What's in a name? DX1 ?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tyrunn on December 31, 2009 at 11:43am

The following link from a UK website makes it clear where the 'Dx1' sits in the Martin line. I conclude it is a 'real' Martin, one the 'real' people can afford.

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/acoustic/6-string-acoust...

Just my two sense

JJ

Permalink Reply by Ron Terry on December 31, 2009 at 11:51am

Ron,

Sounds like you're getting some misinformation from your local guitar store. Of course it's a Martin, it's a DX1. I have no idea why a guitar store would say that. Regardless of the material the guitar is made of, a Martin is a Martin.

I own several Martin guitars, one of them being a LXM-nice sound for such an inexpensive guitar. Same concept as what you are talking about-have something like a DX1 or a LXM just for the outdoor elements.

Hang in there, you'll have your second Martin before you know it.

Ron Terry

Permalink Reply by Edward Sparks on December 31, 2009 at 11:58am

Hey, I agree with Ron...a Martin is a Martin is a Martin...they hold high standards to all their instruments!
Enjoy it and don't worry about the "model number!" Happy New Year! Edward

Permalink Reply by Ken Rogers on December 31, 2009 at 12:54pm

Ron, if it looks like a Martin, plays like a Martin, sounds like a Martin -- and coincidentally says Martin on the headstock and inside the body -- then I reckon it's a Martin. Post a picture? I'd like to see it.

Permalink Reply by Michael S. Jackson on December 31, 2009 at 1:10pm

Ron - First, YES, of course a DX1 is a Martin. These guitars have laminate sides (but still have a solid top), and are lower priced, but high prices do not a Martin make. I know, try to buy a 1937 D-28 for less than $75,000.00 to $100,000.00! Martin is America's guitar and has brought music and love of playing to countless folks. Does your DX1 do that for you? Sounds like so. The Martin name is on there, the guitar is sold by Martin, and you - like all of us - cannot describe the wonderful feeling and fulfillment you get from playing and being one with your guitar. Of course, this also applies to other makes of guitars, but this group is for Martin owners and you are definitely one. I know that a lot of companies make a big deal about conservation and use of natural resources through their "smart woods" and can even offend our intelligence with it, but - what would you do if you owned the company and wanted it to continue? Lower cost models must be marketed and public opinion, however wrong, must be taken into consideration. Remember - Martin survived by making Ukuleles - not guitars - in the tough times. To understand why people do what they do, just follow the money or the power (usually synonymous) . None of this: wood, laminate, cost, or even manufacture origin makes a difference when you close your eyes and spend time in that world between dreams and reality, making sounds that most wish they could but only some ever donate the time required to do so. Keep on with the group. Someday, when you have another model that costs more, you might choose to keep that one at home while you take your DX1 to more dangerous environs, but both will forever be Martins and you will forever belong to this group! Mike.

Permalink Reply by Kevin on December 31, 2009 at 1:32pm

It's a Martin,,,,People think Martin and think $$$$$ (which is true to some extent) but the more expensive Martins, which do not have the HPL sides/back, are more expensive because of the solid wood back/sides. Martin made the X series and the Raod Series so people can afford to own a Martin. Made with quality care from the factory that makes the D-45's. If someone tells you that the DX1 isn't a Martin....ask them "what is it then?" They won't be able to answer....BECAUSE ITS A MARTIN!! enjoy it its a great guitar for the price! I have a D35-JC, 00-18, 000c-15e and a DM...which has laminated back/sides....and it kicks! I love my DM and would never get rid of it.

Permalink Reply by Rick Vincent on December 31, 2009 at 1:33pm

Don't listen to the snobs. If it says Martin, it is a Martin.

Permalink Reply by Forrest Anderson on December 31, 2009 at 2:03pm

Martin lists the DX1 and other X guitars on its site. If Martin considers it a Martin (and they do or they never would have put the Martin logo on the head), I certainly consider it a Martin. I've played some of the X series guitars and thought they were great values.

Happy New Year!

Forrest

Permalink Reply by Norm Jacobs on January 1, 2010 at 1:48am

My 2007 Blue Book tells me your DX1 is a true Martin. They started manafacturing in2000 and ae still in production.MSR price was $ 719.00 average condition price is $225.00 I hope this answers your question.
Norm

Permalink Reply by Terry Angelli on January 2, 2010 at 5:34pm

I read this post with great interest. I agree with most posts but have to disagree with two.

1) "Martin considers it a Martin (and they do or they never would have put the Martin logo on the head)"
2) "a Martin is a Martin is a Martin...they hold high standards to all their instruments!"

Have none of you heard of the Backpacker??? When it first came out I was DYING for one. What a concept, a Martin traveling guitar. Sight unseen I was gifted with one for Christmas and I'm here to tell you they SUCK. The sound is very thin, you can't play it sitting down without undo stress on your fretting hand/arm and I had constant problems with keeping it in tune. The intonation went out and I asked my luthier about having the problem corrected and was told that it wasn't worth it.

So, they DO put their logo on some less than quality instruments and they do not hold high standards to ALL their instruments. If they did they would have marketed the Backpacker under another brand name. Hell they didn't even develop the Backpacker, they are (or were) licensed to manufacture from the original designer (http://www.strumstick.com/html_pages/Backpacker.htm)!

I sold my Backpacker and bought a baby Taylor, a much better sounding instrument, just as easy to travel with and well balanced so playing sitting down is not a problem.

Just my $0.02!

Permalink Reply by Charles on January 4, 2010 at 12:25am

Yep I know all about the backpacker! One was given to me years ago....I gave it to some one else. Everything you said about it was true. Only way to play it was with a strap....even sitting down! And these guitars were solid wood. However, with all their faults there are people who post pictures of themselves playing them from all over...in jungles, deserts, at the south pole, and even on the Space Shuttle in the Sounding Board magazine. You can't predict peoples tastes.

HPL guitars like the LX and DX series were very controversial when they were first produced in 98/99. The purists (some who feel like if the model was not originally produced pre WWII then its not "really" a Martin) howled at a guitar not built with Mahogany, Spruce, Cedar, or Rosewood. I think these were the same people who were pissed when Bob Dylan went electric.

However, CF Martin IV stuck by the use of new materials for Martin Guitars. The dwindling availability of the the traditional woods used for guitars was the reason. This foresight on Martins behalf may be what saves the entire guitar making industry.

And .....60 years from now that CFMartin DX1 just may be a collectors item. 60 years ago Martin thought that Archtop guitars were the bees knees. Today, the prices of the pre war OM, 000, and D series which were all cheaper than arch tops now far exceed the going price of those archtops today. You can't predict tastes!

Permalink Reply by Ron Lane on January 4, 2010 at 9:14am

Thanks for the vote of confidence everybody. Yes, I do enjoy playing my Martin, regardless of the cost and materials.
I consider myself a beginner again. As a teen I played electrics righthanded but I am a true lefty and as the years went by I began thinking seriously about taking the guitar back up, but with a lefthanded this time. So, when this guitar became available the asking price was $500. (for a $499. internet guitar). Anyway I went and looked at it and it was basically untouched. He had been a drummer and decided to try the guitar and after a couopl of weeks he knew the guitar wasn't his instrument. It sat unplayed in it's case at home while he was in service and after. His sons were righthanded and would never play it. So he decided to sell it. With the original strings intact no less! I really have no idea of the age of the guitar.
I bought if for $225. I have a close friend who plays and teaches and we changed the strings out with a set of Elixers, tuned it up and what a surprise. The clarity and sustain were amazing. Since then I have played with a Yamaha 730. a Takemine and an Alvarez all played by experienced players around a fire. There was clearly no comparison in the sound.
To say I am satisfied with my purchase is an understatement. I think to be serious about playing you need an instrument you "Want" to play. And I want to play this one. I play a minumum of 1 hour, often more, every single night, 7 days a week.
And yes, when I finally get my all wood Martin I will still play this one. It is slated to be my campfire and travel guitar.

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