Martin LXK2 "Little Martin" Guitar Review
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- In this video, I review the Martin LXK2 "Little Martin" guitar. It is a travel size (3/4 scale) guitar made of high pressure laminate (HPL).
This is a Sweetwater link to this instrument (not an affiliate link):
www.sweetwater...
This is the Amazon link to the instrument (not an affiliate link):
www.amazon.com...
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HPL is pretty much a tech name for Formica, which is no doubt trademarked. Very tough and not a kind of paint at all. Martin makes full-size HPL guitars for a lot more money, so your review guitar is a very good deal. I'm a fan of synthetic materials for instruments. They sound just fine and don't care about humidity changes. Any small builders who want to try HPL can often find Formica for free as left-over countertop material from cabinet shops, though it isn't likely that it will have a curly koa top layer. Twenty years ago I helped spread the word about alternate tonewoods. Now I'd like to give the synthetics a boost. It's silly to think of trees as a renewable resource when they often require 150+ years to grow to guitar size. Nice review, Steve, though a bit of Google research would have clued you in about HPL, and an auto parts or StewMac mirror on a stick used with a flashlight would have let you explain the bow tie bridge plate. What the heck is that, anyway?
Hi, John! Thanks for commenting! Feedback from a master luthier is always appreciated! I clearly did a poor job of describing how the koa wood grain pattern is applied. As I understand it, it is essentially "printed" on that layer of paper (similar to how how inkjet printers print images), rather than "painted".
I think synthetic materials for use in instruments will definitely continue to see grow as engineers experiment specifically to explore tone.
For folks who are interested to see what the inside of a Martin X-Series looks like, and would like to see it sawn in half to find out, they should definitely check out Driftwood Guitars review of the Martin 000-X2. It's a real eye-opener! ruclips.net/video/9JR2K-Kvwdc/видео.html
Bought another one- an LX1E since my first one met an untimely demise in moving to a new house. I love this little guitar and would recommend.
Great information! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Steve, Thank you for another excellent review. I felt compelled to learn about HPL Mahogany after discovering my Aiersi HPL mahogany soprano uke was not wood And although Aiersi told me the HPL spruce soprano was "Solid Spruce" when I asked if it was wood or HPL, I am still impressed with my Aiersi soprano ukes. I also have two knives with Micarta handles. Micarta is still popular among custom knife makers for handles. And I read the inventor named his HPL "Formica" when it gained use in electrical applications to replace "Mica", thus, for-mica. As John said below, syntetics work fine on ukes but not all ukes. I was not a fan of the Enya Nova, but I am considering "Formica" as an alternative to calf/goat skin on a vintage soprano banjolele I am slowly restoring. Fun stuff. Rick
Sounds like a fun project, Rick!
Hey thanks for the review! I've got one, which is my main everyday guitar and it feels so comfortable to play! Sound is good also but for recording I use a bigger Dreadnought type. Thanks to you I just learned that my "everyday" guitar isn't made of wood...! When I bought it many years ago I didn't car that much about the material... TBH I'm a little disappointed that it is "fake wood", but it still sounds good and seems pretty durable so all is good! Thanks again, I like your energy as a reviewer!
Thanks! If you like it, it doesn't matter what it's made of. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Steve, I got mine today but I noticed the action is high. The strings would buzz a lot, unless I press hard on the strings. Did you make adjustments to your guitar?
I borrowed the guitar from a friend, so I don’t know if she adjusted the action. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have a Martin HPL concert ukulele and it plays so sweetly, also good for southern US humidity. I’m leaning toward this guitar 👿 very tempting 😊
Sounds great! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Beautiful guitar
Thanks! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Really nice guitar sounds great iam very interested in this guitar I have a Martin guitar dsr1 love it great video thanks
Thanks! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I would want a real solid top for the price. 🎸💓.
I'm inclined to agree! However, if you are looking for an instrument is more stable with fluctuation to humidity, it is one to consider. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@stevesstrings5243 thank you Steve, having delved deeper, I am inclined to agree with you. 💓🎸.
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks also for watching and commenting!
How cow. I saw the title and thought... jeez... Steve convinced Martin to send him an eval guitar. How'd he do that? LOL. That said... I didn't realize Martin made laminate guitars in this price range. That was news to me (I guess it shows how long it's been since I bought a new guitar).
I really like the way they did the neck. It reminds me of bamboo. Martin always makes a very nice looking instrument and it appears this one is no exception. It seems like they used a lot of laminate and pseudo woods to keep the price down but hey... nothing wrong with that. The 23" scale is nice. I really like that length on an acoustic. It just feels good. This one seems to sound pretty good too. A nice option for someone wanting a "fancy" looking guitar with out the typical Martin price tag.
I borrowed this instrument from a friend. She loves it! Before I saw this one, I didn't know you could get a Martin for under $400. This instrument actually costs less than some of their ukuleles! I also like the 23 inch scale length, although I would like the neck a little wider at the nut.
Hi Steve, would you say this is a good first guitar for an adult male wanting to learn, or would you recommend something different at this price range?
Yes, it could be. I suggest a new player should actually hold and play an instrument they are considering. This instrument is a smaller size than many other instruments. That could be a plus or a minus. Personally, I like this "parlor"-size instrument compared to Dreadnaughts, or Jumbos. I find those to be bigger than I like. Also, this instrument is a shorter scale than full sized instruments. That could be a plus for someone with smaller hands. The other point to consider is sound. That is a very personal thing. An instrument I think sounds good, may not appeal to someone else. I suggest you check out some music stores and see what you like. If you are considering a classical (nylon string) guitar, I have a Cordoa "Dolce" 7/8 scale guitar that I love!
Thank you for your reply! I’m definitely looking at something simple to just strum and sing along, but I’ll take your advice and try it out in person. One more question: Would it be difficult to go from this size to a dreadnought later down the line, or are the skills learned fairly interchangeable?
@@LeafedSilver The skills are interchangeable. A Dreadnaught has a slightly longer scale so it will be a bit more of a stretch for chord shapes, but it is manageable. The larger body of the Dreadnaught may feel awkward when moving up from a parlor guitar, but lots of folks transition just fine.
I’m thinking about getting one for a cross country bicycle ride across America, and to jazz it up I was thinking about putting on some Pyramid Gold strings on it… Good idea?
I think a better choice, due to uncertain weather, would be the Enya Nova Go carbon fiber guitar. It’s also small and will hold up against any weather! Sounds like a fun trip! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you🎉🎉🎉
You’re welcome 😊 Thanks for watching and commenting!
Can you add electronics to the guitar
Yes. You can buy a pickups for acoustic guitars. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very similar to my Enya HPL parlor sized guitar but over twice the price. I'm not convinced that having Martin on the headstock is worth that much.
Thanks, Gary! I’ll have to check out the Enya. How do you like the tone on yours?
@@stevesstrings5243 To be honest, I don't like the sound of the parlor sized Enya HPL guitar. It lacks brightness and sounds dull to me. I'd like to try some other strings on it. The Martin might have it beat on sound. The Enya HPL guitars do not seem to be readily available. There was a full size offered on Amazon recently but not the smaller size.
@@gneveln I think HPL is fine for the sides but it’s hard to beat a wood soundboard!
The way you described this guitar, sounds like they used a lot of fancy words for cheap materials.
HPL may be cheaper than luthier-grade wood, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is "cheap". Ultimately, it comes down to what you are looking for and assessing if the instruments meets your needs. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Thanks or watching and commenting!
👍
Vielen danke!
What is the gauge of the strings for lxk2?
Martin recommends using Martin M550 Phosphor Bronze, gauges: 0.13 - .056. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@stevesstrings5243 thanks !!
@@rocioestrada4766 You are welcome!
Bolt in neck?
According to Martin, it has a "Mortise & Tenon Neck Joint". Thanks for watching and commenting!
What's the country of origin?
I believe these are made in Martin's Mexico factory. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have an oldish Fender accoustic that cost a lot less that sounds better . Wouldnt pay through the nose for the name MARTIN
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Allen Shirley Jackson David Taylor Brenda
Thanks for the review, really helpful...I hate the way it sounds, all high end and tinny, but hey...opinions are like arseholes 🙂
No doubt! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Looks like a toy 😅
It's not! It's closer to a parlor guitar! Thanks for watching and commenting!