Your Martin-Quality Travel Companion
You're on the couch. You're at a campfire. You're flying cross-country with only a carry-on. The Martin LX1RE is the guitar that goes with you—without sacrificing the tone and build quality Martin's known for. With a solid Sitka spruce top paired with rosewood-pattern high-pressure laminate back and sides, this little guitar delivers surprising warmth and projection for its size. And with Fishman Sonitone electronics built in, you can plug it in for a gig or an amplified jam session just as easily as you can play it unplugged around the house.
The LX1RE is part of Martin's Little Martin series, and it's designed with real-world use in mind. The HPL construction resists temperature and humidity swings, so you don't have to baby it on the road. The compact modified 0 body size and 23-inch scale length make it comfortable to play for hours, whether you're a student learning your first chords, a seasoned player writing songs on the go, or anyone who wants a grab-and-go guitar that sounds like a Martin. This model also features a laser-etched herringbone rosette and a faux tortoise pickguard—the first in the Little Martin line to include a pickguard.
Made in Martin's Navojoa, Mexico facility, the LX1RE delivers authentic Martin tone at a price that makes sense. It's not trying to be a dreadnought. It's trying to be the guitar you actually reach for when you want to play.
Solid Sitka Spruce Top with Sustainable Materials
The LX1RE features a solid Sitka spruce top—not laminate—which gives you clarity, dynamic response, and a sound that improves with age. Sitka spruce is Martin's most widely used tonewood for good reason: it's balanced, articulate, and works well for fingerpicking or strumming. Paired with rosewood-pattern HPL back and sides, you get a warm, assertive sound that holds its own despite the guitar's compact size.
Martin's commitment to sustainability shows up throughout this guitar. The fingerboard and bridge are made from FSC-certified Richlite, a composite material that's impervious to temperature and humidity changes while offering a smooth playing surface. The neck is rust birch laminate with a Modified Low Oval profile and standard taper, giving you a comfortable grip without the bulk of a full-size neck. The nut is white Corian, and the saddle is compensated white Tusq for accurate intonation. Chrome enclosed-gear tuning machines keep you in tune on the road.
Fishman Sonitone Electronics for Amplified Performance
The LX1RE comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics—a soundhole-mounted preamp with easy-to-access volume and tone controls. This system faithfully reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic voice when amplified, so you can plug into an amp, PA, or recording interface without sacrificing your tone. It's simple, reliable, and perfectly suited for a travel guitar that needs to be ready for anything.
Whether you're playing an impromptu gig, recording a quick demo, or just want to add a little reverb for fun, the Fishman Sonitone gives you that versatility. The preamp is discreet and doesn't get in the way of your playing, and the tone remains warm and natural even at higher volumes.
Built for Travel, Comfort, and Everyday Play
The LX1RE's modified 0-14 fret body size is smaller than a parlor guitar and much more portable than a dreadnought. With 20 frets total (14 clear of the body), a 23-inch scale length, and a fingerboard width of 1 11/16 inches at the nut, it's easy to play for younger players, those with smaller hands, or anyone who wants a more comfortable acoustic experience. The shorter scale also means slightly lower string tension, which makes bending and fretting a bit easier.
The HPL back and sides aren't just about durability—they also keep the guitar stable in changing climates. You can take this guitar camping, on a plane, or to a beach bonfire without worrying about cracks or warping. It's built to handle the real world. The hand-rubbed satin finish on the top gives it a natural, understated look, and the non-scalloped X-bracing enhances projection and tonal balance. Martin strings the LX1RE with Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 medium-gauge phosphor bronze strings, which are designed to last longer and stay bright.
Product Features:
- Solid Sitka spruce top for warmth, clarity, and dynamic projection
- Rosewood-pattern high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides for durability and climate resistance
- Fishman Sonitone electronics with soundhole-mounted preamp, volume, and tone controls
- FSC-certified Richlite fingerboard and bridge—stable, sustainable, and smooth
- Modified 0-14 fret body size with 23-inch scale length for comfort and portability
- Modified Low Oval neck profile with rust birch laminate construction and standard taper
- Non-scalloped X-bracing for enhanced projection and tonal balance
- Laser-etched herringbone rosette and faux tortoise pickguard
- Compensated white Tusq saddle and white Corian nut for accurate intonation
- Chrome enclosed-gear tuning machines for stable tuning
Brand: Martin
Model: LX1RE Little Martin
SKU: LX1RE
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
