Martin Performing Artist Series GPCPA1 Plus Reviews

4.7/5.0 based on 6 customer reviews

Write your own review for this product

Sort By Date Sort By Rating

Customer Reviews

Daniel Harney
from Dallas, TX
April 15, 2013Music Background:
Worship Leader - Contemporary Christian Music

Incredible

I spent the last three years looking for the perfect high end stage guitar...and this is the one that I chose. I have had it for a week and have already been able to use it on a professional level and I am blown away! I played lots of Taylors, Breedloves, and Gibsons, but nothing quite got my attention like this guitar. It is a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship! I can just sit and stare at it for hours! Haha! But it also has that incredible Martin tone. The ones I played in Guitar Center had a really flat dull tone, but that is because they have really old, tarnished strings that have no brightness. This came from Sweetwater with brand new Martin SP Lifespan strings and this guitar SINGS! It is an easy guitar to play and instantly makes you feel like a better guitarist. The electronics in this thing are amazing. There are so many options that allow you to customize your sound, but it is all very easy to understand. I am more than happy that I bought this guitar! It gives me confidence to know that Martin is a 180yr old company with an amazing track record and it gives me peace of mind that I bought my guitar through Sweetwater! I was nervous about ordering a guitar online that I had never played before, but I had nothing to fear, because it came in perfect condition! This is the most amazing guitar I have ever played!

Randall C Summerall
from SAVANNAH GA.
November 11, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

MARTIN GPCPA1 PLUS

First of all so impressed with Sweetwater and there costumer service.Thankyou so much. Now the Martin a beatiful sound and apearance, awsome. Set up is good and the guitar is flawless. I think that the bass is definatly better in the plus model compared to the original GPCPA1 .WOW!!! That is enough said.
Once again thanks Matt I appreciate everything and will be doing buisness with you guys again. I LOVE THIS GUITAR.

Bob Leyden
from Plymouth MA USA
September 29, 2012Music Background:
Singer/Songwriter, Home Studio, Playing for 40 years

After a year of research

I had narrowed down my decision to two guitars, the GPCPA1, and the Taylor GS8E, I know everyone wants to compare the Martin to Taylor's Grand auditoriums, but the 14 series Taylors have never been my cup of tea, I find them to be a bit to bright and thin, whereas the Grand symphony body has more depth of sound acoustically. Where the Martin was superior in my opinion was plugged in, the new Fishman F1 aura system is just so sonically versatile, and I haven't even scratched the surface of all it can do. It takes some getting used to, but once you get the menu structure down it's just amazing how much high quality variety the F-1 offers. Unplugged I actually preferred the Taylor, but only slightly, I thought the bass was a bit better though both instruments offer beautiful balance.

Jim Brown
from Cincinnati, OH
October 18, 2010Music Background:
semi-pro musician

Martin GPCPA-1

I finally got a chance to play the GPCPA-1 head to head with the Taylor 814CE at the local dealer.
Let me preface this by saying I am not a Taylor basher; I own a Taylor 414CE, T5-S, and a baby Taylor. My Martins are an HD-7, Backpacker, and (my wife's) Jimmy Buffett Little Marlin. My wife doesn't play as such, but has a really good ear, so she went with me. I was amazed at how similar both guitars were in appearance, size and construction. That being said, the Martin's top toner was more visually appealing to both of us than the Taylor's. The Martin neck was flatter than the Taylor's rounded neck. Both played just fine in cowboy chord position, but the Martin was easier to barre chord cleanly up the neck. In fairness, I think the Taylor could have used a set-up that the Martin didn't require. Unplugged, the Martin had a high end clarity and single note separation I hadn't heard in other Martins, but still had that Martin sound I am familiar with. The Taylor had a fat bottom end I don't have in my 414CE, and a warm, overall sound that was pleasing, as well.
Plugged in however, wow what a difference! Using a Roland AC60 amp that was set up with a flat EQ, I tried them both and fiddled with the controls. The Martin Aura F1 sounded great at every setting I threw at it, while the Taylor cleaned up some with some more high EQ on the Expression controls, but never quite approached what I liked about the Martin sounds. My wife, not wanting to color my opinion, didn't say anything until after I put them both back up. She then told me exactly the same things I have said, she liked the color of the Martin better, and thought it sounded better overall. I wound up selling my Les Paul deluxe goldtop to fund the purchase of the GPCPA1 from Sweetwater, and don't regret it for a minute. This one's a keeper.

Van Shaw
from Lubbock, TX
June 8, 2010Music Background:
Bluegrass and Rock and Roll

I like my new GPCPa-1

I wanted a new acoustic electric and I did not want a Taylor or any of the other "new-age" guitars. So I got the GPCPa-1. I already had a Martin D-28 and a Collings HD-2 so I'm used to the drednaught sound at my core. This guitar is not a drednaught but it does have lots of "grand" sound and volume, especially in the mid range and it's good on the high end and the bassier notes are acceptable. It sounds like it's made of real wood and is definitely not a church guitar. I think people will find it versatile and it feels real good in the hands. The action on mine was not too low so there's plenty of feel in the strings, however it's definitely not an electric guitar feel. Those looking for all things new and a super light touch can stick with the Taylors. Those who want a new guitar with great features that still has it's roots in the traditional guitars will welcome this model. I bought mine without ever seeing or playing it first and I'm happy with my choice.

Paul Dustman
from Oklahoma City, OK
November 3, 2012Music Background:
Advanced Hacker

Martin GPCPA1

I bought the GPCPA1 having never played one because it was a Martin. There are not many instruments that warrant that amount of trust. I am a Martin fan. The craftsmanship is no less than excellent as we have come to expect from martin, and the aroma of the Spruce is intoxicating. It is a beautiful instrument.

If you are expecting the Martin Dreadnaught sound from this guitar, you will be disappointed. Unplugged; it is a much lighter voice than the Dreadnaught with less bass, but still has the Martin volume. Plugged in; the Fishman Aura system makes up for most of the short-comings. It is a much better finger picking guitar than flat pick. If you want the Dreadnaught sound in the Performing Artist series check the DCPA1.
I own a Martin D-28; D-42; DCPA1; and now the GPCPA1. I am happy with the guitar for it's capabilities.