Martin DX Johnny Cash Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Honoring the Man in Black, this guitar melds modern building techniques with classy looks. Fitted with Fishman MX electronics, it's ready for the stage.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
HPL body Laminated body, strong and durable
Mortise/tenon neck joint Enhanced stability, sustain and strength
Richlite fretboard Focused tone with excellent playability
Standard X bracing Delivers improved sustain and projection

In the early 1970s, Martin Guitar was commissioned to design an all-black lacquered D-35 for country star Johnny Cash. Though Martin had never considered such a request before, an all-black D-35 for the "Man in Black" was custom-made. Cash went on to play his custom D-35 on stage for the next 20 years. The DX Johnny Cash is a nod to the history between Cash and Martin Guitar.

Designed in collaboration with John Carter Cash and the Cash Foundation management team, the guitar features a classic Dreadnought body shape constructed with Jett black high-pressure laminate (HPL) top, back and sides. Like the earlier commemorative edition, this instrument includes a custom fingerboard inlaid with stars and the "CASH" logo. Johnny Cash's signature appears on the rosette and label. This model comes with Fishman MX electronics and a soft gig bag embroidered with the "CASH" logo and is strung with Martin's Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 strings. The DX Johnny Cash was designed to be an accessible and playable guitar for anyone looking to honor the legacy of the legendary musician.

- Series: Custom Artist
- Edition Size: Open
- Construction: Mortise & Tenon Neck Joint
- Body Size: D-14 Fret
- Top Material: HPL
- Top Detail: Jett Black
- Rosette: Custom Ink
- Bracing Pattern: X Brace
- Brace Shape: Scalloped
- Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
- Brace Size: 5/16"
- Back Material: HPL
- Back Detail: Jett Black
- Side Material: HPL
- Side Detail: Jett Black
- Neck Material: Black Birch Laminate
- Neck Shape: Performing Artist
- Neck Taper: High-Performance Taper
- Plek: No
- Nut Material: Black Corian
- Headstock Shape: Solid with Standard Taper
- Headplate Material: HPL
- Headplate Logo Style: Silver Script Ink
- Heelcap: Black
- Fingerboard Material: FSCA Certified Richlite
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
- Number of Frets Total: 20
- Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4"
- Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
- Fingerboard Inlay Material: White Plastic and Custom Ink
- Fingerboard Inlay Style: Inlaid Stars and CASH Custom Ink
- Side Dots: White
- Finish Neck: Hand Rubbed
- Bridge Material: FSCA Certified Richlite
- Bridge Style: Modern Belly - Drop in Saddle
- Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/32"
- Saddle: Compensated Black Tusq
- Saddle Radius: 16"
- Tuning Machines: Chrome Enclosed Gear
- Recommended Strings: Authentic Acoustic Lifespan(R) 2.0 Light - 92/8 Phosphor Bronze MA540T
- Knob: Small
- Bridge Pin Material: Black Plastic
- Bridge Pin Dots: White Plastic
- Pickguard: Black
- Pickguard Inlay: None
- Case: Soft Gig Bag
- Label: Paper Label
- Electronics: Fishman MX
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 13.75 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 47 x 19 x 8 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 11DXJOHNNYCASH

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 610-759-2837

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (6 ratings)
Submitted August 20, 2021 by Lantz S in Grandview, MO

"My New Bestie"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Been a player/performer 45+ years, owned some great guitars, and some not so great. So OK I had to get over it not being 'real' wood. But it's so cool looking, and it's a Martin sez me. Then I played it. OMG. Usually takes me a while to become close with a guitar... but this one. Great tone, very playable. Unboxed, tuned it up. This is one precision stable beautiful unique instrument. OK, it's not a D35 (yes they make D35 Johnny Cash models as well, which is what the Man in Black played) BUT... it's 1/10 the cost and to my ear about 80/90 percent of the sound.... so for a retired guy like me.. perfect. Ah, not only that but it's on the light side due to the HPL materials, so, I can wear this thing for hours. Pretty tough finish too (which is important when wearing a guitar around the house lol). Did I mention it come pre-PLEK'd since it's a Martin... If it fits your needs, buy it now is my reccomendation.

Sound
Very responsive, surprisingly warm tone given the materials. Apparently this proves most of the sound comes from the bracing design (as some luthiers claim), because they got this right.

Features
I love the stability of this guitar. Due to the HPL it is seemingly impervious to humidity changes, maybe more stable to temp changes, don't know. I tune every guitar I touch and this one never needs any lovin. I mean NEVER.

Ease of Use
Well the greatness of sounds is up to the player. read more This thing will pretty much go where you need to go likely tho

Quality
Extremely well made. Very tight fit and finish.

Value
This is worth several times what it costs in my opinion. Thank God it's not priced that way.

Manufacturer Support
Have not had the need.

Musical Background:
Guitar/Drums/Keyboard

Musical Style:
On guitar I am a finger picker, sometimes use a flat pick. Blues and bluegrass-ish.
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