I own a Martin D12X1AE and can say that it has out performed all other 12-strings that I’ve owned that cost more than 2-3 times more than the Martin. It’s a great stage guitar for me due to its big deep sound. Well, worth the list price of $649.00 (USD).You’ll spend a couple of thousand dollars or more to get anything that comes close or better. Great tip on the ‘strings info & upgrade’! For those owning or buying one of these that’s ‘spot on’ advice. Thank You for sharing! Positive Vibrations…
I'm sitting here pounding the 12 string yt videos to try to get a sense for the tones across many of these brands. This video makes me pause and listen a bit more because I just seem to lock into that deeper tone. Now, I have had 6 string Yamahas, Taylors and now I'm playing a Martin GPC-16e, so my ear must be picking up that Martin sound. I'm digging it.
This is a great review! Tuned down low like that is how a 12-string is meant to be kept. They not only feel and sound better, but will hold up over time.
I own the predecessor to this guitar, the Martin D12X1AE. I bought it new in 2013 and only paid $499 for it. I also own a Taylor 654 CE Limited Edition L7 12-string which I bought used for $2000, and a Guild F-512 which was $3000 used. Of the 3, the Martin is the most "playable." The neck shape, action, and string spacing on the Martin all combine to make the guitar very comfortable and responsive, and it can be finger-picked much more easily than either of the other two expensive guitars. The Guild and the Taylor have the classic all-solid-wood sound, and I tend to think of the Martin as their version of an Ovation 12-string. This is because the Martin HPL is sawdust and tiny wood scraps mixed with resin, the same construction principle as fiberglass, so it is pretty much plastic. Despite this, with the solid spruce top the Martin has a lovely sound and the plastic back and sides project the sound well without being boomy. As an early version mine came with the laminated neck. It looks like Martin rounded up scrap pieces of wood of various colors from the back lot and simply glued them all together before carving a neck out of the resulting mess. It was pretty rough when I got it, but a few passes of steel wool along the back of the neck smoothed it all out and now it is very comfortable. The fretboard and saddle on mine are Richlite, which is essentially laminated and highly compressed paper. It looks like ebony as long as you don't look too closely. I got a sound hole decal, this new version has mother of pearl! Despite all the "cheap construction" I am blown away by how good this guitar sounds. I agree that it sounds as good or better than other 12-strings costing 2 to 3 times as much, in fact the Guild F-512 cost me 6 times as much and the Martin comes surprisingly close in some respects. This X-series 12-string is the guitar equivalent of a sleeper automobile. Don't poo-poo it because of the construction materials. The other nice thing is that you can take it out of the house and not worry about damaging an expensive all-solid-wood 12-string. Ding or scratch your D12-28 and you will cry for months. Ding or scratch this X-series and you will proudly call it patina.
Sorry for the slow response. I fully agree, anybody looking to buy a 12-string needs to try this before dismissing it because of the specs 😏 I actually thought about those old necks, especially with the 12-string, the construction should be even stronger. I’m sure the quild is a killer of a guitar. I’d love to find a Taylor 12-string that accidentally had much beefier neck than the typical Taylor necks. But for now, this beauty does the job very well.
I have that Guitar, got it at a pawn shop for about 250 cash. It had the original factory strings and was tuned way above E tuning. I put a new set of strings on it with just the double strings on the high E and High B strings, adjusted the neck, cleaned the guitar and it sounds Amazing. So I only have 8 strings on it. And Your right, If You put the Guitar Away, DeTune it. ALL Guitars hate heat.
JP, I just found this b/c I'm in the market for a good value 12 banger. You truly make this guitar sing and growl. Excellent playing and commentary. I was thinking of a Guild Jumbo, but this one holds its own.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful. I am sure the Guild is a great guitar as well. One of the reasons I went with the Martin is that I had a jumbo takamine in the past, and the size of it gave me a bit of shoulder and back problems. And the Martin dreadnought size is something I am very familiar with and know I won't have the same problem. But at the same time, the bigger body can give a nice bit more bottom end, so there is that as well.
@@JPKalliomusic Yeah, i'm in the market as well and I think I'm narrowed down to either this Martin or the Guild D-1212 - a dreadnought. I too am unsure of a jumbo given I'm a short dude with laughably short arms. I have not been able to find any in local music shops, so hard to get an opinion first hand. I think the videos help, but it some it is hard to tell if the guitar is tuned down for a bit more low end. This one obviously is. @donnie8953 - did you choose?
I actually purchased this guitar 48 hours ago! It won't ship until day after tomorrow (because of the Labor Day holiday) so I won't receive it until the end of the week, and I can't wait. I bought the 6-string version of this guitar 5 years ago (same Sitka Spruce top, and HPL sides/back) with the same basic dimensions. My 6-String (which is the Martin DX1RAE, no longer made/sold) plays like butter and always sounds like Angels singing in Heaven. It's a wonderful guitar, so I'm expecting the same thing from the D-X2E 12 String. Thanks very much for your great test drive, it makes me feel even better about my purchase. Note: I "Liked" this video, and "Subscribed" to your channel. So I'm looking forward to hearing more from you in the future. 👍
Congrats on the new guitar purchase, always a special day 😉 Yeah, I know a lot of people don't rate the lower end Martins so well, but I also find most of those people never actually played one 😂 I have this one and the 000rs1. Both made in their Mexixan factory and both fantastic guitars. Let us know what you think of it when it arrives. And back at ya 😉
Hi JP, when i hear that tuning I think of "I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride" just because of that slightly darkened tone. You can almost hear it screaming to get out of the guitar in that tuning, if that makes sense? It does sound just beautiful, brother man. I also like a neck with a slight bit of beef on it, so to speak. A well done video, brother man 👍
I get round the high G issue by using a non-bound steel G string tuned to the same pitch as the regular string and works so well you don't notice it's not tuned to the high octave. Saves time, hassle and me swearing a lot.
I have the DX1 original non-pickup one, it ages sweetly and in Standard Tuning for 15 years.Looking to buy an Electro. Modern guitars should be fine for Standard with 10's. It's the ones made further back that that happens to. Thanks.
Thanks for this really informative video JP! I'm in the market for a new 12 string and this demo has really helped with the selection process. I'm thinking of getting the cut away version as I like using capos and the upper register. Do you think that version would compromise the excellent tone and especially bottom end you have with the standard vversion? (having to rely on TH-cam demos like yours as there's no dealer close by that has this model in stock, so I'll have to purchase it direct from Martin (I'm in the USA). Thanks!
Hey, thank you very much! I haven't tried the cutaway version, so can't say for sure, but in my experience overall, there is a small bit of difference. But I am sure you would absolutely be happy with the cutaway as well.
There’s a small music store in my town that has a Oscar Schmidt 12 string acoustic/electric for $215 new so since I cannot afford the Martin 12 string for $649 I will probably purchase that.thanks from Oklahoma USA..
I fully understand. 12 strong is one of those instruments that not everyone get along with them, so by purchasing a cheaper one, you get to play with it and see if it is for you without breaking the bank. And if you fall in live with 12 string, you can always upgrade later 😊
really nice sounding. I like the idea of eliminating the high G. I had 9's o'n my '73 Tak Lawsuit I've owned since 1973, but didn't like them and put Earthwood 10's on and the sound thickened up. What brand do you use. I've done D tuning... going to C now, low end rules.
I’m testing that same12-string Martin right now against a 12-string Takamine and 12-string Guild in a similar price category. i’m very surprised at the sound coming out of that Martin even though it has laminated back and sides.
Hey Shaun. Obviously, you need to know it's right for you or not. But I must say Martin has done an excellent job with their x-series guitars and the 12 string is amazing. Try to focus on what feels and sounds good to you, not what the specs say. You could have a fancy all solid guitar, but it might not resonate at all. I keep picking this one up every day. We are in a middle of a move, and I know I won't have the guitar for a week, and I am not looking forward to that week 😂 Best of luck with your search, and let us know what way you will decide to go 😊
Yeah. Martins usually come these days with nice enough action, and to adjust it you only need to do a bit of sanding under the saddle. But I didn't need to do anything for this one 😊 Thank you
Dude! Your Irish ☘️ accent is so intriguing! …I can hear the Irish, however there seems to be a tinge of something I would call ‘Swedish’ sounding?! 😅 I can assume that there are different variations of Irish accents? 🤷♂️ Please educate a simpleton Québécois living in Japan! 😊
Good video! How does this compare to the Epiphone humming bird 12 string guitar? I’m torn. I own a Martin D-18. Also The Gibson j45? It’s $3499😞…but sound? Thank you for the great video!
The tension thing with 12 string guitars. You shouldn't have to buy an expensive guitar and tune it down to C. I mean, why don't they just make one that can last? I know guitar making is stooped in history, like how they don't want to switch the pickups on a strat the right way around, never addressing les Paul's physical balance issue seated, even taking taking a file to the body so it looks old, then charge you extra lol. But surely there must be someone out there who can fortify an acoustic guitar lifespan past however many years? Is their an arrested development happening in guitar designer's minds? or is the pressure from the buyers to buy exact replicas of traditional builds from 60 years ago a make or break situation, too risky for luthiers to try? It might have a new, slightly different sound, oh my! Sounds great anyway man. I'm gonna put a year into getting one me thinks.
With acoustic guitars, they tend to resonate more with lighter construction. I have a dreadnought made in Germany made by a company called Musima, I don't think they exist anymore, but it has a ceddar top, which is very soft, but the sound out of it is big! So I believe it will always be a compromise between tone and strength in construction. And my humble opinion, my twelve string sounds better in lower tuning. But it is definitely a personal preference.
@@JPKalliomusic True. i just think, like why not put a bridge doctor type part using a resonant wood, like a violin does, and some synthetic material to strengthen the heel of the neck from sinking. I'm not scientist tho.
I am actually very happy with the Martin. But I am sure the Guild is a nice as well. The only reason that was out of my consideration was the jumbo body size. I find jumbos a bit of a shoulder stretchers, and not in a good way. I have had a few repetitive strain injuries over the years, and at my age I got to listen to my body 😏
Irlannissa Taylor on €1000. Ja kuin videossa jo sanoin, henkilökohtaisesti pidän enemmän Martinin kaula profiilista ja soundista. Mutta nämä on kaikki yksilöllisiä makuja.
@@JPKalliomusic minulla on sama kitara nyt ja ei ole ammattilainen, 200+eur sinulla on paras kitara,martin d10e,aina koko puutta kallio. Dx2 ovat rantaakitaralle.👍 Tai oppia. Päivää!
I own a Martin D12X1AE and can say that it has out performed all other 12-strings that I’ve owned that cost more than 2-3 times more than the Martin. It’s a great stage guitar for me due to its big deep sound. Well, worth the list price of $649.00 (USD).You’ll spend a couple of thousand dollars or more to get anything that comes close or better. Great tip on the ‘strings info & upgrade’! For those owning or buying one of these that’s ‘spot on’ advice. Thank You for sharing! Positive Vibrations…
Thank you. Great to hear you enjoy yours as well. I think it's growing on me more and more.
I'm sitting here pounding the 12 string yt videos to try to get a sense for the tones across many of these brands. This video makes me pause and listen a bit more because I just seem to lock into that deeper tone. Now, I have had 6 string Yamahas, Taylors and now I'm playing a Martin GPC-16e, so my ear must be picking up that Martin sound. I'm digging it.
I’ve been very happy with it 😊
This is a great review! Tuned down low like that is how a 12-string is meant to be kept. They not only feel and sound better, but will hold up over time.
Thank you very much. Absolutely.
I own the predecessor to this guitar, the Martin D12X1AE. I bought it new in 2013 and only paid $499 for it. I also own a Taylor 654 CE Limited Edition L7 12-string which I bought used for $2000, and a Guild F-512 which was $3000 used. Of the 3, the Martin is the most "playable." The neck shape, action, and string spacing on the Martin all combine to make the guitar very comfortable and responsive, and it can be finger-picked much more easily than either of the other two expensive guitars. The Guild and the Taylor have the classic all-solid-wood sound, and I tend to think of the Martin as their version of an Ovation 12-string. This is because the Martin HPL is sawdust and tiny wood scraps mixed with resin, the same construction principle as fiberglass, so it is pretty much plastic. Despite this, with the solid spruce top the Martin has a lovely sound and the plastic back and sides project the sound well without being boomy. As an early version mine came with the laminated neck. It looks like Martin rounded up scrap pieces of wood of various colors from the back lot and simply glued them all together before carving a neck out of the resulting mess. It was pretty rough when I got it, but a few passes of steel wool along the back of the neck smoothed it all out and now it is very comfortable. The fretboard and saddle on mine are Richlite, which is essentially laminated and highly compressed paper. It looks like ebony as long as you don't look too closely. I got a sound hole decal, this new version has mother of pearl!
Despite all the "cheap construction" I am blown away by how good this guitar sounds. I agree that it sounds as good or better than other 12-strings costing 2 to 3 times as much, in fact the Guild F-512 cost me 6 times as much and the Martin comes surprisingly close in some respects. This X-series 12-string is the guitar equivalent of a sleeper automobile. Don't poo-poo it because of the construction materials. The other nice thing is that you can take it out of the house and not worry about damaging an expensive all-solid-wood 12-string. Ding or scratch your D12-28 and you will cry for months. Ding or scratch this X-series and you will proudly call it patina.
Sorry for the slow response. I fully agree, anybody looking to buy a 12-string needs to try this before dismissing it because of the specs 😏 I actually thought about those old necks, especially with the 12-string, the construction should be even stronger. I’m sure the quild is a killer of a guitar. I’d love to find a Taylor 12-string that accidentally had much beefier neck than the typical Taylor necks. But for now, this beauty does the job very well.
Incredible!l
Thank you. I am very happy with it 😊
Great review. Thanks. Helped me reach a decision
Thanks! That's great to hear 😊
I like how this guitar sounds. Cheers, J.P! ✌️
Thank you Dwayne. I am really enjoying it myself 😊 Any idea of any songs I should do with it?
@@JPKalliomusic Sure. Can you try some Rory Gallagher? Barley & Grape Rag. Cheers!
Cool! I’m not sure if the 12 string is the guitar for that one, but I have just the perfect guitar for that 😏 Leave it with me.
I have that Guitar, got it at a pawn shop for about 250 cash. It had the original factory strings and was tuned way above E tuning. I put a new set of strings on it with just the double strings on the high E and High B strings, adjusted the neck, cleaned the guitar and it sounds Amazing. So I only have 8 strings on it. And Your right, If You put the Guitar Away, DeTune it. ALL Guitars hate heat.
I think you got yourself a great deal 😊
JP, I just found this b/c I'm in the market for a good value 12 banger. You truly make this guitar sing and growl. Excellent playing and commentary. I was thinking of a Guild Jumbo, but this one holds its own.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful. I am sure the Guild is a great guitar as well. One of the reasons I went with the Martin is that I had a jumbo takamine in the past, and the size of it gave me a bit of shoulder and back problems. And the Martin dreadnought size is something I am very familiar with and know I won't have the same problem. But at the same time, the bigger body can give a nice bit more bottom end, so there is that as well.
@@JPKalliomusic Yeah, i'm in the market as well and I think I'm narrowed down to either this Martin or the Guild D-1212 - a dreadnought. I too am unsure of a jumbo given I'm a short dude with laughably short arms. I have not been able to find any in local music shops, so hard to get an opinion first hand. I think the videos help, but it some it is hard to tell if the guitar is tuned down for a bit more low end. This one obviously is. @donnie8953 - did you choose?
Did you get a 12 and if so, which way did you go?
Very nice. Good playing.
Thank you very much 😊
I actually purchased this guitar 48 hours ago! It won't ship until day after tomorrow (because of the Labor Day holiday) so I won't receive it until the end of the week, and I can't wait. I bought the 6-string version of this guitar 5 years ago (same Sitka Spruce top, and HPL sides/back) with the same basic dimensions. My 6-String (which is the Martin DX1RAE, no longer made/sold) plays like butter and always sounds like Angels singing in Heaven. It's a wonderful guitar, so I'm expecting the same thing from the D-X2E 12 String.
Thanks very much for your great test drive, it makes me feel even better about my purchase.
Note: I "Liked" this video, and "Subscribed" to your channel. So I'm looking forward to hearing more from you in the future. 👍
Congrats on the new guitar purchase, always a special day 😉 Yeah, I know a lot of people don't rate the lower end Martins so well, but I also find most of those people never actually played one 😂 I have this one and the 000rs1. Both made in their Mexixan factory and both fantastic guitars. Let us know what you think of it when it arrives. And back at ya 😉
Hi JP, when i hear that tuning I think of "I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride" just because of that slightly darkened tone. You can almost hear it screaming to get out of the guitar in that tuning, if that makes sense? It does sound just beautiful, brother man. I also like a neck with a slight bit of beef on it, so to speak. A well done video, brother man 👍
Thank you very much Randy! Hmm… 🤔 You might just have given me an idea 😏😂
I get round the high G issue by using a non-bound steel G string tuned to the same pitch as the regular string and works so well you don't notice it's not tuned to the high octave. Saves time, hassle and me swearing a lot.
That sounds like a great idea. Might just try that 😏 Thanks!
I have the DX1 original non-pickup one, it ages sweetly and in Standard Tuning for 15 years.Looking to buy an Electro.
Modern guitars should be fine for Standard with 10's.
It's the ones made further back that that happens to.
Thanks.
Thanks for this really informative video JP! I'm in the market for a new 12 string and this demo has really helped with the selection process. I'm thinking of getting the cut away version as I like using capos and the upper register. Do you think that version would compromise the excellent tone and especially bottom end you have with the standard vversion? (having to rely on TH-cam demos like yours as there's no dealer close by that has this model in stock, so I'll have to purchase it direct from Martin (I'm in the USA). Thanks!
Hey, thank you very much! I haven't tried the cutaway version, so can't say for sure, but in my experience overall, there is a small bit of difference. But I am sure you would absolutely be happy with the cutaway as well.
There’s a small music store in my town that has a Oscar Schmidt 12 string acoustic/electric for $215 new so since I cannot afford the Martin 12 string for $649 I will probably purchase that.thanks from Oklahoma USA..
I fully understand. 12 strong is one of those instruments that not everyone get along with them, so by purchasing a cheaper one, you get to play with it and see if it is for you without breaking the bank. And if you fall in live with 12 string, you can always upgrade later 😊
really nice sounding. I like the idea of eliminating the high G. I had 9's o'n my '73 Tak Lawsuit I've owned since 1973, but didn't like them and put Earthwood 10's on and the sound thickened up. What brand do you use. I've done D tuning... going to C now, low end rules.
Yeah, I tune it down as well. I use D’Addario strings on all my guitars 😊
You wouldn’t happen to be a John Butler fan would you? He removes the high G as well and is a beast on the gee-tar!!!
I’m testing that same12-string Martin right now against a 12-string Takamine and 12-string Guild in a similar price category. i’m very surprised at the sound coming out of that Martin even though it has laminated back and sides.
Hey Shaun. Obviously, you need to know it's right for you or not. But I must say Martin has done an excellent job with their x-series guitars and the 12 string is amazing. Try to focus on what feels and sounds good to you, not what the specs say. You could have a fancy all solid guitar, but it might not resonate at all. I keep picking this one up every day. We are in a middle of a move, and I know I won't have the guitar for a week, and I am not looking forward to that week 😂 Best of luck with your search, and let us know what way you will decide to go 😊
Tune it!
😂😂😂 Still working on that 😉
Great lesson! Is the action nice and very low? I’ve always had an issue due to action not being low enough. Great job.
Yeah. Martins usually come these days with nice enough action, and to adjust it you only need to do a bit of sanding under the saddle. But I didn't need to do anything for this one 😊 Thank you
Looking for something “cheap”. Said,hmmmmm, let’s try Martin, just out of curiosity. You hit one chord. Wow!
For a Martin, these are pretty damn affordable 😏
Very nice review! Could you write what guitar mics you used please? (the description link to amazon replies an error) Thanks!
Hey. Thanks for noticing that. I’ll make a video explaining how I record the sound with all the details 😊
@@JPKalliomusic Thanks!!
Would DADGAD be safe to have it be tuned long term? I plan on keeping it between DADGAD and D standard
As long as you don't use heavy strings, you should be absolutely fine. It is a well built guitar 😏
what is the tuning?
CGCFGC. It’s basically DADGAD, but one tone down.
@@JPKalliomusic Thanks
Dude! Your Irish ☘️ accent is so intriguing! …I can hear the Irish, however there seems to be a tinge of something I would call ‘Swedish’ sounding?! 😅
I can assume that there are different variations of Irish accents?
🤷♂️
Please educate a simpleton Québécois living in Japan! 😊
You are pretty close 😏 I am originally from Finland, lived 27 years in Ireland and now live in France 😊
@@JPKalliomusic
Merci pour ta réponse!
…I was pretty close! 🇸🇪🇫🇮
SUOMI!
Good video!
How does this compare to the Epiphone humming bird 12 string guitar? I’m torn. I own a Martin D-18.
Also The Gibson j45? It’s $3499😞…but sound?
Thank you for the great video!
Hey, thanks! To be honest, I haven’t tried the Epiphone. The Martin is very lively 😏
The tension thing with 12 string guitars. You shouldn't have to buy an expensive guitar and tune it down to C. I mean, why don't they just make one that can last? I know guitar making is stooped in history, like how they don't want to switch the pickups on a strat the right way around, never addressing les Paul's physical balance issue seated, even taking taking a file to the body so it looks old, then charge you extra lol. But surely there must be someone out there who can fortify an acoustic guitar lifespan past however many years? Is their an arrested development happening in guitar designer's minds? or is the pressure from the buyers to buy exact replicas of traditional builds from 60 years ago a make or break situation, too risky for luthiers to try? It might have a new, slightly different sound, oh my!
Sounds great anyway man. I'm gonna put a year into getting one me thinks.
With acoustic guitars, they tend to resonate more with lighter construction. I have a dreadnought made in Germany made by a company called Musima, I don't think they exist anymore, but it has a ceddar top, which is very soft, but the sound out of it is big! So I believe it will always be a compromise between tone and strength in construction. And my humble opinion, my twelve string sounds better in lower tuning. But it is definitely a personal preference.
@@JPKalliomusic True. i just think, like why not put a bridge doctor type part using a resonant wood, like a violin does, and some synthetic material to strengthen the heel of the neck from sinking. I'm not scientist tho.
A Guild might have been better and cheaper, a friend of mine thinks there's nothing better than Fylde......those would also be reasonable 4:28
I am actually very happy with the Martin. But I am sure the Guild is a nice as well. The only reason that was out of my consideration was the jumbo body size. I find jumbos a bit of a shoulder stretchers, and not in a good way. I have had a few repetitive strain injuries over the years, and at my age I got to listen to my body 😏
Sama hinta sinulla on taylor 890 euroa.
Koko puutta ei laminatti.
Irlannissa Taylor on €1000. Ja kuin videossa jo sanoin, henkilökohtaisesti pidän enemmän Martinin kaula profiilista ja soundista. Mutta nämä on kaikki yksilöllisiä makuja.
@@JPKalliomusic minulla on sama kitara nyt ja ei ole ammattilainen, 200+eur sinulla on paras kitara,martin d10e,aina koko puutta kallio. Dx2 ovat rantaakitaralle.👍 Tai oppia.
Päivää!
Sounds awful😮
12 strings are definitely not everyone’s cup of tea