Martin Guitar Dc 1E For Sale (Jan 2023 Update)

I really liked this little guitar, BUT…I read the reviews and decided to buy in-store so I could play the guitar before buying, and I'm SO glad I did. I went into my local Guitar Center and played THREE of these Martin LX1E guitars, including one that had been specially unboxed so I could try it after two others failed my examination. All three guitars had a very pronounced buzz in the frets. It was not that noticeable when I played them acoustically, but the buzz was very noticeable when I plugged them in to an amp. I even tested the amp with other guitars, to make sure it wasn't the amp. It wasn't. Its a great little guitar, great tone and very playable, BUT my advice would be not to buy this one on-line. Play it first. Play up and down the whole fretboard, and plug it into an amplifier and play again. I have been playing for more than fifty years and have never experienced playing three brand new Martins that were simply not up to snuff. Weird!Tele Playr

The guitar itself can have five stars. Nothing wrong with it. The problem I have is that it is not the old LX1E lefty that Martin used to make and I used to own. It is advertised incorrectly here as containing the Fishman I-sys electronics that contained a volume, base/treble controls and a phasing button for feedback. It also no longer contains the tuner. This is basically the LX1 Little Martin with a Sonitone pickup under the bridge and tone/volume control in the sound hole, which I despise. I prefer the old version where the tuner and controls were on top side (as shown in the picture variety). This needs to be updated!!! I now have no tuner on this guitar when I fully expected one. I would recommend the Little Martin guitar but it needs to be advertised correctly.Jules

I bought this guitar for my son so he can have a smaller guitar to lug around in school. We were surprised when we received the product that the pickup that was installed is a Sonitone pickup instead of what's advertised – an Isys T preamp. The Isys preamp has a tuner, phase and tone control whereas the Sonitone is built into the sound hole and only has the volume and tone control. I brought this up with customer support saying I only wanted the product that I thought we were buying. I received excuses and a repeated offer to return the guitar. We chose to keep it because we need it and like the Martin sound. However MF does not stand up to what they advertise and could not provide a reasonable explanation why the product was switched. Even as I write this review, the description still says it has the Isys pickup. Good luck to future buyers and know that you are buying a different product.Pasigenyo

Overall: Original unopened uninspected by zZounds, in the heavy duty box from Martin. Mine was packed well enough, but still a little surprised how little bubble pack it had, or needed. The guitar seems perfect, no blemishes, straight neck, just beautiful. Rings like a bell despite needing a set up. Saddle has tons of room to sand down to most anyone’s preferred height/action. Nut seems like it’s in similar ready to set up condition. But even out of the box it sounds absolutely great and isn’t terrible to play. The little booklet that comes with it lists features, including “non adjustable” truss rod. I hadn’t come across this in my (limited) research into D18s. Martin guitar forums are divided on it, but I think the idea is “the old ones that people worship didn’t have adjustable truss rods, so we’re following the recipe”. Fine, but why not put that in the specs too? It’s not a cheap guitar. Taking a chance on it and seeing how it does. I’ll care for it properly and if it craps out and needs a neck reset or god forbid a new neck, I’ll rant and rave about it. But for now, let’s see how it sets up!Dan

I can't say enough about this guitar. For as long as I have been a guitar player (and a Pennsylvanian, for that matter) I have known Martin guitars. They are always prominently used and sold around this area. I looked up to my idols who played them, even older players like CSN and Neil Young and Clapton. I dreamed of owning one and as a kid, I loved the white binding on dark wood, seemingly drawing me in to a D-28, which is arguably the most popular Martin ever. As a kid, I almost got a Martin DM, but ended up with a cheaper Epiphone. After college, I decided to get my first Martin Custom D Rosewood – essentially a D-28 with a mortise and tenon neck joint and a D-15 A-Frame bracing and styling – sold exclusively here on MF (and GC). It's a great value for a guitar, but had to keep it constantly humidified because of the thin-skin matte finish. It can get really dried out and in fact, was in that condition when I received it (used). Great guitar, but I was always chasing buying a brand new Martin to call my own. I played some in stores of course and always A/B'd them, but it wasn't until a factory tour that I got a real idea of the breadth that the Martin line possesses. There is the 1833 Shop there with an adjacent players room filled with a good spread of Martins of all values and construction style. I was simply playing them to see which ones spoke to me, sonically and soulfully. I played the D-28, the D-35, the D-41, the D-15, 00-15M, the CEO, a 12 string, Eric Clapton model 000-28, etc. They all had their magic I'm sure, but when I landed on the D-18, I was simply blown away. It had a completely organic and natural sound – I could literally hear the wood. It's an absolutely lovely woody tone – this sounded better than the rest to me. I also LOVE the understand design and simplicity. It's a true working man's instrument – plus it features forward shifted X-Bracing which gives a lot more bass. The new improvements are all choice! 100% my fav. acousticIan from PA

I bought this guitar last year at a locally owned music store and was happy to do so as you don't find many of them stocked at large corporately owned brick and mortar stores. When I purchased it, I fell in love with the look and overall sound of the guitar and felt I was indeed buying a piece of history. The overall materials, finish and body construction are excellent and it produces a rich tone even with older strings. However that is where the positive remarks end. The more I want to love this guitar, the more it disappoints for the simple reason that it is incredibly difficult to play. Whether this is due to a poor set up or poor fretboard construction I really can't say, but I have to put this thing down after more than after five or ten minutes of playing – it is that bad. The same is true for the D-15 I spent a pretty penny on too. How a guitar maker that's supposedly been around since 1833 can produce something this hard to play is beyond me. Older D-18s I have played are not much better as they are incredibly hard to fret and buzz incessantly. So before you spring a couple of grand for this "piece of history," reconsider something that actually plays with ease. For this reason alone, I certainly would never invest in another one of these or a D-28, D-35 etc.. that costs even more. I can name several other major brands that put this guitar to shame due to their playability but won't to avoid embarrassing the manufacturer. But I will say that Martin's quality control folks ought to check these things out before shipping them out the door. Believe me, Martin's reputation and its chances of survival depend on it.Tom R

So, this has always been a dream guitar for me. The weird thing is, I’ve actually owned one before but was not impressed with the sound. I had read in previous reviews that the 000-17’s have a cheap guitar sound, and when I owned the previous guitar I was in agreement with those reviews…so, sold it. However, a year later I played one at a local guitar shop and it punched me in the face!!! It was crunchy, punchy, resonant, and had some real cojones to it! I WAS LIKE “WHAT!!!” This ain’t the same guitar I remember, so, I ordered a new one online. When it arrived, my brand new 000-17 sounded just like my first one (Solid tone, but kinda lifeless). I was pretty let down. I was wondering what the deal was. What was so different between the two that I’ve owned, and the one I played at the shop?? So, before I just sold it AGAIN, I put some Martin Retro 13 gauge strings on it and ebony bridge pins on it and BOOOOM!! There it was!! That had to have been the difference between the two I owned and the punchy bad boy in the shop. This guitar is now the all around banger I hoped and heard it would be!! This guitar should be sold with 13 gauge retros on it, because as the reviews state it does sound slightly cheap with the 12’s. When you add the 13’s it’s like putting a set of nuts on it! This thing deserves an overall 5.0 rating, but I think people (Like I did) get rid of it or bash it before they find out what a beast this thing can be! If you are looking to buy one…DO IT!! Then, add 13 gauge Martin Retro strings (And bone bridge pins), and just wait for this bad boy to attack!! I seriously could go my whole life with this one guitar because of it’s character, voice, tone, punchiness, crunch, resonance, playability, craftsmanship, KILLER STYLE, and all around package!! Just ignore the negative reviews and listen to your boy… GET THIS GUITAR!!Zach Scoggins

I know this is alot of money to spend on a guitar. I am a working man too. I firmly believe this is the most money that a player should be spending on any guitar. I am a guitar PLAYER. I DONT buy guitars to hang on the wall so I can appreciate the gloss finish and drool over the pearl inlays. When I buy a guitar, I intend to play it until it is worn. I have done that with all of my acoustic and my electric guitars. If you are the kind of player who knows a few chords, and likes to sit down and strum a pretty guitar with figured inlays and flashy hardware, this guitar definitely is not the instrument for you. When you buy guitar, you can change every part on it, except the body and the neck. If you're going to buy a guitar with intent to change the neck and body, why not just buy a guitar with the neck and body you want, and change the hardware? If you are a player who is professional, serious, and wants to make a sound for yourself, well this guitar is the guitar for you. Yes, It DOES have the neck AND the body you want. The neck feels incredible. It is UNPARALLELED when it comes to feeling this guitar. Don't believe me? Find one and try playing it. It's like the Rickenbacker of acoustic instruments. The top of the guitar is the first thing that the sound bounces off of, and the shape and bracing in this acoustic allows for the hardwood of the spruce to do its job; to vibrate and give the guitar an excellent punch, and to twang and crunch when picking each string individually. It is an unbeatable sound from the first strum, but the real treat is the resonation. The sides of a guitar are where the it's sound rings after strumming. When you let this guitar ring, it gets a deep, rich, and woody sound from the mahogany sides. Somehow, this guitar is both punchy and gives a solid chimey crunch, but also resonates warmly with a full, rich, and deep sound. I have played and owned MANY guitars, but this one takes the cake. It is the best acoustic I have ever played.Marty

My first gut reaction to this guitar was repulsion. To be fair, I unboxed it in very unflattering light. It was strung with Retro monel strings which I personally do not like at all. I looked at the flat, Whiskey Sunset finish. All splochy and just cringe I wanted to yeet the damned thing. I strummed it twice and put it back in the case.

Two weeks later, one morning I tried it again. I sat in great morning sunlight and noticed it was a guitar going for a totally different vibe than anything else out there. And once I understood what it was it made sense. And I began falling in love with this thing.

Construction is perfect. Materials are top shelf. My top is heavily bear clawed as well as figured. Growth rings are parallel and very tight. Super high quality wood, actually. The neck is one piece mahogany, not glued up. The neck wood is also perfectly quarter sawn. The fret oard wood, though an uncommon rosewood has the basic density and pore structure of ebony, ut us a uniform dark cocoa brown color. Mine looke l8ke brown ebony. And it takes a polish like ebony will. You just dont find this wood quality on guitars at this pricepoint. The wood is as good as in my Larrivee LV03, which is a lot higher end guitar that has similar build quality

The guitar is incredibly light, weighing about 35% less than the Larrivee. It is lightly braced. The top is very "live." Doesnt take much wake it and it is very dynamically responsive. As a result, the guitar has a sort of "reverb" to its tone. It is actually the top being so live that open strings ring very easily. Gives the guitar a different vibe thats really cool. It's a subtle thing and would only matter for fingerstyle.

In fact I see this as exclusively a fingerstyle guitar. This is THE guitar to buy for fingerstyle Delta Blues. Detune it and it sounds greasy, growly, and downright nasty. It's sick. Nothing else I own is even close for this genre. The tone is very mid forward. Very warm. Not a lot of top end detail. Soft attack. Bass is tight and focused, but not overpowering. Perfect for pedaled bass notes. This is one of the fattest sounding gits I've heard heard. In electric guitar world its a Strat or P90, neck pickup position, tone rolled back a bit.

I would highly recommend the 000-17 for fingerstyle playing where dynamically responsive, mid forward, aggressive, warm fat tone is wanted. But the guitar isn't a good choice if you aren't a Bluesman. Flatpicking on the 000-17 sounds like poo tbh. You arent going to like it for strumming Kumbayah.

The 000-17 perfect for Blues. And thats great because thats what I wanted it for.Ken Smith

This the best guitar in looks and even better in the sound. I love that I can plugin and if I feel like staying acoustic I can do that too. Love this instrumenttroutkill137

This is another addition to my earlier post I still like the guitar as I mentioned before but when I just now went to record using the pickup system I was not pleased. At least to my ears it sounds like a very low end piezo under the bridge like the earliest kinds in the 80's buzzy and thick lacking in any of the subtle sounds I get playing it acoustically.Petros

This case is great! The quality is really good, super protective, deep front pocket fits everything youd need and more! Really happy with it. Straps are comfortable, zipper seems super sturdy and looks like it will last a while!stratant1

Up front I like brighter sounding acoustics (and electrics) and this model Martin was a real revelation. It feels like an electric neck to me so easy to play and the workmanship is outstanding. I was a little thrown by the bolt in neck but I get it now, it allows for owner adjustments (though I would still take it to a luthier) but what floored me was how singing this guitar is all the way up, even chords up at the 12+ frets sound full and loud. This is a pretty darn loud guitar. It has a nice deep penetrating low end but not a fat low end like a more traditional expensive Martins it has bite but a very appealing musical bite. (Think P90 as opposed to Humbuckers) (I'm speaking only played acoustic have not plugged it in yet) again I like it because it sings with a great sustain but not too much low end which can be difficult to record and sing against. Notes just seem to push tone out I was able to push this guitar until it seemed like the strings were rubber bands but it never quit it just kept the tone clear and ringing. Love the design of the bouts feels great to have on your lap. It sounded great flat picked finger picked nail picked strummed hammered pulled nothing did not sound excellent to my ears. I also tried a Taylor 214 CE K which I thought sounded great on videos but wow it sounded choked in many ways and chords that barked out and shouted on the Martin sounded muffled and pretty weak on the Taylor. That's when I decided this Martin was it. (In some ways this guitar sounds like a 12 string because of the bell like clarity and definition just what I was looking for).Petros

This guitar came in a generic box with no Martin box inside. No tag on the tuners to tell you what strings are on it. No protective plastic on the pick guard but rather scratches on it instead. No warranty card, no paperwork of any kind other than the invoice taped to the outside of the box. For the stupid deal of the day price I could have overlooked all of that but the neck had serious issues. You could look down the butt of the guitar and see the fretboard drop as soon as it left the body of the guitar. The neck was set up the best it could be, and you could tell somebody messed with the truss rod that didn't know what they were doing because the inside of the two middle strings had metal scuffs on them like it was adjusted without loosening or taking off the strings. A quarter of the notes on the fret board were completely dead notes, another quarter had terrible fret buzz. Most of the headstock side of the guitar sounded amazing. I actually ended up buying a higher end Martin made in America just because of the tone that I experienced with this guitar. The fact that this was a demo, used, damaged open box or all three sold to me as "new" was completely unacceptable. They did handle the return well and probably sent it off to some somebody else to deal with like they did me. I think this would have been an excellent guitar for the price if it were sent to me playable. The few notes and cords that played sounded amazing for an entry level Martin with HPL.Ollie

I've had this guitar for over a year now. For the price, it doesn't sound any better than a guitar costing 25% as much. There are no overtones whatsoever, no subtlety, no beauty – it's just loud and extremely basic sounding. It's also a real chore to play. I've got a Seagull Coastline Series 12 string and, believe it or not, it's at least as easy to play as this 6 string. And the sound coming out of the soundhole of the Seagull is an absolute symphony – this Martin is just ordinary, one-dimensional, and utterly uninspiring. Fit and finish is pretty much perfect, I can't find any flaws. The "HPL" laminate back and sides have a slight pebble texture to them, which makes me feel like I'm picking up a piece of luggage as opposed to a guitar. Please do an internet search on what Martin's "HPL" actually is – it is NOT any sort of laminated wood – it's basically paper and resin compressed under pressure, with a decorative layer on top. The same thing your kitchen countertops are made of – and it sounds like it. The electronics sound okay, I really can't complain, but again it's very basic and ordinary. It stays in tune well. Overall it looks nice and…that's about it. When it comes to sound and playability, you could do sooooooooo much better with another brand.Jack

I bought this because my other Martins don't have electronics and I don't want to modify them. So this one was on sale and I thought I'd try it out. Really I didn't have very high expectations for a guitar made of HPL but was I ever wrong! This guitar not only plays like a dream but it sounds great as well, both plugged in and unplugged. I couldn't be happier unless they gave it to me! As an aside, I bought my first new Martin in 1972 (D-28) and paid almost exactly the same price for it and it came with a case.Jimmy J

Like others, I've always wanted a domestically crafted Martin but just couldn't fit it in the budget. I'm sure the X series are great instruments but I did not want to settle for something other than a solid wood US made Martin if I were to purchase one. The MF sale and their 48 month, 0% financing deal made the choice a no brainer. I would consider myself an experienced novice in that I've been noodling on acoustics for 35 years give or take but electric bass has been my instrument of choice. That said I find this guitar easy and a joy to play and keeps me wanting to come back to it. The sound is bright and pleasant even when getting into the strings some. The quality is top notch and I went over this thing with a fine tooth comb. The absolute, only "flaw" I could find was that the pick guard was off center perhaps be .5 mm or so and the only way one would notice is if you follow the very minimal rosette around the sound hole you can gauge the position of the pick guard by following the thin white center line. There is no way you would notice this unless your eye is within 15 or so inches of the sound hole. The tuners seem decent quality, are marked "Martin", adjust smoothly and hold tune very well. The neck is comfortable and intonation is perfect as one would expect with the use of their PLEK machine to aid set up. To top things off the hard shell case fits the guitar perfectly, looks great and seems to be high quality. There is really no downside to this guitar and I wouldn't hesitate to advise anyone to purchase this guitar.Josh

I've had mine for four months, so I feel that I can make an honest evaluation and I'm every bit as impressed as I was on day one. I'm primarily an electric player, but I owned a couple of mid-range acoustics when I got this. I've since sold them because I knew I would never play them again. After steak, hot dogs just don't cut it. I always thought Martins were rather plain looking and still do, but what makes them so impressive is the playability and unequalled tone. The Custom D ranks right up there with the best in those categories. The satin finish is nice and while it may be psychological, I think it may give it a more open sound. You can definitely feel a ton of vibration in your body when playing. It doesn't show fingerprints or require polish either. In fact, Martin doesn't recommend polish. The factory installed strings are of the highest quality and great for chording, but if you use the entire fretboard or do a lot of bends like I do, you may want to consider something lighter. I changed to coated 10-47 extra lights and was surprised to find little to no loss in the low end. Now that I'm a Martin fan, I've considered trading up, but I just can't justify the extra cost for binding and a gloss finish. I'm sure the cork sniffers will tell me there's a whole lot more to it than that, but I think they would be hard pressed to distinguish a difference between this and a higher end model listening blindfolded. I've been playing for 48 years and have bought and sold many guitars during that span (regretting a few), and the Custom D is one of the best guitar purchases I've ever made. Oh yeah, everyone comments on the smell and it's no exaggeration. Hits you as soon as you open the case.Terry T

I wasn't expecting a whole lot with this guitar. I just wanted a guitar that I could take out in the elements and not have to worry about it. I also have a Taylor 314ce and Martin 000-15. This guitar is super comfortable to play, it's solidly built, and it sounds like a Martin! I tried the Taylor 114 first and it felt and sounded a bit cheap. This one is so much better than the Taylor 114. It has sustain for days (sure wasn't expecting that)! The 1.75" nut width and 24.9 length make it perfect for me. The fretboard is also superb, the richlite feels like ebony (super smooth), and the fretwork is spot on!EC

Overall: I am barely into my third year playing guitar. I progressed from a Yamaha FG800 to an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 MCE. I always wanted a Martin but I can't drop the coin for the D-18 or the D-28 that I really want, so I bought this without seeing or hearing it. I was honestly worried that a guitar with HPL back and sides could hang with an all solid wood guitar. Bad weather and the Pandemic slowed delivery down to four days via Fedex, but it is what it is. The first half hour of playing I was really wondering if I was going to like it. It took a little time to get used to that booming bottom end. But once I did, I learned to modulate it where necessary. And it plays so much smoother than my Epiphone. I am looking forward to playing with a friend who has a D-28 this summer to just compare them. Listen, I know this a made in Mexico Martin. And purists might turn their nose up. But play one and see, if like me, you think this is an amazing guitar at this price point. Heck. Now I don't know why I should keep the Epiphone. Call me a believer. The only thing i would ask Martin to do is add a nice white or black binding on this to protect the top and add a liitle flair. Heading to the Martin Website to get me a sticker for the mancave and a nice Martin ballcap. Love it.Blair

I had played this Martin D-41 some 25 years ago and was just amazed at the tonal quality and punch this artful guitar produced. Not to mention it was the most beautiful acoustic I'd ever seen. I have played several different brands and models since and nothing quite reached the level of that D-41. I longed for that guitar all those 25 years until last year. Went to my local Guitar Center and they were out of them. I ordered one and a week later it arrived. Took it out of the box and and a crowd of guitar techs gathered over her. Breathtaking look about this guitar. I was sent into a private room and played for 45 minutes just amazed at what she sounded like. The setup was very close to what I'd preferred and will never regret the expenditure for a long time dream guitar. Named her Deena!Tim

I just got my martin d16 gt from guitar center. It's used. I looked up the serial number and it was built in 2000. I was surprised that it was a 22 year old guitar. It's in remarkably good shape for something that close to being an antique.

To be fair, it looks used. There are pick scratches all over the front. A few dings…but that's because the previous owner played it…because it's an out standing instrument. The sound is phenomenal and it plays great. It still looks great even with the cosmetic imperfections.

There is very little fret wear. That was surprising considering it's age. Maybe it's been crowned? Hard to say.

It was a little boxy sounding when I took it out of the box, but it loosened up fast. I could literally hear it opening up as I played it on the first day (I played it a LOT that day).

Phenomenal guitar. Worth every penny, maybe more. Highly suggestRobert Kuhn

Overall: I am barely into my third year playing guitar. I progressed from a Yamaha FG800 to an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 MCE. I always wanted a Martin but I can't drop the coin for the D-18 or the D-28 that I really want, so I bought this without seeing or hearing it. I was honestly worried that a guitar with HPL back and sides could hang with an all solid wood guitar. Bad weather and the Pandemic slowed delivery down to four days via Fedex, but it is what it is. The first half hour of playing I was really wondering if I was going to like it. It took a little time to get used to that booming bottom end. But once I did, I learned to modulate it where necessary. And it plays so much smoother than my Epiphone. I am looking forward to playing with a friend who has a D-28 this summer to just compare them. Listen, I know this a made in Mexico Martin. And purists might turn their nose up. But play one and see, if like me, you think this is an amazing guitar at this price point. Heck. Now I don't know why I should keep the Epiphone. Call me a believer. The only thing i would ask Martin to do is add a nice white or black binding on this to protect the top and add a liitle flair. Heading to the Martin Website to get me a sticker for the mancave and a nice Martin ballcap. Love it.Blair

I had played this Martin D-41 some 25 years ago and was just amazed at the tonal quality and punch this artful guitar produced. Not to mention it was the most beautiful acoustic I'd ever seen. I have played several different brands and models since and nothing quite reached the level of that D-41. I longed for that guitar all those 25 years until last year. Went to my local Guitar Center and they were out of them. I ordered one and a week later it arrived. Took it out of the box and and a crowd of guitar techs gathered over her. Breathtaking look about this guitar. I was sent into a private room and played for 45 minutes just amazed at what she sounded like. The setup was very close to what I'd preferred and will never regret the expenditure for a long time dream guitar. Named her Deena!Tim

I just got my martin d16 gt from guitar center. It's used. I looked up the serial number and it was built in 2000. I was surprised that it was a 22 year old guitar. It's in remarkably good shape for something that close to being an antique.

To be fair, it looks used. There are pick scratches all over the front. A few dings…but that's because the previous owner played it…because it's an out standing instrument. The sound is phenomenal and it plays great. It still looks great even with the cosmetic imperfections.

There is very little fret wear. That was surprising considering it's age. Maybe it's been crowned? Hard to say.

It was a little boxy sounding when I took it out of the box, but it loosened up fast. I could literally hear it opening up as I played it on the first day (I played it a LOT that day).

Phenomenal guitar. Worth every penny, maybe more. Highly suggestRobert Kuhn

I play locally for hire as a solo acoustic guitar / vocalist. My primary guitar is a Martin GPCP Aura. I purchased the Martin SC 13E in hopes of finding a guitar with better action and playability. My first reaction to the 13E was really nice and it did play with less effort / strength than my GPCP. The first issue I noticed was string buzz on the 1st and 2nd strings. It wasn't awful but noticeable. I played the guitar that weekend at two shows. I was still noticing the buzz. So, I started the set-up investigation. The neck relief, the slight bow forward that a guitar neck needs, looked really good, maybe could use a bit more to help with the string buzz. This is an easy truss rod adjustment; however, I didn't change the truss rod setting. The next thing I looked at was the distance of the string height, above the 12th fret. My thought was I would try to lower this slightly if I decided to keep the guitar. The next weekend I got the guitar out at home before getting ready for my show that evening, to run through a new song I was planning to do at hat nights show. I took the SC13E out of the bag and the 1st and 2nd strings were touching the guitar at the 20th fret. I thought the saddle had somehow pushed down lower into the bridge…. I exchanged that guitar for another SC1E. GC person was easy to work with and got the exchange handled quickly. About 3-4 days I had my second SC13E in my hands. It also had the same string buzz, even though the neck relief and action looked good. I played a couple of shows with this guitar and then I started noticing the buzz getting worse. If you are still reading, the reward is at hand. lol I have decided that the problem with this guitar, and probably the other guitar, is the neck angle is off. I will explain why I think it is off and explain how you can check your guitar. I have watched hundreds of youtube videos trying to learn how to set-up and care for my instruments. I have watched neck adjustment videos put out by fender, for their strat guitars, because I wanted to know how to adjust my Acoustasonic Strat. But what I am getting ready to sell you, I have discovered on my own and may not be accurate, but here it goes. If I put a capo, or hold the strings down with my hand. on the 12th fret, there is a space between the strings and the frets above the 12th fret. A pretty wide gap at the 20th fret. On the SC13E the strings are almost touching and the 1st string is touching. Wa La I believe that neck angle is off. I think it was off on both guitars. So check yours before missing your return date. If you check your guitar and it has this problem, don't totally freak out. The SC13E has an adjustable neck angle, so it can be made perfect. If you find what I described above, I suggest contacting Martin Guitar and GC. Another thing to be aware of, the three Martin guitars I have owned had the nut groves cut too narrow. I took my GPCP to an excellent luthier. He filed the width and depth to correct specifications and filed down my frets (I had two that where high) Both of the SC13E guitars needed to have the nuts filed. If you are trying to tune your guitar by making a very slight turn to get it just right and the string doesn't increase pitch and then jumps to a sharp pitch, the string is probably pinching in the nut grove. Both SC13E's were boogers to tune for that reason. One of them broke the B string while tuning up from dropping the pitch. I am returning my second SC13E tomorrow and I think I am going to give it a rest for awhile. Maybe look for something different. FYI: I love my Martin GPCP Aura, unfortunately they discontinued that model. The sound I get from the Fishman Aura electronics is the best I have heard. PS: part of the reason the SC13E plays easier is they use a lighter gauge string. I put a set of the MA535T Martin Lifespan strings on mt GPCP and even with the truss rod loose, the strings don't pull on the neck hard enough to give me the neck relief that is needed. The SC13E is a beautiful guitar to look at and the electronics onboard sound very nice. I learned, I'm not a big fan of having the controls inside the sound hole. A little awkward to get to while strumming and the phase reverse switch is way back from the opening. If you like using the hole covers to fight feedback, I'm pretty sure you would be out of luck. I think this price range of acoustic guitar should come with a hard case. I gave this guitar a 2 rating because it has potential BUT i do think both of these guitars suffered from poor quality control. My luthier could have made both of these guitars sing beautifully but I refuse to buy a new guitar and send it for repairs, even if the repairs are set-up issues. A new guitar on the north side of a thousand dollars should show up playing without string buzzing and the strings close enough to the neck that you hand doesn't feel like you just hung from the monkey bars during an entire recess.Dale

This is a beautiful instrument with a stunning full acoustic sound despite the deep cut away and relatively small body size. The amazing design allows for unlimited access to the upper frets and the whole instrument feels very comfortable to play. I wanted an acoustic guitar with the accessibility of an electric and this new design from C.F.Martin delivers that in droves without ever loosing it's acoustic personality and sound. I own a super jumbo acoustic made by another company but the SC13e makes it sound dull and lifeless even before it is plugged in. The SC13e has that familiar Martin sound which is full and beautiful. The fishman pickup will then allow that sound to be delivered to anywhere from a gig in a noisy pub to full stadium if required. What a stunning instrument!Reviewed by Kenny's Music custom

Was the next best thing that I have ever got myself other than my truck. Ty love the way it sound and the way it plays……rosad-rober

Got this from Ithaca Guitar Works. Wanted to play it first. While it looks like a J45, it is a Martin. While the lower bout is an inch wider than a standard dreadnaught, it will not sound like a Gibson advanced jumbo. It is definitely a Martin and celebrates that pedigree. It is incredibly light. The light satin finish gives it immediate resonance and tone. And it will only get better. It is incredibly balanced string to string, but with a Martin bass. I own a Guild D20, which I prefer over Martin's D15 (it's close), but the spruce top on the DSS-17 adds a sparkle that is welcome. The Monel strings had to go. I can see why the late Tony Rice loved them for bluegrass. They are clear and don't overload a picker with overtones from earlier notes. I swapped out for a set of Daddario 12-53 Nickel Bronze strings instead. At times it rings and sustains like a 12 string. Can't stop playing her. The tuners are antiqued models from Stew Mac. They hold tune, but some creak and are not smooth. I am still deciding if noisy stability is preferable to smooth retuning. But they look the part of old tuners.Guild Lover

I've owned 2 Gibson J-45s. The first was a 2018 Sitka top, mahogany back and sides. The second was a Gibson J-45 with rosewood back and sides. Don't get me wrong, I love J-45s, but this Martin DSS-17 is killer! The bottom end reminds me of the 2018 45 I had, but more volume. The one I purchased had a hard case with it, so can't speak to the gig bag this normally comes with. I'd never buy a nice guitar with a gig bag. I'm too picky when it comes to humidifying my guitars, so a hard case is a must. I think this guitar had a great deal of thought put into it and they knocked it out of the park. This is my second Martin. The other that I own is a 000-15 SM, which is a great guitar as well. I'm still a Gibson fan, but let's be honest, a J-45 is a grand more than this 17. The 17 checked my boxes, so here we are.Randy C

The guitar plays great, sounds amazing and looks stunning. Real cool vintage vibe. The tuners seem very precise. I was disappointed that the guitar didn’t come with a hard case, but I have to say I’m really impressed with the soft case that came with it and it is far more robust than I would have expected. The set up is excellent nice and low but no fret buzz. My Gibson will be taking a back seat now this baby has arrived. Unbelievable tone and I definitely made the right decision to purchase this.Reviewed by Project Music custom

This Martin DC-X2E sounds nice and plays ok. Action was a little higher than I like but not too bad. Not a big fan of the very-wide neck. Sometimes the high E gets muted by my palm when reaching over the frets playing fingerstyle (lower area of the neck). So even with my fairly long fingers, having to stretch my fingers around the massive neck to avoid muting the high E gets tiresome quick. Basically, it's a bit difficult to play. In my opinion, it definitely does not play nearly as nice or easy as my Taylor 214ce or even my GS Mini. This Martin does sound great though. It's a great guitar overall.Johnny

I was looking for an acoustic-electric with a cutout. I didn't want to modify my existing acoustic to add electronics and I've started playing higher on the neck. I thought long and hard about buying a guitar under $400 knowing it would probably be "good enough", but I have a Martin X-Series 12 string that I absolutely love after being disappointed with a cheaper guitar. I also weighed "country of origin". I am so glad I didn't settle for less! This Martin X-Series guitar was set up perfectly right out of the box. The narrow neck makes it a dream to play and the SOUND! Nice deep sustained tones playing unplugged, and then when plugged in it's just awesome! I LOVE the soft rich tones!Harlan

ANTHEM; CONSUMER ADVOCATE Please note JUST received today. Exceptionally lightweight, which I don't thing is nesessarilly a good thing. Made in Mexico; should have done a little more research first. Action is too high in upper register and buzzes on a couple of strings. I will, unfortunately, have to get it set up at a cost. Not "ready to play" as advertised, however, to be fair, I will let it acclimate to the indoor conditions as it has been in transport in the cold. Surprised that there is such minimal protection by the box it was shipped in. What you would expect from a lower end guitar. Strap connector on the bottom is a plastic pin insert. BIG disappointment as it should be a secured metal connector like the one on top. Tone sounds very good thus far and crisp. Volume and tone on the Fishman pickup setup are a bit cumbersome to reach into the hole to adjust and kind of strange. Guess the pickup idea is kind of an afterthought and wasn't part of the original design. All that being said, the jury is still out and I will update this review to be fair and accurate as always. Will choose recommend to a friend for now, as there are only two choices; benefit of the doubt.Anthem

I bought this guitar after a bit of a journey in finding the right guitar. I had too many guitars that weren't getting enough play time but the one guitar that I really enjoyed the fit, feel, sound was a Little Martin (LX175) — NOT a top end Martin by any stretch (HDL, stratabond neck, etc) So I went on a search for a larger version of the Little Martin. After liquidating a few of the unused herd, I was in the market for a guitar for around grand. I visited by local music marts and tried out Martin's of all shapes and sizes and finally found that the 000x1ae as the size that fits my fingerpicking style. The dreadnaughts were too big (I hold the guitar in a classical pose) and this one really performed. Spruce top and HDL sides sound great. And even though i could probably have swung a much more expensive guitar, it picked this one as was happy that I did. The top is NOT mirror finished and feels more like wood than finish. The sides are HDL and is pretty indestructible. The neck is confortable and very playable. Also, if you wonder why there are two 000x1ae's on the site, this one is cheaper than the other 000x1ae on this site. The reason for this is that it is last year's model. The sticker inside the sound hole reads just like the title. That's the only difference. Hope this helps.bobbyg

This is a fantastic guitar. I own a Gibson J200, Taylor 414ce, Ovation 1864 Balladeer, Ovation 12 string – this is the "go to" guitar. So easy to play out of the box and the action is so nice. Sound is full and brilliant unplugged and the electronics really sound sweet when put through a PA. To keep the price down Martin does not provide a case…my only reason for not giving it a 5. It seems a little fragile compared to my other acoustics. It has held up very well after 2 years of gigs. If you want a great Martin at a great price this is IT! I am extremely pleased with the sound and quality that I would buy another as a backup.Acoustic Johnny T

dream come true!! this guitar is amazing, set up out of the box perfect, only thing is sharp fret edges on the bottom of the neck.Sounds amazing and you know its a Martin when you hear it.very impressed with this guitarEric

I would of preferred to buy a solid top Martin for my son but he has an attic bedroom which fluctuates with the heat and we were worried about keeping it stored safely so at his request I brought him this one instead. I had previously seen and held the solid mahogany version and so when this arrived it did look different (not quite as nice) and there was a slight difference it tone and resonance however it still looked and sounded great compared with other guitars around and under the same price range (£500) we had tried. My son is 16 and an intermediate level guitar player and found it comfortable and fun to play and it is a really good sounding guitar (particular at the lower end) especially when amplified. He particularly likes the neck profile of this Martin which is tapered and neither too far or too thin. A good value Martin that should last him years without the worry of the extra care you need to take with solid wood Martins so a good middle ground for us. Would recommend.Mr F. c.

dream come true!! this guitar is amazing, set up out of the box perfect, only thing is sharp fret edges on the bottom of the neck.Sounds amazing and you know its a Martin when you hear it.very impressed with this guitarEric

I would of preferred to buy a solid top Martin for my son but he has an attic bedroom which fluctuates with the heat and we were worried about keeping it stored safely so at his request I brought him this one instead. I had previously seen and held the solid mahogany version and so when this arrived it did look different (not quite as nice) and there was a slight difference it tone and resonance however it still looked and sounded great compared with other guitars around and under the same price range (£500) we had tried. My son is 16 and an intermediate level guitar player and found it comfortable and fun to play and it is a really good sounding guitar (particular at the lower end) especially when amplified. He particularly likes the neck profile of this Martin which is tapered and neither too far or too thin. A good value Martin that should last him years without the worry of the extra care you need to take with solid wood Martins so a good middle ground for us. Would recommend.Mr F. c.

very happy with this guitar……but it was delivered to me NOT set-up AT ALL!!!!!!! made in MEXICO. I am confused, a Martin from Mexico, so we'll see…I've got a Mexican Stratocaster it's great!! I haven't had this one very long but the sale off the list price goes for set-up work… think about it..Long time player

Great price for a good guitar. Has a Martin tone and with the correct strings is a joy to play. I like seeing others play it and not be concerned about damage. Outstanding for playing outdoors. Stays in tune well and with a little love out of the box (20 minutes) it's spot on.Pops

Got this from Ithaca Guitar Works. Wanted to play it first. While it looks like a J45, it is a Martin. While the lower bout is an inch wider than a standard dreadnaught, it will not sound like a Gibson advanced jumbo. It is definitely a Martin and celebrates that pedigree. It is incredibly light. The light satin finish gives it immediate resonance and tone. And it will only get better. It is incredibly balanced string to string, but with a Martin bass. I own a Guild D20, which I prefer over Martin's D15 (it's close), but the spruce top on the DSS-17 adds a sparkle that is welcome. The Monel strings had to go. I can see why the late Tony Rice loved them for bluegrass. They are clear and don't overload a picker with overtones from earlier notes. I swapped out for a set of Daddario 12-53 Nickel Bronze strings instead. At times it rings and sustains like a 12 string. Can't stop playing her. The tuners are antiqued models from Stew Mac. They hold tune, but some creak and are not smooth. I am still deciding if noisy stability is preferable to smooth retuning. But they look the part of old tuners.Guild Lover

I've owned 2 Gibson J-45s. The first was a 2018 Sitka top, mahogany back and sides. The second was a Gibson J-45 with rosewood back and sides. Don't get me wrong, I love J-45s, but this Martin DSS-17 is killer! The bottom end reminds me of the 2018 45 I had, but more volume. The one I purchased had a hard case with it, so can't speak to the gig bag this normally comes with. I'd never buy a nice guitar with a gig bag. I'm too picky when it comes to humidifying my guitars, so a hard case is a must. I think this guitar had a great deal of thought put into it and they knocked it out of the park. This is my second Martin. The other that I own is a 000-15 SM, which is a great guitar as well. I'm still a Gibson fan, but let's be honest, a J-45 is a grand more than this 17. The 17 checked my boxes, so here we are.Randy C

The guitar plays great, sounds amazing and looks stunning. Real cool vintage vibe. The tuners seem very precise. I was disappointed that the guitar didn’t come with a hard case, but I have to say I’m really impressed with the soft case that came with it and it is far more robust than I would have expected. The set up is excellent nice and low but no fret buzz. My Gibson will be taking a back seat now this baby has arrived. Unbelievable tone and I definitely made the right decision to purchase this.Reviewed by Project Music custom

Gorgeous resonance and crisp, clean highs, with an emphasis on a very centered midrange. Not as deep as mahogany, nor as resonant as rosewood, nor bell-like like granadillo or ziricote, cherry has its own earthy crisp sound. If you like that, this guitar is a beaut-incredibly playability and sound (and looks pretty too).JB

I have several guitars but none a good as my new OME Cherry Orchestra Acoustic-Electric Guitar. Action is low and is a dream to play. Sounds great as it is easy to play. I've always wanted a Martin but never purchased one. I would trade all my guitars for this one if I had too. Thank you SAMASH a sweet deaL.Dennis

A great feel and sound right out of the box. Beautiful cherry back and sides with a matte finish contrast with a high gloss spruce top. After a slight height adjustment to the saddle and nut (personal preference) this baby plays like butter. Deep resonant sound in an OM body and crystal clear highs. The electronics are spot on and easy to use. The hard shell case fits nice and snug. A pure pleasure to play. I can't wait to hear this one open up sonically with some age.Sofa Strummer

This guitar is awesome! Tone is phenomenal for the price point. Compare to the Martin D28, which is the holy grail in their lineup. Builtin tuner is an awesome feature I use regularly, it is integrated into the electronics so it mutes the output when you turn it on, nice that your audience doesn't have to hear you tuning up. Stays in tune well, action on the neck is perfect IMO. You won't be disappointed in this guitar.JAMIE