Martin 000-CXE Auditorium

This is a 2003 000-CXE Martin made in the USA. It has 20 frets that are reachable through the cutout. The whole thing is made of composite materials except for the braces and neck, which is some sort of ply. The finish is a slightly textured matt finish that gives it a stern presence. It's got a Fishman-Pro accoustic pickup that is quite solid, whereas many accoustic-electrics have cheap-feeling electric components (hard to describe, other than they lack "solidity"). The fretboard is made of a composite material that is quite easy to play on. It's very silky. Overall it's a very plain guitar that is quite attractive nonetheless. It's pitch black....my type of guitar!

The sound is very unique when compared to the myriad of other guitars I have played over the years. It has a very deep, yet smooth tone that brings out a fullness many other guitars in the pric range of $500-1000 lack. When you pick a note or strum a chord its got a crisp, bright sound along with the deepness that gives it the full, warming tones I find so attractive. Basically the sound this guitar makes is powerful. Not harsh, tinny, or muffled at all. When plugged into an amp, though, the sound changes dramatically. The Fishman electronics make the sound VERY bright and crisp. Plugging it in is like turning on a magnificant chandelier. When the chandelier is off it looks great and sparkles, but when you turn it on the thing absolutely shines with brilliance. This sort of sound was created through a fender accoustic tube amp. Recently I've been playing it on a cheap crate 15-watt practice amp and it still sounds brilliant.

The action was just right for me. The strings were of average height from the neck (about 2-3mm) and didnt buzz one bit at standard tuning. When I tuned it down a half to one step there was some slight buzzing in the bass strings, however this could easily be taken care of with some small adjustment. I just tuned it back up to normal pitch.

The composite material is VERY durable. I've had several sharp objects swipe the guitar and not leave a single scratch. There are no pick-marks on it from my heavy playing, which I absolutely love, since I dont particularly find marred and scratched guitars all that attractive. However, one minor problem is the fishtail decal around the sound hole. The decal is quite rugged and doesnt come off with intense scratching. However, at some point I must have played with some oil or solvent on my hands which dissolved part of the decal and eroded it away. It's minor but irritating seeing that I like to keep things intact. Oh well....I kind of wish the design was an inlay of some sort.

I havent dealt with the company at all, but the warranty is a limited lifetime warranty. I, however, forgot to send in the warranty info within 30 days of purchasing the guitar and didnt get the benefits...oh well, my fault. I guess I'll just have to not be careless with it....heck, nobody should be careless with their instruments. :)

Overall it's a solid auditorium guitar that is a real pleasure to own and play. It creates a variety of sound based on whether or not it's plugged in, and for $680 it was a good deal. The other guitars that were of similar quality were selling for $1000-$1300. At first I was skeptical of the composite material, thinking that I was spending money on the new technology rather than the quality of the instrument, but after playing it for a while I could see that this notion was clearly wrong. It's a killer deal and must-have for those looking for the best acoustic-electric guitar they can get for under a grand. :)

I won't repeat the features, but mine is a 000-xe. It's the same guitar w/o the cutaway, and it seemed silly not to just include it here. Especially since I think it's been discounted. The only real feature here is the Fishman Prefix Pro electronics. I love the thinline body, and the black 'formica-like' top is actually nice visually.

I play different styles, but mostly rock, and for a thin body-non wood guitar it sounds great. It does not give you the long, resonating ring of a dreadnaught or solid wood top, but it's deep and rich, and plugged in sounds fantastic. I replaced a 15 year Fender dreadnaught that had great tone and sustain, and while different, I like this as much.

Guitar action is the best of any acoustic I've played. It's low and fast, and the laminated neck is heavy and feels great. I've only had it a short time, but the factory setup wa perfect for me.

As I said, I've only had this guitar a week, and would normally wait longer to rate it, but being I believe it's discontinued, and the fact I got a great 'clearence' price on it at Guitar Trader, I wanted encourage others to grab one if possible.

I've never dealt with Martin, but I believe this has a limited lifetime warranty.

For what it is, I can't say a negative thing about this guitar. I almost bought the 000cxe they had for $630, I like it that much. But when they ran this out at a clearence price of $300, I think it's beyond a steal. It's certainly not a 'traditional' acoustic, but if you're willing to think outside the box it's a great buy.

Composite body which sounds remarkably good, way better than cheaper wood bodies from Takamine and the like. Mine is the flat black finish which shows no pick marks. Appears to be very durable. Good luck finding one. I think they are out of production. It is worth the search.

This is where I was blown away. Forget that solid top crap everybody says. This is my third acoustic (Peavey, Takamine, Washburn) all with solid tops and the Washburn was a Jumbo and this thing sounds way better than all of them unplugged. Plugged in it sounds equally great.

Fit and finish are flawless. Bui it is a Martin. Action was medium low and the easiest acoustic I have ever played. Stays in tune forever, even with hard playing.

Built very solid with the composite materials. Should not warp and I have found out the hard way it can take a pretty good ding with no side effects.

Don't know. Don't plan on knowing.

Best value in a Martin A/E you will find. If you can find one jump on it. You will not lose money reselling it. But you won't sell it.

Guitar is a 03 martin 000-CXE or Auditorium size Cutaways X series Electric/Acoustic. It is made of composite materials and is Martin's experement towards less environmentally detrimental guitar making. It is all composite with a Corian nut saddle and fingerboard, which are virtually indestructable. The neck is a composite of resin impregnated strips of wood. It has a Fishman Prefix Pro pickup. The finish is the standard Black texture finish on this perticular HPL series. In all the features themselves are impressive and the electronics are far and away the most impressive feature

The guitar is as versatile as my playing styles, from hard playing rock, to a variety of fingerstyle. As compared to my Martin DM and other guitars I have made I feel that it has the characteristic martin bass overtones but impressive treble output. The excessive bass however when the guitar is amped needs to be toned down because it has very strong cut.

The action on this guitar is great, it was a little high at first but it settled in to a very playable height. The finish of the guitar is durable and has a very Johnny Cash feel to it.

The guitar itself should be very durable however I am experiancing some bellying on the top, and I have already had to have the bridge re-glued for a lifting wing. The rosette decal is already wearing away from contact with a pick and my fingers as well. Reliability and Durability are questionable.

Martin repair centers have been great with all of my problems, prompt and very courteous. I am extremely happy with the level of professionality and courtesy I have experianced so far.

Love the guitars sound and playability an awesome axe to sling around anywhere. While it is simple looking and clean cut it gets the job done and does a spectacular job at it.

I bought this guitar for 572.00 the stratbond neck feel and plays like silk. micarta fingerboard is slick. factory set up a bit high. HPL body durable and cleans well. fishman pro elect. sound great. plays quicker than my D15. I perform with the CXE and believe that is is the best value per dollar that I have ever perchaced or played. VERY different than the CXAE. much wider and fuller sounding. tubbier than rosewood, of course, but sounds like a martin and certianly plays like one.

I strum and fingerpic. Elixer lights. not as loud as my D15 but plays better. sound is a bit bright. I use it in the super hi z input of a powered mixer thru corus and phase shifter. It plays wonderful and is "all weather" due to HPL instead of tonewoods. I play lots of outside gigs and less than ideal enviromentally safe bars as well as morning cafe solo shows. great all around axe.

action was a bit high, like most martins. fishman pro is fantastic.
nothing else wrong. play the hell out of it ,4-5 hour shows on weekend. VERY durable. HPL finish polishes up with formica countertop polish. that what HPL really is. not too wide for my round belly for seeing what I'm playing.

flat out the most durable guitar ever made

it's a martin. what else to say

I have owned countless guitars lost to pawn shops thieves and abuse.
played for35 years. if this one was stolen I'd buy another tomorrow.
my D15 sounds better and my guild I have always been dissappionted with. this guitar is a perfect fit for me. It's much different than the cxae.