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Martin D-12E Retro (038)

A classic, full-gloss Dreadnought with vintage Style 18 appointments, bold tone, and modern, stage-ready electronics.

$1,349.99

Same price at every authorized dealer. The difference is what comes with it.

SKU: 301263
Serial: M3065038
Weight: 4lbs 12oz/4.8lbs

0% for 36-48 months available

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5
98% Recommend

557 reviews

1 In Stock - Inspected & ready to ship.

14-Day Sound Check Guarantee

Inspected 3X Before Shipping

Free 1-4 Day Delivery

1 in stock

Talk To A Player Before You Buy

Rob and Cory are gigging musicians who know gear inside and out. They'll give you the straight answer—even if it means pointing you somewhere else.

Quick Specs

  • Solid Sapele Body | Solid Spruce Top | Gloss Dark Mahogany & Aging Toner Finish
  • PA Profile Neck w/ High-Performance Taper | Ebony Fingerboard
  • Martin E1 Electronics with Built-in Tuner
  • 25.4" Scale Length | 20 Frets
  • Scalloped X-Bracing | Plek'd for Precision Playability

Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup Included

Our techs are all seasoned players, so they dial in every guitar like it’s going into their own rig—perfect intonation, action set exactly right, ready to rip from the first note.

Want it YOUR way? Tell us at checkout: string gauge, action height, whatever you need. We’ll nail it before shipping.

Product Description

Classic Vibe, Modern Playability

The Martin D-12E Retro is a love letter to vintage tone, built for the modern player. It’s got that classic Dreadnought boom and power you expect from a Martin, with a voice that’s both bold and articulate. The solid Spruce top on the solid Sapele body is a time-tested recipe for rich, projective tone with a strong low end and plenty of headroom. It’s an absolute cannon, but with the kind of clarity that makes every note in a chord ring true.

Stage-Ready Electronics

One of the best things about the Road Series is that they come ready to gig right out of the box. The onboard Martin E1 electronics deliver a truly authentic acoustic sound when you plug in, so you can take that great core tone to the stage or the studio without a fuss. The built-in tuner is a lifesaver, and the controls are intuitive and easy to use on a dark stage.

Effortless Feel

Martin nailed the neck on this one. The Performing Artist profile combined with the High-Performance Taper is just a joy to play. It’s comfortable for chording down low and still fast and accessible up the neck for lead lines or intricate fingerstyle work. The hand-applied finish feels smooth and broken-in from day one, like an old friend.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Singer-Songwriter • Flatpicking • Country • Rock

Tone

  • Bold, projective, and powerful with a strong bass response.
  • Clear and articulate, allowing individual notes in chords to shine.
  • Rich harmonic complexity from the solid Spruce and Sapele combination.
  • Dynamic and responsive to both heavy strumming and delicate fingerpicking.

Playing Feel

  • Well-balanced Dreadnought body that's comfortable to hold and play.
  • The PA Profile neck with its High-Performance Taper feels fast, modern, and incredibly comfortable.
  • Smooth, hand-applied neck finish that never gets sticky.
  • Factory Plek'd setup ensures perfect fretwork and low action right out of the case.

Versatility

  • Excels at everything from aggressive flatpicking to nuanced fingerstyle.
  • The Martin E1 electronics provide a natural, transparent plugged-in tone that works well with effects pedals.
  • Records beautifully, offering that classic Martin acoustic sound that sits perfectly in a mix.
  • A true workhorse for the gigging musician who needs one guitar to cover a lot of ground.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

TypeAcoustic-Electric Dreadnought
Top WoodSolid Spruce
Body WoodSolid Sapele
FinishGloss
ColorDark Mahogany Back/Sides, Aging Toner Top

Neck Specs

WoodSelect Hardwood
ProfilePA Profile w/ High-Performance Taper
ConstructionMortise & Tenon Neck Joint
FinishHand-Applied

Fingerboard Specs

MaterialEbony
Radius16"
Frets20
InlaysOld Style 18 Faux Mother-of-Pearl
NutWhite Corian, 1 3/4"

Electronics Specs

ElectronicsMartin E1
ControlsVolume, Tone, Phase, and built-in Chromatic Tuner

Hardware Specs

BridgeEbony Modern Belly
TunersNickel Open Gear w/ Butterbean Knobs
Hardware FinishNickel

Measurements

Scale Length25.4"
Nut Width1 3/4"
The Lowdown

The Lowdown

We get it. Buying a guitar you haven’t played is a big decision. You need to know it’s going to feel right, sound right, and inspire you the second you open the case. We put together the questions we’d be asking if we were in your shoes—the real-world stuff that specs alone can’t answer. If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, just give us a call.

The ‘Retro’ aspect refers to the vintage-inspired appointments. On this D-12E, you’ll see details like the Old Style 18 rosette and fretboard inlays, an aging toner on the top, and open-gear tuners that nod to classic Martin guitars from their golden era.
Sapele is a fantastic tonewood that’s sonically very similar to Mahogany. You can expect a strong fundamental, a punchy midrange, and a warm, woody character. It’s a great choice for a versatile, all-around acoustic that can handle heavy strumming and fingerpicking equally well.
Of course. Every guitar gets our full Player-Perfect™ setup, but tell us your preferred string gauge and action at checkout, and we’ll dial it in exactly to your spec before it leaves the shop.
This guitar is covered by our 14-Day Return Policy. If you’re not completely inspired by it, just let us know. We’ll make it right.
Orders ship same day in most cases and arrive within 1-4 business days with free, insured shipping. We’ll get it into your hands as quickly as we can.
Call us at (888) 794-8482. You’ll talk to a real musician who can answer anything you need to know.
The Moore Guitars Difference

Player-Perfect™ Setups

Every guitar we sell is dialed in by seasoned musicians. We obsess over the details—perfect intonation, immaculate fretwork, and ideal action—so your guitar is ready to rip right out of the case. No exceptions.

Advice From Real Players

Call us and you get a fellow musician, not a script. We'll help you compare neck profiles, talk tone, and find the right guitar for you—even if it's not this one. Our reputation is built on honest conversation.

49+ Years Of Trust

Family-owned since 1976, we stand behind everything we sell. That's why we have a 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you're not inspired, send it back on our dime for a full refund. Your satisfaction is our legacy.

BBB Accredited Top 300 Reverb Seller Fender Top Rated Dealer

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5

244 reviews

98% Recommend

313 reviews

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