What is it?
Adding a 12-string acoustic guitar to your arsenal opens up a whole new world of tone.
Whether you’re chasing that rich, choral shimmer for textural layering in the studio or looking to add a little extra dimension to your live sound, there’s no denying their allure.
But for many players, a 12-string can feel like a luxury on top of your regular six-string acoustic guitar - nice to dabble with, but maybe not essential enough to justify a big-ticket purchase.
So when a brand like Martin drops a new (okay, “remastered”) model for well under a grand, it’s worth taking note.
Made in Mexico and punching in at exactly the same price as its impressive six-string sibling (the D-X2E), the Martin X Series Remastered D-X2E Brazilian 12-String appears to strike that elusive balance between quality craftsmanship and absolutely stonking value.
It features a solid spruce top, classic Martin dreadnought body shape, built-in electronics, and even comes with a swish soft-shell case to travel around in.
So, where’s the catch?
Specs
- Price: £699 / $699 / €879
- Made: Mexico
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Body top: Solid Spruce
- Top bracing: Scalloped X-Bracing
- Back & sides: High Pressure Laminate (HPL) (Brazilian rosewood patterned)
- Neck/shape: Select Hardwood, Martin Performing Artist neck profile with High-Performance Taper
- Scale/length: 25.4" (645.2mm)
- Nut/width: White corian / 1 7/8'' (47.6mm)
- Fingerboard: Select hardwood
- Body depth: 4 3/4” (120mm)
- Finish: Satin finish natural spruce top with Brazilian rosewood effect HPL back and sides.
- Bridge/pins: Select hardwood bridge with white plastic bridge pins.
- Tuning Machines: Satin chrome closed gear
- Electronics: Martin E-1
- Weight: 5.5lb / 2.5kg
- Case: Includes Martin soft-shell case
- Left-handed options: Available
- Contact: Martin Guitar
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
In keeping with the rest of the X Series Martin guitars, the D-X2E Brazilian 12-String utilses both solid wood and High Pressure Laminate (HPL) components in an effort to provide a practical balance of tone, durability, and affordability.
On top, there's a lovely solid spruce soundboard, supported underneath by Martin’s signature scalloped X-bracing. This gives a reassuringly robust feel – particularly important given the added tension that comes from a dozen strings.
It has a hand-rubbed satin finish, a single-ring faux abalone rosette and classic teardrop pickguard. It’s a bit of an austere look, but let’s be generous and call it ‘understated elegance’.
For the back and sides, HPL keeps the price down, providing durability and some aesthetic interest with its detailed Brazilian rosewood-effect patterning.
Interestingly, these printed patterns will vary subtly from guitar to guitar, which is a nice touch. That said, the effect on this particular example is giving strong Georgia O’Keeffe vibes, but it’s a pretty good effort from Martin in the realism stakes.
The neck – billed as "select hardwood” – is likely hewn from Spanish cedar, sapele, or possibly mahogany, though the exact material is less prescriptive, and may vary depending on availability.
Sure, the broad-stroke labelling feels a little vague, but the important thing is that Martin isn’t cutting corners where it counts. You’re still getting a quality, solid hardwood neck – and on a 12-string, that will serve you well over time.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Unplugged, it delivers a big, room-filling sound, with powerful bass projection and dazzling choral shimmer on top.
A great 12-string playing experience relies on a comfortable neck. Too wide and you’ll struggle to get your hand round your favourite chord shapes; too narrow and you can forget about making clean changes or fingerpicking with finesse.
With its Performing Artist neck profile and High-Performance Taper (47.5mm at the nut and 58.75mm at the 12th fret), along with refined string spacing, beveled fingerboard edges and low factory-set action, it’s clear that a lot of care and consideration has gone into the D-X2E Brazilian 12-String’s comfort credentials. And you can really feel it.
Whereas many 12-string guitars can feel unwieldy and cluttered - like a heavy duty workout for your fretting hand - this one delivers a pleasingly low-effort playing experience. I’d even dare to call it dreamy.
These guitars also go through Martin’s high-tech ‘Plek’ process as standard, ensuring smooth, buzz-free playability right out of the box and adding even more baked-in value.
Elsewhere, rounded edges soften the feel of the dreadnought body, while the built-in LED tuner on the preamp helps take some of the tedium out of tuning up all those strings without the need to reach for a separate guitar tuner.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
Striking a balance between beauty and power, this guitar offers heavenly 12-string chime with classic Martin dreadnought clout.
Unplugged, it delivers a big, room-filling sound, with powerful bass projection and dazzling choral shimmer on top.
It’s also undeniably evocative. Whether picked or strummed, it effortlessly conjures nostalgic sounds of the late ’60s and ’70s - when 12-string acoustics were at the height of their popularity.
Played through an acoustic guitar amp or a PA speaker, the onboard Martin E-1 pickup and preamp system does a great job of reproducing the guitar’s natural qualities. Tucked away inside the soundhole, volume and tone controls provide scope for a little additional sonic sculpting and there’s a phase switch for tackling feedback in live situations.
Verdict
There’s no doubt about it, Martin is a prestigious brand. It invented the dreadnought shape and has been turning out great 12-string production models since the mid-1960s. Owning a piece of that legacy is undeniably appealing.
Most importantly, this guitar sounds just as it should and plays like a dream
Although the D-X2E Brazilian 12-String deviates from tradition in its use of HPL, and a little more aesthetic detailing wouldn’t go amiss, choices like these help keep costs low, while the overall quality remains high.
Most importantly, this guitar sounds just as it should and plays like a dream.
MusicRadar verdict: For those on the hunt for a great quality 12-string electro-acoustic that won’t break the bank, it's a no-brainer. Even if you can stretch to a higher price tag, the Martin X Series D-X2E Brazilian 12-String is still well worth considering thanks to the playability and overall sound on offer.
