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Martin Special Birdseye HPL X Series Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Cognac

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Description
The stunning Martin HPL Cognac Birdseye X Series dreadnought was crafted to ensure a full-bodied, lush sound that’s perfect for singer-songwriters, touring musicians and session players. Built from famous Martin high-pressure laminate, this acoustic-electric guitar shares many of the tonal characteristics of wood, with enhanced durability and ethical, sustainable material sourcing. Spruce bracing substantiates the guitar’s volume and tone, while onboard electronics offer the ability to amplify your performance to a larger audience. Additionally, with a Richlite fingerboard and comfortably carved neck, this HPL dreadnought in cognac birdseye plays as well as it looks.

Historical Dreadnought Shape
C.F. Martin & Co. invented the iconic dreadnought body in 1916. Synonymous with the acoustic guitar, dreadnought-shaped instruments provide a huge sound and commanding low end—ideal for singer-songwriters or solo artists looking for room-filling accompaniment. The Martin HPL Cognac Birdseye dreadnought signifies the most popular acoustic guitar design in the world, and the outline’s sonic power has captivated audiences for over a century. Internally, the X Series HPL Cognac Birdseye dreadnought utilizes spruce bracing in an X pattern to further enrich its tone—technology also developed by Martin in the 1850s.

Durable and Sustainable HPL
A defining feature of the Martin X Series dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is its high-pressure laminate top, back and sides finished in a birdseye maple pattern with a cognac stain. HPL is a durable composite material made from paper and resin that’s topped with an artificial wood pattern for aesthetic purposes—in this case, eye-catching birdseye maple. Using high-pressure laminate lends itself to a sturdier instrument that’s more resistant to climate change, so it’s ideal for touring musicians or those who’d prefer to leave their prized case queen at home. The Martin HPL production process is also Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, meeting the highest standards of ethical, sustainable production.

Specialized Neck Construction
The Martin HPL Cognac Birdseye dreadnought incorporates a solid mortise-and-tenon neck joint for unwavering stability and optimal resonance with the guitar’s body. The neck material consists of multiple layers of birch, again pressed and bonded under extremely high pressure for strength and stability. Its FSC-certified Richlite fingerboard is smooth and playable to the touch, offering plenty of definition and sustain from chord to chord and note to note. The X Series Dreadnought in cognac birdseye features a Martin high-performance neck shape with a 25.4" scale length and 16" radius for effortless fretting all the way across the board.

Fishman MX-T Electronics
The X Series acoustic-electric dreadnought with an HPL body and cognac birdseye finish amplifies sound using Fishman MX-T electronics. This pickup system consists of a discreetly soundhole-mounted preamp with rotary volume and tone controls, as well as a built-in tuner. Simply plug in, make some quick adjustments, and you’ll have an incredibly rich and dynamic acoustic-electric tone right out of the box, capturing the nuance of a resonant acoustic guitar with the projection required for live performance.
The Martin HPL Cognac Birdseye X Series dreadnought boasts the impeccable tone of a treasured heirloom acoustic guitar with the cost effectiveness, durability and ethicality of high-pressure laminate. Making no sacrifices in look and feel, the HPL X Series dreadnought punches above its price in virtually every category. Whether you’re an aspiring guitarist or an established pro, this exclusive Martin acoustic-electric is bound to become your favorite musical companion. Catch the gorgeous cognac birdseye finish in person at your local Guitar Center, and take home a prized Martin guitar today.
Features
- Cognac Birdseye Pattern HPL top, back and sides
- Laminated birch High Performance Taper neck, FSC Richlite fingerboard and bridge
- Fishman MX-T electronics
Specs
- Body type: D-14 Fret
- Top wood: Cognac Birdseye Pattern HPL
- Back and sides: Cognac Birdseye Pattern HPL
- Bracing pattern: X-Brace Scalloped
- Body finish: Satin
- Neck shape: PA Profile/High Performance Taper
- Nut width: 1-3/4''
- Fingerboard: FSC Richlite
- Neck wood: Laminated Birch
- Scale length: 25.4"
- Number of frets: 20
- Neck finish: Hand-Rubbed
- Bridge: FSC Richlite
- Saddle and nut: Compensted White TUSQ/White Corian
- Pickup/preamp: Fishman MX-T
- Tuning machines: Ping Chrome
- Orientation: Right-Handed
- Number of strings: 6-string
- Case: Gig bag
Warranty
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Reviews
5
5 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
- Practicing5
- Recording5
- Small Venues5
- Jamming3
- Rock Concerts2
- Guitar weighs quite a bit1
- Darker sound - make sure that's what you want1
- Professional Musician3
- Experienced2
- Good Audio5
- Fun To Play4
- Good Feel4
- Stays In Tune4
- Consistent3
Reviewed by 5 customers
It's a Martin guys come one do I need to say anything else
submitted2 months ago
bySheldon
fromSan Antonio tx
Got it at guitar center for 346 open box came flawless excellent projection I'm just shocked for it being hpl and to sound like that pretty nice feel over all the action is nice and low and it's a pleasure to play this martin certainly keeping this for life for almost half the price you can't beat this deal to any other laminates out there and I don't have to worry too much about humidity affecting the wood since it ain't solid.
Definitely worth what I paid!
submitted3 months ago
byMickey
fromThomasville, Georgia
I bought this guitar as a demo for half price, and have loved it as my main guitar of 7 that I own (none other are Martins). The guitar is a little on the heavy side as far as weight due to it being a laminate, but I still love the sound! For my first Martin, have loved it!
OH SO SWEET
submitted8 months ago
byAWAYGONE
fromLANGHORNE PA
"BIRDSEYE DEFINITLY CATCHES YOUR EYE!" THE FINISH CAUGHT MY EYE RIGHT AWAY. THIS GUITAR PLAYED SUPER EASY . THE INTONATION WAS AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE. ALL MY CHORDS SOUNDED CLEARLY. GOLD RECOMMENDATION 6 STARS
Don't sleep on this excellent guitar
submitteda year ago
byJason
fromChattanooga, TN
I am a professional musician and I was looking for an acoustic with a darker, richer sound than my current one. The sound on this may be considered "dull" to some, and it's certainly not a bright guitar, but it's exactly what I needed, and I love it. Electronics are GREAT too. 5 stars.
Great sound - Great Price
submitted2 years ago
byRob
fromGreenville, SC
I'm one week into owning my first Martin & Co. This is plain sheer value for the money. Not only is it drop dead gorgeous it's excellent in playability. Plus, the Fishman MT-X electronics sound amazing. From the first strum on my churches sound system it came to life and filled the room. At this moment I'm a believer!
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Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitted9 months ago
asked byJH
fromWashington DC
What country is this made
Made in Mexicosubmitted2 years ago
asked byRob
fromGreenville, SC
What hard shell case would you recommend?
Musician's Gear Deluxe Dreadnought Case.