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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → Martin DX1 or Epiphone Dove
I'm a new player and am trying to decide which of these to purchase. I know Martin has a great reputation, but am pulled toward the Epiphone's solid wood construction. I know very little about this and would appreciate any suggestions.
No one can decide for you but here's my .02... Both are solid topped models, The martin is HPL (high pressure laminate) back and sides and the epiphone is laminate maple back and sides, so neither are solid wood guitars... 80-85% of tone comes from the top so that's what's really important.
Martins have a distinctive sound that carry (somewhat) over to these models because of the top bracing. So if you want a Martin sound, the Martin is ,of course, the way to go. (Imo) The Martin will hold resale value better and in general they are more consistent in quality and tone.
The Epiphone dove can be a great guitar but they are inconsistent. Some i've played have sounded good and some not so much... If I was going the epiphone route, I'd be sure to try it before I bought it.
Not sure if you want some more ideas or not but here's a few under 5 bills worth consideration... IMO
In no particular order
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=582300 and
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=582299 These are currently being closed out and are a great deal on a good solid topped and backed acoustic (IMO)
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=512120 It's hard to go wrong with a Seagull ,or any other Godin guitar (Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, Norman) One of the best bang for buck brands out there (IMO
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=519049 These Yamahas are great as well for the money... Especially with a upgrade to bone for the saddle.. They have a taylorisk sound without the cost.
That's just a few but if you want more, I can go on... Best of luck in your search! -Pix
I have played alot of guitars and my choice for a guitar under $500 is epiphone Masterbilt series. Solid tops, back and sides and very consistent in production. I have played many at our local store and they are impressive.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod … sku=519055
I played a DX1 at the local music store and I liked the sound. It is a great guitar for lower end Martin. I eneded up buying an all wood Martin instead, but liked the DX1.
Phoenix,
My 2 cents worth dictates that you go with the Dove. Martin makes a lot of great instruments but the great ones need to have names like 000-xx or D-18, D28, D45, 00-xx etc. Don't get me wrong here. Martin, for years, has been the standard by which all others are judged. When you start talking about Gibson guitars, the choices become very few. They only make a few acoustics: J-200, Dove, Hummingbird, L-00. The top end of the Gibson Acoustic line is the entire Gibson acoustic line. Gibson doesn't make an economy acoustic. Martin does. I suggest that you sit down at a major music store that has a good selection for you to chose from and try them all. Spend some time with your next purchase. These guitars at these price ranges are not cheap. If you really want to spend this much money on your next acoustic, don't ignore the other makers. Lowden, Larrivee, Collings, Santa Cruz, there are a hundred more. What I would hate to see is that you spent a lot of money on a guitar that had a famous name but didn't make you happy.
Good Luck,
Matt
The 1 Series Martins are all wood and fairly affordable at around $800 with a hard case. I actually compared one to a Martin D18 and it sounded better and played easier. For the money i agree that the Maserbuilt Epiphones are also very good.
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → Martin DX1 or Epiphone Dove
