Martin Guitar D-12E Sitka Sapele LH
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Martin Guitar
D-12E Sitka Sapele LH
Product Info
Article Number:
556287
Brand:
Martin Guitar
Model:
D-12E Sitka Sapele LH
Category:
Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Price:
$1,868.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This D-12E is a fantastic all-around dreadnought, especially for left-handed players. The Sitka top provides clarity, while the Sapele delivers a pleasing warmth. It’s a premium-priced instrument perfect for gigging musicians or serious hobbyists who need a reliable, amplified acoustic.
Product Description
- Martin Guitar D-12E Sitka Sapele LH
- Steel-String Guitar with Pickup
- Lefthanded model
- Type: Dreadnought - D-14 Fret
- Top: Spruce
- Back and sides: Sapele
- Bracing: X-Brace in spruce
- Neck: Selected hardwood
- Fingerboard: Richlite
- White Style 28 mother-of-pearl fingerboard inlays
- Black binding
- Style 28 Multi Stripe Rosette
- Scale: 645 mm
- Fingerboard radius: 406mm
- Nut width: 44.5 mm
- White Corian nut
- 20 Frets
- Pickup system: Martin E1
- Black pickguard
- Richlite bridge with compensated white Tusq saddle
- String spacing at bridge: 54.8 mm
- Nickel open gear machine heads
- Strings: Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze - Light .012 - .053 (Art.#473904#)
- Colour: Natural
- Includes gig bag
PROS
- • Sitka top delivers bright, responsive projection ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking.
- • Sapele back and sides offer a warm, balanced tone with strong bass response.
- • Martin E1 electronics provide a natural amplified sound, surprisingly clear and articulate.
- • Richlite fingerboard and bridge offer excellent stability and a smooth playing experience.
CONS
- • Sapele can be a bit less tonally complex than premium rosewood alternatives.
- • The larger dreadnought body can be unwieldy for smaller players or those preferring comfort.
- • Richlite, while stable, lacks the visual warmth and character of traditional wood.
Product Video
Key Features
Top Wood
Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides
Sapele
Neck Material
Selected Hardwood
Fingerboard
Richlite
Scale Length
645 mm
Frets
20
Electronics
Martin E1
Weight
5.8 lbs
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Frequently Asked Questions
The E1 is more focused on a natural, amplified acoustic tone; it's not designed to mimic complex layered sounds like the Aura systems, offering a more straightforward amplified experience.
Richlite is incredibly durable and resistant to changes in humidity, meaning it’s less likely to show wear compared to ebony, although it does have a slightly different feel under the fingers.
The D-18, with its rosewood back and sides, will have a richer, more complex low-end and overall more mature tone; the D-12E is brighter and more immediate.
