Martin GPC-X2E Grand Performance - Natural Rosewood Review

Outstanding For The Price

I've had this guitar for about a month. There is a lot to love here. The body shape is very comfortable. It feels smaller than a dreadnaught but is comparable in actual size. Tuning stability is great. Action came just right. The tone is very balanced. It projects very (surprisingly) well. Not in a boomy, dreadnaught sort of way, however. It just responds very well dynamically.… read more It holds up just fine for fingerpicking and strumming. For the price range I think the sound is outstanding. Does it sound like a high dollar Martin? No. Does it sound distinctly Martin and hold it's own among other other mid-range instruments? Absolutely. I like to think the spruce top will help it progress over time in that department. I was pleasantly surprised by the gig bag. It's a tastefully branded, thick, shag-lined bag. This was somewhat wasted on me (I have a toddler and have moved to all hard cases) but it's a great value proposition. This isn't one of those of glossy, "display prominently" type of guitars. It's a basic affair. Matte top. Layered sides. No binding to speak of. I actually got the black pick guard so it looks even more basic than the one pictured here. It's more Budweiser than IPA. That said, I appreciate the austerity of it. Between the basic looks and comfortable shape I have no hesitation getting it out and playing the heck out of it. It is not perfect. The electronics are "meh." The tone control isn't particularly useful. I don't have a dedicated acoustic amp so maybe it's user error, but through the clean acoustic channel on my Boss Katana it's just very okay. I don't gig - only record - so I'll mic it anyways. This is a great upgrade guitar, play around the house/porch guitar, or first guitar for someone who's willing to spend a little bit more to prevent the frustration that comes with learning on a rough low end guitar. When I get my first record deal I'll buy that D-28 I've always dreamed about. For now, this is plenty enough.

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Fantastic value

I had always wanted to own a Martin, but didn't think I would be able to afford one. This guitar is my first Martin but it won't be my last this thing sings. The playability is amazing, the tone is incredible Cody Kraus did an awesome job as always. I bought a Gibson G45 standard a couple of years ago, and this Mexican made Martin out does it in every way for about half the price.

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Excellent Acoustic Guitar

For a while I'd been searching for an inspiring acoustic guitar for songwriting, I bought a Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought, a Martin 000Jr, and a PRS Angelus A40E, but none of them where as beautiful sounding, resonant and easy to play as the GPC-X2E. The High-pressure Laminate material on the body and the matte finish gives the guitar a synthetic feal at first glance, but don't let… read more this discourage you, once you start playing it you will fall in love, the guitar is very well crafted and sounds great. As always Sweetwater's service was excellent (Thank you Tom). I am very happy.

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