#31
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One nice thing is the pickup. The only other pickup I have available is the one in my Esteban American Legacy "guitar." (I only add the quotes because I still can not find what kind of wood or wood-like material this thing is made of.)
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Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin |
#32
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I used to have a Martin HPL dreadnought, and I would try a set of 80/20 strings on it.
Mine definitely had the "Martin" sound, but was a bit on the quiet side as well. |
#33
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In answer to the OP's question, it appears you have the intersection of luck-of-the-draw and personal preference. That is, it is possible that you received one instance of the guitar that doesn't sound as good as some of the others - based on other people's responses that they like the tone of their own - and the tone of the HPL might not be what you want to hear, your preferred tone.
That said, having the instrument structurally altered in the attempt to improve its sound has three possible outcomes, as follows: 1. there is no obvious change in sound 2. the instrument sounds better, however you define it 3. the instrument sounds worse, however you define it Regardless of which outcome, you will void the warranty. If too much is done, you run the risk of compromising its structure, shortening its life. In my opinion, it is not money well-spent to throw at it to attempt to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse - based on your opinion that this guitar doesn't have the sound you want. You state that your finances are constrained. I suggest you examine whether you want "more", as in duplication, or want "better". If you want "more", continue to purchase inexpensive instruments to add to those you already have. If you want "better", sell the instruments you have, return the one you just bought, and use the collective proceeds to buy one instrument that is better, however you choose to define "better". Given that a good player can make nearly any guitar sound nice, it is unrealistic to expect a "great-sounding" guitar in the $300 price range. |
#34
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Yes, just use an inspection mirror and a small flashlight and see for yourself.
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#35
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#36
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I use Elixir Nanoweb Phospher Bronze Light strings on my X1-DE and I think it sounds really good
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#37
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From experience guitars with laminated back and sides have always sounded more anemic and thin to my ears and this is valid for dreads and even more so for the 000 models. You can try to make changes but I doubt the results will be satisfactory. .
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#38
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I had a dx1. It was my introduction to Martin dreadnaughts. It played really well but it wasn't very loud but was deep and resonant. I traded up to a used d16gt. Much better. More Piano like, less streile sounding. The d16 is much lighter and better balanced. If I hadn't found a killer deal on the d16 I'd probably still have the dx1. The top had just turned a beautiful honey color when I traded it. I would like to play a the new x series 000 now that they axed the heavy stratabond neck and added scalloped bracing. Try Ernie Ball Earthwoods your x before giving up on it.
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#39
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Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin |
#40
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For you, if this makes sense, it's not you. It's the guitar. (It's not my ideal guitar either, even at the price.)
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#41
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PSA: If you own an acoustic-electric with a piezo UST and you actually want it to sound like a guitar, ditch the stompbox and run it through the low-gain input of a mid-/high-powered "American-style" electric-guitar combo (think blackface Fender, blue-check Ampeg, pre-1985 Randall RG-120, '80s/90s Peavey) with 12"/15" speaker(s); the natural rolloff over ~5kHz and midrange response minimize (or eliminate) the nasty sonic artifacts - "quack," thin tone, metallic "nails-on-a-blackboard" highs - without the use of outboard processing. When Charlie Kaman designed the first viable acoustic-electrics in the mid-60's dedicated "acoustic" amps and modern PA systems didn't exist - they were plugged into a typical pro/semi-pro amp and miked to house, and IME they still deliver the most natural "acoustic" sound when used within their original design parameters; my go-to stage rig through the '80s/90s was a first-gen (single-volume) Ovation Custom Balladeer through a mid-80's Peavey Bandit 65 1xs12" or early-80's Randall RB-120 1x15" - best amplified acoustic tone I've ever heard, and I still pull out the Ovation on occasion (now through a Fender Frontman 212R)...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#42
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It still sounded better I thought with the stomp box.
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Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin |
#43
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I'd be inclined to stick a set of uncoated 80/20 mediums or 80/20 "Bluegrass" 12-56 strings on it - and then play the hell out of the top! It is bound to be tight as a new guitar and probably just needs some waking up.
I have found the cheaper Martin's a little bit "bland" but actually you can use that to your advantage. You have a dread there that would be easy to balance against your voice for songs even if you were really digging in, and still get that dread tone supporting you. In fact, it is exactly the type of dread I would consider, something sweet sounding but with manageable projection. I sold my last dread because it "blew the bloody doors off" and there was no way I could sing over it without straining. It could be this X1-DE is different enough from the rest of your guitar collection to have its own niche for you. If it was me, I'd probably never plug it in but really "work" it acoustically and then use it with a single mic' set-up for small gigs so I could balance guitar and voice by adjusting the height of the single mic'. EDIT: This is a review of the new version of the guitar you have. He is bashing the hell out of it but his voice carries over the top. That could actually be quite a handy feature to have a guitar like that in your arsenal.
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band. Last edited by Robin, Wales; 03-01-2021 at 04:57 AM. |
#44
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#45
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Most of the Martin X series guitars I have played sounded pretty decent.On occasion I did find a "dud".
Can you return the guitar to MF for a refund? I would call them, you may find a sympathetic person who amy be able to offer a deal on an all solid top b/s Martin.... |