A Road-ready Rendition of Billy's Signature D-28
The Martin D-X2E Billy Strings brings all the charm of Billy’s signature D-28 to a supremely gig-friendly platform packed with performance-friendly features and top-class Martin E1 electronics. Just like Billy’s top-of-the-line D-28, this acoustic-electric guitar sports a non-standard 25-inch scale length for a slinkier feel and easier bends. Whether you’re dishing out Billy-style bluegrass licks or you’re strumming along to support the singer, the D-X2E’s solid spruce top, Brazilian-rosewood-patterned HPL rosewood back and sides, and scalloped bracing dish out all the low-end depth and unplugged projection that's made Martin’s big-bodied dreadnoughts among the most revered instruments on the planet. What’s more, the D-X2E Billy Strings’ select hardwood Modified Low Oval neck, 1.72-inch nut width, and slick satin finish ensure effortless navigation of the ebony fingerboard. You also get rock-solid nickel open-gear tuning machines, a traditional ebony bridge, and an eye-catching Style 28 rosette. Armed with a plethora of road-ready appointments, the Martin D-X2E Billy Strings is ready to rock the stage, the bluegrass circle, or the at-home acoustic jam session with equal aplomb and attitude.
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Shortened scale length supplies reduced tension
Traditionally, Martin’s dreadnought models sport a long 25.4-inch scale length, while the smaller-bodied 000-and-under models generally feature a reduced 24.9-inch scale. Each scale has its unique set of sonic intricacies, yet the difference between these two specs is often felt before it’s heard. By striking in the middle of these two measurements, the 25-inch scale retains the depth and authority of a traditional dreadnought while simultaneously granting you a lower-tension feel. Moreover, Sweetwater’s bluegrass shredders instantly found the Martin D-X2E Billy Strings to be far more conducive to bends than a typical long-scale dread — a boon for Billy, as his modern bluegrass mastery often draws subtle influence from the world of rock guitar.
Setting the standard for steel strings everywhere
If there were such a thing as a “standard” acoustic guitar shape, it would undoubtedly be the dreadnought. It’s Martin’s most iconic model and a key component to the cannon-like projection and booming bass response that’s defined the Nazareth sound since the D-18 and D-28 appeared in the early 1930s — and even earlier if you count Martin’s “Ditson” models! Whether you’re a flatpicking bluegrass phenom or a singer/songwriter strummer, a Martin dreadnought will provide you with a lifetime’s worth of superior steel-string tone.
Onboard E1 electronics
Martin E1 electronics let you quickly connect to your favorite acoustic amp, recording interface, or even house PA systems at venues. Musicians at Sweetwater are impressed with the E1 system’s tone, volume, and phase-reverse controls, which let you faithfully amplify your D-X2E’s richness and warmth while shaping sound quality to taste. The E1’s phase-reverse button is especially convenient for eliminating prickly feedback in tight spaces when standing near your amp is unavoidable. What’s more, the E1 system features a built-in tuner. You can tune up without cable connections, so tuning breaks onstage and on the couch are equally painless! With onboard electronics this good, you’ll feel confident Martin D-X2E Billy Strings is equipped for anything.
Martin D-X2E Billy Strings Features:
- Based on Billy’s prewar Martin D-28 and tweaked with a choice set of performance-focused appointments
- Solid spruce top with scalloped bracing provides a rich and resonant response
- Rosewood HPL back and sides, patterned with eye-catching Brazilian rosewood figuring
- Shortened 25-in. scale length supplies reduced tension and a more bend-friendly feel
- Big-bodied Martin dreadnought design ensures ample, chest-thumping bass response
- Easy-playing select hardwood neck, capped with a slick satin finish and carved into Martin’s Modified Low Oval neck profile
- Ebony fingerboard complete with old-school diamond and square inlays
- Slimmed-down 1.72-in. nut width keeps the strings a bit closer together to facilitate rapid-fire bluegrass runs
- Rock-solid nickel enclosed-gear tuners
- Martin E1 electronics system ensures authentic plugged-in acoustic tone onstage
