Martin DCPA4 Performing Artist Series Acoustic-Electric Guitar

No longer available at zZounds
Get classic Martin tone on stage or in the studio with Martin's onboard intelligence. The F1 Anolog electronics give you tone shaping capabilities and more.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Hybrid scalloped X bracing More projection and tonal clarity; lighter weight
Fishman F1 Analog electronics Adds depth and clarity to your tone
Sapele back and sides Rich, warm, and focused midrange; added sustain
Solid Sitka spruce top Projects rich, crisp and responsive tone

Play the Performing Artist Series and you'll experience the unique combination of legendary Martin tone and revolutionary onboard intelligence. Martin craftsmanship and premium quality materials are evident in every detail. With the Martin DCPA4 Performing Artist Series acoustic-electric Guitar's striking aesthetics, player comfort and versatility combined its ready for solo, stage or studio performance.

Check out our exclusive run-down of the Martin DCPA4 Performing Artist Acoustic-Electric Guitar:


F1 Analog Electronics

True plug in, tune up and play system provides an amazing mix of simplicity and functionality with volume and tone shaping capabilities, an onboard digital chromatic tuner and phase control. F1 analog electronics are standard equipment on all PA4 models.

- Model: DCPA4
- Construction: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
- Body Size: D-14 Fret Cutaway
- Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
- Rosette: Two Ring
- Top Bracing Pattern: Hybrid ''X'' Scalloped
- Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16 in.
- Back Material: Solid Sapele
- Back Purfling: none
- Side Material: Solid Sapele
- Endpiece: none
- Endpiece Inlay: none
- Binding: Black Boltaron
- Top Inlay Style: none
- Side Inlay: none
- Back Inlay: none
- Neck Material: Select Hardwood
- Neck Shape: Performing Artist Profile
- Nut Material: White Corian
- Headstock: Solid/Square Taper
- Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood
- Heelcap: Solid East Indian Rosewood
- Fingerboard Material: Black Richlite
- Scale Length: 25.4 in.
- # Of Frets Clear: 14
- # Of Frets Total: 20
- Fingerboard Width At Nut: 1-3/4 in.
- Fingerboard Width At 12th Fret: 2-1/8 in.
- Fingerboard Position Inlays: Offset Dots - White ABS
- Fingerboard Binding: none
- Finish Back & Sides: Satin
- Finish Top: Polished Gloss
- Finish Neck: Satin
- Bridge Material: Black Richlite
- Bridge Style: Performing Artist Belly
- Bridge String Spacing: 2-3/16 in.
- Saddle: 16 in. Radius/Compensated/White Tusq
- Tuning Machines: Chrome Enclosed with Large Buttons
- Recommended Strings: Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge (MSP7100)
- Bridge & End Pins: White with Black Dots
- Pickguard: Delmar Tortoise Color
- Case: 345PA Hardshell
- Interior Label: none
- Electronics: Fishman F1 Analog

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 610-759-2837

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (12 ratings)
Submitted October 3, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com

"I finally found the perfect guitar for me!!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I expect to be satisfied with this guitar for the rest of my life. I do love instruments so hopefully I'll have the money to add a Hummingbird to my collection someday, but for now I'm more than satisfied. As far as my music goes, the only supplement that I need is a twelve string. I will be adding some T.U.S.Q pins and a saddle. It's brought inspiration to my music, and in the end, isn't that what it's all about? I would definately replace it if it was stolen. What I like most about it is its outstanding setup for seamless transitions between fingerstyle and flatpicking.

Sound
The overall tone of this guitar is outstanding. Very balanced and warm. The cutaway seems to diminish the bass just a little, but for me it's worth it to have easier access to the upper register. The quality of the sound is excellent, my only complaint is a slight rattle in the electronics when I'm tuned in D, but once again it's worth it to have the preamp. It is incredibly expressive, it really shines when playing very soft fingerstyle, then it takes on a beautiful "bell-like" sound. The guitar is perfect for my playing style, and believe me that is where it gets tricky for me to find a single guitar to meet my expectations. I play fingerstyle blues, ragtime and country as well as flat-picking and aggressive rock strumming. This variety of music should actually demand multiple guitars, but I can summon upon it to do all of them tastefully. I wish it had better harmonics, read more but the quality of its warm, earthy bass makes me quickly dismiss the idea. I am a singer/song-writer at heart and I could find no better tool in the price range. It sounds great by itself, and everyone who has heard it pauses to admire it. I took it out for its first show two days after its purchase in probably the worst possible conditions. An open airy outdoor wedding with four hundred guests on a cold rainy day. When playing along side my partners Seagull, which has an excellent tone, it quickly made him feel inferior. I got lost on the way to rehersal the day before the show and had ten minutes to set up and be playing music for the wedding party. The Fishman F1 Analog almost instantly allowed me to achieve a great sound, and the brand new strings met the cold air and stayed in tune throughout the gig. That won me over immediately, as I greatly attribute a guitars quality to its ability to stay in tune. I've now tested it in multiple environments and it's beautiful in all of them. The action might be a little high for most rock guys and strummers. However, for me the action, the string spacing and the nut width are perfect for transitions between fingerstyle and picking. I also have a little trick i use for correcting this. I usually keep the guitar tuned in D and then place my capo to achieve standard tuning, this will bring the strings down a bit along the length of the neck, so for me, no mods are required. I havent had a chance to record with it, but I look forward to it. The F1 electronics really impressed me when directly in to a p.a system and even more through an amp, and believe it or not its built in tuner is decently accurate. I got the last one in Zzounds had in stock and she's a beauty. The grain in the top is gorgeous.

Features
It was shipped with a Martin hardshell case that I was not expecting! That was an awesome bonus. The only materials I wish this guitar had are an ebony fingerboard, bone nut and saddle, and a solid mahogany neck. But hey, there i go wishing to pay an extra thousand bucks. I am very pleased with the tonal properties of the sapale. I absoltely love the large tuning machines and their ratio. I'm also happy that it had two endpins, as I despise the old-school shoestring headstock tie method. The materials used are excellent, it made a guitar that performs well beyond its price range.

Ease of Use
I'm really not a gearhead or electronics wizard, I'm a musician who appreciates the advances in technology but wants to get down to what i do and do it quickly. For me the Fishman F1 is perfect. It has 5 very musical presets and a volume and blend control. I'ts two rubber coated knobs that are very low profile, and a completely recessed digital tuner interface. I have a classy, traditional look with just the right blend of modern technology. And my guitsr desn't look like someone cut a giant hole and installed a Kenwood car stereo in it. There is no learning curve because it doesnt color and distort the guitars sound it simply allows you to tweek it to suit your means of amplification. There is no doubt in my mind that you could dial both knobs to half way and plug in to just about anything and have a good sound. If not, it's probably not the guitar, check the amp or the sound man.

Quality
Of course it is high quality, it is a Martin. My only complaint in this department is the slight rattle that I get when tuned in d. It doesnt do it in standard and it hasn't even been enough of an issue for me to check it out, hell it might be an easy fix. The finish is awesome, it's not super glossy, but it's pretty and it seems to repell fingerprints. The wood selection on my guitar particularly is fantastic, it has a beautiful ripple effect in the grain. It was flawless, not a scratch or blemish anywhere. I appreciate Martins quality control standards. I definately feel like I can depend on it. Now I dont believe that they are built as durable as the high end Gibsons, but I can't afford a four thousand dollar pricetag. I usually prefer a Martins tone anyway. I believe as long as I dont beat it up, and take proper care of it, I'll be passing it down to my son.

Value
It's absolutely worth the money.

Manufacturer Support
I havent needed any service, but I've made this rating based upon friends who have. Ive always heard that Martins service was good.

The Wow Factor
I love its elegance, tone, playability and simplictic beauty.

Musical Background:
Active Musician

Musical Style:
Acoustic Rock, Blues / Fingerstyle Country & Ragtime
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