Built for the player who demands rock-solid reliability and bold acoustic tone, the Martin D-10E Retro Road Series acoustic-electric guitar brings classic dreadnought performance to the Road Series with modern playability. Its solid spruce top and solid sapele back and sides deliver a strong, resonant voice with rich lows, clear mids and sparkling highs that project confidently in any setting. Scalloped X-bracing enhances dynamic responsiveness, while the Performing Artist neck with high-performance taper and ebony fingerboard ensures smooth, expressive playing across the fretboard. Finished in satin with subtle aging toner, the D-10E Retro combines stage-ready presence with the unmistakable warmth of a time-tested Martin acoustic.
Solid Spruce Top and Sapele Back and Sides for Powerful Dreadnought Tone
The D-10E Retro’s solid spruce top provides clarity, projection and a lively harmonic response, while the sapele back and sides offer added warmth and a focused low-end. Together, these tonewoods balance power with definition, delivering a versatile voice that shines in strummed chords, intricate fingerpicking and everything in between. Scalloped X-bracing further opens the top’s responsiveness, giving the player a dynamic range that adapts to both gentle nuance and bold attack. The result is a dreadnought that carries effortlessly in the studio, onstage or in any jam session, projecting the iconic Martin tone this body shape is known for.
Performing Artist Neck and Ebony Fingerboard for Smooth Playability
Martin’s PA profile neck offers a modern, comfortable contour designed for fast, fluid fretting and effortless chord transitions. Joined at the 14th fret and paired with an ebony fingerboard, the neck provides a smooth, precise surface that responds to both delicate fingerstyle work and assertive strumming. Medium-wide frets and a 1.75" nut give accurate intonation and ample string spacing for expressive bends, slides and dynamic articulation. Hand-applied satin finish on the neck ensures a natural feel under the hand while preserving the wood’s resonance, making this dreadnought a pleasure to play from the first fret to the last.
Martin E1 Electronics for Faithful Amplified Tone
The D-10E Retro acoustic-electric comes equipped with Martin’s versatile E1 electronics system, providing transparent amplification and tonal control for live and studio use. Discreet onboard controls allow quick adjustments to volume and tone, while an integrated tuner makes mid-performance tune-ups seamless. Voiced to capture the acoustic characteristics of the spruce top and sapele body, the system reproduces the guitar’s natural balance with clarity and warmth. Whether performing on stage, recording directly to an interface or practicing through monitors at home, the E1 ensures the D-10E Retro’s signature tone translates effortlessly to amplified environments without losing its nuanced character.
Classic Hardware and Road-Ready Appointments
The D-10E Retro combines practical, durable hardware with vintage-inspired details. Nickel open-gear tuners provide smooth, reliable tuning stability, while the modern belly ebony bridge and white TUSQ saddle ensure precise intonation and strong string-to-body energy transfer. Subtle black binding and a faux tortoiseshell pickguard enhance visual appeal without distraction, and multi-stripe rosette and top inlay details nod to classic Martin styling. Each guitar ships in a protective soft case, giving players a complete, road-ready package that pairs iconic aesthetics with practical functionality for any gig, session or rehearsal.
A Road Series Dreadnought Ready for Every Stage
From first chord to final note, the Martin D-10E Retro Road Series dreadnought is designed to be a reliable companion for players who value tone, comfort and versatility. Its blend of spruce and sapele, responsive X-bracing, smooth PA neck and ebony fingerboard delivers a balanced, expressive voice for any style. Combined with faithful Martin E1 electronics and durable appointments, this guitar moves effortlessly between studio, stage and rehearsal room. With the D-10E Retro, Martin’s legendary dreadnought tone is accessible for players seeking a professional-grade instrument that inspires creativity wherever the music leads.