The Best Small Martin Guitars for Kids and Beginners: Easy to Play and Affordable

Are you on the lookout for the best small Martin guitars for kids and beginners? Look no further, as we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect instrument. In this guide, we will review three of the most popular Martin guitars for young players and beginners: the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is a popular choice for those looking for a smaller, more portable guitar with a big sound. Its unique design and quality craftsmanship make it an excellent option for young players and beginners.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior is another excellent option, boasting a solid sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides, along with a slim-taper neck profile and high-performance taper for easy playing.

Lastly, the Martin Backpacker is a highly portable and compact guitar that is perfect for those on-the-go. Its unique design and lightweight construction make it an excellent option for young players and beginners looking for a reliable travel companion.

In the following sections, we will discuss the key features and specifications of each guitar, as well as their sound, playability, design, craftsmanship, and overall value. By the end of this guide, you will have all the information you need to make an informed decision and find the best small Martin guitar for your needs.

Martin LX1 Little Martin: Features and Specifications

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is a ¾ size acoustic guitar that is perfect for young players and beginners. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and a rust birch laminate neck. Its unique body shape, which is a smaller version of the Martin Dreadnought, contributes to its big sound and excellent projection.

The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, a highly sustainable and durable material that provides excellent playability and intonation. The scale length of the Martin LX1 Little Martin is 23 inches, making it comfortable for smaller hands to reach all the frets.

One of the unique selling points of the Martin LX1 Little Martin is its patented mortise and tenon neck joint, which provides excellent stability and sustain. The neck profile is a modified low oval shape, which makes it comfortable to play for extended periods.

Another feature that sets the Martin LX1 Little Martin apart is its Fishman Sonitone electronics. This system includes a pickup and preamp, which provides excellent amplified sound for performances and recordings.

Overall, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is an excellent choice for young players and beginners looking for a high-quality, portable guitar with a big sound and excellent playability. Its unique design and quality craftsmanship make it a great investment that will last for years to come.

Martin Dreadnought Junior: Features and Specifications

The Martin Dreadnought Junior is a compact and lightweight guitar that is perfect for kids and beginners. It features a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides, which contribute to its warm and balanced tone.

The neck profile of the Martin Dreadnought Junior is a slim taper shape, which provides excellent playability and makes it easy for beginners to move their fingers around the fretboard. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, which is a highly sustainable and durable material that provides excellent playability and intonation.

The scale length of the Martin Dreadnought Junior is 24 inches, which is slightly longer than the Martin LX1 Little Martin, making it more comfortable for players with larger hands.

Another unique selling point of the Martin Dreadnought Junior is its high-performance taper, which allows for easy playing up and down the neck. The guitar also features a solid headstock and a mortise and tenon neck joint, which provide excellent stability and sustain.

Overall, the Martin Dreadnought Junior is an excellent choice for young players and beginners looking for a compact and easy-to-play guitar with a warm and balanced tone. Its quality craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a great investment that will last for years to come.

Martin Backpacker: Features and Specifications

The Martin Backpacker is a highly portable and compact guitar that is perfect for on-the-go players. Its unique design features a solid spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and a thin profile that can easily fit into a backpack or travel case.

The neck profile of the Martin Backpacker is a modified low oval shape, which makes it comfortable to play for extended periods. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, which provides excellent playability and intonation.

One of the unique selling points of the Martin Backpacker is its lightweight construction, which makes it easy to carry around and play anywhere. It also features a unique bracing pattern that contributes to its rich and full tone, despite its small size.

The scale length of the Martin Backpacker is 24 inches, which is slightly longer than the Martin LX1 Little Martin, making it more comfortable for players with larger hands. It also features a solid headstock and a mortise and tenon neck joint, which provide excellent stability and sustain.

Overall, the Martin Backpacker is an excellent choice for young players and beginners looking for a highly portable and compact guitar with a big sound. Its quality craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a great investment that will last for years to come.

Sound and Tone

When it comes to choosing a guitar, sound and tone are crucial factors to consider. In this section, we will compare and contrast the sound and tone of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is known for its big sound and excellent projection, despite its small size. It has a bright and crisp tone, with excellent clarity and definition. Its solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides contribute to its balanced and warm tone.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior also has a warm and balanced tone, with excellent projection and sustain. Its solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides contribute to its rich and full sound. The smaller body size of the Dreadnought Junior compared to a traditional dreadnought shape gives it a more focused and articulate sound.

The Martin Backpacker has a unique and distinct tone, thanks to its compact size and unique bracing pattern. Despite its small size, it has a surprisingly full and rich tone, with excellent projection and sustain. Its solid spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides contribute to its warm and balanced tone.

When comparing the sound and tone of these guitars, it's important to note that they all have their own unique characteristics and strengths. The Martin LX1 Little Martin is known for its bright and crisp tone, while the Martin Dreadnought Junior has a warm and balanced tone with more focused projection. The Martin Backpacker, on the other hand, has a unique and distinct tone that is rich and full despite its small size.

Ultimately, the best way to determine which guitar has the sound and tone that you prefer is to play them and listen to them yourself.

Playability

Playability is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a guitar, especially for young players and beginners. In this section, we will evaluate the playability of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin has a modified low oval neck shape, which makes it comfortable to play for extended periods. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, which provides excellent playability and intonation. The scale length of the Martin LX1 Little Martin is 23 inches, which is shorter than a full-size guitar but still comfortable for smaller hands to reach all the frets.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior has a slim taper neck shape, which provides excellent playability and makes it easy for beginners to move their fingers around the fretboard. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, which provides excellent playability and intonation. The scale length of the Martin Dreadnought Junior is 24 inches, which is slightly longer than the Martin LX1 Little Martin, making it more comfortable for players with larger hands.

The Martin Backpacker has a modified low oval neck shape, which makes it comfortable to play for extended periods. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, which provides excellent playability and intonation. The scale length of the Martin Backpacker is 24 inches, which is slightly longer than the Martin LX1 Little Martin, making it more comfortable for players with larger hands.

In terms of string action, all three guitars have a comfortable and playable setup. However, the Martin LX1 Little Martin has the lowest string action, which makes it easier to play for those with less finger strength.

Overall, all three guitars are easy to play and have excellent playability. The neck shapes, fingerboards, and bridge materials are all designed to provide a comfortable and responsive playing experience. When choosing between these guitars, it's important to consider factors such as neck shape and scale length, which can impact the playability and comfort of the instrument.

Design and Craftsmanship

The design and craftsmanship of a guitar are important factors to consider when making a purchase decision. In this section, we will examine the design and craftsmanship of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin has a unique design that is based on the Martin Dreadnought shape, but with a smaller body size. Its solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and rust birch laminate neck are all of high quality, and the attention to detail in its design is evident. The Richlite fingerboard and bridge not only provide excellent playability and intonation but also make the guitar highly sustainable.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior has a classic design that is based on the Martin Dreadnought shape, but with a smaller body size. Its solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides are of high quality and give the guitar a warm and balanced tone. The slim taper neck shape and high-performance taper contribute to its excellent playability.

The Martin Backpacker has a unique and distinctive design, with a compact and portable size that is perfect for on-the-go players. Its solid spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and modified low oval neck shape are all of high quality, and the unique bracing pattern contributes to its rich and full tone.

In terms of craftsmanship, all three guitars are of excellent quality. The attention to detail in the design and construction of the guitars is evident, and the use of high-quality materials contributes to their durability and longevity. The patented mortise and tenon neck joint in the Martin LX1 Little Martin and Martin Dreadnought Junior, as well as the solid headstock in all three guitars, provide excellent stability and sustain.

Overall, the design and craftsmanship of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker are of high quality and attention to detail. These guitars are built to last and provide excellent value for their price range.

Price and Value

Price and value are important factors to consider when purchasing a guitar. In this section, we will analyze the pricing and overall value of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is priced around $349, which is a reasonable price for a high-quality, ¾ size acoustic guitar. Its unique design, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and patented mortise and tenon neck joint make it an excellent value for young players and beginners.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior is priced around $549, which is slightly more expensive than the Martin LX1 Little Martin. However, its solid Sitka spruce top, sapele back and sides, and slim taper neck shape make it a great investment for young players and beginners who are serious about their playing.

The Martin Backpacker is priced around $329, making it the most affordable option of the three. Its unique design, solid spruce top, mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, and lightweight construction make it an excellent value for those looking for a highly portable and compact guitar.

When it comes to value, all three guitars are excellent investments. They are built to last and provide excellent sound, playability, and craftsmanship for their price range. However, the best value will depend on the individual needs and preferences of the player. It's important to consider factors such as sound, playability, and design when choosing a guitar, and to choose one that best fits your budget and needs.

Overall, the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker are all excellent choices for young players and beginners, offering high-quality craftsmanship, excellent playability, and a great value for their price range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best small Martin guitar for kids and beginners can be a challenging task, but the Martin LX1 Little Martin, Martin Dreadnought Junior, and Martin Backpacker are all excellent choices. Each guitar has its own unique features, sound, and design, and the best choice will depend on the individual needs and preferences of the player.

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is an excellent choice for those looking for a highly portable and compact guitar with a big sound and excellent playability. Its patented mortise and tenon neck joint, Fishman Sonitone electronics, and high-quality materials make it an excellent value for its price range.

The Martin Dreadnought Junior is a great investment for young players and beginners who are serious about their playing. Its slim taper neck shape, solid Sitka spruce top, sapele back and sides, and high-performance taper make it an excellent choice for those looking for a warm and balanced tone with focused projection.

The Martin Backpacker is a unique and highly portable guitar that is perfect for on-the-go players. Its compact size, lightweight construction, and unique bracing pattern contribute to its rich and full tone, and its solid spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides provide excellent durability and longevity.

In conclusion, all three guitars are excellent choices for young players and beginners, offering high-quality craftsmanship, excellent playability, and a great value for their price range. It's important to consider factors such as sound, playability, design, and price when choosing a guitar, and to choose one that best fits your needs and preferences. We encourage readers to further research and test these guitars before making a purchase decision.