jaymes.moore « Full-size tone in a travel-size guitar »
Published on 10/07/14 at 05:13The Martin & Co LXK2 is a travel-sized guitar with a short 23" scale. It is crafted in Mexico from beautiful Koa Wood, contributing to it's darker, softer tone. The build and finish is quintessential Martin, right down to the expertly executed joinery work on the neck.
UTILIZATION
After trying several travel-sized and even full-sized acoustics, I found few that could compete with the ease of use of the Martin. In fact, it's the most played instrument in my studio and my go-to songwriting tool. It's small size, light weight, and friendly scale length, which is accentuated by a low string-height, makes this the perfect guitar to work out complicated chords and progressions before moving on to recording. It's also great for working out lyrics, as it's volume is perfectly honed for a small room and won't overpower your voice like a full-sized dreadnought would. Best of all, it fits into a backpack-sized carry bag and goes with me on my travels!
SOUNDS
I'm more than impressed with the sounds I've achieved with my Martin. In fact, it's even become a purposeful recording tool in addition to a songwriting implement. Using the same theory as miking smaller guitar amps and cabinets for a focused sound, I've found the lower output of the Little Martin to be ideal for recording acoustic tracks. In the example below of strummed open chords, I've put an AT4033 on the 12th fret and an SM57 on the bridge for a nice stereo composition.
https://en.audiofanzine.com/misc-steel-string-guitar/martin-co/lxk2/medias/audio/a.play,m.473956.html
Despite my saying "lower output", don't be fooled. This guitar is surprisingly loud for its size and could certainly play to a small crowd in a small room. You won't overpower any accompanying drums, but give it some pick attack and you'll be amazed at the volume and matching clarity you'll achieve.
Furthermore, it simply just sounds like a Martin! It has the beautifully chimey, not trebly and thin-sounding high E string that Martins are renowned for. The warm sounding low E string is also really important to the sound, providing a tight, well-defined bass tone to the instrument. The intonation is also spot-on perfect, even when dropping the string tension down for lowered or open tunings.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, I'm more than happy with my purchase. While the fit and finish is superb, my only complaint would be the ornamentation around the boom hole. It's somewhat of a crudely placed decal, not a real inlay or finely painted design. As a result, it has not taken long for it to rub off around the picking zone. It somewhat cheapens the appeal of what is otherwise a superb instrument. But that aside, there is nothing I can complain about, especially given the price point, the playability and the portability.
UTILIZATION
After trying several travel-sized and even full-sized acoustics, I found few that could compete with the ease of use of the Martin. In fact, it's the most played instrument in my studio and my go-to songwriting tool. It's small size, light weight, and friendly scale length, which is accentuated by a low string-height, makes this the perfect guitar to work out complicated chords and progressions before moving on to recording. It's also great for working out lyrics, as it's volume is perfectly honed for a small room and won't overpower your voice like a full-sized dreadnought would. Best of all, it fits into a backpack-sized carry bag and goes with me on my travels!
SOUNDS
I'm more than impressed with the sounds I've achieved with my Martin. In fact, it's even become a purposeful recording tool in addition to a songwriting implement. Using the same theory as miking smaller guitar amps and cabinets for a focused sound, I've found the lower output of the Little Martin to be ideal for recording acoustic tracks. In the example below of strummed open chords, I've put an AT4033 on the 12th fret and an SM57 on the bridge for a nice stereo composition.
https://en.audiofanzine.com/misc-steel-string-guitar/martin-co/lxk2/medias/audio/a.play,m.473956.html
Despite my saying "lower output", don't be fooled. This guitar is surprisingly loud for its size and could certainly play to a small crowd in a small room. You won't overpower any accompanying drums, but give it some pick attack and you'll be amazed at the volume and matching clarity you'll achieve.
Furthermore, it simply just sounds like a Martin! It has the beautifully chimey, not trebly and thin-sounding high E string that Martins are renowned for. The warm sounding low E string is also really important to the sound, providing a tight, well-defined bass tone to the instrument. The intonation is also spot-on perfect, even when dropping the string tension down for lowered or open tunings.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall, I'm more than happy with my purchase. While the fit and finish is superb, my only complaint would be the ornamentation around the boom hole. It's somewhat of a crudely placed decal, not a real inlay or finely painted design. As a result, it has not taken long for it to rub off around the picking zone. It somewhat cheapens the appeal of what is otherwise a superb instrument. But that aside, there is nothing I can complain about, especially given the price point, the playability and the portability.