The New Martin SC-10e | More Affordable, Same Innovative Aesthetic

[@greghenesy7471]

I turned 50 and wanted to splurge on a guitar. I was thinking a Gibson J45 or a Martin D28, etc. I was fully prepared to pay $3000. So, I went on a quest. I traveled and hit every guitar shop within 50 miles of me. I played every guitar they had. I seriously would spend 3-4 hours at each place. Sometimes playing the same guitar model at different shops. I'd then look at internet reviews and watch KZbin videos like these. I absolutely wanted to hate this guitar. Why? Because if I was buying a Martin, I wanted it to look like a traditional Martin. This doesn't look like a Martin. I reluctantly ended up trying it. I was stunned. It had the exact tone I was looking for. It sounded amazing, but I put it back. I went to another store. Same experience. I put it back. There were some others that had the same tone, but the SC10e was more comfortable to play and it was very easy to play. Plus, it was the least expensive of the ones that sounded similar. I still didn't want to buy it. I wanted it to look like a traditional Martin! Finally, I gave in. I bought it and now I can't put it down. I have not regretted it at all. I'll add, as I'm sure some of you will wonder, that I did try the SC13e. I found that the lighter finish on the SC10e gave it a richer tone than the SC13e, which has a heavier finish. I've found that the guitars with a similar light finish have a brighter tone which is the tone I like. Just the same, I think everyone who tries either one will find their tone comparable to much more expensive guitars while being so much more comfortable and playable. I wanted to hate it, but in the end, I couldn't.

[@usmcchrisg]

I did much the same process and I'm really happy with the sc10e. Mine was a divorce guitar so there was no money limit. I just like this one.

[@martinohare9179]

i bought it today same story as yourself mate best acoustic i played in that shop today

[@im58woody]

I just put an offer in for one of these. I’m thinking about putting a Baggs Anthem SL in it for better plugged in tone.

[@cwl1000]

Probably a lot of us thinking the same. Will have to try one. Great review. 👍🎸📺🇬🇧

[@onyt9728]

Similar experience . Went to local shop, bought one guitar already and then was window shopping. Picked this guitar just because of its unorthodox shape, and then O M G ! It had an amazing tone. Compared it with Maton/ Gibson / Taylor. This sounds soo vibrant , deep . Now going to buy it after gathering cash

[@MaurysMusic]

The SC-10E is very impressive. I was lucky enough to play one back in January & I won't be surprised if it becomes more popular than the SC-13E.

[@im58woody]

That’s the best I have ever heard you play on a demo Cooper! Simply beautiful opening. I like the look of the 10 better than the 13. Not into high gloss on guitars. I am waiting for the 15 mahogany version!

[@emeraldo1o]

👍 mahogany!

[@im58woody]

@@emeraldo1o yes, let’s keep the mahogany band wagon going!

[@rorystorm4284]

Finally got an explanation of "offset." Never could figure it out. Thank-you Cooper!

[@ExploreThe50]

Great review. Your playing clearly communicates how it will sound. Very informative.

[@juliusbigata6810]

Just because of this video, Ive canceled my order for AD17 to get this SC10e instead. You guys need to start making a Tutorial videos of these pieces that you guys play for demo!!

[@climber7565]

I love how you play Cooper! your style is so inspirational! Your demos are down-to-earth and NO BS. Also thank you for having musical variety. Loved the tune!

[@vickyhendricks5357]

You play beautifully! So happy I caught this video on the new sc10. Thank you

[@ElDami]

This channel is plain excellent. Greetings from Montevideo, Uruguay.

[@norcalranger]

Always the most beautiful tasteful guitar demo playing.

[@courseofvirtue]

I love my sc-10e. Unique indeed. I love it. Great review!

[@karengayle9331]

Sounds great. I have never been on stage and just showed the audience how great the guitar looks. I had to get busy playing.

[@EricWestphal]

I love my SC-13e--but I'm not a traditionalist. It's great that they're expanding the range. Thanks for the demo.

[@TheRycooder]

@8:00......YOU"VE JUST GOT TO LISTEN.....AMAIZNG Guitar and the sound is awesome!!!

[@carpediem4413]

Martin's answer the popular Taylor Grand Auditorium. Played the Martin SC-13e months ago, it was okay .... but strongly prefer the Taylor 224ce-dlx Koa.

[@carpediem4413]

@@gettyshiloh After A/B’ing way too many guitars (from $6000 Santa Cruz to $1500 Martin)… decided for my current needs, $1500 to $1900 was the sweet spot… although I own a Martin OOO-15M, the Taylor’s just kept me coming back. For what attracted me, neck style/feel, Taylor is the OG neck for electric feel on an Acoustic. The Martin 13 was very nice but the tone of the Taylor was superior IMO. Taylor has been doing this style forever and has perfected it. This style guitar is a new thing for Martin and not sure how good they will be longer term. Both great but in the $1500 to $2000 range, the Taylor gave more for the $ (including some nice upgrades on the DLX models like gloss finish, exotic woods & high end hardcase). IOW, the Taylor is more bang for the buck.

[@LA-zc9rg]

Exactly, bought a mint unplayed 214ce koa (looks gorgeous/ flamed Koa back and sides) from ‘19 for under $700 on Facebook. Can’t believe it’s a laminate guitar sounds phenomenal & I can’t believe how much entire body resonates. Plays like an electric too… butter smooth.

[@carpediem4413]

@@LA-zc9rg My thoughts exactly… I’m more impressed each time I pick the Taylor up. And I’m a Martin fan… IMO, with acoustics, builders can hit a home run and it won’t necessarily be their most expensive model lines. I’ve taken my Taylor back to the store multiple times to A/B against many expensive guitars (Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Martin, Collings) … thinking I was just biased because I bought it… and although the expensive ones are wonderful, and would love to own them all, the Taylor feels & sounds so close that I’d have a real hard time justifying the price difference. I feel like I do have high standards for guitars and can afford it … I just think the Taylor is that good. Someday I’ll bite the bullet & buy a really high end acoustic but for now, the Taylor KOA seems to get me most of the way there.

[@martinohare9179]

i played this against the 224ce koa taylor today and for me the martin blew it away

[@gailreineke7186]

I like the appearance of the SC 10 better than the SC 13, too. It sounds good, and I like how it looks comfortable.

[@Filipinopride18]

agree!

[@jmorra]

The hell with the guitar. I want to hear you play. Beautiful , thoughtful and artistic.

[@davidklepinger4809]

That is one beautiful sounding guitar. Been looking for the right finger-style steel string, and this may be it. Love the bass response. Thanks!

[@dean3279]

Would love to see a comparison video between the SC-10e and the Road series.

[@SuperDeadRooster]

fantastic playing, seriously, that was great.

[@Mooseboy08]

Great review of this unusual guitar! And I'm really impressed with the playing. Your timing and groove are spot on.

[@im58woody]

Hey Mooseboy how’s everything going with you? I always enjoyed watching your channel for guitar reviews. Are you still a fan of Carvin/ Kiesel instruments?

[@bert7548]

Lovely playing, sounds very good, you have taste.

[@Bds737]

Dang, Dude. MONSTER playing.

[@texhaines9957]

I play acoustic guitars and have played a few SC-13E guitars and they were not for me sound-wise. I didn't sound good singing with it. So I'll stick with my 000-28e. Having played them, I have reccomended them for others if properly setup. Thanks Cooper.

[@ArnoldsIOS]

Subjective. I like it. I’ve seen these at stores but never been wanting to pick it up because of the offset body. Also I’m obsessed with the classics, d28 j45 00028 😂 so if/when I go to a guitar shop that’s what I’m picking up.

[@StigPrice]

I'm gonna buy one to plug in..so I can eq it to get the sound I want.... I'm not wrong in thinking that as a plugged in stage guitar the way it sounds unplugged not actually that important right??

[@CustomTele52RI]

A bold, innovative design that speaks to anyone, but especially those who also play electric. I played one at the Martin Factory in Nazareth, PA last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Really nice, balanced tone, great action and easy access to the higher frets for ~ $1200. Thinking of replacing my OMC-1E with the SC-10E. I see no motivation to go with the SC-13E and I can't afford the SC-28E ($3999)

[@donaldholman9070]

Love your playing Cooper! Thank you!

[@legman1476]

Excellent review and demo.

[@MrPhilbrill]

Hopefully we'll be seeing a SC28e soon.

[@pai-nai-kor-dai1335]

Love your playing😎

[@usmcchrisg]

I got one of these. I really love it.

[@rexrathtar3893]

Really nice playing, Cooper.

[@LunatiqueRob]

What is the first song that played at 7:56? Is it an original composition and arrangement?

[@DSteinman]

I'm impressed, it's designed in a similar spirit to Taylors, in that it's going for precision and playability over old school aesthetic, and with a seriousness about the sound and longevity of the instrument. It's also fairly free from the cultural baggage of the old warhorse models. I see this being really accessible to a younger generation of players and especially young women, so many of whom are drawn to smaller body, more playable instruments.

[@briandesjardins728]

I think someone’s been playing his acoustics more often :) definitely a cool guitar. I’d love to see as you said a SC-28

[@donaldholman9070]

Sounds and looks great. I have the 13e and I love it.

[@ArnoldsIOS]

It’s a long shot but any idea how these compare to the Martin Gpc13? I have that and I’m curious of the differences. Sound wise of course

[@StigPrice]

Think I'll buy one as my stage guitar.

[@europeanzorro4330]

Great review of a great guitar! 👍

[@talkychris]

I haven't had my SC10E for 24 hours yet but already I've bonded with it. It's definitely a keeper. Very nice plugged in or unplugged and just the easiest acoustic I've ever played.

[@sebastianrositas3783]

Just got mine today and couldn’t agree more. Can’t put it down I’m in love.

[@robdonell9915]

Can you describe its neck, por favor ?

[@usmcchrisg]

I got one too. I love it.

[@greghenesy7471]

@@robdonell9915 It's has a bit wider neck, but it's very easy to play. It's a great design. Find one to play and you'll love it.

[@patlundquist6106]

Exceptional playing on the demo. Since this guitar is built for stage as well as for crossover electric players who want to play above the 12th fret, I really need to hear it plugged in, as well as played up high. I'm hoping that laminate and cross bracing in back will help tame feedback and also plugging in will eliminate the laminate quietness. I know a lot of players are waiting for the solid wood version, and wonder if Martin has plans to make any. I also wonder what kind of effect the extra bracing on the SC guitars would have on solid wood versions. Again, very nice playing.

[@rogerdavis2592]

You're an amazing guitarist!

[@richardmongeon5355]

COOPER......KUDOS!.....THAT IS WONDERFUL PLAYING!

[@CaptainOfMyBurden82]

Chris I’m with you on the semi gloss finishes especially on the neck! I would also like to see 1 3/4 inch nut on the Martin 15 series. Cooper, to your point if Gibson would keep their G-series but remove the player port I think they’d have a lot of kids interested

[@zachelmquist4932]

Sounds great!

[@thackerybrown2860]

This looks like the perfect new Martin for me... really nice

[@ImLeuff]

Lovely playing.

[@ekkuapo62]

Great review💪

[@seanhallahan14]

Way to ROCK IT once again!!! I'll probably get heat for this but, right off in the demo bat, I thought I was listening to the articulation of a Taylor. Great mic! Immediately a stand out sound sample. Humbly, I have 0 problem with layered back and sides. I have a Yamaha rosewood AC1R that outplayed every solid rosewood in Sam Ash's NYC store. My point being, how sophisticated is Martin's layered Koa, how Koa-like-sounding in your opinion, please? I think this is VERY worth talking about , the manufacturing thought and performance of layered anything at this point. Breedlove is marketing their layered tonewoods, taking out the "soft" sandwiched, usually popular, for so called higher performing layered tonewoods. The gauntlet is thrown down gents, who's buying what layered whatever from where? And, how intelligently is it being designed in and what does the ear hear? Can you say we're hearing Koa in this SC10e??? What's in the Martin Koa sandwich please? We're going to want to know this things exactly going forward. I owned and loved a 2015 Breedlove cedar soundport, the only soundport available at the time. With great respect, I question all their time and effort into electronic optimization kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaLGp2uaiadnftU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6LIfIx6f8iXlbM . With all this time and effort do they rival a Dana Bourgeois tuned top? Not even close imho. In kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5qYXnehi7mle6c at 23:00, Dana introduces the concept of scalloped bracing being upside-down marimba bars crafted with multiple musical tones. Dana says he can carve and scallop tune ~ 4 tops per hour. All this to say, I think sandwiched layering, and intelligent scalloping has reached new generally known levels and you great gents should be addressing such with your usual aplomb, sophistication and honesty. This Martin sounded great! Tell us more about the materials and design and why you think why. Thank you. Ducking now,. Best & cheers, Sean

[@johnwashburn3793]

People always speak of "that classic Martin tone. " I agree with you on this one. But Taylor's are starting to grow on me. It doesn't sound like a Martin but that is okay

[@charlesbranch4120]

I agree, Sean. Last month I purchased my son in law a gift B-stock Breedlove Organic Concert E- Torrefied European Spruce/African Mahogany neck, back and sides for $350 (cheapest guitar I've bought!) and compared it with my Breedlove Pursuit Exotic Concert E -Sitka Spruce/layered koa B&S with gloss finish, and was wowed by the warm open sound of the solid satin finished wood guitar! The Taylor Academy 12e (also delivered to SIL) and 12 are good, but I can understand that laminating sides (and back) provide rigidity and some stability in conditions of changing humidity and temperature. All solid woods definitely ring out more! My first (and possibly last) guitar is my first solid wood auditorium, the Cole Clark Angel Redwood/Blackwood, which sounds incredible, though Breedlove's refurbed B-stock demo Jeff Bridges signature version of the Organic Concert is tempting (add another $110 for the neck inlay, headstock signature and gig bag over the regular price). When winter's over, I plan to make my next trip to Bend, Oregon and hope to work in the Breedlove tour. Stop ducking and keep playing, and I'll stop quacking. BTW, that 'soft sandwich"? It's poplar, popular because it bonds well, and it's cheaper.

[@Lennyrou]

Very nice playing.

[@leelossi1257]

Great Demo

[@fretted]

I have the original SC-13E and love it.

[@alexwang8655]

Cooper is wearing a fantastic lapel pin!

[@ArnoldsIOS]

That intro to the playing was breathtaking! I wanna learn that! Or rather attempt to 😂

[@teashea1]

Cooper, you have a great style.

[@marklonergan6642]

You play really well and do a great job discussing the guitar. Out of curiosity, what gauge strings come does it come with? Will it take 12s?

[@TheRycooder]

How would you compare the Martin to the Yamaha AC3R? Thanks for your video's ALL are excellent.

[@86HAWK1]

I love my Martin SC-13E. But I feel Martin could've pushed the bar even further by giving the guitar a comfort carve on the front and a belly carve on the back.

[@colinparks619]

1000 plus for veneer back and side??

[@louieo.blevinsmusic2011]

From 15-23 I would always sit down and rest my acoustic on my leg. Was the best way I thought I played. I kept play guitar after 23 just not seriously anymore until a few years ago. I got a tall stool and mehhh. Short stool and hunched… Need to work on getting away from that cause I do enjoy standing whole playing songs cause I like to sway a bit. This would be a great guitar to take cross country and busk with without hurting the bank.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

If you have any Martin scratched and dented , factory seconds , Please send them to Me . 🎼🎼🎼🎼🏆🎸✨🏅😄

[@bobkrause0103]

Sounds nice, looks nice. However Copper can make any guitar sound nice!! It’s all in the guitar player.

[@jack4418]

Can you tell me what brand and model of strings this guitar uses?

[@SPUDSKBY]

I just purchased a used sc10e from you thru reverb, is this my guitar?

[@guitarpoetone1]

Is it ebony or Richlite fret board

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Hey, Cooper! 🐰💙🇺🇸🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@franciscozapataontiveros5000]

could you review the martin D-10E? please?

[@AdrianMacGowan]

Superb!!!!!

[@makssila3572]

Что лучше взять этот Мартин или Taylor 214 ce plus?

[@TJ-Dives]

Made in where?

[@ComicKish]

is it better than a talyor 314ce?

[@jackbandel]

You said “Martin makes it easy to work on yourself” but actually they don’t. They don’t give you the shims or the tools needed to make neck adjustments yourself. It’s frustrating because at this point it’s hard to even find a Martin tech that has seen or worked on these guitars before. Martin needs to allow us to do these simple adjustments ourselves. Who wants to leave their guitar at a shop for a week every time you need a simple action adjustment?

[@jackbandel]

@@gettyshiloh yes but then what’s the point of the new neck design if we can’t adjust it the way they intended?

[@polarkgr1]

I need to call out a few things Cooper said in this video 1) he said that it is a bolt on neck, while it uses bolts to secure the neck it is actually a dove tail neck joint an the bolts are part of a pressure plate system that holds the dovetail in place, and you need to use a torque driver (25 in-lb) when tightening it to properly tighten it otherwise you risk damaging the guitar, Martin makes a special tool for this that they only sell to authorized repair centers, you can price together your own for about $50 on Amazon. 2) Cooper said that Martin made it so you could make adjustments to shims and neck angles easily without having to take it in to a shop. The truth is while it is simple to do, Martin only sells the shims to authorized repair centers along with the aforementioned tool, which means they make you take it to a specialist to make simple but critical neck adjustments which can leave you without the guitar for an extended period if the specialist is busy (to do s 5 minute adjustment) and who knows what it will cost you to for the specialist to loosen 2 bolts, swap a plastic shim, and retighten the bolts. Other issues with these guitars (based upon my experience owning a SC-13E) is that if you don’t carefully monitor and control the humidity this guitar is stored in, fret sprout becomes a major issue. Additionally, this guitar doesn’t take well to changes in string gauge (more specifically string tension), but the low end is a bit thin sounding with the stock strings. I have gotten best results with D’Adario XS phosphor bronze 12-53, better string life, improved low end sound, and nearly identical to stock string tension. No, this isn’t a total bashing of these guitars. This guitar is definitely built for the electric guitar player. It feels and plays like an electric and it will ruin playing other acoustics for you. I used to play dreadnoughts and was planning to buy a Taylor 214ce Plus when I discovered the SC-13E, after 3 months playing the SC-13E Taylor (which I had previously fallen in love with) is uncomfortable to play doesn’t sound nearly as good. These guitars when everything is right are spectacular and play as good (often better) than many electric guitars, in addition to feeling like the neck of an electric, it has low action like an electric and it is plecked for really tight and accurate action and playability, it can play fast and string bends are electric like. The body is a little thinner than the Taylor (I would guess 1/2”-3/4”) and it also feels about a 1/2 lb lighter than the Taylor. The Offset body does improve playing comfort. When things aren’t perfect you start to notice all of the little things on these guitars that could have been done better (and likely will be if Martin ever builds American made versions). These include the fret sprout issue, I have CC also noticed that the side lamination sounds like kit has air gaps in places, lamination could be better, but it would likely have solid sides if built at the Nazareth, PA factory. I definitely recommend these guitars, but also advise that they aren’t perfect and they are finicky and sensitive. You will fall in love with the things that set this guitar apart from other acoustics.

[@pickleballpaddlereviews5208]

Thank You! I am so tired of all these reviewers claiming it’s so easy to adjust these necks. Who wants to bring their guitar to a luthier for a simple action adjustment? And good luck finding one with the proper tools or who has worked on one of these models before. Martin has some good ideas here but implementation was horrible. Give us the ability to adjust our own guitars please! It’s like having to bring your car to the shop to get air in the tires. And while you’re at it, how about putting a decent pickup in this “meant for the stage” guitar? Every Reviewer says how great it sounds plugged in. That is a flat out lie. The Fishman MXT is just a Sonicore pickup with a tuner. It’s one of the cheapest and worst sounding pickups out there.

[@polarkgr1]

@@pickleballpaddlereviews5208 love you taking it to the shop to get air in the retired analogy, it really it really is appropriate. Supposedly the pickup on the SC-13e Special is a better pickup, but I honestly don’t know.

[@pickleballpaddlereviews5208]

@@polarkgr1 it’s not better. It’s a LR Baggs Element. Another bottom of the line cheap pickup.

[@polarkgr1]

@@pickleballpaddlereviews5208 that sucks, I personally have only plugged my SC-13e in once and that was because I happened to be near an amp and figured that I should make sure that it actually works and even that was over 2 months of owning the guitar, and odds are I will never need to plug it in again. But you would think that for this price point $1500+ that they would use more than the bottom of the barrel electrics, even Taylor uses their ES2 system in a GS-mini (even if it is the only $1000+ one). I could understand the SC-10e possibly having this level of electronics as a cost saving price point thing. Maybe for Martin the real upgraded electronics will come when the eventually make a production version in the US. I wonder what they put into the custom one that they built for John Mayer?

[@colinclement2752]

When Cooper demos a guitar its almost disingenuous... Because he's so damn good

[@bubotrobles224]

have some beautiful guitars too. what drew me to the martin sc 13e is its different "twang". it sounded different from the other guitars i have, gibson, guilds, taylors, they all offer the traditional guitar sound that's so adorable, desirable, and i'm now at a loss for adjectives for the said beauties. could be a matter of taste after all, but the sc 13e's sound is so differently amazing to my ears. the blue motif is also a plus factor for me. 😍

[@Buzznewmann]

Picked one up in the store the other day. Super cool shape and cosmetics, but I didn't find it very special on the sound. I was kinda expecting something distinct due the shape.

[@clientbuilding8737]

Does it come in left handed?

[@kalvino67]

No. Martin is becoming just like the other companies and leaving us leftys out in the cold!

[@clientbuilding8737]

@@kalvino67 that’s too bad.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

Not as weird looking as the SC13E, but it’s still a weird looking guitar. Sounds nice though

[@timjaymc]

I've always believed that solid as compared to laminate was the Holy grale for Martin. Why the switch?

[@briandesjardins728]

Martin has been doing laminate back and sides for a very long time. All guitar builders use laminate for the 1500 give or take down, most builders go to all solid after this point. But I’m my experience as long as it has a solid top, you don’t lose to much tone, mostly sustain and overtones. But its a standard across the industry to use laminate on lower end guitars.

[@musicandthewalk]

Is it a solid top?

[@joelynn2874]

1:30 seconds in I've had enough

[@johnwashburn3793]

I actually did subscribe after Cooper shamed me into it

[@janmichaeljablonsky9847]

I'm hoping they put this out with a mahogany top. If they do, I'll definitely be a buyer.

[@leonardtristan6873]

Like a SC-15, would be cool !

[@johnsnebula]

John Ferguson You think at the price of this guitar Martin could have put something better than the black piece of cheap plastic at the sound hole, or better still just not bother with it.

[@DarrenJohnson1973]

Just checked the UK prices for these neary a 1000 pound more than a simarily specced guitar from epiphone and other budget brands…Martin seem to be sealing their own coffin with the pricing, it sounds teally overly bright, for a £1409 guitar i’d expect a lot more considering you can get a all solid body back and sides from Gibson for the same money

[@RjBenjamin353]

Interesting

[@Purple_Pixel]

I love the neck of this guitar but unamplified the sound seems sparse. Amplified it suffers from a cheap pickup. Martin needs to put this neck design into a better guitar. For now, Taylor does it better albeit at a slightly higher price for solid wood.

[@isaacolguin8689]

Bruh, just please play “Ventura Highway” so I can listen and enjoy. Lol

[@vivattt]

Hi Cooper I hate every time you review a guitar because all guitars look and sound good when you play them. 😂

[@Artorias001]

I think this thing looks really cool looking but it just kind of sounds small to me. I'd love to hear the same guitar but with a body that's not so thin.

[@mjohndenver]

American made and all solid wood? Martin needs to step up their game.

[@drothberg3]

I went to a songwriter’s round table concert where one of the performers was using one of these, probably the SC-13, and it was the worst sound on the stage, terrible piezo quack. Sounds nice mic’s in this video though.

[@glennjewell860]

Damn dude your too long winded for me

[@LA-zc9rg]

Nice playing but that’s one fuggly looking guitar.

[@jonnycakes335]

Mexi-made.. meh... huge turn off. Especially for over a grand... Surprised he didnt mention where its made.

[@WagletonPTallylicker]

I'd like to see you guys do a video / comparison with the sapele version of the sc-10... unless you already did somewhere and my search skills have failed me.

[@user-no3qr5ss8m]

Awesome playing.