Martin Guitars Cheap Vs Expensive SC Edition!

[@EricWestphal]

I absolutely love my original SC-13E. It's my everyday guitar. I'd definitely consider a Standard series version if I could convince myself it sounded better than my SC-13E, but I'm totally happy with the looks. Also, I almost never play it plugged in. It just feels great playing anything. Much as I love the design, though, the bling isn't worth the $8k for me. But I'm very happy to see the SC design getting some attention!

[@uspsdaveable]

I’ve got an SC10 absolutely love it, so easy to play and it sounds great. I’m very happy with it and that’s all that matters

[@xxjaystoxx]

The president of Martin just recently talked about this topic. Just so everyone knows, because I thought they were laminate too…they are not. They’re solid mahogany with a thin Koa veneer applied on top. The SC-10E is mexi made all solid wood.

[@NoahReinhartMusic]

I have been trying to tell people the sc10e sapele is solid for months. No one listens. I even confirmed with Martin. Oh well. I love mine lol

[@chrisscott6727]

You couldn't be wrong on so many different levels at once. The CS is Indian rosewood s/b with a specialty spruce top. The sc10 e is spruce top with koa veneer s/b with solid khaya underneath. The sc10e sapele is all solid f/s/b.

[@xxjaystoxx]

@@chrisscott6727 we’re saying the same thing lol. What I had said when I made this comment is exactly what Martin told me on the phone and what the president of Martin said in press release. The 2022-2023 sc-10e (not in production anymore) is solid spruce top and solid Mahogany (khaya) back and sides with a thin koa veneer on top. The sapele version didn’t exist at the time I made the comment and I wasn’t talking about the CS version at all. My whole point was to let people know the koa sc-10e 2022-2023 model was in fact solid wood and not any kind of HPL.

[@slpc30]

Man Cooper is such an amazing guitarist

[@jwdesqiii]

I love my SC-10E. I hope Martin keeps the SC line alive. Id love an all wood version one day.

[@Strato13]

I have a lefty all Sapele wood road series D10E dreadnought which was about $900 after taxes. Sounds very good to me, and has the Martin name on the headstock. The neck is perfect, and after three years, it's finally opening up. Its good enough for me as i just wont spend over 1000 on any acoustic.

[@kidmostly6787]

I upgraded from the SC13E to the custom and I couldn't be happier :D Although the Road Series SCs are still fantastic for the money

[@ulyssesdom4346]

Love this guitar so easy to play allows you to play acoustic in so many more way than you thought possible

[@stevelandress]

I love my SC-10E. I want a guitar that I can play in bars and clubs and I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking a $8000 guitar to those places. My 10 plays and sounds great and I don’t worry about getting it dinged.

[@octaviodominguez7772]

my favorite martin guitar since last year i have yet to find an acoustic guitar that is so comfortable no matter where in the neck i am sc 13 now im trying to save up to get the custom shop version

[@copperhead573]

I will wait for the SC28 Standard. Love the playing as usual. Happy New Year.

[@chrisanastasia4361]

I've always been wanting a Taylor, but a few weeks ago I went to the Martin factory and played the 13E special and I'm in love. I'm definitely getting one. Still debating on whether I should get the 13E special or one of the other two is good enough. I wish Martin would make an all solid wood version that doesnt cost 8K; I dont need abalone and all that

[@seanriffle6324]

I'm hoping I make it to the factory myself this summer. I had a trip planned a few years ago before Covid put that on hold.

[@anthonyb2334]

I played an SC13E a couple of times and really liked it. Way playing, good sound. Prices are getting crazy on these. All solid custom shop! Not in my price range

[@romainbousquet5770]

What is kind of blues song at 8:40 ?? Awesome! Thanks

[@vernonhelms2316]

That custom is much richer , amazing tone 😍❤️‼️

[@anthonylane9547]

Cooper, Thats the first time I've seen an X brace on the back of a guitar. Is this something Martin only does on this model.

[@Ndo_sanz]

Can you guys make a video comparing the SC-10e-01 vs the SC-10e-02?

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

The rosewood gives you "Rich chocolate cake lows" - what a great description : )

[@be.kind.to.animals]

You are such an amazing player, great demo.

[@be.kind.to.animals]

Great to see another Alamo video. Always good info.

[@raymonddixon7603]

Just to all you US people, brilliant guitars are made all over the world not just in the US.

[@richardtaylor2361]

same money about? I would like to hear it next to a yamaha ll16 or fg-5 . I thought they both sounded thin

[@thomashalley7258]

Do all the 13s have the tuners? Or did they not have it when they first came out?

[@Zuerityp]

I am quite happy with my SC13e Special, but as soon as Martin will launch the same in 28 style, I will change due to the (hopefully) enhanced unplugged tone quality.

[@masterofce]

Hey Cooper - do you give virtual lessons??

[@BeatsbyNT]

Would like to know that as well

[@ianononeguitar]

I'd LOVE to see a breakdown of Marcin's signature Ibanez MRC10, been planning on buying one but can't find a breakdown of it with the quality that your videos have.

[@andystagger2906]

The cheaper version sounds just fine! Frankly if you plugged it in you could Not tell the difference … I guarantee it! And you can bet it will sound warmer and richer unplugged in a year … just have to play it daily! I have many acoustics … I think about 22 acoustic guitars .. MArtins .. ovations.. Yamahas .. Michael Kelly … Godin guitars are the best bang for the buck.. imo seagull or Art&Lutherie sound better than My Martin and Taylor and it was around $550 .. with a great sounding pickup ❤

[@seanriffle6324]

I bought Art & Lutherie just because it's signed by Tommy Emmanuel, and I'll tell you what, it's a beautiful sounding guitar.

[@frankmitman3347]

Great playing as usual, Cooper. I can hear a difference. The all wood version is richer, more guts and harmonics. I wonder if playing through an amp would make both versions sound more similar.

[@Strato13]

Btw.. They both sound beautiful to my ears, but im not very experienced in acoustics as im a very very new and late Comer to the acoustic guitar world, which I've embraced. Its a new journey for me on acoustics. Obviously the fancier one sounded a bit fuller and richer than the first one, which sounded a bit more shallow. But in the right hands, both sound excellent.

[@mikemcclelland3864]

Great side by side- you have a heavy strum hand! Nice to see how they sound strumming- as most of what you play is strumming- but I noticed you laid off the heavy strum on the $$$$$ model? ( maybe intentional- as it projected so well?). But amazing chops!

[@rocksteady309]

always a great informative video! exactly what is meant by the “offset guitar”? How is it offset?

[@goczangabor24]

the shape of the guitar is somewhat asymmetric

[@kevinmorales6666]

Would love to try one out I’ve never played one

[@ABBYDOG26]

I’d feel like I’d need an armed guard to carry around the CS version as beautiful as it is in looks and sound. It’s not a working man’s guitar. I’ll take the 10 and throw in a solid body 000-16 and pocket the extra $3800.00. Great review of both guitars, Cooper!

[@scouser2230]

To me it’s too expensive for a guitar with laminated back and sides. I must admit it sounds nice, but it doesn’t have the warmth of the solid rosewood back and sides. I don’t need to pay for all the inlay work but I would have to have a solid wood model.

[@rogerd9150]

Big difference in BOTH price and tone between cheap and custom guitars. Would love to have the custom but would have trouble spending that kind of $.

[@BillJones]

Alamo: you keep saying the SC guitars are laminate. Are you certain? They have a veneer on the sides and back, but a veneer does not make it a laminate. I've read that the sides and back are solid mahogany, not a cross ply "laminate". Where are you getting this info that its a laminate?

[@BeatsbyNT]

This is true, Martin themselves have told me that they use mahogany wood under the veneers.

[@popdufc4139]

When is the next podcast?

[@danielm9143]

Is that guitar worth 8k ? Prob not unless you're a collector. It definitely sounds way more lush than the road series, it's night and day

[@georgekatechis628]

whats the first song you play in the demo?

[@Anthony-ll4nh]

8 grand for a solid wood SC series Martin is probably about 5 grand too much for me. I love the guitar, but I don't love the price. However, with today's new reality, that may have been more like a 4 grand guitar before all of this inflation the last couple of years. I am certain the solid wood SC guitar sounds better, but for that price, I'm leaning towards the $1700 SC-13e Special. And MAYBE another $200 for the more interesting finish on the soundboard. By the way, your skills are incredible! It really did seem like you were able to play MUCH faster on the SC types than I've heard you play on other guitars. Ergonomically, the SC series is ground-breaking. They're so much better handling. I think it's time to sell my Taylor and do a course-correction here.

[@jackkunkel4773]

Your assessment is right on. Guitar s all cost more every where. Martin lover.

[@charlottesimonin2551]

It is easy even for my old ears to hear the difference between the two guitars The 10e is still fine for me.

[@mikemcclelland3864]

One more thought- I assume Martin isn’t paying the Mexican workers the same wage as American workers? I hope they are- but my guess is it’s all about the cost- so with that said- not sure why they don’t offer the sc10e at say 6-8 hundred- they are priced as much as the 15-16 all wood series ( yea- they have a pickup- but not a $$$ one by any means). I assume these are much cheaper to make vs the 15-16 series based on labor alone? Correct me if I’m wrong- but sometimes a guitar company with a reputation keeps the prices high to reflect quality- when reality should reflect cost to build- ect- but yea- I played one and loved it!

[@LifeWideOpen780]

What do you think of these small luthiers charging 15g starting to build a guitar??

[@alicankarakaya2770]

Which ones?

[@BaktaBak3]

Own /play Martins... 00 size . The only beef I have with Martin right now is , there are NO new 00 size models. Mostly 000 and Dreds ??? What's up with that ? My custom shop guitar would be a Martin HD28 shrunk down to size of the original Dred Jr. size/shape (MIM) guitar, except made in USA , with either Grenadillo or Mahogany Back & Sides, Neck, Adirondack Spruce aged Top, satin finish, herringbone around the guitar and sound hole , VTS pickup with battery access at tailpiece.

[@flatroc1]

I will definitely stick with my SC13E burst. It really out shines the 10 in looks and sound but I find the CSSC looks gaudy.

[@FormerlyknownasT]

I thought Martin were only making 300 of the custom shop cs sc22 .. or am I thinking of a different guitar ...

[@persiaguitar]

SC-10e sounds like Mahagony not spruce

[@persiaguitar]

Road series VS D 28 Please? :)

[@joegriego9805]

I own an SC-13E, and love it. But, if you ever start taking pre-orders on a solid back-and-sides SC 28 style guitar from Martin, then sign me up right now and take my money! :)

[@jayman5384]

You sound good Cooper. 👍

[@terrymattingly6843]

Who is the audience for the top-end bling version? I thought the idea was for a neo-electric stage guitar? I think Taylor Swift already has stage guitars....

[@sapelopelo]

1299 for a laminated back and sides? Good lord

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Haha! This is why I won’t buy a Martin. They are so overpriced for what you get...unless what you really WANT is the name on the headstock. Get a Japanese made Yamaha, or a Yairi, and call it a day. Peace.🐰🎸🎶✌️

[@MashaT22]

I think that’s their way of trying to conserve trees, but it sounds like it takes a lot to make these due to the labor involved. I’m hoping that the price will come down on the laminate version when they start making the solid wood.

[@thomashalley7258]

Wouldn't be surprised it's that high for the extra work that goes into it. They sound great. I spent 30 minutes trying different models and settled on a sc13.

[@Dan-tp3py]

@@JackTheRabbitMusic ignorance is bliss.

[@gui-texzan7477]

@@JackTheRabbitMusicNothing wrong with Japanese built Yamaha or Yairi guitars. Red Labels are solid wood at the $1600 price point -- and I'd definitely take one over the laminated Martin. Yairi's are $2,000+ so you're getting into the D-18 price range. Comes down to personal choice when you're dealing with solid wood Yairi vs. Martin, but pricing differences are negligible at this point.

[@bessiebraveheart]

I like the cheaper one. The custom shop one is a bit over the top for my taste.

[@keithclark486]

$1600.00 is not cheap. Maybe word it ' less expensive vs more expensive.

[@gosman949]

depends on your viewpoint! Some of us have been savers and prudent.

[@zebfox011]

To be honest on the actual price of $1299.00 but yes even that really isn't cheap but of course one should save for what they want!

[@gosman949]

@@keithclark486 mine are guitars from my youth. They are priceless and with real value appreciation. Years and being prudent to not keep buying guitars will do that.

[@keithclark486]

@@gosman949 Even though they may be expensive guitars, Sentimental value vs monetary value' especially for a 15 year old who has saved up for a first time guitar ' that's expensive.

[@gosman949]

@@keithclark486 sorry Keith, didn't know you were 15.

[@happytrails1963]

Wonderful guitar so good to see these but maybe would still prefer a D-28 and save a couple bucks.

[@Jasper_Yay636]

I swear Coop could make my $25 Reynosa, Mexico guitar sound good! Surprised again how good laminates are sounding. Thanks to everyone at Alamo for the good videos. Semper Fi

[@BillJones]

It's not laminate. It's solid wood with a veneer.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Cooper, I saved you a hamentashen.

[@AlamoMusic]

Please anything but Mohn!

[@alexgonzales6883]

Wow 8k 😂not worth it in my opinion sc 13 would mostly be used plugged in no need for all wood

[@adeladominguez5008]

❤

[@CW0123]

Geez I wish they just used “special”, standard and deluxe 🤦‍♂️🙄

[@roymccandlish9720]

Nope. Ain’t worth the way too high price. The SC-13E is the way to go; in my opinion.

[@starfighter2952]

Who at martin came up with the idea of selling a cheap PLYWOOD original model. Then sell one so expensive no one will buy it. $1200 for a plywood prototype. That's ridiculous.

[@MatthewCuda]

Way too much bling. I love bling but dang

[@billyhuynh6554]

i still love full solid wood acoustic guitar

[@chrisscott6727]

Does the custom shop sound amazing yes, but 8000$ amazing... hmm. The sc10e's are also great guitars for 1000$ and they sound like a 3000$ guitar.

[@markstaggs7342]

Guitars ar all overpriced and not worth the money theres asking for them.

[@mutangpadan5311]

Perhaps they are only looking at the high-end users (pros) and distinguishing them from hobbyist and millions like me😢

[@markstaggs7342]

@@mutangpadan5311 I personally have ten high end acoustic guitars and they are very expensive I have over thirty five thousand dollars in these guitars ,My last guitar I bought is the cheapest one I just bought it's a sixties model Gibson J-45 it wasn't cheap but not as expensive as the other nine I own but if seems like the cheaper ones are way to expensive for a lot of people,They just keep charging more for guitars that are way overpriced,Even the real expensive guitars are costing more and there's being built with cheaper materials.I think I've bought my last guitar because some 2015 models guitars have gotten cheaper made materials now than then ,Seems kinda like these guitar Builder's and guitar manufacturers are getting might greedy in my honest opinion.When I bought this Gibson J-45 I was actually wanting a brand new Martin D-45 I had the money in my pocket almost eleven thousand dollars for this guitar and when I played it it was one huge gigantic disappointment it was one of the worst sounding Guitars i ever played it was very hard to play i couldn't believe it,I already own seven very nice Beautiful high end Taylor's and i do have a 1980 Martin D-28 in mint condition with original case and still has the key to the case to lock it, But i thought about another Taylor but they didn't have in in the store,so i was playing lots of guitars and played three Gibsons J-45 s and I really loved the one of tgem so i bought the J-45 instead of the dreadful Martin D-45 and saved myself several thousands of dollars .But im thinking im done the way guitars are costing more and built lots cheaper.

[@Bds737]

The demo on the Custom Shop was bloody fantastic. Cooper is a monster player. If Martin offered a Nazareth-built, solid wood SC, I’d buy one.