On 2004-11-15, ben gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 4


Purchase: 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.
Pros: 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.
Cons: 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.
Quality: 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.

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

On 2004-10-30, david eastoe gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


Purchase: 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.
Pros: 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.
Cons: the only thing I don't like about it is the fact that it feels so new!
Quality: 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.

Summary: 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!

On 2003-06-21, mac gave this Martin Acoustic Guitar a 5


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

Summary: 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.