4 Guitars under $500: Martin DX1 by Paul McSherry

[ripping76]

That is a great sounding guitar!

[lob287]

I have the Martin DX1 but I really never took care of it.I did not keep it in a case and i never payed attention to humidity levels.When I first got it though it was a really good guitar.I tried to have it repaired but it was really warped and would not stay in tune.Everything can be fixed but the amount it would have taken to have it fixed did not make finacial sense. Damn i wish i took care of it.

[Quipstiley]

The DX1 doesn't have a mahogany back and sides. It's a laminate over another material that I can't remember right now. It does have an OK spruce top and traditional Martin x-bracing. It's a great value. I've had mine for about 10 years and I've noticed a "window" of good tone just after the strings break in and just before they are old. The low end isn't as defined as I'd like but again, it is a great guitar for the money. Just don't try playing a $1500+ Martin before you grab this one, hehe

[UtzChips2009]

If you go to MelodeeMusic in Leesburg VA, don't believe anything he says. He'll say whatever will get you buy inventory that isn't moving if he thinks he can fool you. I have short fingers & he convinced me that a wider neck is easier to play with short fingers & I spent 2 hrs there & ended up spending over a grand on a Martin that has the widest neck they make.

[bobharris77]

I just bought one of the last of the DX1's to be found in a retail store, since they quit making them. And YES, the guitar is wonderful. You really have to spend some time playing a Martin to appreciate the difference between them and most other guitars.

[fIRsTRATmAN]

Hello everyone, just wondering if this is the same size as a martin 00028? much appreciated.

[pmcsherry]

@fIRsTRATmAN it's a bit bigger than a 00028

[fIRsTRATmAN]

@pmcsherry Thanks mate

[270Gmoney]

I have a DX1k and I wouldn't trade it for anything

[rifleman522]

@270Gmoney I just left a comment on another Martin video and I said exactly the same thing!! I also have a DX1K.

[CAL2177]

This is a great guitar. I've had my DX1 for about 10 years and play it regularly. It gets heavy use in church. Even so, Its sounds just as beautiful today as the day I brought it home. High priced sound in a low price package. Wow! I didn't know Martins are now made in Mexico. That's too bad.

[darthdude1016]

@CAL2177 there not like many other guitar makers cheaper models are made in mexican or japenease factorys.

[logixish]

It sounds really sweet. Nice and full. I don't think yr playing with a pick so it's bound to sound rounder.Plus the online compression must taint the true sound. Always good to see people love their instrument.

[pmcsherry]

sorry haven't been here for a while.....thanks for all the recent comments...

I do like a big bass sound on my acoustics and sorry transplant07 but haven't tried the Taylor 110 so can't comment...

all the best....Paul

[billadama]

Aussies must like their guitars boomy

[transplant07]

paul wanted to ask if you have tried the TAYLOR 110

[orangehammy]

It certainly sounds good in this video , my only word of caution is that one of my guitar pupils has one with a very high action , I went to adjust the truss rod- and found that there isn't one! Also there is very little height at the bridge to take the strings down that way

[gigistrato]

Yes....Nowadays are made in Mexico....i bought a used one made in USA and sound really good...

[1013637]

I would like to see more than one video on the DX1AE.

[withoutasaviour]

PICKED MINE UP USED AT A PAWN SHOP IN BELLEVILLE,IL ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO FOR $300. IT QUICKLY BECAME MY "WRITING" GUITAR. RICH WARM TONE IS UNMATCHABLE BY EVEN HIGHER PRICED GUITARS. MINE HAS SOME WEAR BUT I CONSIDER IT TO HAVE "CHARACTER". BTW..IT'S AMERICAN MADE..OF COURSE.

[englandsoccer1616]

which would you say is a nicer guitar, the DX1 or the 00X1?

[pissballs]

I tried a Martin DCX1E in a music shop and it was a tone machine that had great fingerboard action. Someone I didn't know from Adam said " that sounds great" but I was thinking that it did already. Acoustics are hit and miss hard to find one that sounds like a musical instrument even if its a musical instrument.

[ridemytube247]

great guitar, deep bass, warm tone dx1

[me2gap]

made in mexico MARTIN....... what is this world coming to?

[pmcsherry]

@me2gap the guitar in the vid is made in the US but sadly the newer models are indeed mim

[Straydogger]

@me2gap I thought the same thing when I first saw them. I just bought a DX1AE that IS made in Mexico and it is a fine inexpensive way to get into the Martin family. It plays great and sounds wonderful and stays in tune like it should. For $499 you can't go wrong with these guitars.

[MultiParasite]

@me2gap

What's the difference if a Mexican makes the guitar in Mexico, or if another Mexican makes it in a US plant?

[Hubieee]

@me2gap

a world full of very good guitars for people that cannot afford martin guitars with natural grewn wood made in the USA by very talented workers (either as the mexicans) that get alot more money and with it a produce a very high prized product. Thanks in advance.

[doyouhearmeihearyou]

buy it buy it buy it . Worth every penny,,You won't regret it. BUY IT!!!!!

[MichaelDaeche]

I played some of the more expensive Martin guitars at Allans music in Melbourne and I was disappointed. I was considering this guitar but the one with the electronics but I didn't have a chance to plug it into an amplifier.

[ala709]

i think this guitar sounds great and because its only $500 if i were to accidently put a little scratch or chip in it here and there(i tend to be rough on my guitars),

i would be completely heart broken with an aching wallet. So for now, i've got my heart set on this model

[mattbfc2009]

was gonna buy a baby taylor but u changed my mind now

[EpiCasino198]

I bought a martin dx1 yesterday i love it.

[donatus1987]

what kind of song are you playing here strum and pick?

[pmcsherry]

not playing any song really just playing or as we say in Australia just 'mucking around'

[texasheatwave93]

how odes the DXK2 compare to the DX1

[pmcsherry]

haven't played a DXK2 so I can't comment...anyone offer an opinion??

Paul

[JoshWMusic1]

@texasheatwave93

Hi, I own a DX1, and have played DXK2's, the DX1 is by far better, probably due to the fact that the top is actual wood. However, the DXK2 is impervious to humidity, [or lack thereof], so that's a benefit. But overall the DX1 is better IMO. I have video of me playing it on my channel, if you want to check around. None of them are the guitar by itself, but maybe you can get an idea.....

[MrDx159]

I bought a made in mexico DX1r from craigs list for 325 US with a hard shell case took it to my local luthier added a bone nut and saddle and set up for 200$ it now compares well with my 66 gibson Hummingbird i am amazed and so are my picking friends 3000$ vs 525$ plain jane looks great sound!! even made in mexico

[TheOskarWerner]

Thanks for doing this. This has been really helpful. I played it in a store today here in Vienna. It's an amazing guitar - for that price... it's unbelievable.

DANKE for doing this...

[ultihky10]

Crazy! just saw this for sale at guitar center for 399 in the store 499 on the site... I could hardly believe it and it was the best sounding guitar out of 20 others that I played... A very warm yet crisp sound to it.

[spider5001]

Wow you must have gotten lucky and got a gem. It sounds great! I've tried some and they don't realy sound good to me =/ I like yours though =)

[LucasJamesHicks]

does it really sound this good in person!? they sell them at a music store near me for about $550 worth it?.

[pmcsherry]

try it and you'll agree

Paul

[JoeSixString]

That sound just blew me away, I have to get a lefty version of this guitar.

[ripping76]

Sounds wonderful!

I was getting ready to dish out 2,400 for a d-28

Not so sure now

It has that boomy bass i love in a martin.

[quickmantan]

i got a d-28 and it sounds well better than a dx1..

[ibanez1403]

no shit you also spent thousands more.

[sccanj]

yeah but the D-28 costs thousands of dollars....

[and2244rew]

Great guitar! I've had mine for a few years now and the sound is amazing. My two cents; get the standard model. My friend has the cut out, pick up, and a black laminate top but the sound doesn't compare to mine.

[MisteRBumbastiC]

Im sorry my friend, but if you mean the martin Dcx1e you are completely wrong, ive got the dcx1e and yes it compares to the Dx1 and over it. Plus if you have any understand in guitars what i think you have, then you should know that its for the most about the strings. Elixir Nano web light strings are the best western guitar string in the world. plus the wood is all the same so no you cant compare them like that. plus the one your friend got is more ecspensive.

[philphie]

in lefty?

[pmcsherry]

talk to martin.....

[jdafender]

South paw guitar in Houston Tx. has them for $499 without case, I live in Georgia and the shipping is like $40. South paw guitar is a left handed guitar store.

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

Yup, just look around, same price. [I feel your pain, I'm a lefty too]

[HarryAndAGuitar]

Yeah my dad has a left handed Martin DX1

[mygaboo]

I bought one of these. I had the sales guy play guitars I picked off the rack while I stood back and listened. We tried Fender, Larivee, Takamine, yamaha, and some other martins. This one commanded the room. The sound is projected via some innovative X frame woodworking inside the body. The back is composite material. The neck is bond laminate. And it plays like silk. I have several high end guitars and still this one's my fav. Travels with me everywhere. No frills quality.

[KyHighlander59]

you can get a Fender CD series that is a cutaway and has a built in preamp for about half that as well. Of course it isn't a Martin but then what is? LOL

[GroovyGuitar02]

now that is what i call a decent acoustic guitar .

[Joetp]

I know it doesnt have fretboard markers, but does it have markers on the side of the neck?

[thechampishere99]

That's the one reason i don't really like this one. I don't like that it doesn't have fretboard markers. So i got a Taylor :D

[pmcsherry]

yep no markers but it still sings1

it does have dots on the side...

on frets 3 5 7 9 12 15 18

[IanKusekSoloArtist]

what type of string would i use for an Ibanez SAGE dreadnought? im gonna be playing rock, pop punk, most modern day pop punk covers, what string would be good for me? i only use D'Addario strings, so maybe that would help, and i only like 10 gauge.

[MisteRBumbastiC]

Hey maybe i could help i got the big brother, Martin dcx1e, use Elixir Nanoweb light strings and what is amazing about them is, that they "live" amazingly long and they keep the "ring" even when you have sweaty fingers, with those you can play from rock´n´roll to james blunt hehe:) very width selection of songs:) but its so long time ago you posted this comment so you proberly have solved it:) but when you need new strings, try them:)

[peepok23]

im getting one online and my my sister will bring it home for me here to sydney. did they come with the case? are they US made?

[pmcsherry]

yep US made.....usually you can negotiate for a case....good luck...they are great guitars

[mahatanmacoat]

i got one made from koa wood last week. great sound and does me as i'm learning to play.

[redroxy2010]

hi! i'm also considering buying the koa version. what do you think of it, and where is the koa located exactly? (top, sides, back?) Thanks so much! =)

[pmcsherry]

I've heard they are pretty good.....and the koa is the back and sides...but can't really endorse them as I haven't played one

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

I play a lefty DX1K in all my videos, sounds & plays great! My favorite guitar. No difference from a regular DX1. The koa is on the back & sides and it has a SOLID spruce top.

[treestand102]

i've had my martin dx1r for a year now.sounds great,plays nicely,and has an amazing tone to it.i highly recomend these guitars to anyone looking for quality without a high price

[mattdot666]

Thank you, very informative... I'm thinking of getting one

[pmcsherry]

I think it (HPL) makes little difference....

I still think you can't beat a Martin for sound...

but I would also check out the Taylor 110

they are nice....they resonate...

it's just great to see all these companies producing affordable guitars...

[fuckedsociety]

i dont know how i feel about HPL

i played a couple of these at a store

i am in the market for an acoustic and this and several seagull guitars are what i am leaning towards. but i have recently been thinking about looking into d-15s

how is the high pressure laminate? would it be better to spend the extra money and get all solid woods or at least normal laminated woods?

[pmcsherry]

You are right....

according to Martin they're High Pressure Laminate (Mahogany Grained)....

but it still sounds brilliant!

[HHsongs4u]

correct me if im wrong, but arn't the sides and back only mahongany veneer or some sort of laminate on this guitar?

[dillybop28]

mines great i love it buy it if youu like to play all types of acoustic guitars

[haselock1963]

mine rings true as well it has the tone less is more and the set up is ace thank you

[machiavellioz]

you can't beat a martin....

I have a D18....

but I have heard the DX1 is OK

[lazadar]

I know I love mine. I've had mine for 2 days.