Cheap vs Expensive, Sorta… Martin D-13e vs D-X2e 

I really like Chris' detailed descriptions. Let's face it, manufacturers and retail shops are selling products while we buy instruments. But Chris and Cooper are the closest I know of showing honestly what their "products" truly are - as instruments. Thank you.

The quality of the video is very good! The light and the colors look great here. And all this nice musical stuff behind you makes it even better

Finally!!! The review I was expecting! Thanks

Thank for the great video Chris. I felt like talking to my bro. Buying a Martin soon.

Excellent stuff per usual, Chris. I bought a D-13E new a handful of years ago and have really enjoyed it. Being my primary gig guitar for a couple of years, I have had many many hours of loving to play it. Nowadays, my Furch Vintage 2 is virtually all I play live because it is a whole other level of instrument. I will always be grateful to you for being one of two trusted friends to lead me to Furch. For those curious, it looks like a twin to a D-28 and virtually is in all specifications, but, again, according to my feeling, is a more “special” sound. Truly hard to beat as an acoustic guitar. Look up Furch if you want to be exposed to a truly unique and inspiring evolution of a high quality piece of musical craftsmanship. Back to this video, I do love my D-13 and highly recommend it as an amazing value guitar. In my opinion, spending around or a little above $1,000 is much smarter than spending a handful of hundreds. The depth and richness between these two instruments is quite apparent to my ears. As always, thanks for the great insights.

Great video. I was recently in the market for a Martin and this would have really helped demystify some of the choices in this price range.

Excellent review! I live in The Netherland so a bit far from your store but if I would live closer, I would come down and check out the Martins

Great job ! Your playing is so good that all guitars sound great ! I have bought the cheaper one and I am happy.

Nice job. I have both of these guitars and pretty much agree with Chris. The D-13 just sound better. I got the D-X2 to be an "out guitar" -- out of case on a stand that I can just pick up and play without worrying too much about humidity or other factors. It plays well, but just isn't the same richness of the -13s and higher p-end Martins.

I have a DX2e and even though I'm still learning to play the guitar I love it. One day I might upgrade to a better Martin but not sure and if I do I will keep and continue to play my DX2e

beautiful playing. bought the dx2e to start playing acoustic

Great video,recently I bought D 13 e,great sounding guitar!

Hey Chris how about a comparison between the Martin Road Series CGP-13e versus the CGP-11e? Great channel. Keep up the great work?

This just solidified my motives to upgrade!! I recently bought a Martin X Series XIAE. It sounds and plays great but I've been thinking why didn't i go D-13e from the start and call it my forever guitar. Now i know what i gotta do. Thanks 👍

I picked up an X series that had been dropped and had a crack in the top. Glue, clamp, wait. Adjusted the action and it became a wonderful guitar. A couple of years after the X, I got a new D13E (wife birthday gift). While similar, the feel and sound are much better. Silky smooth to play. The D13E is a step below going to the much more expensive Martin guitars. The X is still played regularly. It is the guitar that leaves the house with worrying. As Chris stated, if you can afford the D13E, buy it. If you pick up the X, you will not be disappointed. Both are very good guitars, but the higher price is reflected in the nicer pickup, case, gloss finish, all wood and incredible neck of the D13E.

Hello Chris, you are quite the tactical dancer . Justice, mercy and humility. That's all you are required. Great review, there is a guitar for everyone, please start well. I got my first guitar about 1970. Best thing ever!!! Great honest review

Cool video. What is the exact name of the Martin DX-2E with the darker toned fretboard and bridge? One is a bit of a lighter reddish sort of color. But, I am interested in the one with the darkest color? Is this the Mahogany or Rosewood? I’m super confused. Please help

Good review I would like to se Dx2 vs Fg800 I feel like that's a good top line laminte back and side guitar comparison.

Those X series models are great for meteorologically challenging outdoor gigs ... I have a D12X1 which is the bomb and holds its headstock high amongst its "higher end" brethren. I really like the recent upgrades to this series, i.e., wood bridge & fingerboard, etc. The one thing I wish Martin would do is bring back the versions without factory electronics. Not a fan. I prefer to install passive bridge-plate transducers (K&K, JJB).

can you do a review of the martin d10e?

The D-X2e definitely had a thinner sound to me than D-13. To my ear they were both ok! Given that my skills are not great and money is an issue I would have a hard time choosing.

I have a D13E with solid cirrus back and sides and for the $ it's a great sounding guitar and keeps me from taking my HD28 out on the road.

Hey chris and everybody watching!!! I was wondering... i own a martin d10-e with a sitka top... is the bracing the same as on the 13? Martins page says yes... soe retailers say its non scalloped.. i was wondering that because you mention in a lot of videos to go for the scaloped.. thanks bud and thanks for the videos

An Austin TX college friend of mine uses a D-13 @church and says it's hard to hear a difference from higher end Martin's when plugged in. Probably not the same as a Super D Koa. Of course you can buy several D-13 guitars for a Super D. Then there are Eastman guitars. Thanks Chris.

I want a nice quality acoustic guitar for playing around the house but I'm mainly an electric player so not well versed with all the acoustic brands. Would the D-X2e be a good choice for me? I really don't want to go passed £700 for an acoustic. I had a cheap Fender acoustic years ago but the saddle snapped off. If it helps, I play a lot of Pixies on acoustic.

if we compare the D-X2e with the Echo Live which one is better? It is in the price range that I can afford today Thanks

Listening with my own ears and thinking with my own mind instead of going with what everyone is saying and Claiming... For me the DX2 wins in so many ways. * The sound is very dry, it's warmer, boomier and woodier than the D13. (however the D13 has more resonance... and is more sparkly, alive and gentle) * The DX2 is much stronger and much more resistant to the elements. (need to say the D13 looks better for sure.) * The DX2 is much easier to maintain and keep clean. = no finger or sweat stains that you need to clean of all the time... (again, the D13 is much more shiny and prettier) * And last but not least, the DX2 is much cheaper. I DEFENTLEY KNOW WICH ONE I WOULD PICK 😉✌️

I seriously looked at the D-X2E and the D-10E (which like the D-13E is also from the Road Series). Both guitars are excellent guitars for under $1,000. In the end, I opted for the D-X2E as it sounds great both acoustically and plugged in to an amp and I think will likely stand up better in the dry desert climate of Las Vegas than the all wood guitar. I've had my D-X2E for a little over a month now and I've been totally pleased. One heck of a guitar for $649 and the gig bag that this guitar comes with is no joke. It's nice. In the end, this is great review of these 2 guitars. If you buy either a Martin X series or Road Series, you're going to be happy.

A year ago, I sat with about 5 or 6 guitars in the local store and made this same comparison, along with some Taylor guitars in the mix. In the end, I bought the D13e. To my ear, it had a perfectly balanced tone, nothing was ringing out badly. It is not a big boomer, as Chris points out, although you can certainly dig in and get volume. This was my upgrade from my beginner dreadnought to something that clearly sounded better. Also, my fretting hand felt at home on the Martin neck. A year later, I'm still in love 😅

Thank you

Maybe I'm nuts, but that X sounds as deep and rich as the D-13E to me.

I’m torn between these two and d jr. I’m leaning towards the jr because I’m a smaller guy but I want something that will be good for bluegrass so would the jr do bluegrass just as good as these two?

I'm considering buying the D-X2E myself. My question is about playability...My local Store doesn't have a X2E of any model for me to try but they do have a Martin D10E (Road Series - it's a bit more $ retails at 950.00 and it plays GREAT. I'm new to buying guitars, do setups make a difference in playability if you get one that needs setup? Can a $500 dollar guitar play as easily as a $1,200 guitar after it's had a set up?

D13e blue rosette and white binding looks nice. But the dx2e sounds way better. Its not only louder it has a deeper fuller sound which is what i prefer. I like a boomier bass. Als does only the dx2e have katalox fret and bridge?

I’m considering buying one of these with Siris back and sides. All that I read says that this guitar is all solid wood so I was a little disappointed when you pointed out it was a laminate back and sides. Can you clarify?

HPL is Formica, Phenolic resin and paper.

HPL excellent for 12 string guitars if belly bulge is an issue loosening strings really not needed

I have a DX1RAE that sounds amazing. Mine has a Stratabond neck that is very stable and came with a Murado Fingerboard.

I'm going to go the other way around people. I have long loved warm sounds but now I prefer more balanced dry woody sounds with a slamming bass string, I no longer have much interest in playing a warm sounding guitar with lots of harmonics and sustain that sounds muffled muddy and lifeless. Today you have excellent laminated wood guitars that sound amazing. In this video I prefer the D-X2e.

I love my DX2E. I sounds so nice to me. Once I start playing it is hard to put down. Im not a expert by any means so I have a hard time justifying buying a more expensive but delicate guitar at this time.

The DX2e was definitely louder on the bass. Up top, I thought the D13 was brighter and had more clarity, but overall they sounded very similar. The D13 is much prettier.

I have a DX1RAE, and it seems to be sounding better and better. My neck is Stratabond with a Murado wood fingerboard.

Just curious...when you are going to do a comparison between or among several instruments-DO THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME STRINGS and are they all identical? Also I would prefer listening to a couple verses of a tune rather than chords, it would give me a better feel of what the guitar can do. I like you and Cooper doing these comparisons and rating the pro VS con on the guitars. Y'all don't give off the vibes of a slick fast talking used car salesman, more matter of fact it is what it is...Thank you both for that...

I'm surprised to see this comparison because I have both guitars, albeit the older versions! My D-13e is the first edition and it comes with siris back and side, instead of ziricote (Martin website mentions that some D-13e are still available with siris b/s). The rosette on mine is white pearl instead of blue abalone. Mine came with soft-shell gig bag (dark-grey color), which is wonderful, so if possible, do get that one, as I read now some come with soft gig bag. As for the X series, I bought one when it was still named D-X1RAE. Basically HPL with rosewood pattern. The difference is on the neck, as Chris pointed out; mine comes with stratabond neck. I can attest that Chris' comparison is absolutely spot on. The D-13e does sound quieter, so I was surprised at first (a lil bit disappointed too), but now I love how the sound is richer/fuller. Meanwhile, the D-X2e (D-X1RAE) does sound louder (boomier), but rougher. I actually love both. The X series is better for outdoor activities since it is sturdier (and cheaper too). But now I'm debating if I should sell it since more guitars means less time playing each of them.

A Martin Guitar with solid Ziricote back and sides really sounds great.

Guitar sound is all subjective. For me its playability and finding the string gauge you are comfortable with. For choosing a guitar, i think its a matter of styling and status what you want. I ultimately want a D45. But i dont have $10,000 sitting around. I got a used absolutely mint D13 for $975. I like light strings and low action

I just don't like the idea of HPL. Reminds me of that wood you get on cheap shelves, the pressboard stuff. I'd be fine with them using a traditional laminate. It's just odd.

To my ear the x series sound is better, great demo.

X series use to be made in the USA. I have an early 2000’s model that is solid as a rock and sounds amazing. Shame they moved them to Mexico.

Listening to the recordings, I find the DX2e sound cleaner and more balanced, The lower frequencies tended to be slightly muddy on the 13. Based on this review, the decision is a no brainer for me. Save your money and get the more affordable guitar.

Martin made one of these (D-X2e that is) for Guitar Center and call it the X1AE. Same guitar, just no gig bag. ☹

So.... I'm about to buy (literally) a D-13e (Ziricote) Is this instrument solid wood????

Thanks for being a "laminate apologist". I also think a good quality laminate back and sides, can make a great guitar. Any small difference in tone, is more than compensated for by increased stability and durability.

You should have compared the X to the D12e or D10e because the D13e uses a completely different wood which doesn’t sound as good

Opinions are like ass- oles, I just brought home a dx2 e, it’s great, so far…. I’ve had it for 20 hours and played it for 10. It’s a pleasure to play. Cheap grate 15 watt amp, sounds great. I played a fish man artist in the music store, bait if you ask me, it was awesome. Bought it

I have a Road Series guitar that looks exactly like a D-13 (mine has the Mutayne back and sides. I always thought it was solid wood, so I’m a little disappointed to hear that it’s not. But i find the sound of the DX2E to be exceptional.

For me the D-13 wins easily. There’s a distinct overtone in the high end that most budget guitars battle. Similar to a Piezo. Yamaha and Alvarez generally do a good job with taming this. Taylor’s Academy series is also impressive in that budget range. Martin is getting close.

The D13e sounded brighter than the DX2e, which is a little more muted sounding.

Thank you for the comparison. I think the comparably priced ($679) Yamaha A Series AC1R sounds MUCH better. Not even close. It out plays $2,500 solid rosewood guitars, and it's layered. You won't believe it until you play it.

Ask yourself one question, "Would I buy a plastic X series guitar if the headstock said Walmart on it instead of Martin?" If not, you could likely find a guitar that sounds better and costs a lot less. I'm not suggesting that the X series is a bad guitar, but at or below it's price range there are lots of great choices from very reputable makers. Keep one thing in mind.. everyone who knows guitars knows the X series is the 'budget' Martin. And it's tone isn't going to impress anyone who doesn't know guitars or who doesn't know who Martin is.... Well, up to the point that your playing skills will or will not impress people on any guitar. I mean if you are really good, you can likely get by on anything that can hold a tune. That's not to say you don't deserve better. The D-13e sounds like a real guitar, but again at it's price range there are a lot of high quality guitars to choose from. And I'm not knocking Martin, I honestly love some of their high end guitars, not because they are Martins, but rather because they just sound so good.

You can get a lesser expensive guitar with the proper set up to sound better.

You can get a Seagull solid wood series guitar at this price and you will have a much better guitar.

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Ritch light x'when u.know imagine its crap

There is NO WAY the sound is twice as good on a TWICE the price point!!!. Literally no difference whatsoever!! Just ONLY looks!!☝️🤓!!! No one on earth can tell which guitar is doing what on a blind test review!! You could only be guessing!!!☝️🤣🤣

Something just wrong about faux wood

y always martin guiter review

Martin D-13e vs D-X2e SONO DUE CACATE!! Dovreste fare un confronto tra Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN e la Martin D-13e vedreste che la Harley Benton suona meglio CaZzoooooooooooooooooo!!!

Why would you spend all that money for a plastic guitar when you can get solid wood guitars for the same amount and often less?