The other noticeable change is a switch from the mahogany neck of the '90s to a Stratabond brand laminated birch neck.
With its solid construction, this guitar has a really big sound at a bargain price. Too, these first examples of this model are being made in Nazareth, PA; when production gets ramped up, it will be moved to Mexico, so this is your chance to have one of what are destined to be the few produced in the USA!
Martin has re-introduced the D-1; the 1990s D-1 model had a solid mahogany back with laminated sides, but the new model uses solid sapele back and sides, i.e., this is Martin's least expensive all solid wood model now.