On 2007-12-26, Michael Frattaroli gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5
History: I am an amateur guitarist, I've only been investing serious time into learning for the past six months. I've been using an old Fender Acoustic that was given to me by my uncle. I am serious about learning to play guitar (possibly making up for not playing any instruments when I was younger - but I'm still only 18). I've been learning to play on acoustic and an Ibanez electric bass I got a good deal on.

Purchase: Trying to find which type of guitar I enjoy playing most - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, or bass - I went down to Guitar Center with plans on picking up a cheap electric to play on. I played a few electrics in the $200-500 range before venturing into the Acoustic section for the fun of it. A friend had said how nice Martins were, so I played around with a few as well as some $2000-3000 Taylors. Then I saw this nice martin sitting there with a $499 price tag. I played it for about 45 minutes and was astonished. Even not knowing a whole lot about playing guitar, I immediately noticed how amazing this thing was. The only guitar I played there that I liked more was a $2999 Taylor. I abandoned my plans for an electric and bought the DX-1.
Pros: Amazing sound, amazing feel, just an astonishing guitar. Can't beat the price either.
Cons: If it can really even be considered a negative, it doesn't have the stylish looks as some of the higher end guitars or even my glossy black Fender. But the sound and feel is a whole lot more important than the looks.
Quality: One word: Astonishing.

Summary: Unless you're Jimmy Page, I don't think you can go wrong with this guitar. It's only my second guitar, and it will be the one I mature as a guitarist on. I can't see any reason I'll ever need to buy another acoustic. I'm probably better off learning on an acoustic anyway. As an amateur guitarist, I could not justify (even if I could afford it) spending $1000+ on a guitar, but this Martin has just as good as (if not better) sound and feel for a very nice price.

On 2004-04-04, Manny (New York) gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


Purchase: My girl friend took me "looking for guitars" today - just for fun. She is learning to play and wanted to try out some of the better instruments. We went to Guitar Center on Long Island because you can sit there all day and play every guitar in the place without being harrassed by the sales people. We played guitars ranging in price from $ 200 to $ 3000 - we were shocked when the Martin DX-1 sounded better than anything in the shop, felt better and cost so little. The difference was truly remarkable. We were not there to buy a guitar. We were so impressed that we took the Martin DX-1 home with us. It was $ 460. - that's right, four hundred and sixty dollars. It blew away guitars costing four times that.
Pros: Simple design, classic look. BIG sound and beatifully balanced. Very responsive - the bottom end was very, very rich and yet it did not overpower the bright side. Nicest sounding guitar I have ever heard (and I've been playing for over 40 years). The neck is wonderful - solid and easy to explore. I am not a Martin fan (or at least I wasn't until today) and money was not an object as we had no intention of buying anything. This is a great guitar. Find one, buy it and keep it for the rest of your life (and then keep it in the family).
Cons: I can't think of a single thing about it that could be considered negative.
Quality: Solid, beautiful - whatever techniques they used really work - this guitar projects like no other that I've heard.

Summary: I sound like a nut job (after all, it is just a guitar)- but just try one out - a wonderful instrument.

On 2004-02-12, Ryan gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


Purchase: I was interested in a Guitar with a lot of bottem end but with balanced highs as well. By reccommendation I went to my local Martin dealer expecting to spend $ 1000.00+ to get what I was looking for. (especially Martin)....HOW WRONG! I played every Martin from the DM to JM to the D-35. Very much to my surprise, the DX-1 had more bottem end, a better balanced tone, longer sustain, a louder projection, and a better fret action feel. Try this.... Don't look at model numbers, price or the fancies at your martin dealer, just play the martin line. YOU WILL choose the DX-1 over the rest..PERIOD! The best part....$ 500.00 !!!
Pros: I was interested in a Guitar with a lot of bottem end but with balanced highs as well. By reccommendation I went to my local Martin dealer expecting to spend $ 1000.00+ to get what I was looking for. (especially Martin)....HOW WRONG! I played every Martin from the DM to JM to the D-35. Very much to my surprise, the DX-1 had more bottem end, a better balanced tone, longer sustain, a louder projection, and a better fret action feel. Try this.... Don't look at model numbers, price or the fancies at your martin dealer, just play the martin line. YOU WILL choose the DX-1 over the rest..PERIOD! The best part....$ 500.00 !!!
Cons: Honestly...........NONE!!
Quality: It's a Martin!!! Any questions?

Summary: Blind test this against the Martin line. Unless you just want to spend $ 2000.00 for fancy pearl inlays and decorations you can spend $ 500.00 for a better sound. After all, how many of us will ever get our picture taken, for the world to see, playing a guitar???

On 2003-12-24, jiesheng gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


Purchase: After years of playing with cheaper Yamahas and stuff, I finally decided to invest in a Martin when I saw the DXM on sale for $399 at Guitar Center. I played it one day, liked it, thought about it for a day, and then went back to buy it the next day. That's when I saw the distinctive-looking DX-1 hanging on the wall. At $469, it was significantly more, but I tried it anyway, then played the two side by side. No contest. I fell in love with the DX-1 and gladly shelled out the extra $70.
Pros: Unlike the DXM, which is all laminate, the DX-1 has a solid spruce top. As a result, although the DXM is a nice sounding guitar, when played side by side the DX-1 is much warmer, projects much better, and has a beautiful, endless sustain rich with overtones. It's easy to play and has absolutely perfect intonation up and down the keyboard. I may be playing this guitar for the rest of my life; unless I win the lottery or something, I don't see why I'd ever buy another basic 6-string acoustic.
Cons: I have nothing bad to say about this guitar. I mean, I guess I could wish for a solid wood bottom as well as top, but at this price I don't think you can get a better sound than this.
Quality: The DX-1 has a very distinctive, minimalist look. The spruce top looks unfinished, like bare wood, and instead of having a sharp edge with the sides, the top seems to curve around to meet the sides in a very graceful line. The fretboard looks and plays like rosewood but is actually a high-tech material called black micarta. There are no inlays or dots on the fingerboard, giving it a very spare appearance. (There are those discreet little dots on the top of the neck so you can see what fret you're on, though.) The look is simultaneously beautiful, unique, and very basic. The craftsmanship appears to be flawless. Come on, it's a Martin!

Summary: I'm so glad I noticed this just in time and bought it instead of the DXM. If there's a finer acoustic guitar available new for under $500, I sure haven't seen it. This guitar is a work of art, and I could listen to it all day.

On 2003-10-19, DX-1 owner gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


Purchase: I bought it at Guitar Center for my birthday in April 2002. I payed $450.00 new.
Pros: I love the sound of this guitar. It's not as pretty as the higher end Martins, but it sounds just as good. I played every acoustic they had in stock, and when I was done the DX-1 was the best buy. The action was great and NO fret noise at all. Easy to pick and easy to chord.
Cons: I wish it had the pearling in the neck and had a glossy finish on the body.
Quality: This guitar is not massed produced. It is hand made and all seams match nicely. The smell of the wood is very nice. It smells like it was made yesterday.

Summary: For someone on a budget the DX-1 is the best full sized acoustic in sound and in play quality. Like I said earlier, I played over 50 guitars in the $199-$799, and even a few $1000-$2000, and for the basic acoustic guitar the DX-1 is the best. I love my Martin. If I had money to blow I'd buy a $2000 Martin, but I don't, and for the price of the DX-1 you get a great guitar. It's not as pretty as some, but out plays them all.