Martin & Co DX1AE

Where to begin. The DX1AE is a relatively low cost dreadnought design from Martin that sports some interesting ideas. The guitar's top is plain ol' solid sitka spruce and this is about where the plain-ness ends. The DX1AE uses high pressure laminate back and sides that are patterned after mahogany, and the neck is a material that Martin calls "Stratabond". This material is created from several layers of wood pressed together and finally carved to size in a traditional manner. A mortise and tennon neck joint offers unparalleled resonance from a guitar in this price point (new, even). The onboard electronics are made up of the Fishman Sonicore pickup and Sonitone bridge. The aesthetics, as mentioned earlier, are a tad on the plain side, but who can complain with all the other goodies offered?

UTILIZATION

The guitar is a pretty simple dreadnought shape and it projects accordingly. The neck is sensationally quick to get around. The combination of the low-oval neck profile and the richlite composite fingerboard makes for a comfortable playing experience. The tuning stability was so-so, during the testing of this guitar I had to re-tune the guitar a handful of times while staying in standard tuning.

SOUNDS

I played the Matin DX1AE through both unplugged as well as amplified through a small Roland amp. I alternated between playing with a plectrum and playing primarily finger style.

The guitar sounds very rich and warm. The large body gives you all the low end you'd expect and with a subtle sweetness in the midrange that excites the ear. Played with a pick, you can get very loud, boomy, chordal passages out, while with finger style you can easily carry on with articulate arpeggiations. I feel that the guitar excels at being played with a plectrum, but a seasoned finger style artist will not feel anywhere disadvantaged.
Amplified, the Dx sounds gorgeous. I ran the amplifier with a very flat EQ and used the volume alone. Very impressive sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The Martin Dx1AE is an excellent low price electric acoustic that easily rivals the sound quality of higher end guitars such as the Taylor 114ce. The aesthetics are on the plain side with Martin even sparing proper fretmarkers. However, the sound quality alone easily justifies the $550 asking price.

Made in USA - between range at Martin Guitar, Dreadnought shape, fourteen non-cash boxes, bottom and fishplates mahogany table compress massive pica, key black Micarta (but what micarta ????)
So there is a good and a bad point: a handle chipboard year but a massive table, all VERY little as patent, which has an advantage and a default (see below). The guitar is dune absolute sobriety, the mcaniques is of great quality and all really inspires confidence.
Buying a box that is highly recommended.


USE

The handle is very pleasant to the touch, dune fluidity any evidence as quon not going to look any further than loctave. Lergonomie of the instrument is good, this is a dreadnoughts so the box is quite impressive but the game is the comfort. As said above, laccs to acute is not good, but it is not the purpose of this guitar. A Dtail that i particulirement apprci: the action of the strings is low enough originally a Factory.

SONORITS

So, sound, long ago say
It's a guitar in range, which is all the same 700, so it is reasonable to wait a certain quality. And the good news, Martin takes us out a little because certainly minimalist guitar and varnished provided without tui, but the savings are not ralises in sound, quite the contrary.
First agreement: ping, a slap! The game is just fabulous mdiator: every spring spectrum aptille harmonic everywhere, lquilibre between bass and treble mdiums is impeccable, and sounds Martin no doubt, it is far Takamine modern sonorits of 1000 (I do not criticize Takamine, it's just diffrent). At the risk of mattirer criticism: this is his big sisters Martin 1000, once again the savings are paid on the finishes and accessories.
As for the game to fingers, this is a rgal, quon play slap or quon touches the strings. You can really gauge his play, it sounds at all times!
Jadore really the sonority of the instrument, to me this is a skyscraper cowboy that he is difficult to default.


NOTICE GLOBAL

Jai possd an Art and Lutherie Cedar, an Art and Lutherie Ami and Cort electro, I wanted to go to the Superior notch and pay me a real nice acoustics. This Martin is perfect, it's a real pleasure to play with every time. It is very little varnished, which alinconvnient DTRE VERY weak, do lintrt to pay good tui. But the advantage, this is the table will evolve faster and the sound should only samliorer still time. Store she was laying dune ct Martin DXK2 (http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choosing/guitars.php?p=z&g=h&m=DXK2AE) that costs 669. See nothing, even if the wood utiliss are not the same. The DX1 is much better, and qualitprix report is terrible!

Most of Martin DX1AE:
-The Look simple but raffinbr /> -The playing comfort
-The Sound !!!!
-The Report quality price

The Martin of DX1AE:
-The Fragilitbr /> -No dtui provided

Conclusion: Excellent guitar nhsitez not! You will become addicted.
Overall: 17/20