In-Review: Martin D-X1E Koa

Originally Published in Worship Leader Magazine Vol 28 No 3

By Kent Morris

Martin Guitars was established in 1833, so they are no newcomer to the game. It is a little surprising, then, how agile the company has been of late, introducing new lines and updating old ones regularly. Instead of just relying on industry stalwarts like the D-28, Martin has unveiled a new series and even new manufacturing processes to remain at the forefront of acoustic guitar design. The D-X1E Koa is one of these latest guitars and is a spin-off of the DXK2AE. The first thing a guitar purist will notice is the term High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) referring to the material used to construct the top, sides, and back of the D-1XE. But before we get to the guitar, let’s look at a little wood history.