Martin DX1 6-string Acoustic Guitar

The Martin DX1 and its variants (DX1K and DX1M) have High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) sides and back, but the top soundboard is solid spruce. This contributes to the big deep sound that comes from this guitar, a sound that usually costs a lot more, particularly in the Martin line. The HPL construction and 'Stratabond' laminate neck make this guitar not as attractive as solid wood instruments, but the sound and playability are what you are getting. I love the sound, and I love the fact that I don't have to baby this guitar like I would if it was all solid wood. This has to be about the plainest guitar I've ever seen, with nary a single bit of trim or binding anywhere. The top is just beveled around the edge, and that's it. I kind of like the clean plain look of this guitar, but others have told me it looks cheap to them. It probably does, but that's because all the money went into the sound!

I purchased this guitar and was dismayed to find some fret buzz up on the neck. So I opted to return it. What I received next certainly looked like the same guitar, but wasn't quite what I was expecting. The fullness and warmth was gone and the fret buzz was markedly worse. I had my luthier try and set it up and restrung the thing with numerous strings, but still the problems persisted. Such poor craftsmanship, whether it's the low rung model or not, is just unacceptable. Especially from a Made in America DX-1. Do yourself a favor and play the thing in person before buying. I hear it's an awesome guitar when they take the time and care to assemble it correctly.

The DX 1 was my second guitar. Being second I noticed the difference in sound quality right away. The guitar almost sings with a rich, deep voice. While it looks to be cheaper than my first guitar, it certainly sounds expensive. I won't part with it at any cost.

I also have relatively small hands and the neck on this guitar makes playing it so easy for me. You don't need brute force to form the chords and even small hands can handle it just fine.

By the way, my first guitar is long gone to charity.