Martin D-X2E Dreadnought Review

Great value guitar with very good sound

I've been playing the DX2E Sunburst w/Macassar-pattern HPL back and sides for about 2 years now. It is an absolute workhorse for live gigging, sounds great, looks great, has consistent tone, and is indestructable! I searched for 2 solid years for a new acoustic/electric for gigs, played dozens of guitars, read everything I could. Because I knew I'd be putting lots of wear and… read more tear on it, playing at small venues in tight spaces, loading/unloading - I didn't want a $ family heirloom that I'd be worried about all the time. This guitar has a perfect combination of materials IMO - solid (and thick) sitka spruce tonewood top and Fishman electronics for rich full sound plugged or unplugged; HPL back and sides for durability; and a headstock and neck made of solid butcher-block manufactured wood that I don't freak out if someone knocks it over after a gig. The fretboard on mine is Richlite, which, whatever...the strings never touch the fretboard anyway. For reviewers who don't like the HPL - what did you expect for ~$?? I bet $ that nobody could tell the difference in a blind test between this guitar and a $ Martin D28 when amplified through an amp or PA in a live music setting. Someday I do want a D45 with all the mother of pearl inlays, high end wood, etc, but guitars get stolen, why pay FIVE TIMES more when there is the DX series?

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Toy guitar

I received this guitar and immediately attached my ToneWood special effects unit to the back. When I turned the unit on, there was no noticeable effect to what I was playing. This is because, I discovered with horror, the sides and back are made of plastic! Martin has lost their soul. Back it went.

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I am 100% Blown away with this one !

I just got this beauty today in a trade involving my Martin OMCX1E , which I had bought brand new just 2 months ago. While that was a great guitar, it wasn't a dreadnought which is what I originally had wanted. The original owner had bought it directly from here , so it was already set up, which I did not have to worry about. All I did was to restring her with a new set of Martin… read more 2.0 Lifespan 12s, which is what I use. It's nice to have a guitar that has a solid spruce top instead of all HPL like the OMCX1E is. There is a huge difference in the tone which I immediately noticed. It's much more fuller and louder. Plus I love the Sunburst finish along with the Massacasar finish along the back and sides, which looks so awesome. I have not plugged this into a amp yet and I doubt that I will since I'm retired from gigging and now just play at home for my own personal enjoyment. IMO, this one sounds just as good as a USA Martin, so why spend those big bucks when this one is available ? Needless to say , I am 100% happy with this one and do not see myself getting anything else other than new strings.

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Great sound and price

For the price this guitar is such a great guitar. It is a huge step up from my old fender and the sound is awesome. I am really happy with the quality and the size of the body is just a little smaller which allows me to hold it better and play easier. The electric pickup is nice and simple enough. First Martin and will Not be my last.

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