Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Solid Spruce soundboard, Mahogany pattern HPL back and sides with a textured finish.

Item: MRTDX1

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  • Pricing
    • $549.00
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $137.25
    • List: $741.60
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Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

84 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 7 out of 10

 

8 People wrote reviews

Read all Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?"

Feature:
I've played since the mid-60's and have always loved the sound of a great acoustic guitar. As this one-time coffee house player grew older he also became a bit of a technology geek. Hence, my complete acceptance of the evolution of Martin guitars to include composite materials. When you think about the consistency that can be obtained with "man-made" materials, it makes sense that a properly designed guitar would benefit from materials that were predictable in their response and form.

Quality:
While some Martin fans of old have had issues with some of the newer Martin offerings, the DX-1 is a seminal moment in the history of a great guitar manufacturer. Well made, with composite materials making a contribution to a more eco-friendly manufacturing ethic, the DX-1 is a well-made instrument priced within reach of most serious musicians. If you can find a better sounding, better made instrument in the $500 range in which the DX-1 sems to sell...BUY IT! (I'm betting your search is in vain!)

Value:
Having haunted countless music stores and sampled endless guitars, I can't bring to mind another instrument which gave as much bang for the buck as the DX-!. But don't take my word for it. Go to your local guitar shop and put the DX-1 up against guitars costing twice, or even three times, as much, and see what I mean.

Desirability:
A subtle, unassuming guitar which reeks of class. No bells, no whistles, just that unmistakeable Martin look which carries over a hundred years of authenticity. What more could you ask for?

Sound:
Having acquired a number of instruments, I knew my collection would not be complete without Martin guitar. When I stumbled upon a mint condition DX-1 in a high quality hard-shell case at a pawn shop for $350 I was amazed. When I picked it up and played a few bars I went from amazed to awestruck. Purists might have a hard time wrapping their head around a Martin guitar with composite sides, back, neck and head, but if you close your eyes and listen objectively, there's no mistaking the Martin sound!

Ease of Use:
Most of my work nowadays is in my studio. The DX-1 shines whether I'm pointing a mike at it or feeding the signal through a Dean Markley pickup. The action was a tad high for my tastes, but completely playable. I'll have my friendly local luthier fine tune the set-up and I'm sure this will become my favorite acoustic guitar. I seldom have to do much EQing as the DX-1 has a balanced tone from top to bottom. The bottom end rocks without crossing into the "THUMP ZONE".

Support:
I can't rate service and that's a good thing, because I haven't had any problems with the instrument. When I see a review with raves about service I always wonder why the user needed service to begin with, don't you?

Overall:
No, this guitar is not GOD. But if you're a working stiff like me, and you dollars are few and precious, you just couldn't do any better than the DX-1. Sound...great. Appearance...great. Quality of workmanship...DUH! IT'S A MARTIN. Would I buy it again...absolutely. In a day and age when shoddy workmanship is the norm and reverence for traditional values is almost non-existant, Martin and Co. is to be commended for their dedication to quality and earth-friendly products.

Submitted: 4/22/2006

Style of Music: Acoustic rock

16 of 16 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"DX1 - Try one out (but make sure you have your money ready to buy)"

Feature:
No accessories, just a guitar. Oh wait, they did throw in a pretty good basic strap and an inexpensive gig bag.

Quality:
Of course one can obviously spend 10 times more, though I think for that money one might at best approach a guitar that sounds maybe twice as good, if that. You would mainly get more fancy materials. This is a well built, very plain, excellent sounding instrument. I love it more than I should for a material thing!

Value:
No question in my mind. I almost spent a little less and got a Taylor Big Baby (another great guitar in roughly same lower end price range), but had no issue spending slightly more and getting, in my opinion much more tone, for the the DX1.

Desirability:
Well, it has a very plain look that to me looks no nonsense and kind of macho. I'm not big on highly decorated guitars, too foo foo for my taste, though I can admire the craftsmanship. So, I think this is a very 'sexy' guitar...

Sound:
Very responsive guitar. I was leery of synthetic material, but actually think that due to density actually is a better choice for sides and back which apparently mainly function as reflectors in the guitar tonal shaping. Wood looks nicer tho.

Ease of Use:
Plays like a dream. I heard of fretting issues, but the review I read was from 1999. Martin must have listened, cause this thing plays great.

Support:
None needed so far. Nice web site.

Overall:
I certainly hope this guitar ages well. I would like to play it as long as I can stll grip the neck.

Submitted: 5/10/2007

Style of Music: fingerstyle/rock/techno

11 of 11 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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Read all Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar reviews...

Additional Images:

Main
Main
Headstock
Headstock
With Gig Bag, Strap, Quick Release, and Humidifier
With Gig Bag, Strap, Quick Release, and Humidifier
Finger Board
Finger Board
Side
Side
Back
Back
Bridge
Bridge

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About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
The DX1 dreadnought acoustic blends the tonal character and volume of a Solid Spruce soundboard with the consistency, durability and reflectivity of a Mahogany pattern HPL back and sides with a textured finish. The result is a startlingly loud and projective sound at a softer, more comfortable price! Other features include a hand-rubbed finish top, a comfortable Low Oval neck shape, and 1-11/16 in. nut width.

Martin Guitar has long recognized the serious nature of the earth's dwindling resources and has focused attention on alternative materials. At Martin they're committed to making Martin guitars that are within reach of every aspiring guitarist.

Martin's breakthrough 'X-Series' features guitars that are constructed with a combination of highly compressed wood fibers (high-pressure laminate, called HPL) and traditional tonewoods. They've found HPL to be an extremely durable and workable material. Martin has crafted ways to build traditional Martin shapes with HPL that yield incredibly long-lasting, affordable guitars. What's more, they've managed to build them so they possess the "famous" Martin sound and playability found in their more expensive guitars.

Technical Info

Specifications

CONSTRUCTION: Mortoise/Tenon Neck Joint

BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret

TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce

ROSETTE: Inlaid Boltaron w/ Red Fiber/ Multiple Black/White/Black

TOP BRACING PATTERN: D1 (A-Frame)

TOP BRACES: 1 Style/Non-Scalloped

BACK MATERIAL: Mahogany Pattern HPL Textured Finish

SIDE MATERIAL: Mahogany Pattern HPL Textured Finish

NECK MATERIAL: Rust Stratabond?

NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval

NUT MATERIAL: White Corian?

HEADSTOCK: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper

HEADPLATE: Mahogany Pattern HPL w/Printed Logo

HEELCAP: none

FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Black Micarta?

SCALE LENGTH: 25.4 in.

NUMBER OF FRETS CLEAR: 14

NUMBER OF FRETS TOTAL: 20

FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1-11/16 in.

FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2-1/8 in.

FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: none

FINGERBOARD BINDING: none

FINISH BACK & SIDES: none

FINISH TOP: Hand Rubbed Finish

FINISH NECK: none

BRIDGE MATERIAL: Black Micarta?

BRIDGE STYLE: 1 Style Belly

BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2-1/8 in.

SADDLE: 16 in. Radius/Compensated/White Micarta?

TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/Small Knobs

RECOMMENDED STRINGS: MSP+ 4100 Coated Light Phosphor Bronze

BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/Black Dots

PICKGUARD: I-01 Tortoise Color

INTERIOR LABEL: Foil Label - DX1 Solid Spruce Top
Modern Martin construction with timeless tone! Solid Sitka spruce top. Dreadnought shape. Mahogany-patterned high-pressure laminate back and sides. Stratabond neck with low oval shape for playing comfort.

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