Martin D12X1AE: Thoughts?

There is a pretty noticeable difference between laminate backs/sides vs. solid backs/sides in Taylors but I haven't really studied it enough for Martins. I'm sure it would be pretty significant for a dreadnought guitar though.

I wouldnt go with the Martin X series. Martin is just slapping it name on the headstock of those x series imports and making a killing. I dont know if you want the eletrontics or not but here are better options for cheaper.
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Those have soild tops at least

A lot of times with Martin you are paying for the name on the head stock But they have the standard series have that volume and martin sound. A lot of people prefer the playability of taylor and their brighter sound. You can tell its hurting martin because there performance series (or something like that) is to compete against taylor

Whatever you do, please, by all means, do not buy from Guitar Center or a similar box store. Go mom and pop. And I'm not saying that for sentimental reasons. A lot of these guitars are shipped from up north where they obviously use heated storage during the winter months, and proper humidification is absolute key for an acoustic instrument. I'm not a luthier or expert by any means, but I do know that much.

I know you you don't seem to be heavily considering Taylor, but I bought my Taylor 314CE through a site called Guitar Rodeo. As a frame of reference, the guitar was about $1500 at Guitar Center but came with a $100 Christmas rebate. Best Buy was actually selling them for $1200 on clearance because Taylor quit using them as an authorized dealer because they treat their guitars like shite and don't keep them properly humidified.

I ended up getting the guitar for a little bit over $1500 including shipping, as well as an extremely nice acoustic case that costs well over $100. It also came with a humidifier and an extra pack of Elixir strings.

These guys don't sell much outside of Taylor, but I would suggest trying to find a similar authorized mom and pop store that takes care of their instruments. You also avoid the risk of having a douche teenager banging it around when he hangs it back up at Guitar Center.

Good luck with it, and I hope you land a solid instrument. Let us know what you end up getting.

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The Takamine neck is wider than the Martin, and I've got small hands. Plus it's heavier, which I don't like. The Seagull is $100 or so more expensive than the Martin.

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if i remember correctly, seagulls are known for their wide nuts. it might be something to play one or two of these and see if that makes a difference. when i played them, i immediately liked it. my giant fingers actually liked the spacing. if you dont like the 1 3/4" from the martin, definitely rule out a seagull, its wider. part of their signature.

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Just ask at Guitar Center how many they have in the back

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The last time I visited them, the GC and Sam Ash stores near me had between them a total of 3 left-handed acoustic guitars. Unless you're in a LH specialty shop (the nearest one I know of is in Sarasota, several hours away), you'll hardly find any LH acoustic guitars at your local shops. They'll stock a few LH electrics, but virtually no acoustic guitars.

Anyway I'm going to my local GC to look at a RH Martin D12X1AE—at least get a feel for the thing. A guy I jam with played one there last night and liked it—said it played and felt quite nice for a guitar in that price range.