*Need Advice* Is this Martin DX1KAE genuine or counterfeit?

It looks genuine to me. If you Google DX1 and look at pics, you'll see that previous ones had no inlays on the fretboard. Martin has just recently revamped the X series with some improvements, no that there was anything wrong with the previous ones.

 

I'll second that. Pictures aren't great, but it looks right from what I see. One of those little inspection mirrors you can get at automotive stores and a flashlight are helpful. Take one look in the soundhole. Martins are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. At least the ones I've dealt with. Have yet to see a knockoff that doesn't have a wood glue murder scene going on inside.

 

No dot fret markers and no binding.

 

X series models don't have binding either. People who don't know what they're talking about shouldn't offer advice. You can also see the Martin X series label inside the soundhole, and the model number and serial number will be stamped on the neck block

 

Does it smell like a Martin?

 

Just so you know, the X series are solid spruce tops and composite back and sides (what they call HPL, high pressure laminate), but don't let that discourage you, because they still have the Martin sound. Also, the originals were made at their factory in Nazareth, PA, but after Martin built their factory in Mexico, they switched production to there. I worked at the #1 Martin dealer here in the islands, and after the switch, there was no difference in quality between the ones made here and the ones made in Mexico.

 

Not sure where the payoff would be in counterfeiting an X series Martin. I’ve owned them and they are great guitars. I just don’t see the point in counterfeiting a lower end model.

Also, looks legit to me.


Capgun

 

Currently 33% think this is counterfeit

 

I also think it would be strange for someone to counterfeit an X series.

And I know that Martin often changes specifications in mid production without advertising it. I have a 1996 Martin J18 that I bought new. They didn't make that many of this model and every other one I've seen has snowflake inlays while mine has dots. Go figure!

So, I'd say that guitar is genuine.

 

Looks like a real one to me--based on just two fuzzy pics.

 

The joke would be that the X series is already a counterfeit Martin.

 

Can’t say I’ve heard of any incidents of attempted counterfeiting of HPL level Martins. Doesn’t compute. That said, photo looks like the real deal, FWIW.
As mentioned, these models don’t have binding, and previously came without fretboard markers.

For example, here’s another online listing, a lefty, no dots, etc. A 3-400$ guitar, for which you can get $1,000 worth of advice for free.

https://www.musicgoround.com/produc...zxBifRsrlxiYpSncgjA2fDAq8PN3o_GgaAi0ZEALw_wcB

 

I just know ( embarrassing after 46 years playing), that playing a guitar without markers on the fretboard is a real PITA at low light/dark gigs!

( but I've played a Martin DX1 and it played and sounded great)

Dumb story:
In 2003 I bought an Alvarez acoustic to 'temporarily replace' my Martin, whose frets where just chewed up and dented...( my rationale for buying, was I was gigging so much, that I was afraid I would be w/o my guitar too long getting a fret job, so, "just buy another guitar!" - dumb move!)

The Alvarez only had a 12th fret marker, and I could not see the dots on the side of the neck in low light, so I was always playing barre chords, and starting lead breaks, one fret off from where I was supposed to be! ( Sorry, I'm not a Classical player- need the markers, still)

I put up with it for a year or so- then fixed the Martin, sold the Alvarez!
All better!

 

https://www.martinguitar.com/about/martin-story/serial-number-lookup/Might be a good idea to ask for photo of the neck block serial number to check against Martin's numbering.

 

It's real.

X series Martins have a lot of pretty unique material choices (HPL back and sides, Statabond necks, mikata/richlite fingerboards and bridges), so cloning one hallway accurately would take a lot of sourcing - ironically, if you're a factory making cheap knock off acoustics a D28 would be easier to approximate with what the factory would already be set up to reproduce.

 

It's really real. Would not make much sense to counterfeit a X series Martin.