MARTIN DC-1

  • Martin DC-1 acoustic guitar with single cutaway and Fishman Matrix SLI EQ
    Martin DC-1 (shown with optional Fishman Matrix SLI EQ)

Overview

Brand name: 

Product: 

  • acoustic guitars

Series name: 

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Dates of manufacture: 

1995 to 1999

The Martin DC-1 was made between 1995 and 1999, with 1,267 made in total (not including the DC-1E model). The Martin DC-1 was the rounded Venetian cutaway version of the D-1. Its soundboard was bookmatched from solid Sitka spruce. The back was solid mahogany. The sides were made from 3-ply mahogany laminates. According to Martin these features, together with their durable "cross-link" satin finish, made the DC-1 especially suitable for on-the-road or concert use. The DC-1 came with an optional Martin/Fishman SLI Matrix EQ system (the DC-1E model). Finish was satin with Honey Gold Toner on top (optional gloss finish was available at an additional charge).

Specifications (23)

General

Finish colorsnatural finish
Finish effectssatin finish
Made inUSA
Bindingtortoiseshell binding
Number of strings6 strings
Scale length25.4 inches scale-length

Body

Body back materialmahogany body back
Body shape featuressingle cutaway
Body sides materiallaminated mahogany body sides
Body top materialsitka spruce body top
Pickguard materialtortoiseshell pickguard
Soundhole rosette3-stripe rosette
Soundholeround soundhole

Neck

Body fretNeck joins body at 14th fret
Neck jointset neck
Neck materialmahogany neck
Neck width1.69 inches wide at nut
Number of frets20 fret
Tuner layoutthree-each-side

Hardware

Bridge pinswhite with black dot pins
Bridgerosewood bridge

Fretboard

Fingerboard materialrosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard position markersdot fingerboard position markers

Prices (19)

DatePriceConditionNameComments
2014$600excellentRichard
1996$1300newguitar-listMartin suggested retail price.
2010€1500good
1996$900new
1996$1800.00new
1997$1500excellent
1999$1800good
2000€1000new
1997€1500worn
1995$0newRobin ViolaThis was a gift from a family member. In pristine condition, all original packaging and even strap. I played it twice and need the closet space now.
1999$1000newJoanExcellent condition. Like New
1998€1500new
2011$3000new
2018$650good
2010$850excellentRay
1997$1100newDonIt sounds better and better the longer I play it.
1997$1800.newDante D'Antilio
1997$1800.newDante Still my favorite guitar
19966000 FRF excellentjeromeThe guitar comes with the Martin Case (Black)

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9 Comments

The DC-1

it was made from dec of 94 becuase i have the 3rd one off the line and it was made in 1995 and was the very first DC-1E as it was a prototype then and was sold as one as is with no warranty

Yes, I have a Martin DC-1

Yes, I have a Martin DC-1 made in 1995. Note however, that the DC-1 is not the same guitar as the DC-1E (E = Electronics)

DC-1 and DC-1E

The sales material and the Martin site say they are the same. What do you mean they're not?

Production Totals

According to Martin, 1,267 DC-1 guitars were produced. That does not include the DC-1E, only the DC-1.

DC-1E

Why do most website stores and individuals say this guitar has a strata-bond neck when its obviously solid wood?

DC1E

I have seen that many times myself. I own a DC1E L (lefty). It's a great playing guitar and like you said has a solid wood neck. I'm not an expert but Strata-bond necks are very obvious to the naked eye. My guitar has a solid wood neck without a doubt!

DC-1E

Mine also has solid mahogany neck; not Stratabond. Bought mine in 1999 at the legendary but now gone Manny's Music in NY City.

DC1

This guitar's original run (from approx 1993 to 2006)? had a solid wood neck.  The guitar was re-introduced around 2009 by Martin (because of the desire to have a solid-wood-back guitar priced around $1,000). The NEW ones have a stratabond neck.  Read more about the guitar's history here:  https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/martin-d-1-219986

"In most outward respects the new D-1 looks very similar to the old model. One aspect that differs greatly, though, is the neck. In place of traditional wood, it's now fashioned from a multi-laminate called Stratabond.

 

Not a synthetic, it's actually a sandwich of approximately 30 lengthwise layers of birch, impregnated and bonded with resin. Those of a certain age might remember something similar on some Framus necks from the sixties."

mara

1,267 DC-1 guitars were produced. That does not include the DC-1E, only the DC-1.