Introduction
Martin Guitars is one of the most renowned and respected acoustic guitar manufacturers, with a history spanning over 180 years. Based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the company was founded in 1833 and is still family-owned to this day. Martin pioneered the dreadnought body shape, which has become the most popular acoustic guitar design. The company is known for its exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality tonewoods that produce full, balanced tone and impressive projection.
The Martin DX1AE is an affordable, versatile acoustic-electric dreadnought that encapsulates the classic Martin sound and playability. This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, providing brightness and volume. The back and sides are made from high-pressure laminate (HPL) which offers durability. The neck is smooth and comfortable. Overall, the DX1AE delivers impressive tone and playability at an accessible price point.
This guitar is ideal for a wide range of players. Beginners can learn on a real solid-top Martin. Gigging musicians will appreciate the Fishman electronics that provide plug-and-play convenience for live shows. Songwriters will enjoy the inspiring tone that fuels creativity. With its quality construction and versatile sound, the Martin DX1AE is a great choice for any guitarist looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric.
Martin DX1AE Specifications
The Martin DX1AE features the classic dreadnought body shape, providing a balanced and powerful sound projection. This is a full-size guitar, with the following dimensions:
- Body Length: 20 inches
- Lower Bout: 15.75 inches
- Upper Bout: 11.25 inches
- Body Depth: 4.5 inches
The top wood is solid Sitka spruce, which gives the DX1AE excellent clarity, articulation, and dynamic range. Sitka spruce is revered for its acoustic properties and is found on many high-end acoustic guitars.
The back and sides are made from high-pressure laminate (HPL), which provides durability and consistent tone. HPL is an affordable alternative to solid wood back and sides.
The neck is either mahogany or select hardwood, topped with a Richlite fingerboard and bridge. Richlite has a smooth feel and provides stability as it does not swell and shrink like wood.
The scale length is 25.4", the standard for most Martin dreadnoughts. The nut width measures 1.69", which provides comfortable string spacing for most playing styles. The DX1AE has 20 frets in total.
Sound Quality and Tonal Characteristics
The DX1AE delivers excellent unplugged sound quality and projection for its class and price point. The solid Sitka spruce top produces a balanced tone with clarity across the frequency range. There is a pleasing warmth in the low end, nicely balanced midrange frequencies, and crisp treble without harshness.
The spruce top provides excellent responsiveness and dynamic range. Strummed rhythm parts have a clear, punchy attack while fingerstyle playing reveals the top’s nuanced overtones. Notes bloom nicely with a slow decay. There is sufficient headroom for aggressive strumming without muddiness.
Compared to other Martin dreadnoughts, the DX1AE has a slightly brighter tone thanks to the spruce top. It lacks some of the complexity and low-end depth of higher-end Martin models, but has impressive projection and balanced tone for its price range. The HPL back and sides provide a consistent sound that complements the spruce top nicely.
Overall, the DX1AE offers impressive unplugged sound quality for a variety of playing styles. The dynamic spruce top provides clarity and articulation while the HPL back and sides supply a balanced foundation. While not as complex as premium models, the DX1AE’s unplugged tone rivals other guitars in its class.
Fishman Sonitone Electronics
The Martin DX1AE comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics, providing this acoustic-electric guitar with excellent amplified performance. The system includes an undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp powered by a 9V battery.
Preamp and Pickup System
At the heart of the electronics is a Fishman undersaddle piezo pickup, which accurately captures the guitar’s natural acoustic tone by sensing vibrations directly from the saddle. This is paired with Fishman’s Sonitone preamp, which provides discrete analog circuitry for shaping the amplified tone.
The preamp includes easy-to-use rotary controls for volume and tone adjustment. The volume control allows the player to boost or attenuate the output level as needed, while the tone control cuts high frequencies for a warmer, darker sound or boosts treble for added clarity and bite.
Volume and Tone Controls
The volume and tone controls on the DX1AE provide exceptional versatility when amplifying the guitar. The volume control has plenty of range, allowing the player to achieve any desired loudness level up to the amp’s maximum volume. Even at louder settings, the pickup maintains its rich tone without distortion or harshness.
The tone control is very responsive and musical-sounding. Rolling it back mellows out the highs for a pleasingly warm jazz tone. Boosting the treble brings out the crisp articulation and presence needed for live performances. This allows the player to easily adapt the DX1AE’s amplified voice for different playing scenarios.
Plugged-In Sound Quality
Thanks to the Fishman preamp and undersaddle piezo pickup, the DX1AE delivers excellent plugged-in sound quality with impressive dynamics and tonal balance. It captures the organic woodiness of the guitar while adding clarity and punch to the amplified tone.
The natural acoustic sound is maintained without sounding too brittle or electric. Whether using the DX1AE in a coffeehouse gig or on stage at a larger venue, it provides the amplification and tonal versatility needed from a professional-quality acoustic-electric guitar.
Playability and Comfort
The DX1AE features a comfortable and easy to play neck profile suitable for players with various hand sizes. The action is set low and the string spacing is comfortable, allowing for effortless fretting across the fingerboard.
The guitar has a tapered neck heel which allows easy access to the upper frets. The neck is crafted from mahogany or select hardwood for stability and a smooth feel. The fingerboard edges are rolled for comfort during long practice or gigging sessions.
The 25.4" scale length and 1.69" nut width provide ample room for various playing styles while still feeling comfortable and playable. Overall the DX1AE offers a great playing experience right out of the box, with little to no setup required. Players report that the guitar feels natural and inspires you to keep playing for hours.
The ergonomic body shape contours nicely against the player’s body in either a seated or standing position. The DX1AE is well balanced and light enough for extended periods of playing comfort. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced player, the DX1AE offers great playability and comfort that enhances the overall playing experience.
Build Quality and Craftsmanship
The DX1AE showcases Martin’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The overall construction utilizes a combination of traditional techniques and modern technology to produce a durable and resonant instrument.
The guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, which is lightly braced for optimal vibration and responsiveness. Martin opted for high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides, which provide stability and consistent tone while keeping costs down.
The neck is constructed from either mahogany or select hardwood for strength and playability. The fingerboard and bridge are made from Richlite, an eco-friendly paper composite, or Morado, a dense tropical wood. These materials enhance the guitar’s stability and feel.
The DX1AE is available in two classic Martin finish options: a natural gloss top with satin back and sides, or an attractive macassar burst finish. Both finishes allow the solid spruce top to vibrate freely.
The guitar’s hardware is of excellent quality, with open-geared tuners for smooth tuning and a Corian nut and compensated saddle for optimal string alignment. A tortoise-style pickguard protects the spruce top from scratches.
Overall, while not as ornate as Martin’s higher-end models, the DX1AE still exemplifies the company’s emphasis on fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, resulting in a guitar built to last.
Value for Money
The Martin DX1AE has an accessible price point, typically retailing between $600-$800 USD. This positions it in the mid-range bracket of the acoustic-electric guitar market. Players can enjoy the quality and pedigree of the Martin brand without breaking the bank.
Compared to other acoustic-electrics in the same price range, the DX1AE stacks up very well. Models like the Taylor Academy Series, Yamaha FG/FS Series, and Alvarez Artist Series offer similar specs and features, often using laminate back and sides as well. The DX1AE competes very nicely, with the advantage of coming from Martin’s renowned guitar workshop.
For the features, performance, and brand reputation, the DX1AE provides excellent value for money. While more expensive Martin models utilize premium tonewoods and appointments, the DX1AE focuses on versatile tone and playability. The solid spruce top and Fishman electronics make it very competitive in this price tier. Overall, the DX1AE gives players a lot of quality for the investment.
Pros and Cons
The Martin DX1AE has many strengths that make it a compelling choice in its price range:
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Excellent sound quality: The solid Sitka spruce top produces a balanced, warm tone with clarity across the frequency range. The dreadnought body provides volume and projection.
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Playability: The neck has a comfortable profile that accommodates various playing styles. Low action and rolled fingerboard edges enhance fretting ease.
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Onboard electronics: The Fishman Sonitone system faithfully reproduces the DX1AE’s acoustic tone and provides stage-ready amplification.
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Build quality: Attention to detail in the construction and high-quality hardware make this a durable, road-worthy guitar.
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Value: With Martin brand prestige at an accessible price point, the DX1AE offers outstanding value for money.
In terms of weaknesses, a few issues to note:
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Limited finish options: Only natural and macassar burst finishes are available. Players desiring more variety may be disappointed.
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Feedback potential: Like many acoustic-electrics, feedback is possible when amplified at very high volumes. Not optimal for extremely loud on-stage use.
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No premium tonewoods: While excellent sounding, the HPL back and sides don’t offer the tonal complexity of rosewood, mahogany, or other upscale tonewoods.
Overall, the DX1AE’s strengths as a great sounding, playable, and versatile acoustic-electric make it a standout in its price tier. The guitar excels at being a quality, gig-ready Martin at an accessible price point.
Who Should Buy the Martin DX1AE?
The versatile sound, comfortable playability, and quality craftsmanship of the Martin DX1AE make it well suited for a variety of players and musical styles.
Its balanced tone and good projection are ideal for singer-songwriters who accompany their vocals with fingerstyle or strumming. The DX1AE works well for folk, country, blues, and pop genres where warmth and clarity are desirable.
The onboard Fishman electronics provide the flexibility to plug in for more volume at coffee shop gigs or open mic performances. This makes the DX1AE a great choice for beginner and intermediate players starting to perform live more regularly.
The DX1AE is an excellent option for students learning to play guitar, thanks to its comfortable neck, low action, and accessible price point. The high-quality construction will allow it to last through years of daily practice while still sounding great.
For recording artists, the DX1AE’s well-balanced plugged-in tone makes it easy to get quality tracks at home or in the studio. Its versatile sound pairs nicely with other instruments during mixing.
The DX1AE is also suitable for church worship leaders or band members who need an acoustic-electric that provides stage-worthy projection at an affordable price.
Overall, the DX1AE appeals to developing players who appreciate the impressive Martin pedigree and seek a thoughtfully designed, great sounding, and playing acoustic-electric at a reasonable cost.
Alternatives to Consider
The Martin DX1AE competes in a crowded market of high-quality, affordable acoustic-electric guitars. Here are a few comparable models to consider as alternatives:
Taylor Academy Series
The Taylor Academy Series offers all-solid wood construction at a beginner-friendly price point. Models like the Academy 12e feature a solid Sitka spruce top with layered walnut back and sides, along with Taylor’s ES-B pickup system. The Academy 12e provides slightly richer low-end response compared to the DX1AE, with Taylor’s signature bright and articulate tone. The playability is also superb thanks to Taylor’s patented neck design.
Yamaha FG/FS Series
Yamaha’s long-running FG and FS series provide excellent value with their combination of solid spruce tops and quality craftsmanship. The FG800 is an especially popular model, featuring a solid sitka spruce top, nato back and sides, and a System66 pickup/preamp. Tonally, the FG800 leans slightly warmer than the DX1AE. The playability is also very comfortable. Overall, the FG800 gives you Yamaha’s renowned quality and consistency at an accessible price.
Alvarez Artist Series
The Alvarez Artist Series punches above its weight class in terms of features, sound quality, and craftsmanship. The ABT60 model offers an solid Engelmann spruce top with mahogany back and sides, plus a Shadow NanoFlex pickup system. It produces a balanced, nuanced tone with nice separation across the tonal spectrum. The slim neck profile also promotes great playability. Overall, the Alvarez ABT60 provides an impressive bang-for-buck acoustic-electric option.
In terms of alternatives, the DX1AE holds its own against comparable models from Taylor, Yamaha, and Alvarez. While not as rich sounding as a Taylor or Yamaha, it provides an excellent balance of features, quality, and value with the trusted Martin brand name. For players seeking a versatile acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar, the DX1AE remains a strong contender in its price range.