Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

Musikmesse 2016: Martin launches new John Lennon and Macassar acoustic guitars

News
By Michael Astley-Brown published 23 March 2016

Plus a bamboo ukulele!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

MUSIKMESSE 2016: Never one to disappoint come trade-show time, Martin has unveiled a bevy of good-looking acoustic guitars for Frankfurt this year, including a new John Lennon dreadnought, a trio of nicely priced Macassar models… and a brightly coloured ukulele.

Scroll through the gallery for the lowdown on the acoustic giant's 2016 strummers.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Martin D-28 John Lennon

Martin D-28 John Lennon

Following NAMM's limited-edition 75th Anniversary Lennon model is this new D-28 for the legendary Beatle.

Lennon's new dreadnought features a solid Sitka spruce top with Vintage Tone System, and East Indian rosewood back and sides.

Personal touches include an inlaid peace sign on the guitar's back, self-portrait illustration on the East Indian rosewood headstock, plus a mother-of-pearl John Lennon design on the ebony fingerboard.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Martin GPCX2AE Macassar

Martin GPCX2AE Macassar

The first of three guitars featuring Macassar patterning is this Grand Performance cutaway, packing a solid Sapele top and, yes, Macassar patterned high-pressure laminate back and sides.

A birch laminate neck and Fishman Sonitone electronics round off the spec.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Martin DCX1AE Macassar

Martin DCX1AE Macassar

A solid Sitka spruce top and Macassar patterned high-pressure laminate back and sides form the body of this well-priced dread. Fishman Sonitone electronics mean it's stage ready, too.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Martin DX2AE Macassar

Martin DX2AE Macassar

The most affordable of the Macassars, the DX2AE boasts a solid Sapele top, paired with - you guessed it - Macassar patterned high-pressure laminate back and sides.

This dreadnought is also packing Fishman Sonitone electronics for live and recording use.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Martin 0X Uke Bamboo

Martin 0X Uke Bamboo

A departure from Martin's usual six-string fare is this ukulele, crafted from a green bamboo patterned high-pressure laminate.

As well as the snazzy green you see here, you can get the instrument in blue or red finishes, while the rosewood fingerboard and bridge stay au naturale - as do Martin's Clear impressive-sounding Fluorocarbon ukulele strings.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Latest in Acoustic Guitars
The Spice Girls
Greg Lester on how he crafted the classic nylon-string guitar solo in the Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1
 
 
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12CE NT: the cutaway jumbo 12-string features an all-maple build, gold hardware and Fishman electronics
Harley Benton unveils Custom Line jumbo 12-string with a $350 price tag that’s for the Byrds
 
 
 (L-R): Fher Olvera (Mana), Cesar Gueikian (Gibson CEO) playing the Gibson Flying V Custom CEO#8, and Sergio Vallin (Mana), performing onstage with Mana at Bridgestone Arena.
Cesar Gueikian on building the SG Kirk Hammett played to honour Black Sabbath and how his designs might shape future Gibson releases
 
 
Taylor Jacob Collier GS Mini: featuring a brightly-coloured rosette graphic designed with the musical polymath, this beginner friendly acoustic has a bold five-string design for his signature DAEAD tuning.
Taylor teams up with Jacob Collier for signature acoustics that declare standard tuning DAEAD – and they’re accessibly priced
 
 
Fender California Standard Redondo
“If my first acoustic guitar were as easy to play as this, I’d have been insanely happy”: Fender California Standard Redondo review
 
 
Jason Isbell with his two new signature acoustics from Martin, the 0-17, a high-end replica of his 1940 model, and the 0-10E Retro, a more affordable version.
Jason Isbell shares unorthodox tone tip for new acoustics as he reveals not one but two signature Martins – and a set of strings
 
 
Latest in News
Joe Walsh plays a PRS SE electric guitar live onstage
Joe Walsh on the best guitar solo he ever recorded (and how it officially made the talk box a thing)
 
 
Olivia Rodrigo playing guitar
Olivia Rodrigo explains why she loves playing her custom Ernie Ball Music Man St Vincent Goldie signature model
 
 
Yo La Tengo on stage
“We’re gonna salute a Jewish songwriter we were not expecting to be saluting this Hanukkah”: Yo La Tengo pay tribute to Rob Reiner
 
 
nopia
"You don't need to know music theory – Nopia takes care of that": Two years after going viral, this pastel-coloured, harmony-focused synth has finally broken cover
 
 
Sombr and Wendy Melvoin
How Wendy Melvoin’s bass playing became the “secret weapon” on Sombr’s 12 to 12
 
 
Kylie Minogue
Amazon and Kylie Minogue have got Christmas wrapped up as their exclusive deal propels her to No.1
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...