Martin Dc-16gte

  • Thread starter Thread starter elicantu
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They're pretty good, but go to a good shop and play one. Play a D15 at the same time - I think it's a better guitar, though it doesn't sound like a spruce topped guitar.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
I actually own one.

I love it, plain and simple. It was a complete impulse buy, I was in a shop after getting my first "real" post-college job, and just playing a few Taylors in there for kicks, sort of flirting with the idea of dropping my first paycheck on one. However, they had a used MC16-GTE hanging up with them, and afrer a while I picked it up more out of curiosity than anything.

Initially the tone sounded a little restrained by comparison, but it "felt" very good, and the longer I played it the more I dug the tone - it stopped sounding like the treble and bass were restrained, and it started sounding balanced, with the Taylors sounding exaggerated by comparison. And, used, it was about half the price of any of the Taylors I was playing. I almost managed to resist, and made it as far as the parking lot, but eventually I had to turn around, go back, and buy the thing. I've never really looked back, though a year or so ago I was playing a D-16 at a music shop, and was seriously tempted to make the upgrade.

In the interest of full disclosure, mine's probably due to have the neck reset, as even with the bridge insert shaved down about as far as possible the action's still a touch on the high side. I don't know if this is a common problem with Martins in general or this series in particular, though. Also, I;m not 100% sure, but I believe this model has a slightly wider-than-normal fingerstyle-friendly string spacing.

Either way, Light is right - go play it, and make sure you play a bunch of other guitars as well. An acoustic, more so even than an electric, is a very personal decision, and there's more instrument-to-instrument variability. I like mine, but that's a reflection of both my particular taste in acoustic guitars, annd the particular guitar I own. Your mileage may vary.
 
I've had mine for about a decade now. I love it, as has everyone who's played it.
 
I own a Martin SPD-16. VERY happy with it. SPD means "Special Edition Dreadnaught," extra appearance stuff. Now, PERHAPS a D-15 sounds better than a 16 (although I doubt it) but, man, they are UGLY!
 
because of the situation that i am in i probably wont be able to play this guitar before i but it.which is a huge risktaker..but from all the reviews that i have heard from this guitar ..it seems that it sounds and plays amazingly..so i am actually pretty convinced of buyting it at this point...the only thing that i would change about it though.would be the colors..i personally prefer the darker colors on the acoustics but this one seems to be pretty light..
 
elicantu said:
because of the situation that i am in i probably wont be able to play this guitar before i but it.which is a huge risktaker..but from all the reviews that i have heard from this guitar ..it seems that it sounds and plays amazingly..so i am actually pretty convinced of buyting it at this point...the only thing that i would change about it though.would be the colors..i personally prefer the darker colors on the acoustics but this one seems to be pretty light..
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Clear-coat over spruce. Quite light-colored.
 
elicantu said:
because of the situation that i am in i probably wont be able to play this guitar before i but it.which is a huge risktaker..but from all the reviews that i have heard from this guitar ..it seems that it sounds and plays amazingly..so i am actually pretty convinced of buyting it at this point...the only thing that i would change about it though.would be the colors..i personally prefer the darker colors on the acoustics but this one seems to be pretty light..
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Pass. I'll buy major manufacturer electricts sight unseen, but in all but the most extreme siituations I would NEVER buy an acooustic that I haven't played and inspected personally. They're way too fragile and susceptable to the elements for me to feel comfortable spending that kind of money on a new guitar without playing one in person first.

Are you considering buying it new from Musiciansfriend.com? If you're willing to be very open about the possibility of returning it, then maybe it's worth a shot... If it's a p[rivate seller where a return would be difficult or impossible, though, then don't do it. It's worth the trip to a good music shop to play a bunch of different options and make sure you're getting a good guitar.
 
I've played the D-16 extensively and the D-16gte several times in the stores.
Excellent axe. I would try it with an acoustic gtr amp at expected stage volume to be sure you like the Fishman Blender (I loved it).
I own a Taylor 512ce and my girlfriend owns the D-16 and we almost always swap axes. I'd never give up my Taylor but I'm real tempted to pick up the Martin - it's just.......different, not better or worse but different and I found it surprisingly good for playing Jazz Standards !! Who knew ??
 
I've had a Martin D-16 GT for almost 10 years now and have nothing but praise for it-great tone, the neck is very comfortable to play, all solid wood construction, and it stays in tune incredibly well. Even after being stored in the case for a while it usually only requires very little tuning to get it to pitch.

I had thought about a D-15 but a band member with quite a fine collection of acoustics, (including a mid 1950's 000 Martin thats the BEST I've ever played) said that a mahogney top would be more suited to bluesier style playing, where I play more bluegrass and folky style. I think he definitely steered me in the right direction for my style.;)
 
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