Martin 11OMCX1E-01 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Martin 110MCX1E-01 is a premium acoustic-electric guitar that offers solid build quality and impressive sound in an attractively designed package. Part of Martin's X Series, it features a comfortable body style and top tonewoods usually found on more expensive models. This is an acoustic-electric, so it has built-in electronics to plug into an amplifier or PA system. While not as affordable as Martin's entry-level Road Series, the 110MCX1E-01 provides noticeable upgrades in tonewoods, appointments and sound projection. It's an excellent choice for gigging musicians who want the iconic Martin tone and playability without breaking the bank.

Body Style and Design

The Martin 11OMCX1E-01 has a classic dreadnought body shape, featuring a wide lower bout and gently sloping shoulders. This body style provides excellent projection and a balanced, full-bodied tone. The dreadnought design allows the top to freely vibrate, producing warm low end, pronounced mids, and clear treble notes. The larger body size also gives more resonance and sustain.

The 11OMCX1E-01 has a solid Sitka spruce top, which contributes to the guitar's sweet, complex tone. Sitka spruce is a popular top wood known for its balanced tonal response across the frequency range. The X-Series also employs Stratabond laminate back and sides. This high pressure laminate is very durable and provides good acoustic properties. Overall, the materials and construction allow the 11OMCX1E-01 to deliver the quintessential Martin dreadnought experience at an accessible price point.

The dreadnought body style has become one of the most popular acoustic guitar shapes, known for its versatile sound. Many iconic acoustic guitars feature the dreadnought design, such as the Gibson Hummingbird and Taylor 214ce. While the Martin 11OMCX1E-01 provides an affordable way to enjoy the dreadnought sound, there are other budget-friendly options as well. The Donner DST-100S is an acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar with a laminate spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and built-in preamp and tuner. With its slim neck profile and smooth playability, the Donner DST-100S is an excellent choice for beginners looking for their first acoustic-electric guitar. While it may lack some of the warm, nuanced tone of the Martin, the Donner provides great value with its combination of playability, electronics, and construction. For guitarists wanting a flexible, amplified acoustic guitar on a budget, the Donner DST-100S is definitely worth considering.

Tonewoods

The Martin OMCX1E features premium solid tonewoods that give it a full, rich sound. The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, which provides excellent resonance and responsiveness. Sitka spruce is a popular top wood prized for its strength, light weight, and balanced tonal properties.

The back and sides are made of solid mahogany, which gives the OMCX1E warmth, sweetness, and good note separation. Mahogany is a highly musical and tonally balanced tonewood that adds depth and complexity to the guitar's voice. The all-solid wood construction allows the top to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent volume, sustain, and dynamic range.

The tonewood combination of solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides makes the OMCX1E an extremely expressive and versatile guitar suitable for various musical genres. Players will appreciate the crisp, articulate highs, balanced midrange, and rich low end.

In addition to premium tonewoods, the OMCX1E also features Fishman Sonitone electronics for natural amplified tone. The Fishman preamp has volume, bass, mid, and treble controls for dialing in your ideal amplified sound. The undersaddle transducer captures the guitar's true acoustic tone.

Another excellent acoustic-electric guitar option to consider is the Ortega Guitars RCE131SN-L. This guitar has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, similar to the Martin OMCX1E. However, it features a slimmer, more comfortable neck profile that some players may prefer. The RCE131SN-L is equipped with the Fishman Presys II preamp system for natural plugged-in tone and easy controls. At a more budget-friendly price point, the Ortega RCE131SN-L packs impressive features and tone in an accessible package.

When choosing between the Martin OMCX1E and Ortega RCE131SN-L, consider your budget and playing preferences. The Martin offers premium all-solid wood construction for the ultimate acoustic tone, while the Ortega provides great bang-for-your-buck with slimmer neck and Fishman electronics. Whichever you choose, you'll get a quality acoustic-electric guitar with expressive unplugged tone and stage-ready amplified sound.

Neck and Fretboard

The Martin 11OMCX1E-01 features a smooth neck profile that is extremely comfortable to play. The neck has a Performing Artist taper which gets progressively thinner as you move up towards the body. This tapered design allows for maximum comfort and playability across the entire fretboard.

The fretboard itself is made from solid rosewood which provides excellent sustain and bright tone. Rosewood is known for its rich overtones that bring out the intricate details in your playing. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret which allows for easy access to those high notes.

Overall the neck and fretboard design allows for silky smooth playability even during complex soloing or intricate chord work. The profile and materials come together to offer a premium playing experience you'd expect from a high-end Martin acoustic-electric guitar.

Electronics

The Martin OMCX1E features Martin's Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system. The Sonitone is designed specifically for Martin guitars, with an undersaddle transducer that accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone. It preserves the dynamic and harmonic characteristics of the guitar.

The preamp has volume and tone controls that allow you to shape your amplified tone. There's an onboard tuner and phase switch as well. The preamp is discreetly mounted just inside the soundhole for easy access while playing. It provides natural amplified sound for performing on stage or recording in the studio. The understated electronics don't interfere with the guitar's pure acoustic sound when unplugged.

Overall, the Fishman preamp and pickup offer excellent amplified tone and stage-worthy features in an unobtrusive package that highlights the OMCX1E's inherent acoustic voice. Martin and Fishman collaborated to create a seamless acoustic-electric system optimized for this guitar.

Hardware

The Martin 11OMCX1E-01 is equipped with high-quality hardware that gives it stability, resonance and excellent sustain. It features chrome enclosed tuners that keep the guitar in tune through changes in humidity and temperature. The tuners have a smooth feel when tuning and hold tune reliably even during extended playing sessions.

The nut and saddle are made from genuine bone, which transfers vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body of the guitar. The natural material also holds intonation well and resists wear over time. The bone nut is precisely cut for clean fretting all along the neck, while the compensated bone saddle provides accurate intonation in all positions. Overall, the chrome tuners combined with the bone nut and saddle give the 11OMCX1E-01 the hardware needed for exceptional musical performance.

Sound and Playability

The Martin OMCX1E's solid sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a well-balanced tone that projects nicely while retaining warmth and body. The sound has excellent clarity in the highs and focused yet rich lows and mids. Many reviewers describe the guitar's voice as versatile and suitable for various playing styles.

The modified low oval neck profile is comfortable and easy to play, while the Performing Artist taper provides a slimmer feel up top. The shorter 24.9" scale length reduces string tension, making it an accessible option for players with smaller hands. The smooth satin finish on the neck allows for effortless movement during faster lead work. Overall, the playability and comfortable feel empower the musician to relax and focus on making great music.

Pros

The Martin 11OMCX1E-01 has many admirable qualities that make it a great choice for players looking for an acoustic-electric guitar in this price range.

• Quality Materials: Martin is known for using high-end tonewoods and materials on their guitars, even affordable models like this one. The solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide excellent resonance, warmth, and balanced tone. The Stratabond neck holds up well over years of playing. The quality shows in both the sound and durability.

• Versatile Plugged-In and Unplugged: The Fishman Sonitone electronics and preamp provide natural amplified tone and make this an extremely versatile guitar. It sounds just as good plugged in as it does unplugged. The guitar is stage-ready for live performances but also shines for practice, recording, and jam sessions unplugged. The onboard tuner is convenient as well.

Cons

• The electronics on the Martin 11OMCX1E could be improved. It comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics, which get the job done but don't offer the same tonal shaping capabilities as higher-end pickup systems from L.R. Baggs or similar brands. The preamp is functional but basic, lacking any EQ controls beyond volume and tone. Players who rely heavily on plugging in may find the electronics limiting.

• This is a pricey, high-end acoustic-electric guitar with a list price around $2,500. While the build quality and tonewoods justify the cost for serious players, it's beyond the budget of many intermediate players just looking for a good acoustic-electric to gig and record with. The high price tag makes it hard to justify for those who won't fully utilize the instrument's potential. For most, it's an expensive purchase that could be hard to rationalize.

Conclusion

The Martin 11OMCX1E-01 Acoustic-Electric is a great choice for gigging musicians who want the rich, complex tone of an all-solid wood acoustic guitar with the convenience of easy amplification.

With its comfortable body size, stylish polished gloss finish, and Fishman Sonitone electronics, the 11OMCX1E-01 delivers classic Martin dreadnought tone and resonance with excellent amplified acoustic sound. The solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides provide organic warmth and projection, while the Performing Artist taper neck profile offers smooth playability up and down the fretboard.

While the 11OMCX1E-01 commands a premium price, its heirloom-quality build, resonant woods, and Fishman electronics make it a worthy investment for serious players who rely on their acoustic-electric on stage. For musicians needing amplified acoustic tone in a durable, road-ready package, the Martin 11OMCX1E-01 is a superb choice.