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.

My guitar was made in the fall of 2001, I got it fairly brand new. The guy at the store said it was only a few weeks old. Mine came with the Fishman Classic 4 pickup, great sound! The body is most likely made out of the artifical wood material, but who cares! It still sounds great! I bought a humidifier for it, and it has helped the sound alot.

I love the sound of this guitar. To me it sounded as well or better than most of the $1000+ guitars in the store. People really should be willing to look for the less expensive guitars. There are some genuinely good sounding guitars that don't cost an arm and a leg. The guitar sounds great when plugged in as well, I have yet to be dissapointed with the sound. I play at least once or twice a week for worship, so the guitar gets a good amount of usage, and it still sounds excellent. There is a good bassy sound to it, which I like, and just the right of amount of brightness.

The guitar I received was set up perfectly. I haven't yet had to adjust the neck, the action is still superb. No flaws were found when I purchased it.

Again, I play at least twice a week, and this guitar is able to keep up without question. I haven't had to resort to any backup guitars for nearly 2 years. This guitar is able to be depended on.

no dealings with Martin yet, no need to!

I've been playing for over 6 years now, and I still have yet to find a guitar that I like as much as the one I have now. If you're looking for great sound at price you can actually afford. I chose this guitar for the very fact of the incredible sound and the fact it was a Martin. For being in business for over 150 years, they seem know what they're doing when it comes to guitars. I am very pleased.

I bought this guitar back in September of 2002. Its a pretty guitar. Simple, light wood, not glossy. The neck is rosewood and I have recieved more compliments on the neck of my guitar. I bought it from Musicians Friend for $499. It has a Fishman Classic 4 and its awsome.

The sound is great. I read some reviews about not being able to get much volume, but thats no prob for me. I play mine with Martn SP strings and the sound is great. Its not to twangy...its got a lot of bass. This is great when I play in coffee houses. The pickup in it is great too...but I feel it can be a little tinty.

What can I say...its a Martin!

Its been great for me. No problems with anything. High quality! I have been very very impressed with this guitar.

never had to deal with them

Great guitar!

I am a worship leader for my college, and I also go around to church camps all summer. This guitar is great for what i use it for. I reccomend it to anyone!

Pretty much covered elsewhere. The new one had a Fishman Classic 4 preamp. A little more control if it worked.

Dull sounding, muddy. Little volume when played acoustically.

This was a replacement when the top on first one I bought bulged quite a bit just back of the bridge. When it arrived the preamp was completely buggered. The strings were a mile and a half off the neck. Certainly no comparison to the one I sent in. Do these people have quality control?

The top bulged on the first one after four or five years. We'll see with this one although with the acoustic sound I doubt I'll play it much.

I sent it in and waited a month before I heard anything. Then I get back a piece of junk.

I have been playing for 30 years and own 15 other guitars. The first one sounded great and I played it all the time. This one will go in the back of the stack. If it were stolen I'd thank the thief. I was looking at a D-35 for Christmas but am going to hold off and try some Gibsons and Guilds. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER MARTIN. If the details and quality control were so bad on this who knows what might be wrong inside their more expensive guitars.

Made in Nazareth, PA (Martin factory). Laminated top. Wood composite construction throughout. The sides have a simulated wood grain that is actually a photographic process. Fishman pickup system.

The sound is kinda strange, but to my ear it was interesting so I through down the cash for it. The wood composite material brings out a low, smooth bass sound. It's a very bassy instrument. Very gothic. Strumming all strings does not give way to brightness. Like I said, very strange. Perhaps even beautiful. But I think the wood composite material sucks out potentially important textures and somehow separates the low end sounds into something that almost sounds electric. Weird.

The neck is thin and I have small hands so it's comfortable. But the action is kind of high and the side of your pinky often comes into contact with the high E string. Lowering the strings would probably help a lot.

I returned the guitar to the store after having it 3 days. I didn't feel good about paying this kind of money for a none solid wood guitar. I was afraid that in time the laminate would start peeling or something. And the way the sides are made is really a shame. Martin makes sure that the description of the manufacturing process for the sides is in SMALL PRINT! The say the wood grain is a photographic process!! Cheese!

Only had it for 3 days.

Don't settle for this guitar unless the strange sound that it has somehow takes you to some amazing spiritual place. I first bought the Ovation S771. It's a great guitar, great action, a p/u system with a tuner! But I just couldn't get used to that unnatural Ovation sound. I ended up with a an Ibanez AW100CENT. It's exactly what I need for around $500. Grover tuners. Fishman p/u. All real, solid wood (high gloss too!). The action is like butter. The sound is not quite a $1200 Martin, but it's pretty darn killer. Check out the Ibanez AW series.

The Fishman Classic 4 pickup is one of the top features of this guitar. Three band E.Q. and briliance control give this guitar a lot of shaping ability. The flat finish is a non-flashy apperance that I like as well. The last guitar I had was solid wood all around but I am finding that the laminet has its place as well. The one thing it lacked from the begining was a strap botton at the bottom of the neck but I installed one myself and am happy again

I compared several types of guitars when I went out to buy and I was impreased. I am a worship leader at my church and have to be pluged in. I have been using fishman pickups because I love the tone clearity they give hence the DXME already had an advantige in my eyes. I find it to have a very fullbodyed sound. I do however find I have to compensate the E.Q. to cut back on the low range. It took a few weeks to dial in my sound and have a nice brite tone and let my bass player handle the low end. I also give it a little help with my Zoom acoustic processer. I play without any amps straight to the PA and am fealing that I have never sounded so good.

Martian factory specs are the best in the world. I wouldnt change a thing

One good thing about laminates is duribility. I live in a harsh inviroment and thow I take vary good care of my instruments it is sometimes hard to keep them perfict. From what I can tell this guitar should last a log time. With that said I would never have a guitar without a case and dont understand why they sell guitars without them. I bought the hardshell case for mine, I will never go without one, if you spend money on a guitar spend the money on a case even if you have to end up with less guitar.

Life time warrenty says allot.

Over all I have to say that this is the best guitar I have ever owned. I spent more money on my last guitar and was impresed with the price. Honestly most 500 dollar guitars are not desiriable. I do have to say that the fact that it is MADE IN AMERICA is something I really like. It is my first Martian, I have prevously owned Gibsons, Takemine, and Samick guitars but will most likely be sticking with Martians for a while.

Mahogany neck, laminate sides and back, spruce laminate top. Fishman pickup and preamp. Full size dreadnought style.

Sounds good, a little mellow but warm. Great for strumming. Actually sounds better with a good acoustic amp, or miked. Nice bright sound when strummed hard.

All perfect. It's a Martin. Low action, no buzzing.

Seems like it will last a long time. Satin finish is hard to scratch.

Never dealt with em.

Good value, nice action, great sound, would have liked a case for the money I paid, even a gig bag would have helped. Overall very solid. Should last a lifetime.

Pretty bare guitar... no frills, no solid top. 1999, I think. I bought this guitar, kept it for three weeks cause it was a "Martin" and returned it before the 30 day satisfaction or money back guarantee from the store ran out. As for the electronics, please see the other reviews. It's a laminate top, heck, laminate everything, I think.

Well, I mostly play church praise songs... they are usually basic songs with usual chord progressions, nothing too fancy. I just plug in to whatever is available when I have to. So no real comment on the electric part of it. Usually play it unplugged, and that's where the problem was. It's a pretty mellow sounding guitar, not too bright, but with enough of everything for me to have initially purchased it. It was definitly one of those guitars that sound great, rich and full, in the store, but outside it loses a lot of volume and sound. Having it be a laminate top really sacrifices on the sound. Not really worth what I paid for it. Could barely hear it in a room with only two people inside. Okay, exaggeration, but that's when I really noticed how low volumed this guitar was. But it is a warm guitar, and if you're looking for that, low volume and warm, it's great. Overall tone, though, was good. It is a Martin after all.

The guitar looked great. More to mislead the buyer... but if it were a $200- $300 guitar, then it would be great, but at close to $550... there are better deals out there for a little more cash. My advice, don't settle on this guitar cause you're actually just paying for the name. It's a good name, hence the price, just not a worthwhile guitar. Craftmanship was good. Left it without a case in the trunk of my car for a good week as I was going places to play and it held up great. The laminates do tend to be a more "bang around" type of guitar. No real buzzing, the neck felt good, finish was nice... tuners stayed in tune.

Yeah, other than the muted sound, this is pretty much a guitar you can take anywhere and not have to really worry about it. Laminated top so humidity and such won't make too much of a difference, I don't think. But like Levar Burton said at the end of Reading Rainbow... "Don't take my word for it." Wouldn't use it on a gig, playing in front of a church group, or anywhere... can't hear it.

No dealings with the company... but unless there was something really out of the ordinary, this guitar would hold up well and shouldn't need to be sent in to the company. Hmmm... maybe I should have given a higher score to the "dependability" section...

Okay, if you're reading this then you are definitly interested in a Martin and don't have a lot of money to spend. You've been playing for a couple of years, or 8 like me, and you want to invest in a good guitar. My advice... take advantage of whatever return policy the distributor has. Most big ones offer a 30 day money back guarantee as long as the guitar is not damaged. More than this guitar, I wanted to share some of the "experience" of looking, buying, and returning guitars (although this is the only one I've disliked enough to return!). Went through a lot of pain to finally know what to look for, what to buy, what really matters, how things should sound... If you don't have a lot of money, spend what you have on an Ibanez laminate top or Fender for a bassier guitar. If you want a brighter sound, go with Takamine. Most of these you can find ones that Sound just as good as this Martin, and is set up well enough for only half the price. But if you really want a Martin and can't afford a solid top... take the Martin home, play it where you would normally play it and see how it sounds there... you will definitely never play a gig in an acoustic guitar sales room, I guarantee that. Okay, can't guarantee that... maybe you will. I've been shopping around for a second guitar for almost five months now and have written a review for an Ibanez PF5CENT. That was a great guitar. Recently had some car troubles so I had to sell it to pay for repairs, but I loved that guitar. As my first I play a Gretsch Sierra Jumbo, way too good for how I play... but no choice now. It's the only one I have... hate to bang it around so much. Anyway... back to this Martin. I didn't like it. Mostly for the volume of the guitar, and that it wasn't the greatest value. $550 will get you a nice Artwood series Ibanez a/e that's a solid top. Don't get caught up into the Martin name unless you have about $700 to $1000 to spend on a guitar. What I mean by that is to get your money's worth on a Martin, that's where the money meets the quality of the guitar... starts to at least. Compared this guitar to so many in the room at around the same price range... and in the room it sounded so awesome. But that was misleading... Save another couple of months, scrape a couple of hundred together, and get yourself a solid top guitar. I'd suggest a Larrivee if you're in the $700-$800 price range. If $500 is what you're looking to spend, get a solid topped Ibanez or a better used guitar with a solid top. And finally, what I started with, don't be afraid to return if you don't like it. If the manager's a jerk, go somewhere else with your money, order on ebay... you're the customer and you have rights! Alrighty then... my rating for this catagory is... 4! Not really worth the money. But if you're in to names, remember what happened to Jordache jeans? Hmmm...

Made in 1998 in PA. Purchased January, 1999. Laminated Top, back and sides. Solid One-piece mahogany neck. Never counted the frets.
Fishman System One Pre-amp and piezo pickup under saddle. Dreadnaught
body, rosewood fingerboard. Bare Bones, no case, not even a pick.

I play contemporary Christian music. This guitar is great for that.
I use an Acoustic G60-112 with a 12" speaker and two piezo-electric
tweeters with a cut-off switch and volume control which acts as a presence control. Sounds best with base-9/mid-3/treble-3/presence-5/
on amp and base and treble about 3/4 way up on guitar preamp. Without
the amp it sounds bright due to the high-pressure laminate's density.
The sound is rich and warm, but less volume than a wood guitar, but overall it sounds incredible, with or without the amp. Try it through
a Fender Acoustasonic amp and you will **** your pants.

The action is good from the factory, but I lowered it by half as much
down to 1/8 of an inch from strings to last fret and it still doesn't
buzz!! (I have a Fender Strat Am standard that won't even go that low!) The action is incredible, lowest I've ever seen on any guitar,
electric or acoustic. I am not a pro so I don't know what bookmatched means, I bought this puppy new, so I don't thik it applies to this guitar. It has no flaws on any kind. It is immaculate. I wich I could go higher than 10!

This guitar should last a lifetime. It is a keeper. It is the most
solid, perfect guitar I have ever owned. If I played gigs I would use this guitar without hesitation.

I have never dealt with them.

I have been playing for 25 years. If it were lost or stolen I'd buy a new one because they have upgraded the preamp to a Fishman Classic 4
with polarity switch, volume, bass, treble, and presence controls.
I have been playing this guitar for over a year and a half and think it's the best guitar I've ever owned. Other guitars of mine incude:
Fender Jazzmaster (1965) Fender stratocaster (1999), Gibson Les Paul,
Ovation Balladeer, Epiphone acoustic (junk), Guild M-30. I really should buy a case for it!!

I am a working musician and I have owned the DXME for several months now. Here are some conclusions: The pickup is a fishman, but I found that no matter how I configured both the settings on the guitar or the P.A. System, I could not get a natural sound without sacrificing volume.

The guitar has a warm rich tone to it with new strings, although I have two recurring problems: First, No matter what type of strings I use,(and I've tried all types and guages) I find that after only one gig, my strings become flat and the sound of the guitar dies. I play 2-3 sets a night on a long night and am very active, however the difference is a little too dramatic from the time the new strings are put on to an hour or two later. Secondly, I would say that 5o percent of my gigs have resulted in a broken string mid to late-gig. I am not an overly aggressive player and found this to be troubling.

The guitar seemed fine until recently when the most disturbing problem occurred -- The top of the guitar started peeling away from the side in one particular area (at the elbow). I have not dropped or mistreated my guitar and conclude that this was a flaw in building teh guitar, or as the guitar is shipped in cardboard, it may have been damaged in shipping and gotten worse and more apparent over time.
I have contacted Martin Co. and spoken to a rep who says that this problem is rare.

The guitar I have seems to be a fluke, from what I understand about the problem I'm having in relation to other guitars of the same make and model. Everything else seems alright as far as construction, and the guitar has been a reliable instrument on stage for the most part.

I have had good experience with the Martin Reps.

My overall feeling is that this guitar would benefit an electronics system that will more naturally reproduce it's warm instrumental tones at higher volumes. This problem in addition to the strings breaking fairly regularly and the dull tone after short play time bring me to the conclusion that this may not be the right guitar for heavy playing or regular gigging. Although it is not a bad guitar for the money, I would not buy this guitar again for my application.

1999 Model

Satin Top, with Laminated Sides and back.

Mahogany Neck
dreadnought

Nice feel.

Nice rich sound.... a little bassy

Not too loud in Accoustic mode.

Guitar is well made.

Pickups are built into the stape button on bottom.

Excellent Action...Use Martin Light strings.

solid build...you can beat it up at it still humms.

Always helpful and friendly.

You get every thing out of this guitar that people tell you.

This is the acoustic/electric version of the new DXM dreadnought. It has Martin's new laminated body (spruce on the top, mahogany on the sides and back)with a Fishman pickup system. Volume, treble, and bass controls on the side of the body; plugs in through a jack in the strap button. Gorgeous satin finish, even though it's not really wood as we know it . . .

Played through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, the amplified sound is GREAT -- very full and crisp top to bottom. Played acoustically, the sound is a little bit small but still very warm and full.

This is what sold me on the guitar. It plays like a dream. I have never felt action like this before on an acoustic guitar. I also play a Strat, and the action on this one is just as fast and easy. I love it.

Looks rock solid.

Lifetime warranty. I called Martin the morning after I bought it, because Mars didn't have any warranty materials or other paperwork on it. I got a call right back from a very friendly and helpful guy at Martin. This bodes well.

I tried a whole variety of acoustic/electrics (Takamines, Fenders, Yamahas, Ovations) and I fell in love with this one the moment I played it. I would absolutely buy it again.