Martin 000CXE...Yay or nay?

[texicus]

Hey people - I've got a chance to pick up a new acoustic for a decent price...it's a Martin 000CXE.  I'd be getting it for $4-500, but I'm not sure I'm sold on it...I haven't played it yet, but use of the words "highly compressed wood fibers" when talking about the construction of it kinda throws me off...anybody play one of these yet?

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-000CXE-Black-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar?sku=517636

Worth the price?  Thanks guys!

 

[JaySwear]

for that price i'd definitely recommend a seagull. the "compressed wood fibers" kind of makes me nervous. it might be decent for the price though. i'd say go into it knowing you might be able to find better for around $400-450, but if it plays great that might not matter

 

[tfarny]

Played several of those low end Martins - never liked one. Look at Blueridge, Alvarez, etc. - properly set up all solid wood asian guitars are going to beat a plywood guitar with Martin on the label. Also more than any other brand I've played, Martins vary from axe to axe.

 

[Cagey]

I haven't heard one, but "highly compressed wood fibers" would make me hesitate, too. And if Martin can make them at that price, I gotta think anybody else could make them at disposable prices. It's even got a Fishman system in it. I can't believe Martin would make anything that sounds or plays poorly - they've got too much riding on their name - but still. I'd hold off. Get a used Taylor. Those DO sound and play like Martins for reasonable money. Only problem there is they also hold their value like Martins do. A $1,500 Taylor will still sell for $1,200 years later.

 

[NLD09]

I have one of the lower end models like that and like the sound more than any of the other guitars that were in stock at guitar center. The only other one i liked was $4,500. However, the neck started bowing backwards on me. My tech told me that the laminate in them can be prone to shifting, but when its set its stronger than regular wood.

 

[Spider]

I've got two high-end acoustics, both Santa Cruz models, a VJ and an OM. But I've also just picked up a Breeedlove Passport D20E to bash around, take to gigs etc. It's a GREAT guitar for the price, and Breedlove do a range of other offshore models - they're made in Korea but set up at Breedlove, so they say. It plays great, sounds great - even the pickup sounds ok through a decent acoustic amp. The gig bag that comes with it is rubbish, though. I like to think I know a bit about acoustic guitars - I've never played a guitar so good for the price. Annoyingly, I get more compliments on its tone than I ever did from either Santa Cruz, using both B-Band systems and Rare Earth Blend (the latter about the same price as the entire Breedlove!).

Try one out if you get the chance.

 

[tfarny]

Cagey did you just say that Taylors sound like Martins? Ah, no offense but I'm not sure I trust your tonal judgments too much anymore. Those two brands DEFINE the opposite ends of the acoustic guitar tonal spectrum. Taylors are specifically designed not to sound like Martins.
Martin: Warm, woody, organic, on occasion boxy and dead.
Taylor: Crisp, bright, modern, can be called nasal and annoying.
That's like saying a strat sounds just like an SG.

For under $500, look at Alvarez, Yamaha, Blueridge, and see if you can pick up a used Epiphone "Masterbilt" or Guild GAD series. Breedlove, to me they sound just like Taylors at least the ones I've tried.

 

[bagman67]

+1 on Blueridge or Epiphone Masterbuilt. 

Also, Carvin's overseas-built Cobalt line of acoustics are really consistent for quality, and are pretty dang cheap for solid wood guitars.  My brother has the 750 model (cutaway dreadnought, spruce top, mahogany back/sides, fishman system, at about US$570 with hard case, shipping, and tax) and is very pleased.  There are a couple cheaper models without electronics.  They go for 300-400 on Craigs and the 'bay.

 

[Cagey]

It's been a while since I played a Martin, but I don't remember them sounding that way. I remember rich, full-bodied, and articulate. I could easily be wrong, though. There are a lot of things I don't remember. I suffered a major head trauma some years back that juggled a lot of things up. Didn't even recognize my own mother when I came out of the coma. The Taylor sound I do remember, because I have one. Lovely thing, recommend them to anyone.

 

[Soylent]

Cagey did you just say that Taylors sound like Martins? Ah, no offense but I'm not sure I trust your tonal judgments too much anymore. Those two brands DEFINE the opposite ends of the acoustic guitar tonal spectrum. Taylors are specifically designed not to sound like Martins.
Martin: Warm, woody, organic, on occasion boxy and dead.
Taylor: Crisp, bright, modern, can be called nasal and annoying.
That's like saying a strat sounds just like an SG.

For under $500, look at Alvarez, Yamaha, Blueridge, and see if you can pick up a used Epiphone "Masterbilt" or Guild GAD series. Breedlove, to me they sound just like Taylors at least the ones I've tried.

+10 on the martin/taylor comparison. (I play a taylor, and tfarny could not be any more correct.)
As far as breedlove, you really gotta spend more and go the american built ones to have any real quality, IMHO.

 

[abandon_blink]

i vote Seagull they make great stuff. Alvarez is nice too

i gots me an Alvarez for $200 new and it plays Much better that what you'd expect from a $200 guitar. so imagine what the nicer ones will sound like  :icon_smile:
....of course i had to decorate mine and give it a little character  :headbang:

 

[Spider]

I guess everyone's got their own opinions - makes the world go around and all that. But I've been playing for over 30 years now, many of them semi-professionally - and that Breedlove I mentioned, for the price, is the best guitar I've played in years. Oh, I forgot to say, the first thing I did was get a luthier to change the nut and saddle to bone - the original ones were horrible plastic, just horrible, really soft and tone-robbing. But I managed to hear the potential and buy the guitar. IMHO it doesn't sound at all like a Taylor (I don't really go for the Taylor sound either, just an opinion thing), but we've all got our own ears

 

[texicus]

Thanks a lot everyone...I think I'm going to pass on this one.  I rather like the Alvarez acoustics myself...and I think you guys have solidified my decision!

Thanks again!

 

[OzziePete]

Texicus from what I have seen here in Australia from my recent foray into buying an acoustic, there is a lot of options out there now. When you get into the lower price end the market is definitely hot, and plenty of models to look into.

I wouldn't be too impressed with a marketing campaign that highlights the use of 'compressed wood fibers' - that sounds too much like masonite to me and best left to Danelectro fans!

If you at all can, look for a guitar that at least has a solid top, preferably Spruce or Cedar.

I would also suggest, politely, that if you are looking at workingman's type of guitars, no frills etc. that to at least check out a Maton or two if you can. Satin finish, bare look, these are Australian made & do have a great reputation here. I understand that away from Australia, there may be a price hike in them and availability might be an issue where you live. DISCLAIMER: I own a Maton and have a bias towards them, OK. :icon_thumright:

 

[jay4321]

Get a Yamaha FG730. Nice guitar, sounds good & looks good and easy buy after trying a bunch in that range. A lot of people like the Washburn D10 also, I think it's the best-selling acoustic ever. I thought it was a killer value but the FG730 in the shop... I just liked the sound of a little bit more for what I do. Would have been happy with either though.

But for $300 either are great options. I'd start your search with those two.

(Is it me or has Yamaha always just made good, decent priced stuff? I remember an old RY-20 drum machine I had, an 80s SS amp, this acoustic, a classical guitar I had before I dropped it down a flight of stairs). 

 

[hannaugh]

For $500, I'd probably buy an LMI kit and build my own acoustic.  If you don't want to do that, I'd go with something else that isn't made of plywood if you can find it for that price. 

 

[OzziePete]

(Is it me or has Yamaha always just made good, decent priced stuff? I remember an old RY-20 drum machine I had, an 80s SS amp, this acoustic, a classical guitar I had before I dropped it down a flight of stairs). 

No it isn't just you, I have always felt the same way about some of the Yamaha musical gear. You can get some pretty decent stuff from Yamaha when you start out, tho people like Doug would probably prefer a Yammie R6 than one of their fine beginner's acoustics!

 

[bagman67]

For $500, I'd probably buy an LMI kit and build my own acoustic.  If you don't want to do that, I'd go with something else that isn't made of plywood if you can find it for that price. 

Now you're just showin' off.

But seriously, the Chinese guitars mentioned in this thread at the $500 price point are generally decent construction and solid woods.