Martin 1100X2E-01 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Martin 1100X2E-01 is a high quality acoustic-electric guitar that combines traditional Martin craftsmanship with modern appointments to deliver a great playing and sounding instrument. This guitar features a solid Mahogany back and sides paired with a Sitka Spruce top, resulting in a balanced and resonant acoustic tone. The addition of Fishman Sonitone electronics allows for natural amplified tones as well. With its comfortable neck profile, sleek look, and Fishman Sonitone pickup system, the 1100X2E-01 is an excellent choice for any guitarist looking for a great all-around acoustic-electric.

Body Style and Construction

The Martin 1100X2E-01 features a classic and versatile dreadnought body shape that's been a staple of acoustic guitars for decades. This provides balanced and full-bodied tones, with plenty of projection and volume that suits both fingerstyle and strumming approaches.

The back and sides are made from laminated mahogany, which imparts a warm and balanced character to the overall sound. Mahogany is known for its rich low-end and strong mids, providing the 1100X2E-01 with excellent note definition. The laminate construction makes the guitar lightweight yet durable.

While not as resonant as solid wood, the laminate back and sides allow Martin to produce this model at an affordable price point without sacrificing much tonal quality. The mahogany still comes through nicely, offering organic and pleasing acoustic tones.

The dreadnought body style provides a nice balance between low-end power and clear treble notes. Its large surface area projects the sound efficiently while still retaining nuance and warmth. Many guitarists prefer the dreadnought shape for its versatility across different playing styles and genres.

The 1100X2E-01 has a solid Sitka spruce top, which helps produce those bright and airy tones dreadnoughts are known for. The Fishman Sonitone electronics have discreet undersaddle piezo pickups that accurately capture the guitar's natural acoustic sound. The preamp features a built-in tuner, phase switch, and easy to access volume and tone controls.

If you're looking for a great all-purpose acoustic-electric, be sure to also check out the Yamaha L-Series LL6 ARE. This guitar has a smaller concert body size but still offers balanced tone and excellent playability. The solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides provide exceptional resonance and dynamics.

The Yamaha LL6 ARE comes equipped with the SRT Powered Pickup System which combines a piezo pickup with mic modeling technology for very natural amplified tones. Between the flexible Fishman pickup system and reduced size, the LL6 ARE is a great alternative acoustic-electric to consider alongside the Martin 1100X2E-01.

Neck and Fretboard

The Martin 1100X2E-01 features a Select Hardwood neck with 20 frets. The neck is constructed from hard maple, providing stability and durability. It has a Performing Artist taper profile that gets progressively slimmer as you move up the neck, making it comfortable and fast to play.

With 20 frets, the 1100X2E-01 gives you ample room for soloing and hitting higher notes. The fretboard radius measures 12 inches, which strikes a balance between feeling familiar to flat fretboard players yet providing a subtle curve for ease of chording and bending strings. The fretboard itself is made of richlite, an eco-friendly and sustainable composite material that has a smooth feel reminiscent of ebony.

Overall, the neck and fretboard are designed for optimal playability, whether you're ripping through lightning solos or strumming rhythm chords. The hardwood construction gives it the backbone to stay true, while the slim profile neck and radiused fretboard facilitate moving around with ease.

The Martin 1100X2E-01 acoustic-electric guitar offers a great blend of traditional Martin craftsmanship and modern playability. With its solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it produces the balanced, nuanced acoustic tone Martin is known for. The Fishman Sonitone electronics accurately capture the 1100X2E-01's natural acoustic dynamics and project them through an amplifier or PA. The Performing Artist profile neck promotes fluid playing across the fretboard, while the richlite fingerboard provides a smooth and comfortable feel. Overall, the 1100X2E-01 is an excellent choice for any guitarist looking for a high-quality Martin acoustic-electric with professional features and great playability. For a similar option, check out the Washburn Festival EA15 EA15ITB-A - a reasonably priced acoustic-electric with a solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides, as well as a Fishman preamp system. While it may not have the prestigious Martin name, the Washburn EA15 provides comparable specs and tone at a more accessible price point.

Electronics and Pickups

The Martin 1100X2E-01 is equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics and an under-saddle transducer to amplify its sound. This combination produces a very natural acoustic-electric tone that accurately captures the warm, resonant sound of the all-solid wood body.

The under-saddle transducer uses a piezo pickup that converts the vibrations of the strings into electronic signals. This allows it to reproduce the guitar's acoustic sound with great detail and dynamic range. The pickup blends seamlessly with the top's vibrations for excellent amplified tone.

The Fishman preamp has simple but effective controls including volume, bass, mid, treble, and phase switches to shape your amplified sound. The Sonitone preamp is known for its transparent and accurate amplification that doesn't color the natural acoustic tone. It has plenty of headroom for performing without distortion even at higher volumes.

Overall, the electronics package on the Martin 1100X2E-01 is thoughtfully designed for players who want natural amplified acoustic sound for performing live or recording. The under-saddle pickup and Sonitone preamp work together to allow this guitar to produce rich, detailed plugged-in sound.

Hardware

The Martin 1100X2E-01 features high-quality hardware that contributes to its great playability, tuning stability, and tone.

Tuning Machines

The guitar comes equipped with chrome enclosed tuners. Enclosed tuners completely cover and protect the tuning gears, helping keep the strings in tune even during heavy playing. The chrome finish gives them an attractive look as well. The tuning machines turn smoothly and hold tune precisely.

Nut and Saddle

This Martin guitar has a nut and saddle made from Corian, an advanced synthetic material known for its durability, stability, and sustain. The Corian nut promotes accurate intonation, while the saddle helps transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body. Together, they enhance the guitar's tone, tuning stability, and playability. The Corian saddle particularly brings out a smooth, rounded tone with great clarity and balance across the tonal spectrum.

Sound and Tone

The Martin 1100X2E-01 produces a balanced tone with articulate highs, warm mids, and decent bass punch and resonance. This makes it versatile for various styles from strumming to fingerpicking. The tone stays even and pleasant when strummed hard, with enough cutting power to work well live without feedback. The preamp and electronics help accurately reproduce the acoustic resonance and character of the wood laminate body. The guitar sustains well and rings out with a balanced, harmonious tonality ideal for accompanying vocals or playing melody lines. While not a full-bodied as a solid wood guitar, the engineered wood provides a pleasing organic tone. The mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard help produce some woodiness in the midrange. Overall, the tone works well across diverse playing styles and songs.

Playability

The Martin X Series 1100X2E-01 acoustic-electric guitar is designed for optimal playability. It features a slim taper neck profile that provides excellent comfort and easy playability. The neck width measures 1 11/16" at the nut, spacious enough for intricate fretting while still playable for those with smaller hands.

The action on the 1100X2E-01 is set exceptionally low right out of the box. String height measured at the 12th fret comes in at just under 2.5mm, giving an effortless feel that facilitates complex chording and fast lead lines. Such low action reduces hand fatigue and allows you to play for longer periods comfortably.

The slim satin finish on the back of the 1100X2E-01's neck also enhances playability. It provides a smooth surface that lets your hand glide easily up and down the neck. Overall, the 1100X2E-01 is designed to be a highly playable, comfortable guitar suitable for practice and performance. The easy-playing neck and low action allow you to concentrate on making great music without struggling against the instrument.

Pros

The Martin 1100X2E-01 has several notable advantages that make it a great choice for an acoustic-electric guitar in this price range.

• Quality Materials and Construction: The 1100X2E-01 features a solid mahogany top, back and sides which provide a rich, full-bodied tone. The neck is constructed from Stratabond, an extremely strong and stable laminated wood that promotes great sustain and reduces warping. Fit and finish is excellent with high quality hardware and electronics. Overall, the materials and construction quality of this Martin guitar are outstanding.

• Great Amplified Tone: Thanks to the Fishman Sonitone electronics system, the 1100X2E-01 sounds fantastic when plugged in. It reproduces the guitar's full, balanced acoustic tone very accurately. The pickup and preamp provide plenty of volume without muddiness or feedback issues. The tone shaping controls allow you to easily dial in your amplified sound. Whether practicing quietly at home or performing live, this Martin delivers excellent amplified acoustic tone.

Cons

• The lack of a cutaway can make it difficult to access the higher frets. This is a disadvantage for lead players who need to solo up the neck.

• The electronics and onboard preamp may induce feedback when playing live on stage at higher volumes. Feedback is less of an issue for pure acoustic guitars.

• The 11-ply mahogany laminate isn't as resonant as solid wood, so the tone may not bloom and open up as much as a solid wood guitar.

• The nut and saddle are plastic rather than bone. Bone is considered superior for transferring string vibrations.

• It comes with unbranded open gear tuners. Higher-end Martins often come with branded, sealed tuners that hold tune better under playing conditions.

• There are no adjusters for truss rod relief or action height. A guitar tech would be needed for significant setup adjustments.

Conclusion

The Martin 1100X2E-01 is an overall excellent acoustic-electric guitar for beginner to intermediate players. Martin has built a quality instrument with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides that produces balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The comfortable neck profile and low action facilitate smooth playability.

While it may lack some bells and whistles found on more expensive models, the 1100X2E-01 focuses on nailing the basics - great sound, easy playability, and Martin craftsmanship. The built-in Fishman electronics accurately reproduce the guitar's acoustic tone when plugged in.

The Martin 1100X2E-01 punches above its weight class, offering amazing bang for your buck. Its classic styling and quality build make it a guitar you won't outgrow. If you're looking for an acoustic-electric that plays great right out of the box, performs onstage, and will last for years, the 1100X2E-01 is an excellent choice.