Martin DCXE X Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review :: Martin Guitar Reviews
it can sound high and sweet, or drop right down and emanate deep power-chord bass – great for acoustic leads.

Features an easy-playing cutaway dreadnought body armed with a Fishman pickup and Prefix Pro EQ. The low-oval profile Stratabond neck has a black 12″-radius Micarta fingerboard with side dots only and jumbo frets to facilitate hammer-ons, pull-offs, and bends. 1-11/16″ nut, 25-3/8″ scale. Appointments of these musical instruments include a black peghead overlay with gold logo, enclosed chrome tuners, and a strap button. The Fishman Prefix Pro has phase, notch, bass, mid, treb, brilliance, volume, and a change battery indicator. Made of HPL, Martin did a great job of making it look like wood, nice black finish.
Sound of Martin DCXE Guitar
- the sound is very rich and full when amped up, but without an amp, it’s not all that;
- clean sounding, balanced, a bit on the bassy side though;
- rich, full sound due to the fact that the Formica body is thinner and lighter than wood allowing the top and body to vibrate and resonate more than wood;
- it can sound high and sweet, or drop right down and emanate deep power-chord bass;
- wide tonal range;
- it picks up an equal volume for all six strings;
- it is really the acoustic dream.
Pros of Martin DCXE Acoustic Electric Guitar
- sounds awesome, especially for the price;
- the tuners are CF Martin sealed tuners that are super smooth;
- the Fishman Prefix Pro has phase, notch, bass, mid, treb, brilliance, volume, and a change battery indicator;
- notch filter;
- comes with Martin SP strings that sound great;
- hard strumming or finger-picking;
- action high enough to prevent buzzing with hard strumming, but low enough for easy playability, beautifully soft action, it’s so low and nice;
- really solid, due to the body being Formica it’s not going to scratch or ding;
- it’s got the looks, elegant;
- road-worthy, durable;
- it can sound high and sweet, or drop right down and emanate deep power-chord bass.
Cons of Martin DCXE Guitar
- the rosette is kind of fragile.
Suggestions for this Martin Guitar
- you can adjust the EQ for live play or you can roll with it and play some amazing acoustic sets;
- if you like to low-tune your guitar (CGCFAD), this isn’t your guitar, without that tension, you’re gonna get some buzz.
Features + Technical Specs | |
---|---|
MODEL | DCXE BLACK |
CONSTRUCTION: | Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint |
BODY SIZE: | D-14 Fret CUTAWAY |
TOP: | Jett Black HPL Textured Finish |
ROSETTE: | Gold & Black Style Herringbone |
TOP BRACING PATTERN: | D-1 (A-frame) |
TOP BRACES: | D1 (A – frame) w/Graphite Bridge And Bowtie Plates |
BACK MATERIAL: | Jett Black HPL, Texture Finish |
BACK PURFLING: | none |
SIDE MATERIAL: | Jett Black HPL Textured Finish |
ENDPIECE: | none |
ENDPIECE INLAY: | none |
BINDING: | none |
TOP INLAY STYLE: | none |
SIDE INLAY: | none |
BACK INLAY: | none |
NECK MATERIAL: | Natural Stratabond |
NECK SHAPE: | Modified Low Oval |
NUT MATERIAL: | Black Corian |
HEADSTOCK: | Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper |
HEADPLATE: | Jett Black HPL Textured Finish |
HEELCAP: | none |
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: | Solid Striped Ebony |
SCALE LENGTH: | 25.4″ |
# OF FRETS CLEAR: | 14 |
# OF FRETS TOTAL: | 20 |
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: | 1 11/16” |
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: | 2 1/8” |
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: | none |
FINGERBOARD BINDING: | none |
FINISH BACK & SIDES: | none |
FINISH TOP: | none |
FINISH NECK: | none |
BRIDGE MATERIAL: | Striped Ebony |
BRIDGE STYLE: | 1 Style Belly |
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: | 2 1/8” |
SADDLE: | Compensated Black Tusq |
TUNING MACHINES: | Chrome w/ Small Knobs |
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: | Martin MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze |
BRIDGE & END PINS: | White w/ Black Dots |
PICKGUARD: | none |
CASE: | none |
INTERIOR LABEL: | Foil Label- Black w/ Silver Letters |
ELECTRONICS: | Fishman Prefix Pro |