Martin DXME

Dreadnought body, Martin tuners, made in the USA. Painted rosette. Yes, painted, it's a decal. Wanna know why? Because this guitar is ENTIRELY made of what they call "HPL - high pressure laminate", which is what I call pressed sawdust. No wonder it looks, feels and sounds like plastic. The top is almost white, while the sides and back are covered in a fake wood motif, like you can see on some cheap furniture. Built-in Fishman EQ.

Dull. Dampened. Flat. No brightness, no bite, absolutely no volume. It doesn't get a 1 because it's rather balanced, but that's the only good thing about it. Really, if you like the way this sounds, you (a) are deaf or (b) badly need your ears fixed or (c) never heard a guitar for the last 150 yeras.
Again, if this guitar was 100 euros it would get an 8, but this just isn't something you're glad to pay 600 euros (used) for.

Horribly low action, producing fret buzz starting from the 4th (yes, fourth) fret.
Poor quality wood? HA! What wood?

This guitar will last for a lifetime. Plastic does not decompose nor gets attacked by woodworms. No, really, the grainy finish is almost impossible to scratch. The construction seems tight. But this is not a guitar that you hope will last for a lifetime.
I'd rather switch to bassoon than using this guitar on a gig.

I didn't bought the thing, so I wouldn't know. The people at Martin are probably too busy laughing at people who chuck around their money with guitars that, had they a different brand on the headstock, would sell for 1/10th the price.

OK, some explanation is due here. For a while, I thought about buying a Martin DXME. I had seen one used at a local music store, but I also had the chance to borrow the same model from a friend, who let me evaluate it for some days. It was the wisest move I could make, because I avoided paying more than 600 euros for a real piece of junk.
I have been playing for almost 10 years (I'm 26), mostly rock/blues. In my opinion, this guitar has only one thing that stands up Martin's tradition: the name on the headstock. Everything else feels so OVERPRICED that I wonder how on Earth a reputable company like Martin can produce and sell such mediocre guitars at such a high price. It's just unfair. If this guitar was called, say, "Shikabashi" rather than Martin it would sell for 100 $, not 839 as stated on Martin's website - check it up if you don't believe it, neiher did I at first.
The bottom line: steer away when you see an expensive brand with a relatively low price. You are getting a fraction of what you pay for. The Yamaha CPX5 I bought for 350 euros (new) beats the DXME hands down and is so much easier on your wallet.

I bought one over the internet, thinking I was getting a good American Quallity guitar. It was made in Mexico. And not a word of this was mentioned on the store's webpage or on Martins.

The overall sound is good, but it has got a buzzing sound on the G-string. It feels like the guitar got some loose parts in it. not very good

I just got it

Fishman Classic 4 preamp. It does the job you want it to.

Sound is very rich and full, almost like playing a 12 string guitar. I use Elixer strings nanoweb and I would recommend that.

Believe me when I tell you, NO TWO HAND MADE ACOUSTIC GUITARS ARE ALIKE. I would recommend you go out and buy a guitar then wasting it on eBay and be disappointed.

The action for mine was low. like playing an electric guitar low.

I would have rather had a cut away.

I love the finish on the guitar. Most people would think I am crazy but I like the back of the neck where they glued piece after piece of wood then shape it to create a beautiful guitar.

I have had this guitar for 2 years now and have a humidifier room for the rest of my guitars.

Hardware will last.

A really non-wood Martin Guitar. No electronics. With a laminiate top back and sides[some wood finish but mostly composite]. A multi-wood laminate neck [its striped and cut milled from what looks like plywood] . Dreadnaught type with soft Satin like finish. Standard Grover tuners.

Actually it sounds pretty good. NOT D-28 good but not bad. Because it has no real wood its a very stable platform. I had it in the case for about a month and when I got it out it was still in tune!
Sound is good for an entry level guitar. Tone is crisp and a bit bassy on the bottom [ Like most Martins]. I'm using it for bluegrass and it works ok.[ It's not really a good bluegrass guitar, for blues it works fine]

Set up was ok. Fit and finish were very good considering its really not a wood guitar. Frets were ok, tuners ok, bridge ok, hight of stings/bridge/saddle ok.

Its a very solidly built guitar. With little wood in the laminates its a very stable easy playing guitar. It seems very rugged. Humidity and moisture does not effect the sound. I was very surprised in how well its holding up.

Martin is known for its C. S. but so far no problems

A very good little guitar. It would be very good for a beginner or someone trading up a little from an earlier junk guitar. Kids [8-18] should love it, its a good value for the money [ $499.00] and seems to hold up very well. I would love to put a soundhole pickup in it for country or blues. The other reviews hated the onboard electronics but I think a magnetic soundhole pickup would work well on this.

One of the best sounding Guitars on the market. The cool thing about this guitar is that with many Martins they do not get their sound for several years but the DXME sounds great from the moment you buy it. Very deep base and not as "tingy" as many wood top guitars, the sound really rings off the HPL top.

GREAT action! Nice and easy on the fingers. Top quality craftmanship.

This guitar sounds better than most high end all wood guitars and yet you do not have to worry about the carring for it as if it was a top end all wood guitar. Very indistructible and yet always sounds and plays great. Take it where every you go and do not worry about it.

I hav had several Martins including the DXM and the DXME and I have had no problems withh the guitars. The one time I had a question, Martin was more than willing to talk with me on the phone and answer my question. Great customer service

I have been playing longer than I remember. If I lost this guitar or it was stolen I would buy another right away. I have a couple other Martins and love my DXM and DXME the most, the sound is the best over all. If I had enough money to buy the D-35 Johnny Cash model then that would be my ultimate dream guitar but the DXME sounds just as good. The D-35 is a little more alive but at $5k you would expect that compaired to one that cost only $600.00.

As I read through many of the comments I saw several entries from individuals who returned the guitar and did not rate it very high. After playing with many different models for years I do not give their comments much creditability since it sounds they were not familiar with the distinctize Martin sound. This guitar is the BEST bang for the buck avalible anywher end of story!

Martin guitar from 2004. Mahogany laminated top, Fishman piezo pickup system Classical 4.

It is the best sound that I ever hear in a steel string guitar(robust, clear, bright). There`s no comparison with others at the same range price (Takamine, Yamaha), even the sound it is not far that the Martins in the expensive range.The electronic sound is very good too, but not at the level of the acoustic sound.

A little bit high for my test, I fix it with the help of a luthier with a adjustment in the neck.

It`s a Martin and I think that with a proper care will be good in the years to come.

I been playing for 15 years with nylon strings guitars and it is my first purchase of a steel string guitar and I think that was the best choise that I made.

Basic laminate construction with usual Fishman pick up system.

Strange sound, but very useable! ~My other guitars have more 'ring' to them and ~I find this Martin to be a perfect antidote ie play a few songs on a Takamine and then swap over to the Martin for a different 'feel'.It is different than the usual electroacoustics, but as I said , very useable.

Action was very high, but now I've adjusted it, plays like a Les Paul.
I also put brass pins on the bridge to hold the strings...well worth the money and trouble!

Seems bomb proof!

I've been playing thirty odd years, and have had them all...Takamine,Fender, Bozo, Ibanes, Gibson 200 and many many more. I'm not sentimental about guitars, to me they are just a tool, and if I sold one I could always buy another,. However having said that, there is something about this model that makes it stand out...if I lost it I would get another simply because of the difference in tone to most others...its a good sound, but your ears may not be used to it! Give it a try!

sounds muffled. The fishman EQ is nice and you can compensate for the bass of this guitar, but wouldn't you rather have a guitar that has the sound you want to begin with?

i thought the action was too high. didn't like the laminated neck. the feel of my Carvin C850 is much faster and the action is lower .

I borrowed this guitar for a few weeks while my Carvin C850 was in the shop because of ATA Airlines' crappy baggage handlers, so i don't know much but the laminated construction seems pretty durable, but if its durability you want might i suggest Rainsong?

used this guitar while my carvin was in the shop and couldn't wait to get the carvin back. this thing sounds terrible! sure it's made in USA and its a martin, but my carvin cobalt series that's made in korea plays sounds and looks better. there's something to be said for brand loyalty and American craftsmanship, but the name on the headstock isn't all that matters. if it's durability you're after there are plenty of other options out there, like rainsong or some other composite guitars, but those are a bit spendy, you might try ovation. But i would personally sacrifice a little durability for a musical instrument that is just that... MUSICAL!!!

you know thats just frustrating...if you don't like the guitar thats cool, but the whole "church-goers" thing could have been left out. All these people were saying is that is where they use there guitar, that is the situation it is used for. If they are happy with it thats awesome they got a guitar for fairly cheap that they are happy with, whether they use it for church, honky tonk, bars, or arenas isn't for you to insult...now if you don't like the guitar bash away...I liked it but its definately a budget option and after awhile it would probably bother me and I would just want a more expensive martin, but thats neither here nor there

All laminated piece of trash with a fancy name on the headstock. Features as listed elsewhere. Looked at it in the shop because I thought it was cheap at #499 sterling. Way overpriced as it turns out and didnt bother plugging it in. Prior to picking this up, I had spent an hour on various solid-wood Takamines which, for the extra #150, left this this thing ready for the can.

Sound? Absolutely muffled is how I would put it. Dead in the woods, if there were any wood in it. No volume to speak of and really sounds like it has been wrapt up in a towel. No amp used as I didnt get that far with it. WHat is it with these church-goers heaping praise on this thing? Deluded perhaps?

The action was very low but this caused all sorts of rattles/choking and buzzing especially high up on the neck. It was the action which was a factor in picking it up in the first place but there was no joy to be had. I give it a 3 because it does 'look' OK and has Martin on the headstock.

The bottom strap lock/ jack was loose and ready to fall off the guitar.

DOnt expect to go near them as Takamine present far better value/sounding guitars for the money. The Eagles cant all be wrong , can they?

Have been on the hunt for a decent acoustic for months now. Have played various Taks, Martins, Taylors and others.
What do I hate about it? Everything except the headstock. I give it a 2 as I am sure there are worse guitars around.