All user reviews for the Martin & Co D-16GT

i bought it at guitar center about 3 years ago, this was the last year that the d16 had a rosewood fretboard and bridge, before they started using micarta. I had been playing for about a year at the time, didnt know much about guitars and i needed a new one. I knew that martin had a good reputation so i played all the martins under about 1300 dollars, and i liked this one the most out of all of them so i bought it.

i like the tone a lot. It is a great strumming guitar in my opinion, has good volume when its played more aggressively. Its very pretty, but also quite simple. I had it set up right when i bought it and the playablity was great, and still is. Its a great guitar for the money without a lot of fancy cosmetic stuff.

sometimes you want fancy cosmetic stuff. It doesnt have much volume for delicate stuff, unless you use 12s. I play a lot of jazz, and this guitar isnt really the greatest for fingerstyle or for soloing in my opinion, but sounds okay for comping and rhythm based stuff. But i guess thats what you get an archtop anyway, not a martin dreadnought. I had a martin gold plus put in pickup to take care of the volume issue, and it really brings out the sound plugged in. Could use a cutaway, but you get what you pay for.

Someone who reviewed this instrument, mentioned that he had yellowing around the bridge and the neck, and that an experienced shop told him that the bridge was coming up because of the bracing underneath. I have the same yellowing and i went to the best luthier in louisiana who luckly lives in my town, and he told me it was dye leaching from the rosewood, and said it was sticktly cosmetic and hes sees it all the time on these guitars. And that it happens usually if the guitar gets hot, or is left in a car ect. im not saying im right and hes wrong but just not to be discourged by the quality because it is fantastic.

very good guitar for the money. It is an awesome guitar for folk and acoustic rock. It sounds awesome and looks great.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Purchased privately in the UK s/h £500.
I have several beautiful accoustic guitars, including a vintage Guild F50(1972) and Fylde Orsino(1979). I have been interested in the tonal quality of Martin Guitars, and have spent considerable time playing right accross their range. The best one easily was the 00028 Custom, which beat all the others for tone. Next in line was the D16GT.

This guitar is not fancy, but the tonal quality is amazing, and it's easy to play, accepting light gauge strings (Martin extra light) without significant loss of volume/overall sound...a massively important feature for one who has light sensitive fingers.The tonal spectrum is responsive and sensitive too, and the mahogany back and sides drive those tones deep into my body as well as the room, giving me a feeling of being massaged by sound,wonderful!
If this is what she sounds like now, a few years down the line with mellowing in...
As I currently often play without amplification with louder instruments I appreciate the volume.

the only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it feels so new!

At first glance a bright an cheerful looking instrument, but then so many these days look so great on the wall, until you come to play 'em! The spruce top wood grain is reasonably close and tight(not anywhere near as tight as the Fylde Orsino),and at least they've used matching sets.Gloss is a bonus, as I know several friends with the non-gloss models and these do mark easily.


Amazing that modern design and construction can bring such a quality versatile instrument into a price bracket that makes them accessible to many more people. Wish they'd had these when I was a kid!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar about two months ago from a large music store in Lansing, MI. It was about $800.00 after tax, but it came with a hardshell case.

This really is a VERY nice guitar besides the fact that it smells really good, it has a bright tone, GREAT sustain and volume, great equalization, and is built from the best woods you can get(cedar, sitka spruce, mahoghany). Plus it is all American-made by a famous and renouned name

The only things that bother me are the bright sound it has can get a little boring if it's all you hear for a long time and I kind of wish it was a cut-away. Oh and it is a little pricey.

As for as the quality goes IT'S GREAT...from Martin what do you expect? I haven't had the slightest problem with it and I have even bumped it pretty hard a couple of times(accidentally). It doesn't scratch easily and the glossed top offers some reassuance in case you drip some soda on it. Also it is just one of those guitars that feels sturdy and right.

If you have the means to scrounge up 800 dollars and want a good acoustic buy this one because for quality like this in many other brands you would have to spend well over 1000 dollars.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought the Martin D-16GT three years ago at Guitar Center after visiting different stores and playing a bunch of different makes/models. I paid $720 for it.

The guitar had great tone and action for it's price range. The construction seemed very solid although as a whole it's pretty delicate. I don't take it camping. It looks great, but I like conservative looks so it may not appeal to everyone. I admit I had been pining for a Martin for many years so the name and reputation influenced my decision greatly, much to my chagrin later on.

Recently there's been some yellowing around the bridge and neck joint. I took it to a local guitar shop that has a great reputation for knowledge and experience. They told me the bracing under the top was coming loose and the yellowing was the bridge beginning to pull away. Same for the neck. I was mortified!! This is "legendary" quality??? The owner of the shop stated matter-of-factly that any Martin below a D18 is the old Sigma line and is basically a disposable guitar. Lifespan is about 6 years. Definitely not the heirloom guitar I thought I was buying, one that would improve with age.

In short, I feel betrayed by Guitar Center and C.F. Martin. They sell these under the "legendary" and "classic" labels yet knowing full well they won't last. I thought I'd done due diligence in researching prior to purchase but I guess not enough. I won't buy another Martin unless it's a much older model in great condition, which is unlikely given they are severl thousand dollars.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I picked up my D-16GT at a Guitar Center store. After a long period of
not playing (ok, I admit it ... I sold my guitar in college for cash), I decided
to take up the guitar again and spent a long time researching acoustics.
Due largely to price, I focused on Martin's X-series (laminate sides/backs),
Martin's D-15s (all mahogany) and comparable Takamines. My visit to the
store started innocently enough ... just play a few guitars and get a better
feel for what I wanted. Played a large number of guitars and most sounded
good ... until I grabbed a mint-condition, used Martin D-16GT in the back corner.
The sound blew the rest of the contenders away. Couldn't pass it up ... I paid
about 700 USD all-in, incl. hardshell case.

This is a clean-looking, beautiful guitar. The solid spruce top and solid
mahogany sides and back deliver an evenly-balanced and deeply resonant sound
(the trademark Martin sound). The sustain is impressive, delivering sound long after
the last note is struck. The tuners hold the tuning well and the gears ensure fine
tuning with ease. The low-oval neck and neck width make fretting even the most
difficult chord comfortable. The gloss top really highlights the spruce and the satin
finish gives the mahogany a subdued, rich look and feel.

Overall playability is very good, but the action on frets 7-14 are a little high for my
taste. I plan on having some basic set-up work done to bring the action down
a little. This is an easily-solved, minor issue and doesn't materially detract from
playability. I played many other, lower-action guitars that didn't sound nearly as
good (you can fix the action, but you can't fix the sound!).



This is Martin's basic, all solid-wood, Dreadnought guitar (with the exception of the
D-15s which sport the mahogany top). It has all the characteristics of a Martin, with
great attention spent on the workmanship. The top is solid Sitka spruce and the
back and sides are solid mahogany. The fretboard and bridge are made of black
micarta, a synthetic wood product that most of us recognize as traditional saddle
material. The Spanish cedar neck and headstock are accented with a rosewood
headplate and heelstock. The workmanship is apparent throughout. There is a
seemless transition betweeen fretboard and neck, nut and headstock, binding and
body. It looks and feels like a meticulously crafted instrument. The tough, hardshell
case has a soft, green plush lining and fits the guitar like a glove.

The D-16GT is a great guitar, delivering the trademark Martin and all solid-wood
sound. You'd be hard-pressed to find a comparable guitar in both quality and sound
for less than 1000 USD. This guitar has all the sound and quality of more highly
adorned Martins (D-28s on up) at a fraction of the cost. The price is higher
than other manufacturer's solid woods, but they lack the Martin sound and
workmanship. Bottom line: a great guitar with a great look and sound. Even after
hours of playing, it's a tough guitar to put down.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I went shopping for a Martin. I started out looking for the D1 but the local store(Fretted Instruments) didn't have one in stock but I saw the D16GT and played it and loved it. The store had several in stock and I sat there and took my time in picking one. I paid $800 w/free stuff.

I really want a D28, but was looking for a Martin that still sounded like one but one I could afford. The neck shape is perfect and the body trim is gorgeous.

My only complaint is I wish the back and sides where glossed finished. But they do make a rosewood model D16RGT.

The back and sides are beautiful and the binding is right too. Of course the Martin neck joint and the top bracing are perfect also.

I am glad I found the D16GT, I paid about the same as if I would have ordered the D1.
Good dealer and great guitar builders, great overall experience. Now I start saving for the D28.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I've taken the risk of buying my D16 GT via Internet, at Music 123.They responded very well to my question via e-mail, and in just 1 week I received it at home in Italy.
I've payed 799$ plus international shipping and taxes.

I've the guitar since last december;every day I'm more gald about the purchasing of the D16GT;is absolutely beautiful,I like its essential lines, and it sound every day better ;the action is perfect, very easy to play (I'm not Clapton, but I improved a lot my ability with this guitar).
The tone is the one I expected from Martin.

The Micarta fingerboard is anyway very good, but for sure ebony must be better,even just for the reason that is a natural wood.

The quality of every details is very good:the neck in spite of the Micarta is very precise, and no buzz come from the 6 strings from the first to the last fret.
The top gloss is very nice, and the satin of the back and side mahogany is worm.

Maybe I was only by chance, but my Martin D16GT bugth via internet is exactly what I expected;the playability is really great, and the tone is wandefull, expecially if you play fingerpicking stile.
Tha strumming was at the beginning not so wandeful, but now, with the time, is going better and better.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I replaced my 30 year old Aria (Martin copy) which developed bridge problems and worn frets. I always wanted a Martin so when I played it at the Guitar Center I just had to have it. I paid $840 plus tax, including hardshell case.

My old guitar is a solid rosewood model, but when I played the Martin with the solid mahogany back and sides the richness in the bass and the clear bell-like treble really stood out. I have not heard another guitar in this price range that sounds nearly as clear and well balanced! The action is very good but just a bit high for my taste.

I have nothing bad to say about it except the store only had the floor sample and I didn't get to compare it with others of the same model.

The Martin reputation and "tone" speaks for itself. Excellent build quality, and with a patented mortise and tenon neck joint, gloss top and Micarta fingerboard this baby should last a lifetime.

I would suggest what I did not do, that is go to a reputable independent Martin dealer and try all the models that you can, to make sure you get the model right for you.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Well we will not reinvent a definition for the guitar. I have before me a real guitar, which sounds, one that is beautiful, in short, a Martin!

Martin is the inventor of the Dreadnought, often imitated, never equaled, it has it all (even its price, around 1200 euros for a cheap Martin).

UTILIZATION

Channel nickel super comfortable, 14 boxes before the table (what the standard ...)
Light weight, a game between the strings and the neck can be a chouille high for a beginner, for others it is perfect

To get a good sound, it's easy, it takes the guitar and played with.

SOUNDS

Martin = real guitar = top = top of any style of music

A clear and powerful sound, each note played on the previous returns in short it's wonderful, it's Martin.

OVERALL OPINION

In this price range, this guitar is an atomic bomb. I think she has more personality than a D18, I still prefer the HD28, but also that costs 2 times more expensive, so off-budget.

The value for money is excellent, martin is for life, so good ...

If I change one day, it's for an HD-28, and for nothing else.

Martin made in the USA 20 frets, 14 of which can be used for the chorus. dreadnougth acoustic ringing and ringing.

UTILIZATION

Operation is ultra-simple. The handle is an extraordinary facility for acoustics. It is lightweight and comfortable to grip.
For sound: We play and we play and not stop.

SOUNDS

The sonnorité goes with all styles of music, picking, blues, bluegrass, no matter what it's Martin!
The sound is both clear and warm, but extremely powerful, it's fabulous grain you inmost brain, in short it is ex-tra-ordinary ...

OVERALL OPINION

I gained last week and since I passed day and night. I have other guitars (Seagull M6 CW MJ, Alvarez RD20, Epiphone 70-FI 145, Takamine EN 10) we can not compare, I feel I have acquired a Ferrari when I was only the renault.
Up short when I thought all the comments on Martin were overrated, mea culpa, I was really wrong, we can not understand that if we tried.
The value for money I do not even speak because purchased online in the U.S., I paid a pittance compared to France, about the quality I have already spoken.
If I have to change it will be for the upper range (HD28 or OM 28), while wondering what would it be?

To check out the features on other sites. 1st prize in all solid Martin (handle included) with woods (mahogany, ebony if I'm not mistaken), why I bought it.
She is super nice, with the table and the rest gloss matt waou ....

UTILIZATION

I'll start with the handle: it is simple, I take no pleasure to play another round sound, that goes for all the noise I tried .... It is just wonderful, just happiness. Congratulations Martin.
In terms of ergonomics, access to acute ECT is bein a classic dreadnought so I will not dwell on it too.
The lack of cutaway nothing embarrassing on the contrary, the guitar loses sound and largely with power and access to acute is any possible way solo to the end. Is Clapton has a cut on his Unplugged? Yet he "soloing" all over the neck.


SOUNDS

Take the guitar, do a G chord you do sound very good, close your eyes and listen to the notes all detached from one another, brightness, low power, sustain extraordinary ....... Waouuu again M'sieu Martin Bravo!
This guitar is not made to play by being afraid to wake mom and dad sleeping right next to it is made to play loud, very loud, do not be afraid to attack the strings hard, and C is simply amazing, I'm in love ...
It is sold with ropes MS medium is too hard for me, I tried to custom light but avoid an emergency, you can not play loud, the strings buzzed directly. SP with light, I find my account, the necessary brightness without being too metallic and very deep bass.

OVERALL OPINION

I looked for a guitar around 1000 € and without non-acoustic electric cutaway, in short, a no frills guitar that sounds and in all circumstances, but we must try! All that is Ibanez, Yamaha ect at this price point it's impossible not to have electro, shame ... I tried the 1st prize Martin (500-800 €) with cutaway and electro rang and it does not at all, I was very disappointed of the mark .. But that was before having tested the D series which is absolutely cracked me there! More hesitation to have!
All my friends who tried it loved me'll have to steal ... Also, my teacher told me they had professional friend, Martin instead of more expensive it is to say ...

In short, try it now!