The Martin DX1AE acoustic-electric guitar features Martin’s classic design with a stage-ready solid Sitka Spruce top and sturdy mahogany laminate sides and back. The Sonitone electric pickup is made by Fishman, and sits discretely inside the sound hole, with easy-access rotaries to adjust volume and tone. This guitar has the rich and dynamic resonance which has been the hallmark of Martin guitars for nearly two centuries. The D-series dreadnought series was invented by Martin a century ago to produce greater volume and deeper bass when played in the era before amplification. It had a larger and deeper body than previous guitars, and was named after a giant battleship that had “nothing to fear.” Soon enough, other manufacturers jumped on board, and dreadnought became the standard size. The rich, formative history of Martin, along with the company’s impeccable attention to craftsmanship, makes them favorites of everyone from Bob Dylan to Jimmy Page to Mumford and Sons. The solid Spruce top of the DX1AE offers a rich bass and full resonance beloved by fans of steel string acoustic music. Alaskan Sitka Spruce is favored for having a perfect blend of durability and elasticity. Spruce is a lovely, light-grained wood, and it’s also light in weight, making this a road-ready guitar. To top it off, much of the wood in the instrument is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sourced in a fashion which ensures there are benefits for the local environment, local community, and local wildlife. The sides and body of the DX1AE are made of High Pressure Laminate (HPL) material, carefully designed to maintain shape and resist the ravages of environmental changes in temperature or humidity. The deep-hued finish is gorgeous, and the side and back are scratch and dent-resistant, making the DX1AE a great travel companion and lifelong go-to instrument. This D-14 six-string guitar has the usual 14 frets on a rust birch wood laminate neck, hand rubbed to a beautiful finish. There are 20 frets in total. The tuning pegs are a smooth functioning and durable chrome. The 25.4-inch scale length produces a bright sound with clean overtones. Martin’s long-standing principles are attention to detail and an unhurried patience in the production of the best guitars that are made. This resonates through all the materials and components, from the pickguard to the fingerboard to the classic X-bracing, which undergirds the Spruce top. The beauty is in the details. Maybe you are a veteran singer-songwriter looking for a great gigging Martin guitar that you are able to plug into an amp when needed. Perhaps you are a first-time picker looking for the rich and full experience of a Martin. In all cases, the DX1AE is a top-flight instrument that looks, feels and sounds great. Getting the Martin DX1AE is an investment in history—a tradition of excellence which the DX1AE easily sustains.