slipping and tuning issues.

Overall, the use of these high-tech fretboard and nut materials on the Little Martin results in excellent intonation up and down the neck while also enhancing the guitar's durability. The Richlite and Corian give players smooth playability and rock-solid tuning stability.

Hardware

The Martin LXK2 Little Martin comes equipped with chrome enclosed gears tuning machines, which operate smoothly for stable and accurate tuning. Enclosing the gears protects them from dust and debris to ensure longevity. The tuners are durable and less prone to slipping out of tune compared to some open gear tuners. The knobs have a classic look with a glossy chrome finish that pairs nicely with the all-koa body. Turning the tuners offers a satisfying feel and response. The chrome tuners match the understated yet elegant aesthetics of this Little Martin. While simple, the enclosed chrome gears get the job done for tuning stability. Players who prioritize keeping their guitar in tune will appreciate the smooth and consistent performance of these sealed tuner machines.

Electronics

The Martin LXK2 features high-quality Fishman Sonitone electronics that offer natural amplification and excellent tonal balance. The pickup system has an under-saddle transducer with piezo crystals that capture the guitar's vibrations and convert them into an electrical signal. This results in a very natural and realistic amplified tone, without the harshness often associated with piezo pickups. The Sonitone preamp provides tone controls for volume, bass, and treble, allowing you to adjust the EQ. With the Sonitone system, you can plug straight into an acoustic amplifier or PA system for gigs or recording without any external preamp or effects needed. The electronics don't provide any coloring or tonal alterations to the authentic acoustic sound when unplugged. Overall, the Fishman preamp and pickup complement and accentuate the LXK2's inherent acoustic voicing and responsiveness.

Sound & Playability

The Martin LXK2 produces a balanced, warm tone that is nicely articulate without being too bright. The mahogany construction provides a soothing, rounded bass response while the Sitka spruce top prevents the sound from becoming too muddy. This guitar offers great versatility for various playing styles and genres.

Many reviewers praise the playability of the LXK2. The neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile that contours nicely to the hand. The shorter 24.9" scale length reduces tension on the strings, making it very easy to play barre chords and form complex chord shapes. The smooth satin finished neck also allows for fast, fluid runs up and down the fretboard. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box, so no adjustments are necessary to start playing. Overall, the LXK2 provides a very playable experience even for beginners while still satisfying intermediate players.

Pros & Cons

The Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa Pattern HPL Acoustic Guitar has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• The LXK2 is crafted with solid koa back and sides, which produces a rich, warm, balanced tone. The spruce top also complements this with crisp highs.

• Weighing under 4 lbs, the LXK2 is extremely lightweight and comfortable for travel or practice sessions. The compact size makes it easy to transport as well.

• High pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides provide durability while keeping costs lower than an all-solid wood body.

• The Fishman Sonitone electronics allow for plugging into an amp or PA system. The undersaddle pickup captures the LXK2's acoustic tone accurately.

Cons

• While very portable, the smaller size may not provide as full or resonating a sound as larger dreadnought acoustics.

• The onboard preamp only has volume controls, lacking tone shaping options. Controls are also located inside the soundhole, making adjustments less convenient.

• The layered HPL back and sides, while durable, lack some resonance compared to solid wood construction.

• At around $500, the LXK2 sits at the higher end of Martin's lower-priced lineup. Those seeking professional level build quality may need to spend more.

Summary

The Martin LXK2 Little Koa Koa Pattern HPL X Series Acoustic Guitar is an excellent guitar for players looking for a compact, yet full-sounding acoustic. Its stylish looks and rich sound make it a great choice for on-stage use as well as practice and leisure playing.

With its solid koa top and high pressure laminate back and sides, the LXK2 delivers impressive volume and resonance for its smaller body size. The solid Sitka spruce bracing helps produce clear highs and tight low end. The guitar's modified low oval neck profile provides comfort and playability.

Overall, the Martin LXK2 punches above its weight in terms of sound projection from a compact, stage-ready body. Its stylish aesthetic and Martin craftsmanship round out an impressive guitar that acoustic players should strongly consider.