Martin DX Johnny Cash Review

If this isn't wood, maybe I don't want wood anymore

Holy HPL Batman! Arrived today and I broke Sweetwater's rule #1, didn't wait 24 hours - figured what the hell I bought it to play outside anyway. The sound is full, medium/loud, and with EJ16 PB12's on it with a Sweetwater setup has a tone that is more to the bass than treble side which I prefer. The look is great you can tell it isn't wood but someone that doesn't play would have… read more no clue unless they were on top of it. Tune's up easily and plays like butter. No buzz I could find, harmonics all intact, action as good maybe even better than my other Martin, Guild and Taylor. I was expecting a couple disappointments in this price range for sure the pickup? Nope even though I think the in hole volume and tone set ups are wonky on any guitar, it sounds just fine through my Fishman Loudbox mini. Bought the Gator hard-shell case, I hate gig bags. If I have to fins one thing wrong with it I agree with the guy that said the decal around the sound hole is beneath a Martin named guitar and not real fond of the large font "CASH" either. In conclusion here, BUY IT. Kudos to Matt Stockburger.

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Totally Mesmerized!

Listen, I've had two Martins prior to this: a D16GT and a D42 Custom. They were incredible, of course, but this Cash model is superb as well. I was looking for a writing and recording guitar that would travel well and not break the bank. The sound is throaty and full carrying the low-end I like for my music but doesn't conpromise on the pretty higher-end fluorishes. It records great… read more both DI and mic'd. It's black, it says "Cash" and has stars on the fretboard. I think it's Bada**!

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Wow !!!!

I ordered this on Wednesday and it came in today on Friday morning. That's some quick delivery service if you ask me. I am just simply blown away at the quality and sound of this beautiful instrument. The 55 point system you fine folks use to set up guitars , is awesome. This baby has prefect action and stays in tune forever ! It has a very nice weight to it and just the look of… read more it screams quality. I just went back to playing last August after being away for 3 years due to a hand injury and since then, I have played nothing but X-Series Martins of which I now have 3, thanks to this one. I own a OMCX1E and a DX2-AE in burst and this one blows the both of them away easily. This was my first time buying a guitar from Sweetwater and the level of service that I have received , is top notch. It's too bad all of the other online retailers can't provide quality service like I have gotten. Well it's their loss IMO . Well done Sweetwater and thanks !

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Quite impressed

Pretty much a martin guy but had some reservations buying another hpl guitar. Way stoked that I did. No serine after being in various extreme climates. Perfect for practice anywhere guitar, fireside, riverside, Oceanside. Anything outdoor. And the sound is that Martin sound asleep thought would be sacrificed on a lower end, and how no less. Thanks Hanks Christian, and Johnny!

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Honest Review of the low cash CASH guitar

I'm a K-5 music teacher and huge Johnny Cash fan. My day to day "Coming Around the Mountain" guitar is a Taylor Mahogany mini A/E. Here's the scoop on the Cash DX with a few comparisons to the Taylor. Case: This is cheap, slightly better than an ultra-thin gig bag. The Taylor mini case is better suited for travel.Back, sides, top: I have seen the future and it is HPL. I'm very impressed… read more with how stable this material is and how well it sounds. It's somewhere between solid Mahogany and Spruce if that makes any sense tone wise.Bridge: Good enough. Probably composite.Frettboard: The richlite is good stuff. Smoother and more stable than Ebony and Rosewood boards I've played. The CASH and stars are screen-printed decals and not inlays to let anyone interested know.Fretwork: Very smooth... Seems like stainless steel, but it could be composite.Neck: Very well contoured. A bit on the "chunky" side with a 16" radius, but still playable for medium and larger hands (I wear a size large golf glove and this is easier to play than the mini).Nut: Well cut. Synthetic, but I won't be replacing it. Tuners: Stiff, and I'll probably replace them with Grover 102c tuners like the real deal $4800 Cash guitar has when I change the strings.Headstock: Well tilted, classy Martin logo.Stock strings: Very good. Not sure if I'll keep the same strings or swap them for elixir brand yet.Overall look: Outstanding. Intangibles: As a dude who will be making less than $60K a year for a long time who has a family to support, this is a great escape. I get to play Folsom Prison without leaving my house. Also, I predict this guitar will keep it's value or appreciate over time depending on Martin's production plans.Overall sound: It doesn't resonate quite as well as the Taylor, but still sounds really good. Things Martin could improve: 1. Put the real… Grover tuners on this bad axe so I don't have to- even if I have to pay...up front.2. Provide a gig bag similar to the one that comes with a Taylor Mini for easy travel. Otherwise, the extra $... is just for a regular black DX with a few CASH decals.

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