player opinions

Martin D-16GT

Martin D-16GT

  1. Name: TRob

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: 2001

  4. Price Paid: $720

  5. Performance

  6. I bought my Martin D-16GT at a Guitar Center after visiting several shops and playing a bunch of different makes/models. My budget was about $700 so this was do-able. I admit there were other makes I liked more (Taylor, Guild, Larrivee) but they were more expensive (I’m a nitpicker). I chose the Martin not only because of price but because it played very easy and well off the shelf. The only thing I didn’t like initially was the difficulty with low end barre chords (F, F#m, Bm) and I have long fingers/strong hands. For instance, by the time I finished playing “Melissa” by the Allman Brothers my chording hand was sore and crampy. I figured it was due to my playing electric primarily so I blew it off. It hasn’t improved. However, the action is fabulous otherwise.

  7. Performance Rating: 8

  8. Sound Quality

  9. The tone is terrific and seems well balanced between highs and lows. No string buzzing ever. The only complaint is the B string sounding slightly muted and not as clean as the others even when played open.

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 9

  11. Construction

  12. I’ve always been concerned with the delicateness of the Martin, which I figure contributes to the nice tone. I’d never take this guitar camping or to the beach. It holds up well under hard flatpicking and responds well to fingerstyle. All the components seem solid and well made. To look at it, it’s a beautiful instrument. Now my major complaints. The guitar is 3 yrs old and has been kept in the case for most of that time. Only recently I’ve begun hanging it on the wall to save space. No direct sunlight and humidity is stable (I live in Florida).

    However, I’ve noticed some yellowing around the whole bridge and around one corner where the neck meets the body on the top side. I took it to a local shop with a great reputation among performers and the owner there said the yellowing is due to the bracing under the top loosening up. I explained to him that I started hanging it on the wall a few months ago and asked if that was the cause. He flat out said “Nope. This model Martin is from the old Sigma line. It’s a disposable guitar. Any recent Martin below a D18 is a disposable guitar. That’s why I won't sell them here.” I was floored! He said that eventually the bridge will come completely off and may/may not damage the soundboard in the process. He said it could be repaired now for about $200 which involves taking the guitar apart and fortifying all the braces then putting it all back together. I’m taking it to some other shops to get their opinion to be safe. However, there remains a construction problem that is not easily remedied and even if Martin fixed it I’d always be leery of it. So I’m thinking of selling it and looking once again for a quality, mid-range acoustic. Honestly, I feel betrayed by Guitar Center and Martin for linking this guitar with the “legendary” and “classic” tags that really only describe their higher end.

  13. Construction Rating: 4

  1. Name: Tim Hickey

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: 2002

  4. Price Paid: $800

  5. Performance

  6. Very well set up from factory. As with all boxes, personal tweaks will be necessary for those qualified to recognize (and perform) them, but this bargain boomer will be the “Holy Grail” for one looking for their first QUALITY acoustic (and there are no words to express the joy in spying “C.F. Martin & Co.” on your headstock, as you hear sounds that seem much more pricey.)

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. Characteristic Martin lows, and clean, ringing highs. The more recent Micarta fretboards are especially forgiving for Maple-neck electric players that want that legendary Martin sound without the slow-down of gap-toothed rosewood fretboards (Even without the rose, it's still all Martin, trust me.)

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. What do you think? Martin is really going to produce a lackluster solid-wood instrument?!? I would hope not. And, they do not. Beautiful construction, tight joints, form-fit hardshell case. This model should forecast the death of the “x” series. Anyone who would order an “x”, rather than drop the inconsequential extra coin for this particular gem is quite insane.

  13. Construction Rating: 10

  1. Name: Martin Beebe

  2. Band: -----

  3. Model Year: -----

  4. Price Paid: $735

  5. Performance

  6. What a GREAT guitar for a GREAT price! I’ve tried Taylors, Larrivee’s and several others for about 6 months and chose the D-16GT over all of them. It plays better, sounds better, and it blows away the more expensive competition guitars who try to be like Martin!

  7. Performance Rating: 10

  8. Sound Quality

  9. Nice clean sound, Great Bass, Mids, and Treble. Other makers seem too thin compared to a Martin This guitar is sturdy has scalloped bracing and can rock or be gentle. Comes with a hardshell case and a lifetime warranty. What else is there to say? It’s a Martin!

  10. Sound Quality Rating: 10

  11. Construction

  12. Solid-Solid-SOLID! this guitar has a gloss/solid top of Sitka Spruce with Mahogany sides that have a satin finish. No glue problems, setup is great, no buzzing anywhere. No problems with this box at all!

  13. Construction Rating: 10

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  1. Average Ratings
  2. Performance: 9.4
  3. Sound Quality: 9.6
  4. Construction: 8
  5. Ratings Key
  6. 10: Excellent
  7. 0: Useless
  8. Available At Guitar Center
  9. Martin D-16GT Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Standard
  10. Company
  11. Martin

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