Martin D-X1E Koa Dreadnought Electro Acoustic

Martin D-X1E Koa Dreadnought Electro Acoustic Overview

Established in the 1830s, Martin & Co. more or less invented the steel-strung guitar for the modern world. Martin guitars have a unique, piano-like tone revered by musicians and music lovers all over the world. The build quality and materials employed in the construction greatly contribute to the complexity and richness of that tone.

Martin’s X series, X meaning made in Mexico, brings the high-quality tonal character and feel to the entry-level and intermediate player. Proof that high build quality is achievable at an affordable price.

The Dreadnought body shape favours a bass dominant tonal distribution which opens a huge dynamic range to the player, who can move from a lightly picked whisper to a full, open-throated roar. The nut width is a broad 1 and ¾ inches, allowing a little more space for fingering and picking. The scale length is 25.4 inches. This is called ‘long scale’. Long scale lengths cause the strings to be held under a higher tension at concert pitch. This means a louder, more powerful sound, fizzing with harmonic overtones.

X series Martin guitars utilise high-pressure laminate (HPL) woods for the back and sides (and for the tops of X1 instruments). HPL provides a stable material with which to construct a guitar body and offer the instrument at an attractive price. The D-X1E Koa features a Koa-effect top, back and sides. The satin finish is smooth and has a matt texture. It is smart, durable and easy to maintain.

X Series guitars are fitted with Fishman MX electronics. The MX system includes volume and tone controls on the preamp inside the soundhole of the guitar. This guitar comes supplied with a durable and water-resistant gig bag with headstock, bridge, and endpin protectors to ensure that this guitar can be kept safe and dry whilst travelling.

For users that require all the great features of the X series and some choice upgrades such as all solid wood construction, the addition of an inbuilt soundhole tuner to the preamp and a more premium case, check out Martin and Co’s D-10E