Martin DX1AE X Series Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Get that rich, dynamic Martin sound for an affordable price, courtesy of this acoustic-electric's solid Sitka spruce top and Fishman Sonitone electronics.

Overall User Ratings (based on 17 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(17) (see rating details)
Submitted July 27, 2014 by Julian Porter in Vass, NC

"Martin quality and sound at a price anyone can afford"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I recently bought a Martin DX1AE acoustic electric guitar from zzounds.com. It came in only four days, and was even better than I hoped. Sounds incredible, and plays like a dream! I am very pleased with this guitar and find that it sounds as good as my best friends 1972 D-28 which costs five times more than mine. Get one for yourself,you wii be stunned by the sound you get for the price !

Musical Style:

Play with friends and at home for fun. Started playing in 1967, so over 40 years now. Mostly classic, rock, folk and folk roc
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Submitted September 26, 2011 by a customer from gulfstreammergers.com

"You absolutly cannot beat this Martin for the money, NO WAY!!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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As long as it holds up, I will enjoy this guitar.
Sound
I do not think you can buy a better sounding guitar for anywhere near the price of this Martin. Also, the minute you pick it up , the feeling is like no other guitar I know of, solid to the core. Plays great, good action, clear crisp, Martin sound with plenty of projection. As much as I like the looks of the Epiphone EJ 200 for example or the Epiphone John Lennon guitar, or some of the Takamines, they are so dull sounding compared to the Martin. The only other guitar under $2,000 thats as good is another Martin or many of the Guilds. The Guilds have a different sound and feel but very high quality and all solid woods. I play this guitar thru a Fender Acoustasonic Jr DSP and its fantastic.
Features
I purchased a Martin 640 case to go with the guitar. This Martin as most Martins is not flashy and is low on "extras" like inlays, bone nut and saddle etc. I did add bone bridge pins which I highly recommend. You can get them for anywhere between $25 to $100 and its well worth it. Adds even more to the already strong sound.I do miss the bridge inlays and markers. But honestly, unless someone really knows their guitars, it would be very difficult to tell this Martin from a $2,500 Martin. You have to go over $3,000 to get a different headstock that someone would really notice. Sound controls hidden in soundhole work better than having them outside in a clumsy black box drilled into the side of the guitar. The new Martin performing series this year has come out with flush rubber like dials on the outside of the guitar that also have tuning included that look great and fit right into the design of the guitar.
Ease of Use
Plays great, feels awesome in your hands, action could be lower but this is not a $2,000 + guitar either. I've been playing all my life and I'm in my fifties and this guitar is excellent for a beginner or a seasoned pro. I use it to back up my Guild but I have recorded with it as well, its that good.
Quality
Very well made. We will see how the HPL sides and back hold up but comparing it to other guitars in the price range you do not see any sloppy workmanship like excess glue, pieces not fitting togerth perfectly etc, seems very well designed and made.
Value
Again, you cannot find a quality brand new guitar like this without spending at least double or triple.
Manufacturer Support
Not had any problems or reasons to call. They have been good about notifying me of Martin events and special deals etc.
The Wow Factor
Not sexy but you feel like you are driving a rolls royce not a yugo

Musical Background:

Active Musician, Worship Leader

Musical Style:

Praise & Worship
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Submitted October 11, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com

"This is a wonderful opportunity to have something really worth the price: Don't blow it!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
If I had children they would be fighting over this guitar after I've gone the way of the dodo bird. It rewards anyone who picks it up to play it.
Sound
O.K., I gave it a nine. It's not a 4,000 to 10,000 dollar insturment made of Brazillian Rosewood! What this guitar does do however is give you real value for your money. It's a real pleasure to say something nice about this guitar! First of all you should know I'm a beginner. I've been playing since April. As a beginner I started with several low end guitars before I sat down and played this Martin. The cool thing about finding the right guitar is that the right one for you will sing to you personally as you play it. And this guitar did just that! Is it worth it? You bet! In my way of thinking you should buy a guitar that you will aspire to be worthy of enventually. When you do that it makes you want to be better. It's true that you could spend less, or more for a guitar but why bother until you are good enough to get paid for playing? If you are looking for an excellent well balanced tone, an easy neck and an insturment that stays in tune it's worth the extra cash to really get value recieved. Nuff said!
Features
Nope. For $500.00 bucks you get the guitar. But after you strum it for awhile you won't mind at all. In fact you will easily fork over the money for a good case to protect it. A Martin, regardless of the price, sells itself.
Ease of Use
You'd think that HPL, or high pressure laminate back and sides, means settling for a cheap sound. But with this guitar you would be wrong. The tone is wonderful and will only get better with age! That’s attention to detail in the Luthier’s art. Making a really good guitar means attention to the elements that make up its design and construction and this is where Martin excels.
Quality
Everything about a Martin is excellent! When you buy one you are buying an American icon and that's true no matter if it's made in Martin's US factory in Pennsylvania, or the one in Mexico. Chris Martin IV, just like his fore barriers, understands that the company’s reputation rides on every instrument that leaves the factory. It’s been that way since 1833 and it’s still true today.
Value
Like I mentioned earlier, you are buying more then just a guitar, you are buying a classic American icon. Just like a Harley, or Corvette. You will enjoy playing this guitar every time you pick it up. And everytime you pick it up you will get value received.
Manufacturer Support
They are there when you need them. If there was a problem they will help you solve it.
The Wow Factor
You are going down a road that can be financially dangerous. In the end; you will, if you keep playing, have a small room filled with guitars that are your best friends. Each has its own wonderful voice and each provides a sound you crave depending style of music you play. That's the professional view. If playing casually is what you want to do, then you will only have one good guitar that you bought that grew to be your best friend. Doesn't it make sense to go an extra mile for an instrument that will always go an extra mile for you?

Musical Background:

Hobbyist, Aspiring guitarist. Songwriter.

Musical Style:

Pop acustical
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Submitted January 1, 2015 by Byron M in Cambridge Bay, NU

"Better than I thought!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I was expecting it to be a normal acoustic electric but this one is better all around. It has a very nice sound (still haven't tried to plug it yet), very nice feel to it and very good quality made guitar. It has passed my expectation and to top it off it was at a good price.

Musical Background:

I have been playing for over 5 years. I play guitar, bass and drums. I play for church and at home

Musical Style:

christian
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Submitted November 14, 2012 by Joseph R S

"Martin DX1AE"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I stopped by Guitar Center recently...This Guitar tone quaity is so sweet similar to my Martin D35. simple electronics on board @ this price is a steal. My Buy list for Christmas along with a Fishman AMP...will be awsome for small venues.

Musical Background:

50yrs Performed with 12 piece Orchestra arrangements. I play Accoustic Guitar,Piano.

Musical Style:

I play Folk, Rock, Christian...Favorite Guitarist Glen Campbell. Other Artists Gordon Lightfoot, Beatles,Neil Diamond,Eric Clapt
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Submitted March 13, 2015 by Stephen Houk in Attalla, AL

"Great guitar/great deal!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Straight out of it's well packaged box this guitar sounded like I hoped that it would. Rich, full bottom and beautiful high end, action is perfect for me, barre chords much easier to get to and sustain, love the neck, almost feels like an electric with it's ease of play. I won't bore you with any further flattery for this guitar, if you're thinking about buying it, do it!!!!!!

Musical Background:

Been banging away for 35 years, play with friends, have many other acoustic guitars, and this is my favorite (at the moment)

Musical Style:

I'm into the singer/songwriter folk, alt country, Americana scene.
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Submitted January 9, 2014 by Henry B in Milwaukee, WI

"Perfect condition"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This great guitar was ordered as "blemished" - but if it's blemished, I sure couldn't see it. Wonderful sound, quick shipment, thank you! So sorry Martin has discontinued this guitar.

Musical Background:

Lead guitar, drums, vocals, some violin. Outlaw Country band SS Web, lots of touring

Musical Style:

Outlaw Country band SS Web, lots of touring.
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Submitted December 29, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Good guitar.......good sound.....good playability.....great price....."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'll have this as long as it lasts. I will not be spending $2000 any time soon on a guitar as long as I have this.
Sound
I played this in a store and it was easier to play and sounded beter than other guitars that were twice as much money.
Features
I kinda like that the volume and tone knobs are inside the sound hole. Just makes the outside look a little caleaner.
Ease of Use
Like I said before ....it plays very easily..
Quality
Well, it's not solid wood but the laminate they use is supposed to be very strong and it saure seems to be. Also, it was great right out of the box.
Value
For the price it's unreal how nice this guitar is......really....
Manufacturer Support
No problems so no contact with Martin
The Wow Factor
Hey........it's a Martin guitar

Musical Background:

Been playing guitar for 45 years or so....home recording is what I do now with an occasional jam with friends.

Musical Style:

Rock....some country.........
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Submitted January 7, 2015 by Gregg P in Algonquin, IL

"Entry Level Martin"

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I bought this guitar through zzounds and enjoyed the guitar. I really liked the way it sounded acoustically. However the battery pack came dislodged inside the sound joke and broke the clip that connects to the electronics. Zzounds let me return it no problem, I ended up ordering a different guitar, since I wasnt a fan of having to take the strings off to change a battery.
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Submitted March 16, 2015 by Stephen Houk in attalla, AL

"Excellent value"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I won't bore you by describing my guitars and comparing them to this DX1AE, so let me say that when I opened the well packaged box and tuned up I was more than pleased with my purchase. The action was perfect for me, and strumming open chords validated the many online reviews that I read.prior to placing my order. Booming low end, and high end sings like a bird If you're considering this guitar by all means pull the trigger and you'll be glad you did.

Musical Background:

been banging around for forty years

Musical Style:

Alt country, rock, folk
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Submitted May 29, 2014 by Lonny Terkay Band in Lakeland, FL

"Martin DX1AE X"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
very nice guitar, the action is always wined about in guitar reviews I on the other hand felt my guitars action was too low, the only thing I did was shim the saddle to raise it up, also this is to all guitar makers please loose the grovers or anything else that is not locking, they are all junk next up grade is hipshot locking tuners its really counter productive to do the string wrap thing, now on the sound Martins are always on point with being great with their quality and sound, I bought this as my back up to my Ovation which is need of a re fret after 20 years of use, over all its a hard to beat guitar for around 550 range

Musical Background:

try to play for pay as much as I can, lead vocals, guitars, bass un signed recording artist cdbaby.com

Musical Style:

mainly acoustic rock ala zac brown neil young
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Submitted February 19, 2015 by Stephen Houk in attalla, AL

"Dadgum right!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I received mine today at 2 o'clock and I thought I'd put it down long enough to write a BRIEF review. Prior to the purchase I read hundreds of reviews, most of them of a positive, almost ecstatic nature. So to all the so-called purists/naysayers who incessantly bloviate about "wood" "made in Mexico", infinitum, take a breather and find something else to bitch about. This is one fine instrument, I won't go on and on about projection, mids, highs and lows. All that's required is tuning and letting it ring, and ring it does. Thanks to the folks at zZounds and thanks to FedEx for getting it here in a timely manner and in pristine condition. I'm a satisfied man.

Musical Background:

40 years and counting

Musical Style:

I play the good stuff.
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Submitted June 12, 2011

"Worth every penny."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I will not be on the lookout for another Acoustic any time soon. This one does everything I need it to do.
Sound
It has a very deep rich tone that fills a room. I owned one of these in the past but had to sell it due to money issues. I bought it again because I liked the sound and quality of it that much.
Features
It's an acoustic/electric but I've mainly played it acoustically.
Quality
Fantastic quality for the money. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's made in Mexico. I would put this guitar up against any other in terms of quality. It doesn't have many bells and whistles but what do you expect from Martin for only $500?
Value
Definitely worth the money.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed it.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Rock, Blues
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Submitted November 18, 2010 by Eric

"Good, solid guitar, especially for recording."

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Written by one of our gear experts!
Sound
Good, quality sound, translates well on the electric sound as well.
Features
The tuner and preamp is kinda meh. Not very good for a live setting if you need to make changes on the fly.
Quality
Very well made.
The Wow Factor
It IS a Martin!

Musical Background:

Professional Musician

Musical Style:

Rock/Blues/Folk
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