Best Dreadnought Guitars With HPL Sides in 2026
Here are the top Dreadnought style guitars with HPL sides. HPL is a man-made, resistant material made to sound like wood. It's a high-pressure laminate made from multiple layers of paper or fabric that are impregnated with resin and then fused together under high pressure and heat.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Martin D-X2E 12 String
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin D-X2E 12 String | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2015 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | X | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | Select Hardwood | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Select Hardwood | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl Pattern Style 28 | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Low Profile | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 47.6mm (1.875'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman MX (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-X2E 12 String
Martin D-X2E 12 String
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
2. Martin DC-X2E
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin DC-X2E | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | X | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | Select Hardwood | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Select Hardwood | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl Pattern Style 28 | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman MX (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin DC-X2E
Martin DC-X2E
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Martin D-X2E
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin D-X2E | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | X | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | Katalox | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Katalox | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl Pattern Style 28 | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman MX (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-X2E
Martin D-X2E
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Martin DX Johnny Cash
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin DX Johnny Cash | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | Custom & Special Editions | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | HPL | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck Material: | Black Birch Laminate | |
| Decoration: | White Plastic and Custom Ink Inlaid Stars and CASH Custom Ink | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman MX (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin DX Johnny Cash
Martin DX Johnny Cash
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Martin D-X1E
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin D-X1E | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | X | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | HPL | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck Material: | Natural Birch Laminate | |
| Decoration: | Mother-of-Pearl Pattern Style 28 | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman MX (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-X1E
Martin D-X1E
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Martin DX WOODSTOCK 50th
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin DX WOODSTOCK 50th | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | Custom & Special Editions | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | HPL | |
| Sides Material: | HPL | |
| Back Material: | HPL | |
| Bridge: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | FSC Certified Richlite | |
| Neck Material: | Rust Birch Laminate | |
| Decoration: | White Plastic Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Corian | |
| Nut Width: | 44.5mm (1.75'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Sonitone (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin DX WOODSTOCK 50th
Martin DX WOODSTOCK 50th
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock


