Martin Road Series D-10E Retro Special 12-String Electro Acoustic Guitar

The Martin Road Series D-10E Retro Special 12-String is a workhorse Dreadnought built for players who need inspiring tone every time they pick up a guitar. With a solid spruce top, solid sapele back and sides and scalloped X-bracing, it delivers bold projection, strong low-end power and a lively, responsive feel that shines on stage, in the studio or at home. Add in comfortable modern playability and onboard E1 electronics, and you have a reliable 12-string that makes classic shimmering textures and rich accompaniment effortlessly accessible.

Whether you are discovering the magic of a 12-string for the first time or looking to upgrade to a solid-wood Martin, the D-10E Retro 12-String Special puts that iconic, open Martin voice within reach. Its satin finish and ageing toner top give it a subtly vintage look, while the Performing Artist neck profile and hand-applied neck finish keep it feeling fast and familiar in your hands. It is a time-tested tool designed to keep up with every gig, jam and song idea that comes your way.

Solid-Wood Dreadnought Power

The classic D-14 fret Dreadnought body, paired with a solid spruce top and solid sapele back and sides, gives the D-10E Retro 12-String Special a big, confident voice. Spruce provides clarity, headroom and dynamic range, while sapele adds warmth and focus, helping those octave strings stay defined rather than muddy. Scalloped X-bracing lets the top move more freely, enhancing volume and responsiveness so your light fingerpicking and hard strumming both come through with authority.

Comfortable Performing Artist Neck

Martin’s Performing Artist neck profile is designed for modern playability, making this 12-string feel far less intimidating under the left hand. The select hardwood neck and ebony fingerboard offer a smooth, stable platform, while the 1 7/8 inch nut width gives each pair of strings enough room without feeling overly wide. Combined with the hand-applied neck finish, chord changes, barre shapes and melodic lines all feel more relaxed and controlled, even during longer sets.

Stage-Ready E1 Electronics

With E1 electronics onboard, the D-10E Retro 12-String Special is ready to plug in whenever inspiration strikes. The system is voiced to capture the guitar’s natural acoustic character, preserving the chime, depth and sparkle that make a 12-string so distinctive. A built-in tuner keeps you in check between songs, helping you quickly dial in accurate tuning across all twelve strings so you can focus on the performance rather than the setup.

Retro-Inspired Style, Road-Ready Build

A satin finish across the body and neck, black binding and an ageing toner top give this model a tasteful, retro-inspired aesthetic that looks at home under any stage light. Chrome enclosed gear tuners provide reliable, precise tuning stability, while the faux tortoise pickguard adds a classic finishing touch. It is a guitar that looks as solid and dependable as it sounds, built to handle the demands of regular playing while maintaining that unmistakable Martin character.

• Solid Spruce Top with Solid Sapele Back and Sides - A fully solid-wood construction delivers a bold, resonant voice with strong bass, clear mids and sparkling highs. The combination of spruce and sapele ensures your 12-string parts cut through a mix while still sounding warm and musical.
• Scalloped X-Bracing - The scalloped X-bracing pattern allows the top to vibrate more freely, increasing projection and dynamic response. This helps every strum and arpeggio feel lively and expressive, bringing out the natural shimmer of the paired strings.
• Performing Artist Neck Profile - A comfortable PA neck shape, select hardwood construction and ebony fingerboard make this 12-string surprisingly easy to play. The slightly wider nut width offers string separation for clean fretting, while still feeling approachable for players used to six-string acoustics.
• E1 Electronics with Built-In Tuner - Integrated E1 electronics provide a clear, natural amplified sound that translates the guitar’s acoustic character to any PA or amp. The built-in tuner helps you quickly and accurately tune all twelve strings, keeping your sound tight and in tune on stage or in rehearsal.

Body

• Body Size: D-14 Fret
• Top Material: Spruce
• Back Material: Sapele
• Side Material: Sapele
• Bracing Pattern: X Brace
• Brace Shape: Scalloped
• Top Colour: Ageing Toner
• Finish Top: Satin
• Back and Side Finish: Satin
• Pickguard: Faux Tortoise

Neck

• Neck Material: Select Hardwood
• Neck Shape: PA Profile
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay: Style 28 Dots
• Scale Length: 25.4"
• Number of Frets: 20 Total
• Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 7/8"
• Finish Neck: Hand-Applied

Hardware

• Bridge Material: Ebony
• Saddle: White Tusq
• Tuning Machines: Chrome Enclosed Gear

Electronics

• Electronics: E1

Miscellaneous

• Case: Softshell
• Recommended Strings: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Extra Light MA500T