Martin Guitars - GP-X2E Ziricote Special + Housse

Have you always had trouble choosing between sizes? The Martin & Co GP-X2E Ziricote plays the mediator with its Grand Performance size. It's the best of both worlds: a Dreadnought's boot, but with much more agile comfort in the arms. Whether you're into angry strumming or subtle arpeggios, it adapts without flinching, with a tonal balance that lets you breathe between each chord.

The combination of solid sapele top and ziricote HPL back and sides doesn't just catch the eye: it sings, too. The midrange is very present, the treble precise and the bass controlled. In the studio or in the living room, it stays on course. Special mention should be made of the sculpted X-bracing, which gives a boost to projection without weighing down the sound. Yes, this Martin knows how to make wood vibrate... even when it's tough laminate.

When it comes to the neck, Martin is all about immediate pleasure: Performing Artist profile, High-Performance Taper, 406 mm radius... everything is calibrated so that your fingers find their place without thinking. Even after 2 hours on your feet, you'll never feel tired. And when you plug the beast in, the E1 preamp is simple and effective, with volume, tone, phase switch and a chromatic tuner hidden in the silence. Nothing more is needed to do the job.

Supplied with a soft case, the GP-X2E Ziricote is easy to carry from rehearsal to café terrace. The chrome-plated oil bath action keeps your tuning in line, even if you get a bit carried away. And with its hand-applied satin finish, it has a sobriety that hits the spot without forcing the issue. Simply put: this is a guitar that plays seriously, without ever taking itself too seriously.