Martin DX1

[curtbob]

Does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about the Martin DX1? I found a used one in very good shape at a good price ($350) not far from me. No electronics, FWIW.

[dqami]

Once you get past the laminates and go by tone and playability, it is a very good guitar. I've compared it to the Epi Masterbilts and the Johnson/Recording King which are all solid wood and I like the Martin better as far as tone and playability.

[studio1087]

I used to have a DX1. I have a D15 now and I have a D12X1 (the 12 string DX1). The 1 means that it has a solid spruce top. 85% of the sound is coming from the top (this is good). The back and sides are called HPL (high pressure laminate). It's wood and plastic...very durable.

The neck material is called Stratabond. It's real laminated wood infused with polyner and shaped via CNC. It's bulletproof stuff and it resonates like wood. Stratabond is not a Martin invention; it has been used for many years to make high quality gun stocks.

I can play fingerstyle with ease on my 12 string in bone dry WI winter or in humid summer months. Stratabond may be the perfect material for a 12 string neck.

Acoustic Guitar Magazine did a "Best bets under $1000" shoot out a couple years ago and the DX1 and the Taylor 110 tied for top award.

The DX1 is a great sounding, easy playing dread that has the Martin growl despite the space age construction.

Go for it. You'll have it for years and years.

My D12X1 is on the left. Love it..... I like Martin guitars.

[BillyC]

I think HPL is another way of saying plywood.

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by studio1087

I have a D12X1 (the 12 string DX1).

Acoustic Guitar Magazine did a "Best bets under $1000" shoot out a couple years ago and the DX1 and the Taylor 110 tied for top award.

The DX1 is a great sounding, easy playing dread that has the Martin growl despite the space age construction.

Go for it. You'll have it for years and years.

My D12X1 is on the left. Love it

+ 1 on the 12-string version.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by studio1087

Acoustic Guitar Magazine did a "Best bets under $1000" shoot out a couple years ago and the DX1 and the Taylor 110 tied for top award.

Well, now that the One Series (all solid wood) is out and the dread is $900, that sort of renders this shootout obsolete, doesn't it?

mud

[studio1087]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Well, now that the One Series (all solid wood) is out and the dread is $900, that sort of renders this shootout obsolete, doesn't it?

mud

In fact....no.

They reviewed guitars that have a full list price under $1000.

The cash retail price on the one series is about $950 but the list price is much higher.

DX1's and Taylor 110's are about $550 cash/new.

List Price on a DX1 is $719


List price on the "ones" is $1200

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MTNOM1.htm

[studio1087]

Originally Posted by BillyC

I think HPL is another way of saying plywood.

Indeed. But the Top is solid spruce.

[dave42]

I picked up a D12X1 from craigslist recently. Perfect for gigging. It'll take a few knocks here and there and it'll be ok.

[hollowman]

Originally Posted by dqami

Once you get past the laminates and go by tone and playability, it is a very good guitar. I've compared it to the Epi Masterbilts and the Johnson/Recording King which are all solid wood and I like the Martin better as far as tone and playability.

+1

well said. sounds great plugged in to a PA

[Brian blaut]

I have a DX1. I wanted to spend around $500. It was by far the best sounding acoustic I tried in that range. It literally blew away the 'all wood' budget compeditors from Ibanez, and Epiphone. They didn't one guitar under $700 that could come close to it. It was warmer, bigger, airier, more articulate. The others in relation seemed small and thin, very little projection, stifled even (even compared to the entry level Taylor in my opinion). Actually, I found the Taylor to be in 2nd place, but it didn't have near the body or robustness, but instead it had perhaps a thinner, more trebly presence- which could be a benefit to some people. I didn't get to try a Seagull, which I hear is VERY good.

All in all, it's a wonderful guitar owning it's pricerange. I think it can get a little overly warm with the wrong or dead strings. For that reason I like to use 80/20 bluegrass style strings for the bright, articulate high end and a deep robust low end. Mine was gently used, included the hard case and a new bone nut for $450. I think $350 is a fine price, and a steal if they throw in a decent case.