Martin D-16E Mahogany Review

Martin D16E

I love the D16. I didn't purchase this guitar from Sweetwater, but I did purchase a OOO-15SM from Sweetwater which was outstanding. The service from Sweetwater was also outstanding. I bought this from a local mom and pop shop where I played it before i purchased. Really easy to fret as the action is great. When I play chords it chimes like a grandfather clock. I love it. I… read more like the OOO depth because I already have an OM and a OOO. I got the mahogany version because I eventually want to get an HD-28 (rosewood) which I will purchase one day from Sweetwater.

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This is MY guitar

I've had my D-16 for a little over a month now and couldn't be more pleased with it. It looks simple and beautiful, the sound is phenominal. Clear and even across the spectrum, great response and projection and after many hours has still not let me down and will only get better with time. I'm not a very technical person but wanted to leave as descriptive of a review as possible… read more so we know it's spruce & mahogany, ebony board etc., but all things are subjective and different people like different things so I can really only try to get across why I like it. To be clear though it is a dread shape and 000 depth if that concerns you. All I know is it's perfect for my styles (mostly blues and jazz fingerstyle hybrid with a Jimi feel to it and a heavy thumb on the low notes if that makes any sense or means anything at all) So I've got the big boxy D shape for my thumpy lead thumb and the 000 depth provides just an extra bit of comfort and I think doing something for note separation and clarity. A great guitar plays you as much as you play it and this d-16 can't seem to put me down. No matter the style, I believe this guitar will adjust to you and respond to anything you put into it. I'm in the Martin camp now for life and feel that there really is just a hint of magic that comes with the name on the headstock. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? I believe. And as always the Sweetwater team and Jordan Garrett are true pros of the business. They are helpful and they ship fast. Got my guitar in just under 2 days. Five stars all around, you are all awesome and right now I feel I own the best guitar on the planet and will buy my 'next' best guitar on the planet from Sweetwater. So to sum it all up PROS: Sound, feel, looks and Sweetwater CONS: I didn't buy it sooner

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Martin D-16e Mahagany

This guitar could be perfect for many guitarists, but ultimately it was not the right guitar for me. I returned it after a couple hours of playing over a few days. My experience might be different than yours. Pros: Beautiful top — One of the best sitka tops I have seen. Very fine even grain across the whole top. Open sound — no congestion. Notes rang out and sustained longer… read more than I was expecting. The guitar sounded open and transparent. Sounded good from both guitarist and audience position. There's a sweetness to the tone that was really appealing. Not bass heavy — Good evenness of tone top to bottom. That Martin tone — For the guitar's range it definitely had martin tone. No question that this was a Martin guitar. Cons: Nothing really besides the subjective problems I had as described below: This is a dreadnaught but with a 000 body depth, and while it tamed some of that Martin bass, I realized just how much that bass is important to me. The guitar sounded "light" and lacking power. Highs were transparent but thin and lacking body and strength. I decided this was a show stopper for me. I guess i'm really looking for a Martin D18. But for recording or playing through mics or onboard electronics, you could probably dial in the perfect sound with the d16. I want a guitar that sounds good to my ears without any processing or support, so this was not the guitar for me. Don't be discouraged by my personal opinions. This may be a great guitar for you depending on what you are looking for.

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Martin D-16E Mahogany

Sweetwater delivered the guitar quickly and well packaged. Good service all the way around. The Martin D-16e is a good guitar for the money. It sounds good, looks nice, and is very comfortable to play. I have three other Martin's (D-28, 000-18, and D-Jr). When compared to them I only have two minor negatives with the D-16. I seem to have to work a little harder to get good… read more hammered notes compared to my other guitars. That certainly could be more me than the guitar. I also find the bridge pins to be a bit spindly. Both of these things are very minor. Overall I am pleased with the guitar and glad I purchased it. For anyone looking for a good acoustic-electric that would make a great gigging guitar, I would suggest making the D-16E one of the ones that you check out.

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