Martin Guitars D-X2EL Rosewood LH

I spent several weeks playing the Dean Exhibition A/E BK Satin LH in rehearsal and at a couple of low-volume gigs to see how a thin-bodied, left-handed electro-acoustic stacks up in real life. I came to it as a player who likes comfortable, electric-style necks on an acoustic body - I wanted quick access to the upper frets, plug-and-play electronics, and a guitar that sits light on a long practice night.

First Impressions

The first thing I noticed was the aesthetic - the satin black finish and single-cutaway profile give this lefty a modern, stage-ready look that stands apart from traditional dreadnoughts. Out of the case the thin-body feel and slim D-shaped neck made immediate sense for electric players converting to acoustic; it felt familiar and fast under my fretting hand while the ebony fingerboard added a slick, bright surface for bends and fast chord shapes. The onboard DMT G05 preamp and shoulder-mounted controls looked tidy and promised simple onstage dialing, so I was optimistic about using it plugged in right away.

Design & Features

Dean equipped the Exhibition LH with a thin sapele/mahogany-style body, a set slim D neck, and a 21-fret ebony fingerboard finished in satin - choices that clearly prioritize stage comfort and a darker acoustic character when played unplugged. The Graph Tech NuBone nut and ebony bridge are nice appointments at this price point and the Grover tuners inspired confidence for tuning stability during my sessions. The DMT G05 preamp with built-in tuner and a piezo bridge pickup gives you the familiar shoulder-mounted EQ layout - straightforward and practical for live work where you need quick, no-fuss control.

Build Quality & Fit

On the whole the finish and hardware looked well chosen for a mid-range instrument - satin finish hides minor blemishes and the binding and inlays looked tidy. That said, my play sample did arrive with a factory setup that needed attention; the action and fret dressing required a brief adjustment to remove a slight buzz and to smooth a couple of high frets near the nut. The neck joint and set-neck fit felt solid, but I would expect a modest setup from a retailer before serious gigging if you want the best playability out of the box.

Playability & Usability

The slim D neck and 25 1/4" scale (as specified by Dean) made this guitar comfortable for chord work and quick lead lines - it felt like an electric-style neck you can comfortably roll through long practice sessions with. The cutaway and shallow thin body gave me easy access to the upper register, which was great for arranging and playing solos without feeling blocked by the body. Fingerstyle players should be aware that the thinner body colors the acoustic resonance - it is less resonant than a full-depth grand auditorium, but very manageable when you want clarity and articulation.

Electrics & Onstage Performance

Plugged in the DMT G05 preamp delivered a transparent piezo character with useful EQ range for quick corrections and an onboard tuner handy for soundcheck. I found the amplified tone clean and present - it translates strummed chords and fingerpicked passages well enough for small-to-medium venues with minimal fiddling. The thin-body construction helps reduce stage feedback, so I could run through a simple PA with confidence; the preamp did sometimes need a touch of low-end or mid scoop depending on the venue, but that is normal for piezo-equipped acoustics.

The Trade-Offs

If you want big unplugged volume and bloom, this isn’t the traditional full-depth acoustic - the thin body keeps resonance tight and focused at the expense of low-end air. A second trade-off is the consistency of factory setup - while my sample became a great player after a quick setup, I encountered minor fret and nut issues that required adjustment to reach the potential I was hearing. Finally, the onboard tuner and preamp are competent but not exceptional - they do the job, but purists may want to swap electronics or fit an under-saddle system for a different amplified flavor.

Real-World Experience

I used the guitar in rehearsal and on two low-to-mid volume gigs - its comfort and quick neck made long sets less fatiguing and the black satin stage look held up well under lights. In plugged situations I appreciated the feedback resistance and the ease of dialing the DMT G05 for decent stage tone without needing external EQ. When I took it off the amp and played unplugged during a quieter song, the tone was pleasant and mid-forward, but I missed the depth of a larger-bodied acoustic; after a setup and slight nut tweak the instrument tracked and intonated much better, which made a big difference in day-to-day playability.

Final Verdict

The Dean Exhibition A/E BK Satin LH is a compelling choice if you want a left-handed thin-body acoustic that feels like an electric under the hand and works well onstage. I recommend it for electric players moving into acoustic territory, gigging singer-songwriters who prioritize comfort and plug-and-play reliability, and left-handed players who value a unique visual statement. If you demand huge unplugged resonance or want a guaranteed-perfect setup out of the box you may need a pro setup or to consider a different body style, but for the price the Exhibition gives a lot of practical, stage-focused capability.