Classic Martin 12-String Tone in a Road-Ready Package
If you've been looking for a 12-string that travels well and won't break the bank, the Martin DC-X2E deserves a close look. This is a full dreadnought cutaway with the shimmering richness that makes a 12-string feel like its own instrument — all that chime and natural chorus from six extra strings paired with Martin's signature warmth. The solid spruce top delivers clear, dynamic response, and the HPL back and sides bring durability and weather resistance without sacrificing tone. Add the cutaway for upper-fret access and onboard electronics with a built-in tuner, and you've got a gigging guitarist's 12-string.
Martin designed the DC-X2E Brazilian 12-String as part of their reimagined X Series. It's built to play, with practical features like a hand-rubbed satin finish on the spruce top, a Performing Artist neck profile with High-Performance Taper, and refined string spacing that makes 12-string fingering feel less cramped. The Brazilian rosewood pattern HPL back and sides have a rich, striped grain look inspired by the real thing, and the faux abalone rosette adds a touch of classic Martin style. Whether you're layering rhythm parts in the studio or adding acoustic texture to a live set, this guitar pulls its weight.
This isn't a vintage heirloom — it's a working player's 12-string. The 1-7/8" nut gives your fingers room to work, the beveled fingerboard edges feel broken-in from day one, and the Martin E-1 electronics include volume, tone, and phase controls along with a chromatic tuner mounted right in the soundhole. For singer-songwriters, folk players, or anyone who wants that jangly 12-string sparkle without the anxiety of taking a fragile guitar on the road, the DC-X2E is a smart choice.
Solid Spruce Top with Scalloped X-Bracing
The DC-X2E features a solid spruce top — not laminate — which means you're getting the tonal responsiveness and dynamic range of a traditional acoustic build at this price point. Spruce offers bright, articulate highs and a balanced midrange, and it pairs beautifully with the natural shimmer of 12 strings. Inside the body, scalloped X-bracing supports the top's vibration while adding bass depth and projection. The dreadnought body size gives you the volume and low-end presence that makes 12-strings feel full and immersive, especially when you're strumming open chords or fingerpicking arpeggios.
The back and sides are made from high-pressure laminate (HPL) with a Brazilian rosewood pattern. HPL is a resin-based material that's far more resistant to changes in temperature and humidity than solid wood, making this guitar ideal for travel, outdoor gigs, or climates where a solid rosewood guitar might crack or warp. It's not real Brazilian rosewood, but the printed grain pattern looks striking, and the tonal characteristics — warm sustain, solid bass response — are closer to the real thing than you'd expect from a laminate instrument. Martin has used HPL throughout the X Series to keep prices accessible while maintaining playability and durability.
Performing Artist Neck and Enhanced Comfort
The DC-X2E is built with a Performing Artist neck profile and High-Performance Taper, which translates to a slim, comfortable shape that's easy to navigate across all 20 frets. The nut width is 1-7/8", which is slightly wider than a standard six-string to accommodate the doubled string courses, but Martin's refined string spacing ensures you're not fighting for room when forming chords. The fingerboard has gently beveled edges, a feature borrowed from higher-end Martin models that makes the neck feel more natural in your hand.
The neck, fingerboard, and bridge are all made from select hardwood — Martin doesn't specify the exact species, but the construction is solid and the playability is excellent. The scale length is 25.4", a full dreadnought scale that contributes to the guitar's volume and sustain. The modernized bridge contour is designed for a smoother feel, and the compensated white Tusq saddle helps maintain accurate intonation across the fretboard. Whether you're a 12-string veteran or picking one up for the first time, the DC-X2E makes the transition easy.
Martin E-1 Electronics with Built-In Tuner
The Martin E-1 electronics system is discreet and effective. The controls are tucked inside the soundhole — volume and tone knobs sit above the low E string, and there's a phase switch to help eliminate feedback when you're playing close to an amp or PA speaker. The built-in chromatic tuner has its own switch and display located below the high E string, so you can tune up between songs without reaching for a pedal or clip-on tuner. The system delivers warm, natural amplified tone that stays true to the guitar's acoustic voice.
Plugged in, the DC-X2E holds its own in a mix. The E-1 system captures the shimmer and resonance of the 12 strings without sounding overly processed, and the tone control gives you enough flexibility to dial in brightness or warmth depending on the room or the song. It's a straightforward, no-nonsense setup that's built for players who want reliable amplification without a learning curve.
Product Features:
- Solid spruce top with hand-rubbed satin finish for dynamic tone and natural resonance
- Brazilian rosewood pattern HPL back and sides for durability and weather resistance
- Dreadnought cutaway body with 14th-fret neck joint for full-range playability
- Performing Artist neck profile with 1-7/8" nut width and refined string spacing
- Scalloped X-bracing with 5/16" spruce braces for balanced projection and bass response
- 25.4" scale length with 20 frets and beveled fingerboard edges
- Martin E-1 electronics with volume, tone, phase controls, and built-in chromatic tuner
- Select hardwood neck, fingerboard, and bridge with compensated white Tusq saddle
- Faux abalone rosette and Style 28 faux abalone pattern fingerboard inlays
- Includes softshell case with headstock, bridge, and endpin protectors
Brand: Martin
Model: DC-X2E Brazilian 12-String
SKU: 11SPECIAL01142
Condition: New
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