Road Series Performance with a Vintage Martin Makeover
Capturing the legendary looks of Martin’s golden-age vintage instruments, this D-10E drapes a stage-ready Road series foundation in a charmingly old-school aesthetic. The foundation of this big-bodied dreadnought mirrors the all-solid wood construction of the standard D-10E, comprising a solid spruce top, solid sapele back/sides, and scalloped spruce X-bracing. This superior tonewood combination dishes out serious projection, chest-thumping low-end, and a crisp character that cuts right through the mix. Although this Vintage Inspired Road series model flaunts an eye-catching assortment of retro visuals — including a 1935-style sunburst finish, antique white binding, Diamond and Square inlays, and open-back Grover tuners — the ebony-topped select hardwood neck’s Performing Artist profile provides a slimmer, faster profile compared to the chunky necks that ruled the roost in Martin’s vintage heyday. And with Martin’s acoustically faithful E-1 electronics system, the Vintage Inspired Road Series D-10E is equally at home strumming out acoustic-electric accompaniment onstage or dishing out fiery flatpicking lines at an all-acoustic jam. But act fast; this handsome acoustic is only available at Sweetwater in the US.
Related Videos: Sweetwater Select Vintage Inspired Road Series D-10E Acoustic-electric Guitar - 1935 Sunburst
Quality tonewoods deliver timeless tone
As a top tonewood, spruce offers a combination of strength and elasticity that delivers a broad dynamic range with crisp articulation that's ideal for a wide range of playing styles, from delicate fingerpicking to aggressive flatpicked strumming. Sapele, used for the back and sides of the D-10E, is tonally similar to mahogany, but its higher density tends to produce a slightly brighter sound with more high-end shimmer. The characteristic sapele sound is consistently balanced across the tonal spectrum, which makes it, again, suitable to a broad range of playing styles.
A cornerstone of modern music
Martin's early dreadnoughts set into motion the guitar's prominent role in modern music and set the standard for tone quality in acoustic guitars. Martin dreadnoughts became known for resonant, warm tones, quality craftsmanship, and tasteful styling. For those reasons, Martin guitars became an essential ingredient in the music written and performed by the stars of the 1920s and '30s. Post-WWII, the Martin dreadnought became a cornerstone of the folk and folk rock music of the '50s and '60s. The powerful voice and full sound of these iconic instruments have made them a staple in the bluegrass world, but their bold sonic signature is heard cross-genre.
Plug in courtesy of E1 electronics
Onboard Martin E1 electronics let you quickly connect to your favorite acoustic amp, recording interface, or even house PA systems at venues. Musicians at Sweetwater are impressed with the E1 system’s tone, volume, and phase-reverse controls, which let you faithfully amplify your Vintage Inspired Road Series D-10E’s richness and warmth while shaping sound quality to taste. The E1’s phase-reverse button is especially convenient for eliminating prickly feedback in tight spaces when standing near your amp is unavoidable. What’s more, the E1 system features a built-in tuner. You can tune up without any cable connections, so tuning breaks onstage and on the couch are equally painless. With onboard electronics this good, you’ll feel confident the D-10E is equipped for anything.
Martin Vintage Inspired Road Series D-10E Features:
- Time-tested Road series tone and performance, upgraded with a vintage-inspired makeover — available only at Sweetwater in the US!
- Vintage Inspired Road series appointments include a 1935-style sunburst finish, antique white binding, Diamond and Square inlays, open-back Grover tuners, and ebony for the fingerboard/bridge
- Solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing delivers a rich and responsive tone with superior unplugged projection
- Sapele back and sides capture the crisp, articulate snap of Martin’s iconic mahogany dreadnoughts
- Select hardwood neck in Martin’s fast-playing Performing Artist profile; 16-in.-radius ebony fingerboard
- 1.75-in. nut width offers more than enough room for fingerpickers to play comfortably
- Martin E-1 electronics ensure your plugged-in tone sings with optimal acoustic authenticity
