Little Martin recommendation?

finnster · #1 06-15-2014, 04:51 PM

I have decided to get a Little Martin for my traveling and camping - they are not great sounding but for what they are they will serve my needs just fine.

I'm considering an LXM for the durability they offer but would also consider an LX1 with the solid wood top, if they sound a bit better than the M's.

Interested in any input as to whether one of the Little Martin models is better than the others - thanks!

Rmz76 · #2 06-15-2014, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finnster

I have decided to get a Little Martin for my traveling and camping - they are not great sounding but for what they are they will serve my needs just fine.

I'm considering an LXM for the durability they offer but would also consider an LX1 with the solid wood top, if they sound a bit better than the M's.

Interested in any input as to whether one of the Little Martin models is better than the others - thanks!

Between the LX1 and LXM I would take the LX1... Then again, in general don't like these at all. I highly recommend the Taylor GS Mini (any GS Mini) as an alternative

taylorman9270 · #3 06-15-2014, 05:09 PM

I recommend no.

Riverwolf · #4 06-15-2014, 05:27 PM

When I bought my LXME I could not hear any difference.
So I went with the most durable version.
I have never been able to get decent sound out of it.
I use mine only as a computer guitar for practicing youtube videos.

Oldguy64 · #5 06-15-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmz76

Between the LX1 and LXM I would take the LX1... Then again, in general don't like these at all. I highly recommend the Taylor GS Mini (any GS Mini) as an alternative

Pretty much that last sentence...

Azaro Ariño · #6 06-15-2014, 05:30 PM

Would not recommend one.

But if you must, I owned an LXK2 and I felt it sounded better than the LX1. The trebles on the solid top sounded less brittle, but as a whole, I felt the LXK2 sounded better.

That's about all I can say. The LX sounds okay for what it is. A GS mini sounds good, regardless of size or price.

StringFive · #7 06-15-2014, 05:54 PM

I recommend the LXM. I love the all-HPL. For what you are looking for it can't be beat IMO. See my video review here. http://firsttimeguitarbuyer.com/review-martin-lxm/

Rev Tim T · #8 06-15-2014, 05:59 PM

I recommend the LX1 because it has the spruce top. I have this guitar and enjoy it for what it is and what I use it for. If the electric model would have had a tuner I would have bought it.

finnster · #9 06-15-2014, 10:35 PM

Thanks for all the input - greatly appreciated. I know the Little Martins have their shortcomings but I just need something I won't hesitate to take on trips, camping or leave at work at times. I did have a GS Mini and I hesitated to do those types of things with it - they are a little too nice IMHO for a 'beater'. Maybe I'd feel different if I could pick up a used Mini with that intended purpose - mmm....

finnster · #10 06-16-2014, 08:59 AM

Just wanted to tack on to my original post: is the Little Martin Ed Sheeran model worthy of consideration if looking at the LM's?

Thanks

DrRJE · #11 06-16-2014, 09:19 AM

I did a side-by-side between the mini martin and baby taylor over the wknd...I'm not a huge taylor fan, but it did win the sound battle.

la palma C · #12 06-16-2014, 09:45 AM

Not that you need another person sharing the exact same advice, but I just bought my GS Mini a few weeks ago and demo'd a bunch of stuff in the process.

I really wanted to like the little Martins (not a Taylor fan here) but they just didn't sound nearly as good. That said, of the LXM and LX1 I tried, the LX1 was much better. The LX1 was almost good enough to forgo the GS Mini, but at the end of the day I just couldn't pass up the tone of the Mini and the sweet gig bag made the thought of taking it places exciting.

D18Hoglover · #13 06-16-2014, 09:48 AM

I have a Martin 000X1ae that replaced a GS Mini. I felt that to 000 had far better tone and I like the size a bit better.

finnster · #14 06-16-2014, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la palma C

Not that you need another person sharing the exact same advice, but I just bought my GS Mini a few weeks ago and demo'd a bunch of stuff in the process.

I really wanted to like the little Martins (not a Taylor fan here) but they just didn't sound nearly as good. That said, of the LXM and LX1 I tried, the LX1 was much better. The LX1 was almost good enough to forgo the GS Mini, but at the end of the day I just couldn't pass up the tone of the Mini and the sweet gig bag made the thought of taking it places exciting.

No worries - thanks for your input. There is no doubt that the GS Mini is far superior to the Little Martins. I regret a bit selling my GS Mini but have to keep reminding myself I did it to buy a Larrivee 00-03MT which is just a fantastic guitar. I just need a travel and knock-around guitar because I'm going to use the Larrivee for that

bancika · #15 06-16-2014, 11:07 AM

I'm not going to suggest the GS mini because it's much more expensive, but did you consider some other options in the price range of little martin that could be better for the money? Like alvarez, walden, seagull, a&l...

little martin is really thin sounding, kind of cardboard-y. I have a feeling that good share of that price goes to the logo. If you really have to, I'd recommend the koa version. To me it sounded the least bad and I actually considered buying it before finding out the other options.