Hands On with Martin Guitar's New SC18E and SC28E Acoustic Guitars!

When Martin Guitars unveiled the SC13e we were immediately impressed and dismayed. Impressed with the guitar itself and Martin's courage in developing a guitar that is so modern. Dismayed with the fact that the model was not fully solid and made in Mexico. We longed for an all-solid USA made guitar. The very limited CSSC proved that the concept was sound and benefited from solid-wood construction, even while dripping in abalone! Finally, for 2024 Martin Guitar as unveiled two Made in the USA, all-solid wood SC models, the new SC-18e and SC-28e. Do they live up to our hopes for these guitars? Watch our full review to find out.
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[@nik1954]

In 1973 I bought my D-35 at Sam Ash in NYC through lay a way. $450. $25 put down weekly for about 20 weeks. It has been on a guitar stand in my living room for almost 50 years Right next to my my TV and radio speakers. The rich sound is unbelievable and continues to improve. I have other guitars, Gibson Takamini, Ibanez but nothing compares to the Martin D-35. Truly a love affair I've enjoyed since 1973.

[@davidn7945]

I have an SC-13E Special and it is indeed special! Sounds super rich and the deeper tones are really starting to open up now after about 8 months of owning one.

[@dmar3651]

​@tgf5652 the solid top opens up over time. That's probably what makes the sound develop better over time. Not to mention, their take on the Taylor Layered BnS process is quite good. They voice their guitars to match their materials used.

[@LegsON]

​@@tgf5652Yes, cutaways reduce body's volume and noticeably reduce top's moving area.

[@gair1944]

@@LegsON That may be true but I've also read that some well regarded builders say the area of the cutaway is the part of the top that least impacts the tone.

[@LegsON]

@@gair1944 That's probably true, especially since most of the builders use popsicle braces. The make this part of the top dead. Without them it becomes quite lively.

[@oldgoattheantichrist3468]

I love mine and its great for my jazz shows. I do wish it projected a bit more just because the sound is so sweet. I sometimes wonder if I need a cutaway though.

[@ChrisJohansonOfficial]

That chuckle from Chris at 0:22 when Cooper exaggerates how much he is properly annunciating in his introduction. lol

[@EricWestphal]

I've owned and loved my original SC-13e (Road Series) for a few years. It's my go-to guitar. I'd have loved a comparison of the SC-28E with the original SC-13E.

[@joshuafernandes4935]

I loved the playability of the SC and have been waiting for a solid wood construction. ITS FINALLY OUT NOW !! 🎉🎉🎉

[@chrisanastasia4361]

Last April when I went on the Martin factory tour, I played the SC13E special and fell in love. Back in the winter I went back to look at the photos that I took and I noticed there was a headless SC body with "SC-28" written on it :O. I like when you mentioned the Fender acousticsonic and Taylor options because I still would rather have a really playable guitar that's a still a real acoustic guitar. The price however, I dunno. I'm an intermediate player but I'm not the player in this video, so I'm hoping they make an SC 14, 15, 16, or 17

[@johnwashburn3793]

I thank whomever purchased these guitars. My temptation will be delayed.

[@MaurysMusic]

These are great guitars and long overdue. Great vid as always!

[@mike5211969]

3600 for the 18, that's steep!

[@CW0123]

I feel like they justify it by having the cheaper options. If it had come out first as an American made standard it’d probably be more like high $2000

[@softsouthernknight]

The SC 28 sounds really good. Big voice.

[@seanhallahan14]

Another really excellent video. Thank you so much!

[@ElmoBHD]

Your channel has become one of my favourites! Cooper's hair is amazing! LOL. David from Ireland!

[@breakandrun70]

Yes, it is about time Martin, I've been waiting for this for years. I had a custom shop build me a OOO Guitar, made of 200 year old mahogany & spruce top. It's 12 years old now. But I still love that guitar, I just think the SC18E would be a lot easier to play, and it sounds pretty good. Thanks for the review, well done guys!

[@baruchmbd]

Thanks for doing this vid, guys. I was looking for a Martin cutaway on the officical Martin website and bang! I then went to YT hoping/expecting you guys had done a review. Cooper, you put a smile on my face working that fretboard! I'll be saving my dimes and nickles for a modern deluxe version!

[@jayman5384]

Literally been waiting for these since the first sc came out.

[@calvincooper2669]

Cooper, that’s some great playing. Your playing seems to have improved greatly. I especially like that right hand attack. Are you working with a teacher?

[@joegriego9805]

Love it - Chris McKee called it in that first SC-13E video. I put my preorder in the moment I saw the SC-28E in the leaked MAP list back in January, and I just got my FedEx tracking info last night. Not thru Alamo (they didn't have a preorder link, but a competitor did), andI'll have it in hand around the end of this month (Feb. 2024). Still love Alamo, of course (I did buy an American Ultra Strat from them a couple of years ago). I guess I'll wait and see what strings Chris & Cooper recommend for the SC-28E going forward, and order 'em from Alamo...

[@tomhendrix3892]

I have the SC 13 e and iit is a joy to play. Im a newbe but all the people i know that play and played mine. Even if they are more into a bog body shape guitar all say it plays so easy. Electric guitar playyers are even more enthusiastic.

[@Treetour]

Cooper, what a player. My best guitars are Taylors, but I got a Sc-13e as soon as possible. I have played Strach out of the SC. The finish is sub-standard and mine has a serious case of fret sprout, but its playability is great. For a while, it didn't seem like Martin was committed. You had to dig to find it on the website. Good for Martin for adding an American-made, Martin-built quality version(s) to their lineup. Good for you guys to recognize the significance. Cooper, you rock.

[@michaelbobson6375]

Coop is a crazy player!!

[@reinaldoreyes5631]

Impressive playing as usual. Great video, also as usual. Still hanging on to my HD35.

[@tokairic3925]

I have the SC13e Special Burst. It sounds great, but more than that I recently took advantage of the neck adjustment method. My action was a little high and I didn't want to reduce the saddle as it was a bit low to start with. So I shimmed the neck - piece of cake, no need to go to the Martin shop. I simply cut a 5 thou piece of shim brass stock - it worked a treat.

[@markjohnson6485]

Nice I have owned 3 SC in the road series all sounded and played well very nice having the 18, 28 version without having to drop 7-8 M I think will be a big hit in the guitar community for sure

[@stephenblyskal5666]

Wild design, very modern. They sounds great!

[@mariodriessen9740]

I’m surprised to find out that before I was going to watch this video, I was pretty confident that I wouldn’t like these guitars because the radical shape of them. But now that I HAVE watched it, I’m actually really excited about these guitars. I think the fact that they went for all the typical 18 and 28 appointments was the perfect choice for people like me (and many others I assume), who want the appeal and the quality of the Martin guitars we all know and love, but with a few very important features that made these guitars comfortable in the only areas where acoustic guitars have never really been comfortable. I’m lucky enough to own three very good and very different Martins plus a beautiful Gibson J-45. If this wasn’t the case, I don’t think this would be my first choice for a guitar. But now I’m looking at them and I can see why I would love to take one of them with me for my acoustic gigs. I think I just fell in love. 😊❤

[@rocksteady309]

hey guys love your channel! Are the two the same size? How about a guick video with traditional strings? love the black lines on the 18!

[@frankmitman3347]

Geez. Playing great there Cooper. It looks like these are easy to play. And they do sound lovely. But on my IPad they sound more similar than different.

[@anthonyb2334]

The SC series is definitely innovative and cool. I played an SC13e about a year ago and loved it. I would love to hear a comparison between the 13 and these. If I had unlimited funds , I would lover either or both of these. But since I’ve played for 60 years and NEVER played as well as Cooper I might buy a 13 but ….. maybe stay my traditional 18. But great guitars and a great video. Thank you

[@GeAH-cg7il]

Man, I keep thinking about getting a Rosewood guitar but every mahogany I hear just hits the spot for me.

[@jt3483]

The sc18 really sounded great! The 28 wasn't bad, but like y'all said, I would probably prefer it with phospher bronze.

[@gair1944]

Somebody is gonna have to do demo's of these guitars with Phosphor Bronze Strings. The Luxe Kovar strings have a somewhat pointed sound that doesn't let us truly evaluate what the guitar sounds like with more standard strings. I played a D-45 with those new strings and it sounded mediocre at best. Did not let the guitar shine the way I know it can. I'm guessing that's true with these new SC18 and SC28 models as well.

[@taylorriggins9457]

TEXAS WE STAND WITH YOU. 🇺🇸 ❤️

[@scouser2230]

It’s great to see Martin add new modern type guitars while maintaining their historic offerings. You now can select from the best of both worlds.

[@1olddoggie]

Cooper, i love you and Chris and this channel. But please play a variety of playong styles so i can hear how the guitar sounds with different styles of playing. Chris has several songs that he plays that are the same so we can hear how the guitar with fifferent style... Not just the chicken pickin' style. Again i love you and this channel. This is just a suggestion. I hope to buy another guitar from you guys when i buy my next one. I am a big fan!

[@bravo4adventure988]

My brother git an SC13e when they first came out...plays like a dream and sounds fantastic acoustically. Can't speak to the electronics though, since he never plugs it in (doesn't even own an acoustic amp).

[@rocksteady309]

I’ll find out soon. i just bought an sc-28 from David at Alamomusic!

[@TommySG1]

Wooo-haaaa! Martin should be sending Cooper a check for making that thing sing like that 🤣 Holy shit!

[@SteveSingerFowkes]

The 28 obviously has the extended bass response.. Both sound pretty good....even from across the pond!

[@davidmercer9757]

In your opinion how does the Martin Sc28e compare to the Taylor 814ce Builder's Edition ?

[@kotla671]

Very good question! Looking forward to the answers here from those that might have played both…

[@manothemtns2]

This may sound crazy, but the 28 looks to be ever so much larger than the 18. That should be impossible, but they've just gone into production on these. Could one of them possibly be a prototype and the other, production? Otherwise, it must be some kind of optical illusion. Being a die-hard dreadnought and slope shoulder dreadnought guy, I'm still pleased to see Martin coming out with this asymmetrical/SC design in what appears to be grand auditorium-ish or 0000 size. I might be interested in one. That upper registers access is perfect for that design. Nice work, guys... again!

[@vonwelch7847]

Bought the one with the blue white aperture sound hole inspite of Coopers earlier statements, because I loved the sound and it was hanging on the wall at the Martin factory tour and available to play. Mine has a thin layer of boring brown Koa over all the laminate. Liked the rosewood sound better and would like to trade up when the 28 hits the used market.

[@terrymattingly6843]

I agree on the Retro-Hog link -- especially with mahogany tops. Get Cooper his -15 model see how these Retro-PLUS strings sound. I play a 000-15S (older model) and it's nickel strings for me. Old school.

[@rocksteady309]

i agree with Chris. Would love to see a comparison between the sc-18, and the 000-18 because of the same tonewoods it would come down to build qualities! and i’m about to commit to a beautiful sc-18 from alamo! still just a little bit hungup between it and a 000-18?

[@wesleyhudson2028]

If I could play like Cooper In would buy one.

[@johnhicks7057]

After all these months, I’m just watching this demo and I’m totally impressed. Is the playability/action easier than the D18 or the D28?

[@jimdoner3443]

Taylor set the bar high for them with these features, they seem to have done a good job of incorporating body shape and size , and bolt on neck with shim adjustment.

[@pepmasters-999]

What I like: the feedback about the playability and the ergonomics of that heel cut. Very nice. What I'm neutral on: Sound didn't blow me away, but it wasn't bad. Price isn't bad compared to normal Martin prices. What I don't like: There's no accounting for taste, but the offset body looks weird/ugly to me. For me, I'd be sticking with something more traditional, but I'm sure these have a good chance of finding a segment of the market that will be enthusiastic about them.

[@marcolodolo899]

Great Video- thank you very much....regarding the strings: What strings do you recommend to sound best on the Martin SC 28 e in order to match best with it´s tonewood character...?

[@karlwalker6648]

I like em , but I'm a dyed in the wool 000 guy 👍

[@GerardoGarcia-wm3bm]

Love my SC-13e Special and SC-10e. Wondering if the 10e Sapele is a solid body or veneer?

[@roughcutguitars]

Gotta say, hard for me to get past that shape - no one else seeing Elephant Man??? - but looks are one thing, and tone is another - and daaaamn that sounds massive. Definitely for hitting the dusty end :-) as Cooper shows. Dude, you're in Molly Tuttle company there!

[@joegriego9805]

So now, I really want to know what Chris and Cooper recommend for strings that really bring out the best on an SC-28E (or an SC-18E for that matter). Chris and Cooper - what say you? I'd love a comparison video using your favorite string sets on the SC guitars!

[@MrBrenguns]

Please give your opinion on which of these guitars is better? Which sounds better live? Had to tell on video.. thanks guys. Love ur work

[@AlamoMusic]

It really depends on context and preference. Both guitars reflect their back and side tone woods well. The SC-28e with rosewood has more treble and bass with rich overtones. The SC-18e has a drier mahogany tone with a warm midrange that can be very punchy. If you are performing solo the rosewood is usually preferred but mahogany can cut through better. At the end of the day it comes down to the tone one likes. I most often prefer rosewood but there are times I want mahogany instead. - Chris

[@oldgoattheantichrist3468]

Does this guy teach lessons? Cripes. Id love to have one of these guitars.

[@CaptainOfMyBurden82]

18 for me

[@kotla671]

HOW IS THE ACTION AND FEEL FOR LEFT HAND/FINGERS?

[@janiceandscottwolfe6203]

What's the name of that awesome song Cooper?

[@scottf2199]

Sounds like this neck joint is a lot like the Taylor NT neck

[@RenBobbins]

I know one thing. Ole boy can shred the absolute shit out of an acoustic guitar. 😤

[@makssila3572]

Guys, tell me which is better to take Martin Guitars SC-10E or Taylor 214 ce plus? Which of these two guitars will sound better? It’s especially important to me that there are more overtones and more bottom end in the sound🤔

[@rickc8743]

Cooper could make a cheap all laminate guitar sound great.

[@CW0123]

9:37 for playing demo 🤦‍♂️🙄

[@viper2148]

Modern Deluxe cutaway?

[@christthernikow274]

No lefthanded version?

[@ahighervibe4086]

That’s why as a lefty I chose to learn to play Right-Handed… and I’m SO glad I did… cuz lefty’s get left out in the cold EVERYWHERE in the world of Guitars!

[@ryanbloom1738]

Thought they were stupid when they came out. Nope their rad just like the Grand pacific guitars time for new my next axe but I might go with the 13 but those are amazing and Cooper just ripped on both.

[@814Taylor]

9:08 - 9:19 LOL

[@johnwashburn3793]

The world is over-rated. You can have it. How much do these cost?

[@johnhicks7057]

What @JohnWashburn3793 said. But I’m glad y’all are temporarily out. This way I can take a breath and think. Love the video

[@oracleboix]

an all mahogany would be great.. Martin got this right imo.

[@marcusdavis4575]

uuhhhh... I think Cooper's been woodshedding.

[@markinmemphis]

Looks like the shape was drawn by a 1960’s cartoonist, maybe the guys who drew 101 Dalmatians.

[@jackbandel]

Hey Cooper. Slow down and play some cowboy chords so we can actually hear what these guitars sound like instead of playing super fast.

[@BigBirdFliesAgain]

Use the Lux Titanium strings, Soft last forever and not too bright, now Covar on my strummer. Phosper Bronze too twangy..... Not sure why you guys dog them, when you never dog a guitar.

[@rogerd9150]

If Cooper isn’t the best player in the world then I don’t know who is… and I’m grading him against the likes of Billy Strings and Tommy Emmanuel.

[@juana1483]

Martin retro strings are fantastic on 000-28. No way does rosewood dampen the sound! That's crazy WRONG. 💩

[@masterofce]

OMG.!! I had hoped maybe just maybe Chris could shut up about Taylor but Noooo.!! He is so bought and paid for by Taylor,,,,Taylor will NEVER make a guitar that compares to MARTIN,!!!!

[@CameraLaw]

Seems like an unfair dig. Chris loves Taylor because he had a beautiful custom built in the 90s that he dearly loves. He loves Taylor because he likes the ones made since then. He plays them in front of congregations, proudly, thoughtfully, willingly. And he works for a company that stocks and sells them. Why won’t a Taylor compare to a Martin? Because it’s different. Every other company copies Martin. Well. Think Santa Cruz, Collings, and Atkin. But Bob Taylor, in his teens, sought to make a guitar his way. And the company reflects that passion, its unique and easily playable design, and his drive to build a manufacturing entity. You don’t prefer the brand. Doesn’t sound good to your ears. But we still, last time I looked, are a country that values and celebrates free enterprise. Maybe you like Chevy. My brother does. I drive a Ford but love his 60s Corvette with dual exhausts.

[@masterofce]

@@CameraLaw One time - just one time he can surely get through a video without mentioning "Taylor",,,,what are we supposed to think - its a strange obsession to ALWAYS need to slip Taylor into every conversation.!!

[@ahighervibe4086]

U-G-L-Y You Ain’t Got No Alibi! I don’t know exactly what it is but (to me at least) the shape of the cutaway area is truly UGLY (looking at it from the front… the back “access” are is cool!) and is the one thing that would keep me from purchasing one of these.

[@brianwhite1868]

No thanks, Martin's service policies ruined it for me. Adjusting the action requires shims that Martin will only sell to an Authorized Martin Service Center (many dealers aren't service centers). I refuse to buy a guitar that my independent tech or even most dealers can't setup.

[@vitorugovitorasso4062]

Nice sound. Ugly visual

[@taylorriggins9457]

American made. MARTIN 🇺🇸 GUITAR THE BEST IN THE WORLD.