Martin B-1 Acoustic Bass

Very nice big Spruce top really rings. I love the feel of the neck and fingerboard. The looks are very traditional. My bass has a passive bridge pickup. It is certainly a big instrument. Tuners are excellent. Mahogany is a good choice for a warm sound. The Martin case is very nice. I enjoy the big gear box in the case and can fit my Fishman Bass preamp with extra bass strings, papers, etc. easily in the gear box.

The sound is excellent for acoustic recording. I have primarily used it for recording bass tracks for acoustic projects, using a close mic only and not the pickup. I have not used it on a gig and minimally at a couple of porch jams. Amplified through my G-K combo amp is sounds very good, only with all of the treble turned down. I have not been able to get use to the extensive string noise with bronze acoustic bass strings. After researching string tension, I have recently tried
a set of D'Addario light gauge flat wound strings, which really sound
great and have eliminated the string noise problem. After looking at, and contemplating my upright bass with flatwounds, I thought I would
try it. In fact the string tension of the flatwounds I am using is less than that of the D'Addario bronze acoustic bass strings that I had on the bass. Other than the string noise problem, and my getting use to the sound of an acoustic bass guitar, the bass sounds great.

The bass came from The Guitar Center, and is thus effectively used and shopworn when you buy it new. This one was not too bad, but had been in the store for some time. I adjusted the truss rod, conditioned the fingerboard, tightened the tuner nuts, and presto, the bass plays great. I have not had to readjust the truss in 2 years, even with my flatwound strings, described previously, which have been on the bass for about 4 months now.

Very solid instrument, built like a Sherman tank, or at least a Spruce Goose. Satin finish cleans nice. My instruments are kept in pristine condition and this one I can tell will have a long life barring any accident or act of God.

Martin does a nice job with warranty, registration, etc. No other experience with Martin with this instrument. Overall, with other instruments, Martin is a great Company, always responsive and helpful.

I have been playing bass for 40 years. I have 2 Fenders, an Ibanez fretless, a Hofner 62 Beatle Bass, and an upright bass. This is the first acoustic bass that I have owned. I looked at Tacoma, Larrivee, and maybe a few others, oh yes, Epiphone El Capitan, or whatever. The Guild and Larivee seemed nice, but I did like the Martin the best. I am glad I have it although I do not see myself using it much other than for recording with acoustic music. It is fun an the thing vibrates soulfully I enjoy playing it very much. I do not have a problem with the neck being heavy as much as getting use to the extra length of the neck to compensate for proper placement of the bridge on the body. But I have adjusted and I do like this instrument very much.

23 frets (17 above body), standard 1/4" jack - no EQ, no gain control - just plug-n-play.

Excellent sound, though a bit tinny when amplified. I have to fiddle with my EQ a lot to get the low end to come through. Feedback is a big problem with the sounding hole (usually E string around F#). Fairly loud acoustic.

I've had my Martin for about 2 years when I brough it in for a neck job. Action was getting too high & G was not staying in tune up the neck.
There's a nub for the strap on the jack at the back of the bass - you'll have to find your own way to secure the other end of the strap. The neck is HEAVY so the thing WILL dip down at the head. The neck far out-weighs the rest of the bass... a very, very top-heavy guitar.

Great bass (though tough to find strings for it). Use it all the time live (about 3 shows a month) with no worries.

Haven't had an opportunity to try it out... says a lot about the quality of the guitar.

Things they got wrong:
The handle on the hard case does not take into consideration the balance of the bass: it's severely top-heavy, and holding the handle on the cass will strain your wrist trying to keep the top from dragging. Your strap should have a lot of friction if you're going to play standing up, or that neck will dive to the stage when you let go.
There's no gain control at all on the bass - you have to check your gain at the amp or pre-processor. A simple gain pot would have been nice.
The action on the tuning machines seems to be made for a toy - a greater gear ratio for finer adjustments is warranted for a serious guitar.
The placement of the input jack is straight out the back: nice for attaching a strap, sucks when you put it on the stand and the patch cord jams into the stage. Input jack out the bottom + a strap-lock for the strap is a simple way to drastically improve the playing experience.
I prefer to play with a fixed-thumb, and this bass doesn't come with any place to fix my thumb. On my electric, I can rest on top of the pickup. This is a minor point - there's lots of people who play with floating thumbs, and some sort of thumb-anchor may be nice for me but would just be ugly to other folks.

Things they got right:
The sound of the machine is great. Alone or with a good amp & speaks - this machine sings. I've got a 500watt Carvin stack and electric bass, and prefer to plug the Martin in... it just sounds better than the Carvin.
The size of the neck & frets along with the action make playing a snap. No buzz, no extra work - it's just slightly more difficult than my electric. I can (and do) hit all the frets even though it isn't a cut-away.

2002 Martin Model B-1 Acoustic Bass with Martin Hardshell Case
Purchased as a "scratch & dent" unit from Musician's Friend

Sound quality is excellent, and even has fairly good volume when played with just my fingers. With a pick, it has substantial volume and great harmonic content.

Beautiful instrument. Flawless - I cannot figure out why it was listed as a scratch & dent unit. It plays well, good action all over the neck.

It's a Martin - need I say more?

Sent them an email asking for recommendation for a pickup to install on the instrument, and have gotten no response in 2 weeks.

Been playing bass on & off for 30+ years. Also own a Fender Hot-Rodded Precision Bass and had a "Sting" bass also which I just sold recently. I saw one of these at Gruhn's in Nashville a couple of years ago and fell in love with it. When I saw it as a scratch & dent with a ~$600 discount, I had to buy it. It's perfect and I am very happy!

1998 Martin B-1 4 string acoustic bass.Solid Spruce top, solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard and 23 frets. Satin finish. after factory installed Fishman piezo. Simple basic design but Martin got it right!

The sound and playability are amazing. It gets better every year like a great acoustic instrument should. Well balanced tone and surprisingly loud for it's size. The solid wood top and back makes a big difference, as does Martin's bracing design. I have not played another acoustic bass that has this warmth, tone and volume. I had a Fishman installed and it works ok, but for recording you need to use a mike to capture the true sound.

Plays like butter. I wish all my basses had this kind of playability ( and it doesn't even have an adjustable bridge!)Great neck, great finish. I have a John Pearse armrest attached, this takes away the sharp edge where your arm touches. It also prevents your arm from muting the top and it protects the finish.

Martin warns only to use medium or lighter strings ( I use Martins they where made for this bass)I don't take this out of the house very often because it would be easy to damage but you can play it hard and it will stand up. This is not instrument you would take to a campfire jam. I have had it 5 years and it still looks mint, it is the only bass I really baby.

Ordered some additional bridge pins they were very helpful.

Quite simply the best acoutic bass guitar for the money. You can't go wrong with a Martin they are the reigning king of the acoustic world. I just wish they made a production 5 string (E to C)

I just wanted to add a few notes to my previous comments. In the 3 months since I submitted my first review, I have really had the opportunity to put this bass through its paces in a number of situations. I've played a number of club gigs and a few outdoor ones and have never had the B-1 let me down. And I've recorded a few solo pieces and have found that the tone of this bass is unsurpassed when acoustic. There are tones there that would never be available to an electric, and such warmth is unbelievable. You can always plug in and get funky with it, but it is the overall range that I love. If you're looking for a bass with the ability to fit in anywhere, the B-1 is a great investment!

Since I don't have it right in front of me, I'm going to say that my exquisite 4 string B-1 is circa 1998, or there abouts. It is made by Martin in the good ol' USA. The solid spruce top, lam mahogany sides and solid mahogany back mate with a rosewood fingerboard. Scale is 34" with 23 frets, 17 clear. Satin finish with honey gold toner make a beautiful instrument as you'd expect from Martin. The Fishman bridge transducer and built-in pre-amp provide the electronics, and provide as broad a range of sound as I care about having at my finger-tips. Martin hardshell case is included, and well-made.

I needed an instrument that could cover all the bases (no pun intended). From quiet folksy jam sessions in the living room to full blown rockers, this bass gives me all I need. On it's own, the B-1 has a tone reminiscent of an upright (if you can ignore the frets a moment), with rich warm tones and incredible sustain. Equally comfortable and rich picked, plucked or slapped, you can get a wide range of sound from this instrument simply by the technique you apply to playing it. And that's not even plugged in yet! When you enter the Fishman electronics into the picture, you have a bass that can produce earth-shattering lows clean and clear or with a bit of edge, as called for. The high end sings and slapping and agressive plucking ring out with warm and subtle harmonic overtones. I love this instrument for its range. I can play the quietest acoustic music and sit right in the pocket without having to overplay to be heard, yet the bass becomes a fairly growling monster when I lean into it. Plugged in, I have all of the range I care for and then some, while maintaing the rich, woody tone of the instrument itself. I play through a 1974 Fender "75" tube amp, which has a killer 5 coil reverb unit that can make for some great bass sounds when dialed to about 4, or more when the mood is a bit spacey. I rarely use any effects, relying on the on-board pre-amp and the settings on the "75" to get the sounds I want. I will soon be picking up a less fragile, more gig friendly amp, but I will look for something that can again take advantage of the B-1s true sound. In a loud stage set up, some of the acoustic tones get lost in the noise, but this bass never lacks a full sound. I can honestly say I was surprised at how well this instrument moves from the quiet environs of my living room to a coffehouse to a club to outdoors, always ready to take on all music channelled through it. I bought it as a way to play bass on a few tunes where it was lacking, now I've reverted back to being a bass player after 15 years away, thanks to my Martin B-1. I could have bought any number of electric basses for the $1400 this baby set me back new, but I doubt I would ever get the level of satisfation that the B-1 gives me. Can you tell I like this instrument?

Hey, it's a Martin. Need I say more? Flawless in all respects, the B-1 is most impressive in its smooth, playable action, so gentle you'd swear you were playing an electric.

Everything I have laid on this bass, it has been up to the task. I've only had it 3 months, but the sound continues to improve, and I have had not a lick of trouble with it. Like any acoustic, it needs a bit of TLC if taken away from home, but barring unhealthy handling by someone else, I never worry about its ability to stand up to the test. Would I use it without a back up? Hell yeah, just bring me along a couple extra 9 volts and I'm good to go.

I started playing bass in 1985, and left it for guitar by '88, only to pick up a bass to fill in here and there when necessary. Distracted for many years by my beloved mandolin, I have re-surfaced as a bass player in the past 3 months. It has changed the direction my music is taking, & brought inspriration to others with its relentless grooves. I own 2 guitars (a Yamaha acoustic & Fender Strat), an Epiphone mandolin, a 5 string banjo, a pocket full of harps, all of which I play now and then, plus a cello and a ukelele that mostly look nice in the corner of the music room. But the Martin B-1 is now my instrument of choice. If something horrible ever happened to this bass, I would, through streams of tears, rush out to buy another. When I went looking for a bass, this one wasn't in my mind, but it took only a few brief moments to know we were meant for each other. Sometimes that's just the way it goes.