Martin GPCPA1 Plus - Rate and Review

Martin GPCPA1 Plus Reviews

Name: Chipley Moss
Date: 6-25-2012
Review: Martin GPCPA1 Plus
Rating you give the Martin GPCPA1 Plus: 5 - Best thing I ever played

Likes: All the trimmings, the ovangkol binding is unusual but I like it alot, wasn't sure about the neck but I love it, great sounding guitar. You can not beat all the extras you get for the price.

Dislikes: None

Additional Comments: Maury's Music had the best price I could find, fast shipping and quick response on questions. No regrets, great music store!

Forum username: steamfurnace
Date: 10/18/10
Review: Martin GPCPA1

Likes: everthing about the guitar, especially the Aura F1 system.

Dislikes: could benefit from a deluxe hardshell case at this price point

Additional Comments: I finally got a chance to play the GPCPA1 head to head with the Taylor 814CE at the local dealer. Let me preface this by saying I am not a Taylor basher; I own a Taylor 414CE, T5-S, and a baby Taylor. My Martins are an HD-7, Backpacker, and (my wife's) Jimmy Buffett Little Marlin. My wife doesn't play as such, but has a really good ear, so she went with me. I was amazed at how similar both guitars were in appearance, size and construction. That being said, the Martin's top toner was more visually appealing to both of us than the Taylor's. The Martin neck was flatter than the Taylor's rounded neck. Both played just fine in cowboy chord position, but the Martin was easier to barre chord cleanly up the neck. In fairness, I think the Taylor could have used a set-up that the Martin didn't require. Unplugged, the Martin had a high end clarity and single note separation I hadn't heard in other Martins, but still had that Martin sound I am familiar with. The Taylor had a fat bottom end I don't have in my 414CE, and a warm, overall sound that was pleasing, but not superb.

Plugged in however, wow what a difference! Using a Roland AC60 amp they had set up with a flat EQ, I tried them both and fiddled with the controls. The Martin Aura sounded great at every setting I threw at it, while the Taylor cleaned up some with some more high EQ on the Expression controls, but never quite approached what I liked about the Martin sounds. My wife, not wanting to color my opinion, didn't say anything until after I put them both back up. She then told me exactly the same things I have said, she liked the color of the Martin better, and thought it sounded better overall. I sold my '73 Les Paul gold-top deluxe to buy the GPCPA1. It will now be my newest gigging guitar.