Martin DX1 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar User Reviews at zZounds

"WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?" submitted April 22, 2006

By a customer from ntown.net

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Features

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Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Player, performer, producer since 1967

Music Style: Acoustic rock

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

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! 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. 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". 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. Manufacturer 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? The Wow Factor: 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? 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.

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"Sound and price are unmatched" submitted October 12, 2007

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Rock Folk

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Sound: I have been playing mine for a year now and it sounds amazing. No one believes the back and sides are laminate. I have played many different acoustic guitars and always love coming back to the Martin. Everyone wants to give it a play, just sounds so amazing. Feature: Mine didn't come with a bag, but I would have wanted a hard case anyway. It's too nice to leave in a bag. Ease of Use: I love it, low action, easy to play. And because it sounds so nice, it's a very forgiving guitar for the newer players. Quality: Just beautiful. Fit and finish is perfect. Value: For the price, nothing comes close. Manufacturer Support: I asked about strings when I first got it, they mailed me a few different types to try. The Wow Factor: The one complaint I hear is that it's plain looking. I wanted a guitar that looked like a guitar, I have no interest in Doves on my pick guard. It's a very pretty guitar Overall: I don't plan on getting another acoustic like this for a long time. It just sounds so nice, it's not worth the extra money.

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"Best Bang for Your Buck(s)!!" submitted June 5, 2007

By a customer from asde.net

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Features

Ease of Use

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Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: Old time R#R, Country

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: The quality and projection is fabulous. I can't believe I bought a Martin for less than $500! Feature: I rate it 10 for its simplicity. A no "fluff," beautiful guitar. Ease of Use: It almost plays itself . . low action, super finger friendly. Quality: It's a Martin. 'Nuff said. Value: At less than $500? It's a steal. Buy this guitar now, before they get wise and jack the price up! Manufacturer Support: Great support, friendly people. I asked them a question regarding two different types of strings, they sent me a set of each to try! The Wow Factor: I rate the DX-1 as a 10 because of its simplicity. No gloss finish, etc. Just a down to earth, honest guitar. Overall: I intend to keep this guitar, period. I've played it with friends that own higher priced Martins, but the DX-1 stays with them in every aspect.

25 of 26 people (96.15%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"BEST DEAL FOR THE MONEY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!" submitted February 6, 2010

By a customer from gmail.com

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Musical Background: hobbyist

Music Style: Indie rock.

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VERIFIED BUYER

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Sound: For the money, this guitar blows anything else I own away. I've owned takamine acoustics, alvarez, and fender. ZZounds payment plans make this a no brainer. BUY IT! Feature: It's a simple guitar. No real features except for the MARTIN name on the headstock. It lives up to the name just fine! Ease of Use: Extremely light, fun, and easy guitar to play! Quality: I bought it as a blemish but haven't noticed a single mark. It's incredible. Value: Worth way more than I paid! Manufacturer Support: No support so far with Martin. ZZounds has been good. The Wow Factor: It smells sexy, looks sexy, and makes ME sexier! Overall: I'd love this. I will be buying a pick up for my DX1!

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"DX1 - Try one out (but make sure you have your money ready to buy)" submitted May 10, 2007

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: Active musician

Music Style: fingerstyle/rock/techno

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

VERIFIED BUYER

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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. Feature: No accessories, just a guitar. Oh wait, they did throw in a pretty good basic strap and an inexpensive gig bag. 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. 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. Manufacturer Support: None needed so far. Nice web site. The Wow Factor: 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... Overall: I certainly hope this guitar ages well. I would like to play it as long as I can stll grip the neck.

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"GREAT Guitar, At An UNBELIEVABLE price!" submitted February 13, 2005

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: Rock

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Sound: This guitar sounds just as good as some of Martin's $1000+ guitars. It's got a great feel, and a great sound to match. The sound is rich and resonates very well which provides a deep solid tone that make it hard to believe that the guitar is only $500. Feature: This guitar is composed perfectly. Solid spruce top, patented neck mortise, and a wood compisite back that is incredibly durable and ensures years of playing. And, its made in the US, what more can I say? Quality: This guitar is absolutely perfect. Its quality is unmatched (by any company other than martin, that is) and its solid spruce top and compisate back ensure that it will produce a good sound and last a long time. And again, its made in the US!! Value: This guitar is here for an unbelievable price, and you are getting WAY more for your money when you buy this guitar. Manufacturer Support: My friend had the DX1 and he left it by his couch with his door open durring the snow. The whole neck bent up, and it produced an awfull sound. But that was no problem, he took it to the UPS store, and they shipped it for free to the Martin factory and in 12 days he recieved a brand new guitar. The Wow Factor: One of the many reasons that I chose this product was becaus of its apperance. Its not a shiny, obtrusive sort of tan, but its a duller more 'laid back' tan that really REALLY looks good. Overall: I expect to be satisfied with this product for atleast the next five years. After that point I have no intention of throwing it away, but I believe that in five years it will be time for another Martin.

11 of 12 people (91.67%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"Whatsa matter with not killing trees to make music?" submitted August 21, 2007

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: amateur performer

Music Style: slide blues/pop/folk/altindie

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VERIFIED BUYER

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Sound: excellent sound Feature: pretty basic guitar Ease of Use: the sound you get is up to you :) Quality: excellent Value: best guitar for the price i have found Manufacturer Support: none needed so far The Wow Factor: i think its simplicity is beautiful Overall: you can pay much more, and find much more elaborate guitars, some even sound better, but this is one great box.

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"Best sounding guitar on earth" submitted November 18, 2004

By a customer from aol.com

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Value

Musical Background: all of the above

Music Style: all.

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: This is absolutely the best sounding guitar i have ever owned in my life. I am 36 years old,, and have been playing since i was 6. I have owned at least 50 guitars. and have played hundereds. No guitar i ever held had the magic punch of the Martin DX-1. It has a sound that you would only expect from a well mixed recording,, but it's right in your hands! Feature: N/A Quality: This instrument is of the finest quality and craftmanship i have ever come across.. The only problem i have is that when fretting the small E string,, it tends to slip off the neck if you're not carefull. The fretts should be more rounded on the ends,, not cut at such and angle,, this will take care of that problem. Manufacturer Support: have not had to deal with the company yet. The Wow Factor: The sound is incredable,, the craftmanship is wonderful,,and as far as sex appeal,, it's a guitar,and it's sexy. Overall: love it love it love it.

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"Best value in acoustic guitars" submitted January 26, 2012

By kevin g in winsfull, AK

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Musical Background: julyhard

Music Style: dumb

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Overall: i have owned this guitar for 10 years and this is my first and only review. It has been sitting in its case for almost a year. I have been playing other guitars lately. Pulled it out tuned it up and played it for two hours. I have played many different acoustics over the years and this cheap beaten up campfire guitar sounds so good. Just buy one. You will be so happy with it. No tin crap sound as with other cheap guitars bass is so good. Full and balanced.

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"Best bang for the buck with quality sound." submitted April 29, 2009

By a customer from ptd.net

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Musical Background: Active player for over 30 years

Music Style: Rock, Heavy Rock, Blues

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Sound: The sound is typical of the Martin brand. It sounds so much better than anything else in that price range and even better than some in a higher price range. While playing it the tones will remind you of many different songs that you have heard in the past. Pure quality at a bargan price. Feature: This is a plain Jane guitar. Nothing fancy here but then again fancy inlays and decoration do not make the sound they just make it more appealing to the eye. This guitar is crafted for good sound at a low price. Yes they are using man made materials on parts other than pure wood but it is done with lots of thought behind how they will work out in the end, If you want that martin sound and a very playable instrument at a resonable price then this is your axe. Ease of Use: I don't know if I got lucky or if they all play this well but the one I purchased fingeredas easy as most of my electrics. right off the rack. Quality: As I said in the feature section Martin has a real hit with this guitar. Quality construction using different materials. Seems like this one will be around for many years it treated correctly. Value: This guitar is well worth the average price it sells for online and even more. Manufacturer Support: I emailed Martin reps about choice of strings and a few other questions and had a responce within 4 hours with all the info I needed. Top Notch The Wow Factor: This is a very plain no frills guitar. Reminds you of how a Martin may have looked back in the 1800's. Some people may over look this due to no having bliong. This guitar is not about bling it is about sound quality. Overall: I will never look for a replacement for this unless it gets lost. Then I would no doubt replace it with the same model if available.

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Martin DX1 Acoustic Customer Review submitted February 18, 2008

By a customer from netzero.com

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Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: Rock

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Sound: The DX1 has rich high ends and deep, soulful resonance. It really projects. I love it...It sings so beautifully, it makes me want to see what it's big brothers will do. Quality: It's made very well. The spruce top clean and smooth..very pretty wood. It also smells wonderful. Value: I shopped around and tried a dozen or so guitars...Nothing matched the Martin sound and projection. I don't think you'll find a better sounding guitar for the price. The Wow Factor: Everyone says to play as many guitars as possible and choose the one that says, "Take me home." The DX1 is not the prettiest guitar around. I tell my friends it is plain looking but sings beautifully. It has no embellishments. I'm not crazy about the color of the laminate sides and back, they're okay, but I love the smoothness of the spruce top as it's unvarnished and soft as a woman's thigh. Overall: I'll own this guitar forever. Knowing how this one sounds I will definitely check into a D28 down the road. If it offers a much superior sound and I feel it's worth the $$$. In the meantime, this one sounds just fine.

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