Martin DX1 Guitar Review

The Martin DX1 range consists of the Martin DX1-AE, DX1-E, DX1-KAE and DX1-RAE guitar models. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these solidly designed guitars. They are very high quality dreadnought electro-acoustic guitars that are designed at a low price.

These Martin dreadnoughts have no cutaways and their body dimensions make them comfortable to sit on and play. These precision instruments come with Fishman-style pickups and use solid 5/16 Sitka spruce for their top braces in A-Frame “X-1” patterns.

This design gives them a fuller, deeper sound when played. These guitars not only look beautiful, they sound incredible with their bright, clear tone projection and excellent sustain.

The body of the Martin DX1-AE, DX1-E, DX1-KAE and DX1-RAE guitars

The body design of the Martin DX1 range is known as the D-14 Fret and is based on their butterfly designed tops. The neck is connected to the body of the guitar by a mortise and tenon neck joint. This type of joint is what makes these guitars strong and durable. The simplicity of these Martin dreadnoughts makes them a beautiful guitar to play.

The tops of these Martin dreadnought guitars are made from solid Sitka spruce. The top has a hand rubbed urethane light satin finish. The rosette around the mouth is of multiple black and white Boltaron rings with red fiber in the center. Next to the rosette is the tortoise colored pickguard. These two characteristics make the Sitka Spruce top very distinctive and attractive.

These guitars have a belly style bridge, which is made of Purple on the DX1-E guitar model and Black Richlite on the other models. The bridge string spacing is 2-1/8” and the bridge ends are white with black dots. The saddle has a 16” compensated radius and is white Micarta on the DX1-E model guitar and white TUSQ on the models.

The side panels of the Martin DX1-AE and DX1-E guitars have a textured HPL finish with a Java Mahogany pattern. The DX1-KAE Martin guitar has a textured HPL finish with a Koa pattern and the DX1-RAE Martin guitar has a textured HPL finish with an Indian Rosewood pattern.

The top of the Martin DX1-AE and DX1-E guitars has a textured HPL finish with a Java Mahogany pattern. While the DX1-KAE Martin guitar has a textured HPL finish with Koa pattern and the DX1-RAE Martin guitar has a textured HPL finish with Indian rosewood pattern.

These Martin dreadnought guitars use Fishman-type pickups. The DX1-E Martin guitar has a Fishman Classic 4 Sonicore pickup. The other models use Fishman Sonitone pickups.

The neck of Martin DX1-AE, DX1-E, DX1-KAE and DX1-RAE guitars

The Martin DX1 range of dreadnought acoustic-electric guitars use a Stratabond-style neck. The neck material of the Martin DX1-AE and DX1-E guitars is a Rust Stratabond, while the other two models have a natural Stratabond. Stratabond’s neck shape is known as a modified low oval. Neck width is 1 11/16″ at the nut and scale length is a typical 25.4″.

The fingerboard material used on the Martin DX1-E guitar is called Purple. The other models use black Richlite. The width of the fingerboard at the nut is 1-11/16” and the width at the 12th fret is 2-1/8”. The fingerboard has 20 frets and 14 are clear. There are 6 fret points at the top of the fretboard.

The fingerboard and headstock are separated by a white Corian synthetic nut.

The heads are designed for 6 strings. The Martin DX1-E guitar headstock has a square taper and the other models have a solid standard taper.

The headstocks of the DX1-AE and DX1-E Martin guitars are made from mahogany-patterned HPL. The headstock of the Martin DX1-KAE guitar is made from HPL with a Koa pattern. The Martin DX1-RAE guitar has a headplate made from Indian Rosewood pattern HPL.

All of these Martin dreadnought acoustic-electric guitars use Martin-style tuners, which are chrome plated and have small knobs. They seem to work very well and are quite responsive. Martin Studio Performance Light Phosphor Bronze (msp4100) strings are recommended for use with these guitars. However, other players find that D’addario EXP 11-52 strings sound better.

The sound of Martin DX1-AE, DX1-E, DX1-KAE and DX1-RAE guitars

The fairly deep butterfly shaped body and the tonewoods used inside the soundboard and on the back and sides of these guitars create a unique acoustic. These Martin dreadnoughts seem to make every note sound beautiful. These Martin dreadnought acoustic-electric guitars will produce rich, crisp tones, with great low-end response and cutting highs. You will be amazed at the sound quality.

The Martin DX1 range of dreadnaught acoustic-electric guitars may be the most affordable model style in the Martin range of guitars, but it sounds like a pro’s guitar. You can jam with them and play almost any style of music, including blues, pop, folk, country, rock, and jazz. You could play acoustic hippie, strumming chords, or just pick a little solo.

For quality and cost, you can’t beat these Martin DX1-AE, DX1-E, DX1-KAE, and DX1-RAE guitar models. You can make them fit both left and right handed players. They are beautifully designed and amazing sounding guitars.

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