The Little Martin comes in two current versions, the LX1 and the LXK2, and both cost from around £449 in the UK. The LX1 has a solid spruce top. The LXK2 swaps that for a figured koa laminate top and a more decorative look. Both have a 23 inch scale and a small body, and both are built to be carried.
That price puts them above most travel guitars on this site. What you pay for is Martin’s name and a short-scale guitar that still looks and feels like a proper steel-string.
What you actually get
Both models use a modified 0-14 fret body, a mortise and tenon neck joint and a 23 inch scale length, which is shorter than the 24 inch scale of the Martin Backpacker. The nut is 1 11/16 inches wide and the neck shape is a modified low oval. If you have smaller hands, or you find a full-size neck a stretch, that short scale is the main reason to look at this guitar.
Where the two differ is the wood.
- LX1: solid spruce top, with mahogany-pattern high-pressure laminate (HPL) back, sides and headplate. Fingerboard and bridge are solid morado or East Indian rosewood. It comes with a padded gig bag.
- LXK2: figured koa HPL on the top, back and sides, a herringbone rosette, a Richlite fingerboard and bridge, and a birch laminate neck. Martin describes it as including sustainable wood certified parts.
Good for: a guitar to leave out on the sofa, take camping or pack for a trip, from a maker with a long history of small guitars. Not for: anyone who wants a solid-wood body all round. The back and sides on both models are laminate, which is part of how Martin keeps them tough and the price down.
LX1 or LXK2?
They cost the same, so it comes down to the top. The LX1’s solid spruce top is the more traditional choice for an acoustic, and a solid top generally opens up and sounds fuller than a laminate one. The LXK2 is the better-looking guitar of the two, with its koa finish and herringbone rosette. If tone is the priority, start with the LX1. If you want something that looks more special, the LXK2 is the one.
The Little Martin is also sold with a pickup, as the LX1E and similar models. This page covers the two acoustic versions.
Check the LX1 price at Andertons
Check the LXK2 price at Andertons
How it compares
The obvious rival is the Taylor GS Mini, which is a step up in size and price. The Little Martin is smaller and simpler. If you want the most compact steel-string that still has a standard guitar shape, it is the better fit. If you want the fuller sound of a larger body, the GS Mini is closer to that.
If the shape matters less than packing size, the Martin Backpacker is smaller again. Our guide to compact travel guitars and the complete UK buyer’s guide cover the alternatives by budget and situation. For a sense of what short scale does to feel and volume, see what size a travel guitar is and whether travel guitars sound worse.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Martin LX1 and LXK2?
The LX1 has a solid spruce top with mahogany-pattern HPL back and sides. The LXK2 uses figured koa HPL for the top, back and sides. Both have a 23 inch scale and a modified 0-14 fret body.
What scale length is the Little Martin?
23 inches, which is shorter than the 24 inch scale of the Martin Backpacker and much shorter than a full-size dreadnought.
Is the Little Martin a solid-wood guitar?
Only partly. The LX1 has a solid spruce top. The back and sides on the LX1 and all of the LXK2’s body are high-pressure laminate.
How much does a Little Martin cost in the UK?
Both the LX1 and LXK2 cost from around £449.
