Martin D-28 - DCX1RAE

[Steadfastly]

Is there a significant difference in the tone between these two or is it more subtle?

DCX1RAED


D-28

[Ed-in-Ohio]

The cash register ring is much louder on the D-28.

[noledog]

I have to say if I'm evaluating based on these two videos alone that I prefer DCX1RAE tone over the D28, however, I think this is due in part to the players attack being better controlled, plectrum type and less harsh style of play vs Spoon's more aggressive attack which sounds more strident, especially when using a plectrum...not taking away from Spoon's wonderful talent and wisdom, (I read his very informative blogs), because he may be trying to demo the max headroom when he strikes as such on that D28...DCX wins this round imo which means nothing in reality to choosing one over the other LOL!

[lowrider]

I just sold my DX1ae to my chiropractor. Here's what he said ''this will give me most of the sound of my d-18 and I won't have to worry about it''.

[kcnbys]

In those videos, they both sound equally great to my ear. No significant difference in tone. I have to say, one of my sons plays a DX1AE, and it is a very, very nice sounding guitar. When talking about tone, guitar prices don't always tell the whole story, for sure.

[martingitdave]

You can make excellent music on these lower cost Martins. In the hands of a good player, they can make better music than the solid wood standard models in the hands of an average player. In the same hands, the solid wood guitars will have additional undertones and overtones from the IRW back and sides. The voice would also differ based on the bracings.

[ChrisE]

I have an X-Series similar to that one and a new D-18. The D-18 sounds much better to me.

The D-18 also cost six times what the X-series cost. Does the D-18 sound six times better than the X-Series? Probably not. (Don't tell my wife, though! )

[Napman41]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I just sold my DX1ae to my chiropractor. Here's what he said ''this will give me most of the sound of my d-18 and I won't have to worry about it''.

Maybe he needs to see an audiologist ?

[Napman41]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I just sold my DX1ae to my chiropractor. Here's what he said ''this will give me most of the sound of my d-18 and I won't have to worry about it''.

Maybe he needs to see an audiologist ?😀

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by Napman41

Maybe he needs to see an audiologist ?😀

You can say that again.

[Napman41]

I wanted to be sure you heard me.

[samthinguy]

I have a Martin HD-28. I'm a huge Martin fan and I think the X series are fine guitars with lots of character and for a fair price. That being said my HD-28 is built to last. I really love the open tone of the lower priced Martins but I have some concern over their longevity.

I've noticed on all the guitars with the A frame X brace, they develop a pretty noticeable hump between the bridge and end pin where the tone bars are on my 28. I think it might be a case of being lightly braced to sound big and beautiful at the expense of some longevity. That's not that big of a deal on a DX1 who's price is very fair but it has always kept me from buying a 15 series. I love how those guitar's sound and look.

[fazool]

This is not a fair comparison as they used two totally different microphones and placement to record the sounds.

That said, the X-series recording had much more bass which was missing from the D-28. Everywhere else, however, I disliked the sound of the X.