Which Martin Acoustic-Electric Guitar Should I buy

[jnevi9nr]

There are about 9 different Martins in the 600-700 range.

Martin DCX1E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DCXE X Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric

Martin DXME Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin X Series OMCX1KE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DX1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin 00CXAE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DCX1KE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin 000CXE Black Acoustic Electric Guitar



Price limit is $700.


Or should I go with a Taylor 110e?

[DLCSBMMK]

I would suggest saving up some more money and getting a nicer guitar. None of those Martins will be anything like a real Martin. If $700 is the ceiling and that's that, then, despite my devotion to Martins, I would go with the 110ce Taylor. I've played them too and they are great guitars for the price. I would really suggest saving a few hundred dollars more and getting a better guitar if you really want a Martin. It's difficult sometimes but not once you do it and realize how much better the guitar sounds and feels.

[rantingthespian]

I would take a look at the GAD line of guitars from Guild. Most are 800 or under.

If I had to pick from your list, I'd go with one of these:

Martin DCX1E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DCXE X Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric

Martin DXME Acoustic-Electric Guitar

[Mikey Dreamer]

I would add the Martin 000CX1E to your list too and that would be my pick.

[jnevi9nr]

thanks for the input guys!

[chr35919]

i'd buy a different guitar with $700

[jnevi9nr]

such as?

[VanHorneDog]

Originally Posted by DLCSBMMK

I would suggest saving up some more money and getting a nicer guitar. None of those Martins will be anything like a real Martin. If $700 is the ceiling and that's that, then, despite my devotion to Martins, I would go with the 110ce Taylor. I've played them too and they are great guitars for the price. I would really suggest saving a few hundred dollars more and getting a better guitar if you really want a Martin. It's difficult sometimes but not once you do it and realize how much better the guitar sounds and feels.

i disagree, i own one of those on his list, it sounds ands plays better than a lot of martins even a thousand dollars more expensive.

[WiseManSay]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

There are about 9 different Martins in the 600-700 range.

Martin DCX1E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DCXE X Series Cutaway Acoustic-Electric

Martin DXME Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin X Series OMCX1KE Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DX1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin 00CXAE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin DCX1KE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Martin 000CXE Black Acoustic Electric Guitar



Price limit is $700.


Or should I go with a Taylor 110e?

Didn't look at all of them but I would say none. There is nothing really wrong with them per se , but your spending too much on them because of the name.

Ebay it. For $700 you can get something really nice. I just bought a Martin D-15 for $721...

http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...php?p=m&m=D-15

[MGH4007]

As someone stated earlier, I would check around a little more. Typically you can find a nicer top end guitar of another company than a low end of Taylor, Martin, etc. keep in mind you are buying an electric acoustic, you must place importance on pickups as well.

[Mikey Dreamer]

Originally Posted by MGH4007

As someone stated earlier, I would check around a little more. Typically you can find a nicer top end guitar of another company than a low end of Taylor, Martin, etc. keep in mind you are buying an electric acoustic, you must place importance on pickups as well.

Yeah, he could get a more fully featured guitar, but in my opinion, even the no-frills Martins like the ones listed here still have all of the great Martin tonal qualities (despite having laminate backs and sides). If you're after the Martin sound and the Martin sound alone, then these guitars are good choices.

On another note, if you're willing to save up a little more, you can get the new Martin 1 series with all-solid wood (with a stratabond neck) for around $1000 (with a hardshell case).
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...s.php?m=OMC-1E

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by VanHorneDog

i disagree, i own one of those on his list, it sounds ands plays better than a lot of martins even a thousand dollars more expensive.

No you don't. That's simply false, man. Any $1000+ Martin with a proper set-up will sound infinitely better than a guitar with laminate backs and sides. I have a DM witch is a little more $$ than the ones on this list and it doesn't hold a candle to my 000-16 or D-28. It plays well but the sound just isn't the same. If it was, the cost or demand for them would be heavily increased.

[MGH4007]

Originally Posted by Mikey Dreamer

Yeah, he could get a more fully featured guitar, but in my opinion, even the no-frills Martins like the ones listed here still have all of the great Martin tonal qualities (despite having laminate backs and sides). If you're after the Martin sound and the Martin sound alone, then these guitars are good choices.

On another note, if you're willing to save up a little more, you can get the new Martin 1 series with all-solid wood (with a stratabond neck) for around $1000 (with a hardshell case).
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...s.php?m=OMC-1E

Good point, either way a Martin will still sound like a Martin. Another good point, for another 300$ you will gain quality to the point where the price/quality might even make the 1000$ guitar, technically the "cheaper one"

[jnevi9nr]

Well, I am back. I was really impressed with the Taylor 114ce. What does the c stand for in 114ce? Anyone have any experience with this guitar? Its a little more than I want to spend.

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

Well, I am back. I was really impressed with the Taylor 114ce. What does the c stand for in 114ce? Anyone have any experience with this guitar? Its a little more than I want to spend.

c means "Cutaway". Taylor "1" series, "14" body, "Cutaway", "Electric". Don't mean to sound condescending btw, if you know what the other stuff means.

[jnevi9nr]

actually i didnt, thanks. i figured out the e and 1, but the rest, not really. so what does 14 mean? as oppose to the 110e. is a 14 body a lot better than a 10?

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

actually i didnt, thanks. i figured out the e and 1, but the rest, not really. so what does 14 mean? as oppose to the 110e. is a 14 body a lot better than a 10?

No. Just different.

http://i35.tinypic.com/1z2dqpy.jpg

[jnevi9nr]

thanks! that helped alot!

and what about the c? there is a cutaway, what are the other options? if its without a c, what is that called?

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

thanks! that helped alot!

and what about the c? there is a cutaway, what are the other options? if its without a c, what is that called?

If a 110ce is a cutaway dreadnaught. If it wasn't a cutaway, it would just be a 110e.

[jnevi9nr]

so are there pros or cons to a cutaway vs. not a cutaway? what exactly is a cutaway?

[jnevi9nr]

so I picked out the notices the difference between the 110e and the 114ce. So can someone tell me why I should buy one over the other or why one is so much more than the other?

Taylor 110e Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
Dreadnought
Wood fiber soundhole rosette
Lexan headstock overlay
Scalloped X-bracing

Taylor 114ce Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
Type/Shape: 6-String Grand Auditorium
Soundhole Rosette: Plastic
Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood
Fretboard Radius: 15 Inches
Bracing: Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern W/Relief Rout)
Cutaway: Venetian

[DLCSBMMK]

This is a regular Dreadnaught: http://www.woodbrass.com/images/wood...AYLOR-110E.JPG

This is the cutaway version: http://www.qualityguitars.com/images...t/110-CE-1.jpg

In my opinion, there is very little to no difference in the tonal qualities of a cutaway vs. a non-cutaway. However, the cutaway makes it very convenient to reach the upper frets. If you play a lot of lead or like to get up on the high notes, cutaways are a great option. If you don't care either way, it really doesn't matter all that much. I've got both and I do fine with or without it. So, I would suggest playing one of each to check how it feels when you play it.

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

so I picked out the notices the difference between the 110e and the 114ce. So can someone tell me why I should buy one over the other or why one is so much more than the other?

Taylor 110e Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
Dreadnought
Wood fiber soundhole rosette
Lexan headstock overlay
Scalloped X-bracing

Taylor 114ce Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:
Type/Shape: 6-String Grand Auditorium
Soundhole Rosette: Plastic
Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood
Fretboard Radius: 15 Inches
Bracing: Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern W/Relief Rout)
Cutaway: Venetian

After giving the two's specs the once over, they appear to be virtually identical as far as the materials used. The 110 would be have a fuller sound but the 114 would be a little more balanced sonically. Both guitars have plenty of tone offer. So, the decision would come down to aesthetics and whether the 114ce looks like its worth 200 extra bucks. That's the part I can't help you with.

[AJF_41]

714ce ftw!

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by AJF_41

714ce ftw!

OM-21 Special, while we're at it:

http://www.12fret.com/new/Martin_OM-21_Special.jpg

[VanHorneDog]

Originally Posted by DLCSBMMK

No you don't. That's simply false, man. Any $1000+ Martin with a proper set-up will sound infinitely better than a guitar with laminate backs and sides. I have a DM witch is a little more $$ than the ones on this list and it doesn't hold a candle to my 000-16 or D-28. It plays well but the sound just isn't the same. If it was, the cost or demand for them would be heavily increased.

i'm glad you can tell me what my opinion is. ill never forget to check with you before i proclaim what i think next!

jackass.

also considering a 1000 dollars more is about 1600 bucks a D-28 is closer to 3000 i wouldn't compare those.

a d-16 sure for price, but im not convinced at all on sound.

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by VanHorneDog

i'm glad you can tell me what my opinion is. ill never forget to check with you before i proclaim what i think next!

jackass.

also considering a 1000 dollars more is about 1600 bucks a D-28 is closer to 3000 i wouldn't compare those.

a d-16 sure for price, but im not convinced at all on sound.

Didn't mean to sound as brash as I did. But, a sub $1000 Martin doesn't sound like a $3000 one and that's a fact. But, I think you can agree on that with me. That's what I thought when I read your initial post b/c you made it sound as if all Martins, regardless of price, sound the same; they don't.

[VanHorneDog]

Originally Posted by DLCSBMMK

Didn't mean to sound as brash as I did. But, a sub $1000 Martin doesn't sound like a $3000 one and that's a fact. But, I think you can agree on that with me. That's what I thought when I read your initial post b/c you made it sound as if all Martins, regardless of price, sound the same; they don't.

i was just fucking with you,

no i agree, a well set up and aged d-28 or d-35 will blow those away.

but i am not convinced by a lot of the mid price ranged martins, especially in the playability department. (this is also feel and personal taste, i enjoy oiled necks not finished)

also i enjoy the sound more from my guitar than those, that is the taste part of course. i will agree it lacks some sustain and clarity that a full wood guitar gets, but i dont find that a problem, as a matter of fact I find that a problem with some of the martins is that they get too muddy when that happens and it hides the warmth that appeals to me.

all martins do not sound the same, but some of the composite guitars they did VERY right and they sound/play better than their low end all wood guitars.

[DLCSBMMK]

Originally Posted by VanHorneDog

i was just fucking with you,

no i agree, a well set up and aged d-28 or d-35 will blow those away.

but i am not convinced by a lot of the mid price ranged martins, especially in the playability department. (this is also feel and personal taste, i enjoy oiled necks not finished)

also i enjoy the sound more from my guitar than those, that is the taste part of course. i will agree it lacks some sustain and clarity that a full wood guitar gets, but i dont find that a problem, as a matter of fact I find that a problem with some of the martins is that they get too muddy when that happens and it hides the warmth that appeals to me.

all martins do not sound the same, but some of the composite guitars they did VERY right and they sound/play better than their low end all wood guitars.

Well when you put it like that...lol.

My nice Martins have a great tone. They've had time to age a bit and they get sweeter sounding as they get older. My DM has a unique sound. I'm sure it's because of the Mahogany used. It's different. I use it as my slide guitar. I, too, dislike the feel of a finished neck. On all my guitar necks, I used a heavy grade steel wool to preliminarily wear off the finish. Then work my way to a finer and finer grade until I get a completely smooth neck. I've heard of sanding it but steel wool doesn't affect the appearance like sanding does. It just takes the lacquer off with out digging on the wood.

[VanHorneDog]

Originally Posted by DLCSBMMK

Well when you put it like that...lol.

My nice Martins have a great tone. They've had time to age a bit and they get sweeter sounding as they get older. My DM has a unique sound. I'm sure it's because of the Mahogany used. It's different. I use it as my slide guitar. I, too, dislike the feel of a finished neck. On all my guitar necks, I used a heavy grade steel wool to preliminarily wear off the finish. Then work my way to a finer and finer grade until I get a completely smooth neck. I've heard of sanding it but steel wool doesn't affect the appearance like sanding does. It just takes the lacquer off with out digging on the wood.

hmmm never heard of using steel wool.

this is why i always preferred a mexican strat, because their necks are usually tung oiled i believe then of course upgrading them.

although currently i'm looking into a Carvin Strat.