From the Factory | January 14, 2026
Your Road to What's Next: Introducing the Refreshed Martin Road Series
A redesigned lineup built to guide every player toward their next musical milestone.
If you’ve been searching for your next acoustic guitar, trying to understand the Martin guitar lineup, or looking for a clearer path as you level up your tone, the refreshed Martin Road Series was built with you in mind. With more models, clearer choices, and upgraded features across the board, the new Road Series delivers the perfect blend of Martin tradition and modern performance—right on time for The 2026 NAMM Show.
This is the most significant Road Series update we’ve made in years, and with 20 total models—18 of them new or refreshed—it’s designed to help every player find their road forward.
Why Martin Refreshed the Road Series for 2026
Players kept asking the same question:
“I’m ready for a better acoustic guitar... where do I start?”
The new Road Series answers that with a lineup that’s easier to navigate and grounded in real player feedback. Whether you’re upgrading from an entry-level guitar, choosing your first Martin, or looking for a stage-ready acoustic-electric, this refreshed lineup gives you an intuitive roadmap.
It’s clearer.
It’s more inspiring.
And it’s built around how modern players actually play.
Two Clear Paths: Retro Road vs. Modern Road
One of the biggest improvements is how the lineup now branches into two simple, meaningful directions—helping players immediately identify the guitar that matches their taste and playing style.
Retro Road: Classic Martin Look and Tone
If you love the look and sound of iconic Martins, Retro Road models deliver vintage-inspired appointments, aging-toner tops, familiar body shapes, balanced acoustic tone, and built-in electronics. These guitars feel broken-in from the moment you pick them up, echoing the character of the instruments that shaped music history.
Great for:
- Anyone chasing a warm, classic Martin voice
- Folk, Americana, country, and bluegrass players
- Traditional strummers
- Singer-songwriters
Modern Road: Sleek Style and Fast Playability
Modern Road models are designed for today’s acoustic-electric players, featuring bold finishes, cutaway options, fast necks, and performance-forward features like stage-ready electronics. These guitars offer playability that feels closer to an electric while keeping that unmistakable Martin tone.
Great for:
- Anyone wanting contemporary aesthetics
- Genre-blending players
- Fingerstyle and lead-focused players
- Live performers
Whether you’re drawn to timeless character or modern performance, the Road Series gives you a direct path to the sound that inspires you.
A Guitar for Every Player: Body Shapes and Style Levels
The refreshed Road Series spans nearly every Martin body shape, making it easy to find a guitar that fits your music:
- 000 – focus, balance, comfort
- OM – clarity, projection, long-scale punch
- Grand Performance (GP) – versatile, modern, great for stage
- Dreadnought – bold, powerful, classic Martin projection
- SC – unmatched upper-fret access, electric-like feel
To make the lineup even more intuitive, each model falls into one of four style levels, inspired by legendary Nazareth designs:
- Style 10 – satin body, solid spruce or sapele top, solid sapele back and sides, Martin E1 electronics, inspired by Style 15 guitars
- Style 12 – gloss body, solid spruce top, solid sapele back and sides, Martin E1 electronics, inspired by Style 18 guitars
- Style 13 – gloss body, solid spruce top, solid black walnut or koa fine veneer back and sides, Martin E1 electronics (SC-13E models have L.R. Baggs Element™ VTC electronics), inspired by Style 28 guitars
- Retro Plus – gloss body, torrefied solid spruce top, solid mahogany or granadillo back and sides, L.R. Baggs Element VTC electronics, elevated Style 12 and 13 models
For new players, seasoned musicians, and gigging professionals, the Road Series now meets you exactly where you are.
What’s New in the 2026 Martin Road Series
Every Road Series guitar includes the features players ask about most when shopping online or at their local dealer:
- Solid spruce or sapele tops for clear, dynamic tone
- Scalloped X-bracing for responsiveness and projection
- Comfortable neck profiles for smooth, modern playability
- Onboard electronics (Martin E1 or L.R. Baggs) with a built-in tuner
- Softshell cases so every guitar is travel-ready
Some Modern Road models feature koa fine veneer back and sides, allowing for bold aesthetics without sacrificing tone or durability.
Retro Road and Retro Plus models offer classic tonewood pairings like spruce, sapele, granadillo, and walnut for players chasing that unmistakable Martin sound, look, and feel.
Behind the Design: How the New Road Series Came to Life
Curious how all of these updates came together? In our Behind the Design video, members of the Martin product team share the ideas, craftsmanship, and player insights that shaped the new Road Series—from why we created the Retro and Modern paths to how we selected tonewoods and style levels.
This is your inside look at how Martin designs guitars for real musicians, real stages, and real inspiration:
Launching Ahead of The 2026 NAMM Show
We’re announcing the refreshed Road Series just ahead of The 2026 NAMM Show, where the full lineup will be on display. Whether you’re attending NAMM in person or following along online, you’ll be among the first to see how Retro Road, Modern Road, and the all-new style levels reshape the player experience.
Expect more Road Series content, deep dives, and product launches as NAMM week approaches—so make sure you’re following along on all our socials and subscribed to our YouTube channel.
Ready to Find Your Road?
No matter where you are on your musical path, the refreshed Martin Road Series is designed to help you take your next step with confidence. Retro or Modern. 10, 12, 13, or Retro Plus. Small-bodied comfort or bold Dreadnought power.
Your options are clearer.
Your tone is upgraded.
Your road to what’s next starts now.
Until next time, happy playing!
