Best Martin Acoustic Guitars With C Neck Profile in 2024

Here are the top Martin acoustic guitars with C neck profile. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big. Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.

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 HD12-28

Compare
Martin HD12-28
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 70
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin HD12-28
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. Martin Grand J-16E 12 String

Compare
Martin Grand J-16E 12 String
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoReverb logo
Playability 77
Sound 88
Build quality 86
Value for money 74
Overall Score 84
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoReverb logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $2,299 >
  • From Martin's 2021 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic 12 String Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $2,299 >
  • From Martin's 2021 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic 12 String Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin Grand J-16E 12 String
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Martin D-35 Johnny Cash

Compare
Martin D-35 Johnny Cash
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - New from $5,299 >
  • From Martin's 2014 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from $5,299 >
  • From Martin's 2014 Custom & Special Editions series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Gold Plus Natural I (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-35 Johnny Cash
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Martin 00-28

Compare
Martin 00-28
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 88
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $3,399 >
  • From Martin's 2017 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $3,399 >
  • From Martin's 2017 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 00-28
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. Martin 00-18

Compare
Martin 00-18
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 86
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,799 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,799 >
  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany back
  • Solid Genuine Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 00-18
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Martin 000-42

Compare
Martin 000-42
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 89
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1918 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1918 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-42
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Martin 000-28

Compare
Martin 000-28
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 88
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $3,399 >
  • From Martin's 1937 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $3,399 >
  • From Martin's 1937 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Nickel Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000-28
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Martin M-36

Compare
Martin M-36
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1978 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • East Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Martin's 1978 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • East Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin M-36
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Martin D-42

Compare
Martin D-42
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Tuning stability: Sightly unstable (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1996 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $6,399 >
  • From Martin's 1996 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-42
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

10. Martin D-41

Compare
Martin D-41
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 89
Value for money 68
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $5,199 >
  • From Martin's 1969 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $5,199 >
  • From Martin's 1969 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Genuine Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Open Gear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin D-41
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    String Material
    Strings
    Body
    Back Wood
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Top Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
      Saddle Material
      Sides Wood
      Neck
      Custom 12th Fret Inlay
      Fret Material
        Fret Size
        Fretboard Radius
        Fretboard Wood
        Headstock
        Inlay Material
        Inlay Position
        Inlay Shape
        Luminescent Sidedots
          Neck Joint
          Neck Profile
          Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Wood
          Number of Frets
          Nut Material
          Nut Width
          Playstyle
          Scale Length
          Electronics
          Bridge Pickups Brand
          Neck Pickups Brand
            Pickup Mods
              Pickups Power
              Hardware
              Hardware Color
              Strap Lock
                Tuners Type
                  By Score
                  Build Quality Score
                    Build Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Features Score
                    Features Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Material Quality Score
                    Material Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Pickups Quality Score
                    Pickups Quality Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Playability Score
                    Playability Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Quality Control Score
                    Quality Control Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Sound Score
                    Sound Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Value for Money Score
                    Value for Money Score
                  • Type desired score
                  Versatility Score
                    Versatility Score
                  • Type desired score