Martin Performing Artist DCPA4 Reviews

4.8/5.0 based on 9 customer reviews

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Customer Reviews

Mike Burden
from Pensacola, Florida
January 14, 2013Music Background:
just play for fun

great sound

Great guitar. I have wanted a Martin for a long time and finally decided to add to my collection. I have a Taylor, Fender, Epiphone, Ovation, Yamaha and a Takamine and this Martin has its own sound that really fits my ear and is easy on the fingers.

Dan Fuentes
from Minnesota
July 18, 2012Music Background:
30 yrs of playing, hobbyist, student

Cant be beat for Quality & Money!!

After playing just about every guitar I could put my hands on that was comparable in style, quality, options and price , I couldnt find anything even close to the DCPA4! I was looking for American made with solid wood and a great pickup. This is it...if you are looking for a cut-away nothing touches it in playability , tone, fingering , neck speed. I was a bit leary buying site un-seen from Sweetwater, but Mark Bruhn and the staff were perfect. The guitar was pristine and the packaging looked like it came from Fort Knox. I'm sold on Sweetwater and Martin!!

Daniel Stapleton
from United States
April 26, 2012Music Background:
semi pro

Martin Performing Artist DCPA4

I did research before buying, but was still surprised by the way this guitar plays and sounds. I am very impressed with the neck - ease of play up to the higher register, and also the satin finish is nice. I mostly perform unplugged, so this guitar is what I have been seeking after for good projection to accompany my vocals. The on board tuner is a nice touch and the ease of use and minimalist features of the electronics in general are a plus as well. With a hard shell case built into the price, I can't seem to figure a reason why you should not buy one : )

LeRoy Lewis
from Virginia Beach, VA
March 17, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

Amazing sound

I played a bunch of different guitars today including Taylors, Martins, Seagulls, and Breedloves. My objective was to check out the Martin GPCPA4 as I thought that it was the guitar that I wanted after doing a bit of research. However, I also wanted to check out other guitars in the $1000-$1500 price range. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing all of the guitars that I picked up and would be excited to have any one of them as a gift or what have you. But if Im spending my hard earned money on one of these guitars, without a doubt Im buying the DCPA4. I hadn't even considered this guitar when I walked into Guitar Center today. I really liked the shape and size of the GPCPA4 and was sure it was the one for me. I didn't like the look of the dreadnought as much. In fact it was maybe my least favorite appearance wise. Ive got to go with sound over appearance and I will own this guitar very soon. Play it and you will know what I mean.

Rob
from nj
March 4, 2012Music Background:
14, years

Martin DCPA 4

You can't top this guitar for the price. I am Impressed with the overall tone . This particular model plays loud yet rich full balanced tone unpulgged! The workmenship is nothing short of a magnificiant instrument . The fishman electronics is basic , if you do gigs you may want to think about the dcpa3 . Overall very pleased would do the deal all over again.

Jon D
from Cayman Islands
September 30, 2011Music Background:
Gigged as a lad, strummed as an older lad. Love home recording/jammin

Martin DCPA4 is fantastic

OK, I have splashed out here - from playing a second hand Applause(Ovation affordable) for 10 years!! It suited the lifestyle that included living on a boat with the occasional salty spray ruining strings, etc.
After many days and months of reading reviews (just like this) and sampling a few Martins when anywhere near a music store, it was clear that it would be a Martin...but which one?
I had some reservations(possibly unfounded) regarding the HPL series, like the DCX1E, using laminated composite wood stuff at a seriously good price by the way, but did not want to blow 2 or 3 grand ...well, couldn't do it anyway! Out the hard case this beauty is brilliant.
Even smells like freshly cut wood sap. Booms with sound, action is great, sustain rings for as long as your raw fingers can hold it down.

I relied on reviews and thought it fair to assist others in the hard decision stage.......if this is your budget - get it. Astounded by the clarity of each string. Haven't even plugged in yet!

Paul Stockwicz
from Schaghticoke, NY
March 10, 2011Music Background:
Professional Musician

The Harley Of The Workingman Acoustics

If your looking for a real workhorse acoustic guitar look no farther. The NEW Martin DCPA4 Deadnought has it all over anything out there in the $1200 price range. I tried out 9 guitars before settling on this one. Taylor 314CE, Breedloves,Tak's Guilds, Baden,Other Martins even Larrivee's. All great guitar but the DCPA4 with it's Deep Martin Tone and Brilliant Treble plugged in or not won me over. The action can be set extremely low and handles extra light string very well for you Electric Guitar Player out there. The Aura F1 Analog Pickup is second to none. Perfect for live performances. Very simple, two very useable controls knob. One for volume/engaging tuner by holding down the volume button. The other is a Mid/Bass Shift/Tone/Notch Filter engaded again by pushing down the tone button and a highly visiable Tuner window. Martin quality all the way except for the fretboard. They use what they call Black Richlight (Composite). Don't get hung up on it though, remember the notes change on the frets not the board itself. I struggled with that a first too but then again I play a Maple Neck Strat so I got over it quick. This guitar will inspire you to play more and more and get's better each day. All wood NO Laminate sides or back. Martin really got this one right for the money.

C. Carr
from Cherrly Plain, NY
April 16, 2012Music Background:
former bandmember, now just a picker

SAVE YOUR DOUGH AND GET THIS ONE

DON'T get sucked in by the DCX models; they play and sound like what they are, plywood and laminate. The DCPA4 is the guitar to get if you're on a limited budget AND want true Martin sound. The only drawback is that it comes with no instructions for the electric controls, which are confusing; other than that, it projects big, deep yet bright sound, and is a sweet way to go. So save up, get this one, and avoid disappointment.

Wiley
from United States
July 20, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

Martin Performing Artist DCPA4

This is one beautiful instrument. I love the built-in tuner. It's well made and holds a tune very well. It is taking me a while to get used to the feel of the neck. I have had to adjust my fingering, especially when playing barre chords. I don't know if it's because of the shape of the neck or if I need to have it set up differently. For a large bodied guitar, I was surprised that it doesn't have the darker sound I'm used to hearing in the bass.

Still, I know, once I get more familiar with the feel and the tone quality, this will be the acoustic guitar I'll spend the rest of my life with.