Martin DX-1

This guitar looks simple, which appeals to me so I give it a fairly high rating.

Low end on this guitar is great, but, it is a little too bright on the high end. I do a lot of fingerpicking and this guitar is really too quiet for that style.

My biggest complaint, the neck. I think with the composites the neck doesn't like to stay in one bend. I have had to have it adjusted approximately every two months. Humidity in my house stays between 48-50 as I have a whole house humidifier and temperature is constant. The nut has been replaced, the bridge tweaked but I get fret buzz while playing an E on the A string and playing an E or F on the D string.

Because of the neck problems, I live with fret buzz until it become unbearable and it is back to the shop.

Due to this, the sound is the lowest rating.

Action was a bit too low when I first purchased it, other than that the guitar was in perfect condition.

Well, reliability doesn't exist with this guitar because the neck seems to have a memory that comes back after a month and is unplayable at about two months.

It has been repaired four times and the local repair center is baffled. Emailing Martin about the problem didn't produce any results.

If it was stolen, I would thank god so I would have a reason with the wife to buy a different guitar. Sad about loosing the 500 bucks, not at all, I have spent more 10 times that on frustration. On the bright side, when I do get another guitar, I'll hang it on the wall as decoration, my conscience will not allow me to sell this thing when I know it is a lemon.

this guitar is the best acoustic ive ever played,for the money you absolutely can not beat it,its the only guitar ive owned that i wouldnt change a thing on,and ive owned some pretty high falutin guitars in my time,the lack of ornamentation,binding and fret markers are what attracted me to it in the first place,imho if it doesnt make it sound better why put it on....

very well balanced sound with huge projection when you need it,nice bottom end thats clear,the highs dont overwhelm as they do in a lot of other guitars

great action!!dont have to mess with the bridge to make the guitar playable,no buzz anywhere on the fretboard and the neck shape is just right,almost like a good les paul neck!!

im sure its gonna keep its end of the bargain if i use it to play out,the finish is almost irrelevent to me as long as the sound is still there,but i NEVER play in public without a plan B,cause ya just never know...

never needed it

ive been playing for thirty years,in that time ive owned a store full of les pauls,strats,teles,etc..plus a respectable number of really decent acoustics,this is hands down the best acoustic ive owned.it is versatile,rugged,and easy on the eyes but the most important thing is the SOUND,and it has that in spades,sorta like finding a new ferrari for the price of a beat up pickup=)

Solid sitka top. Made in the USA. I have heard rumors that Martin is moving its lower end production to Mexico, but I don't know if this is true. No fancy inlays or binding. No features at all to speak of. So, compared to other guitars (imports can beat it for looks, but NOT tone).

I own several guitars and most of them cost FAR more than this one did. It is becoming my favorite guitar for its down. Very good articualtion, tone, projection. It is AMAZING that Martin can get this much out of a guitar with such a low price point. I have a D-15 Rosewood special edition, and this guitar is just as nice as it is in the tone department. It is a bit more direct and louder, in fact! I can't say enough about the tone, particularly when flatpicked.

Action was actually a bit low, which is unusual for a Martin. They tend to come from the factory a bit high. Perhaps becasue this is considered a beginner's Martin, they set it up a little lower than normal to make playing easier. Not bad and I may not replace the saddle, but it could be done easily enough.

I use this as my maini "take around" guitar and I trust it.

Martin customer service is one of the best in the industry. I have contacted them via phone and have always talked to a friendly rep without much wait.

Best "bang for the buck" without a doubt. I own Taylor, Martin, and Tacoma and I am more impressed than I expected to be. I had some coupons and rebates with Musicians Friend (and I sold the Gig bag it came with) which brought my total cost, with FREE SHIPPING down to $389! I am amazed.

If you buy the Musicians Friend pack, you get a DX-1, Martin Logo Gig bag, and strap. for the same price as the DX-1. It would be silly not to buy the bundle.

2005 Martin DX-1

For me, the features rate a 10. Everything I need in an acoustic and nothing I don't. I like the near absence of finish, gimmicky accessories and toned down appearance. It is nice looking, and not ostentatious.

However, because this is a review I will rate it compared to other guitars - a 7.

While hunting for my latest guitar I played about 15 guitars ranging in price from $350 - $2500. Except for the very high end Gibsons and Martins I preferred the sound of the DX-1. I am not a huge Taylor fan and other offerings just didn't impress me (Yamaha, Takamine, Fender, Ibanez, etc..). The sound is amazing for the money. Higher Martins and Gibsons have a more detailed sound and project slightly better, but not $1500-$2000 better (Maybe a few hundred dollars better...)

As others have noted this is not a loud guitar. The sound is balanced, rich, and deep. Perfect for an apartment dweller like me. Also, probably perfect for recording. I love playing it :)

I like the setup from the factory. I don't see having it changed anytime soon. I did put elixir strings on it just to try them - they also sound slightly brighter to me than the martins, but by no means BRIGHT. It still has that martin and not taylor sound.

Seems ok. I hang it on a nice hook and treat it with care. I do not play out though...

I have never dealt with martin.

Awesome! Fit all my current wants and needs in an acoustic guitar.

New (July 2005) Martin dreadnought. HPL back and sides with mahogany image, nicely quarter sawn sitka spruce top, morado bridge/fingerboard, laminate birch neck, very minimal satin finish on top.

I am absolutely astounded by this guitar's sound. I put fresh Elixer polyweb lights on the DX-1 and my 3 year old Martin D-45V. The 45 is a little brighter and maybe slightly better balanced, but the DX-1 is about the same volume and has a rich, deeper tone, that is in its unique way very satisfying for leads, fingerpicking, and strumming.

Excellent. I did lower the action a little (3/32" low E, 2/32 high E, at the 12th fret, maybe too low, but still sounds good). My only minor complaint is when they drilled the bridge holes they did not put something under the bridge plate to make the drilled holes perfectly clean (most Taylors I've looked inside were done the same way, but my D-45V is perfect in this regard). The "1" style bracing pattern is very light. It makes the forward shifted scalloped D-45V look heavily braced. All the guitar companies are experimenting with top arch (that is why a new Taylor can have braces very similar to a forward shifted Martin but still sound like a Taylor). That said I don't think the bracing patter is important with out also looking at the arch. The DX-1 seems very slightly arched, less than my D-45V, but more than a standard D-28. Light braces and a slight arch seem to make for a very loud, deep guitar, with enough treble to satify me.

I bought this as an alternative to my D-45V for taking to parties. I considered a Rainsong but decided at ~3x the price for an A-WS1000, I was better off with the DX-1. I would consider every aspect of the DX-1 except for the spruce top, similarly robust anyway. At $410, I plan to carry it in a chipboard case and enjoy it.

I've exchanged a few emails and calls with Martin over the years. I live about 30 minutes from the factory and have taken the tour several times (twice with CFM IV himself). They seem to be great people. Several years ago I bought a D-41 and decided the fret job was not perfect. They agreed and did a re-fret 100% free.

If you can live with the HPL back/sides and the primitive finish, a great player for very little money. I would take over the import guitars in the same price range.

It's a Martin dreadnaught made in'05 here in USA with the basic Martin features (plain) with no fancy decorations added. However, it looks clean, attractive and has appeal, just how I like them. It has the satin hand rubbed finish which allows the top, well actually the whole guitar to vibrate. Check Martin's website for the exact specifications. I'm rating this category on MY likes and taste, which may not be everybody's. It has the features needed for a good dreadnaught.

You know when you hear it that it's definitely a Martin!! It has that unique tone that no other brand has. I quess that's why it is a Martin. I don't know maybe it's just me, but I really like these DX models Martin has made. They have the original Martin tone and are affordable. That's a perfect combination. The deep low bass that Martin's are notorious for are distinctively there, but not so much that it overpowers the midrange and highs, as alot of the higher end models do IMHO. Everything just blends in together very nicely and makes this model sound ASTONISHING. Compared to the higher end models, these DX models lack somewhat of the projection(loudness)that they have. But, not considerably so. But again IMO the balance is better. On occasions when or if needed to be louder just use an open mike(think Clapton) or pickup. Even though it minutely lacks projection, because of the perfect balance mentioned I have to rate this as high as I can.

Just one word here describes it. PERFECT right out of box nothing else needed or desired. Just one note too mention. The hand rubbed satin finish not only is it attractive but it allows the WHOLE guitar to resonate like no other I have encountered. When played I can feel everything vibrate from the body all the way up the neck to the tuning keys. Absolutely remarkable. Here again the rating must be what it is HIGH

I've seen others remark somewhat poorly about the materials being used on these models since they are not "all wood" guitars and so forth. But these are built like a tank and feel and look SOLID as any I have seen. Plus they have the genuine Martin tone. Their saving trees by using woods only where it matters (thereby saving you money) and increasing stability in the other areas where it doesn't by using man made materials. And to top it off (pardon the pun)there is no sacrifice in tone or sound. Seems to me to be a perfect combination. Guess what this rating is going to be. That's right you guessed it.

Haven't used it since I registered the warranty information and don't expect I'll need to. And I guess Martin thinks the same way, therefore the Lifetime warranty on their products. It's just comforting to know they stand behind their products if need be.

I own more acoustic guitars than my wife would like for me to have. And I've gotten rid of many more. I've owned either past or present Fender, Ibanez, Alvarez, Washburn, Martin, Dean, Simon & Patrick, Carlo Robelli(not bad guitars for the money)And I've played them all at one time or another Taylor's , Seagulls, Cort, Yairi(Alvarez), Yamaha, Garrison(another fine example of guitars using modern made materials in their bracing), Epiphone, well you get the point. But, it is what it is and I am what I am. I'm an acoustic fanatic to say the least. I absolutely love a good acoustic. I also own a Kramer (strat copy)electric (not a bad copy at all for the money)for that occasional electrified impulse. But, IMHO I think overall anything in the Martin DX line is one GREAT acoustic guitar for the money.

It's simple looks make it such an eye catcher. The new DX 1 (2005)has an ebony fingerboard and bridge. Great for those who like simplicity in looks. Very retro.

Well-balanced lows to highs. Very punchy and full sound.

The action was pretty good straight out of the shop, but I had a set up done and it's now even better.

I have been playing this guitar for a few months now and it's such a pleasure to use. I haven't had any issues with the DX1. When I'm not playing, I always put it back into its hard shell case. It never sits out. The DX1 has a very thin finish on its solid spruce top and it's a good idea to pack it into a case when not in use. With a little care and common sense, this guitar should last you a life time.

Overall, the DX1 is a phenominal value set at a great price. If you do plan to purchase a DX1, try out several because they don't always sound the same. This can be true for any guitar from any manufacturer.

As of January 2005 (model #: 9998XX) the DX1 has an ebony fingerboard and bridge now! It's about time! I guess they had to compete with the lower end Taylor models such as the 110 that also has an ebony fingerboard and bridge. Other than that the rest of the features appear to have remained the same.
My DX1 also has a solid spruce top but there is another item of note about this top. It is hands down a AAA top. Straight tight grain from top to bottom, no bending at all. Again, I don't know why but I'm guessing they have really 'spruced' up their lower end models over there at Martin to compete with the 'quality' of materials from other manufacturers.
Maybe they will put a solid mahogany neck on this model next and then we can't complain about the features for this particular model anymore!
Oh well, I'll enjoy this new model through many, many melodies.

I play mostly finger style but I also like to flatpick. I would say that the bass overrides the higher end when finger picking. The middle range tends to punch through almost even with the bass or lower end.
When I strum with a flat pick, due to the sharpness of the pick hitting the strings, the higher end tends to ring stronger than when I'm finger picking. This provides a more balanced sound to the guitar when I'm flatpicking as opposed to finger picking in my opinion.
It does lack the 'bluegrass' type volume but it does have enough 'camp fire' volume in my opinion.
Overall I'm still satisfied with the finger picking aspects of this guitar in conjunction with the outstanding flatpicking sound.

Ok, a couple minor things of note here. There is a minimal fret buzz when fretting the B string from the 7th through the 13th fret. I'm not sure whether a neck adjustment is in order here though. The buzz is not bad and is tolerable but we'll see if it gets on my nerves enough to warrant a new bone saddle with a slight adjustment for this or maybe even a new bone nut. Yeah, a new bone nut and saddle...
Also, where the nut meets the headplate, there is some glue leakage. Approximately 1mm wide by 3mm long. No big deal to clean up, just the fact that it was there irks me, that's all.
The frets are in fantastic shape.

Obviously the biggest issue for this category would have to be the finish or lack thereof. For the price paid, I do not expect to have a nice gloss finish that will stand the test of time. I also would prefer not to have a cheap thick 'blanket' of glossy junk on the guitar to kill the sound!
All I can say is be careful, be verrrrryyyy careful around the top of this guitar.
As for the tuners, I don't know how long they will last but they are the same tuners that are featured on some the higher end Martin models like the D-16 which retails for $1900!

I have not dealt with Martin customer support.

I have been playing regularly for about 20 years now... whoa, I'm gettin' up there! I started playing when I was a kid. As you can tell I'm borderline anal when it comes to my guitars so if I recommend it then hey it must be a great guitar!
In my opinion, the sound that this guitar delivers as well as the heritage of the brand cannot be matched for the price. Hands down. Some of you may ask, why does the brand even matter? Resale value my friend, resale value!

Update to an earlier submission I made on May 9, 2004, shortly after I first got this guitar.

Sounds great.

Excellent... at first.

The top is caving already after 6 months. I bought this guitar in early May of 2004. It's just beginning to get into the cold months (November) and the air is not dry yet here in the Northeast. This guitar stays indoors and when it's not being used it hangs on a guitar hanger. Temperature is steady around 70 degrees and the humidity is always about 60%. It has always been fine and stayed in perfect tune even after 2 weeks. However, I pulled it down after not playing it for a few weeks and found that the top is caving in at the bridge area. The guitar came strung with Martin 12's, and that's what I always use. This should not be happening.

I was sceptical when I bought it: high density plastic/wood laminate, $500. price point, etc. I'd say you're better off either spending less money on a cheaper guitar (which is likely to fold in the same manner at some point), or save your cash for an expensive guitar.

Made in 2003, made in Narzareth, etc... Standard Dreadnought fret#, Solid Spruce Top, no electronics. Decent tuners, I guess. The G-string tuner slips a little every now and then. Bought it at a Guitar Center for 500 w/ case. Since it doesn't have electronics, I am going to have to not give it a perfect ten in this category.

I play mostly acoustic stuff anyway. You name it, if it's got a good fingerpicking part, or even strumming, I'm all over it. This guitar does Dashboard, Led Zep III, even CSN(Y). I'm very pleased with the sound. I played a few top-end Ibanez acoustics, a few Takamines, a Tacoma, a Big Baby Taylor, and anything else for about 500 bucks, and this one was the winner. I wasn't so much concerned with the name as I was the sound, and this one had the others beaten hands down. It's big and round and bassy when you want it to be, or it can be an jangly as a 12. Really responsive to a light touch, especially with newer strings. I like how it sounds, I don't have a single disappointment with the tonality of this guitar. Everytime I go into GC again, I always pull off the D-18's, the 1500 dollar martins, etc... and I'm always coming back to the DX1 because it just sounds and feels better to me.

Action is nice and low (for a martin). The ones that I've played in the past have given me sore hands from how highly strung they were, but this one is a real player, in my opinion. I like how the top of the guitar isn't finished with a gloss; it's really smooth, your arm doesn't stick to it, and I think it probably allows for more resonance from the solid top. No worksmanship flaws.

The Sides and Back of this guitar are indestructible, but since the top of it isn't glossed in, it's a little more prone to being affected by careless storage... scrapes, stuff like that. The top is delicate, the rest is a tank.

I have a warranty, and I have called them with questions, but I've never had to rely on the warranty to get it fixed or anything.

Been playing for almost 10 years, and I own a telecaster, an Ibanez sr400 bass, an enormous pa and bass rig, and I spend more time practicing this than I do bass or electric. It's just a real joy to hear the sounds coming out. If it were stolen, I'd cry, because I don't have the capital to replace it. College does that to you, I suppose. I wish it had some electronics, but from what I've heard, the Fishman Neo-D sucks, and the only real way to get a good sound from a guitar that doesn't already have electronics is to get a Fishman Rare Earth Custom and then send that to a SansAmp Acoustic DI box. That's almost as expensive as the guitar itself, so that'll have to wait. Until then, condenser mics are the answer, if amplification is the question.