NGD - Martin D16 GT

[Gomers]

Following on from my previous NGD thread about my Gibson J35, I find myself posting yet another NGD

Had a blissful 3 months with my J35 but one aspect kept bothering me, I was struggling with the neck and found my hand would cramp up after not too long. I was aware of the J35's chunkier neck but it hadn't really bothered me during my initial demo before I bought it.

My thought process started focusing on Martin, of which I've had 3 previously, a new D18 some years ago that I never bonded with, OM21 that had to go due to my hand unable and unwilling to accommodate the 45mm nut width and finally a gorgeous little 000M that I only gave up as I wanted back in the dreadnought club (Guild followed).

I remembered the 000M neck fitting me perfectly so had a look at a local used dealer who carries lots of pre-owned stock from the major North American builders. So this last Saturday, I went along and zeroed in on a couple of D16 GT that he had as these would probably be a straight swap against my J35. Tried a few others too, 1970s and 2004 flavours of D18, a couple of 70s J50s (not good examples of either) and a Guild D40 that had a few too many repairs and weighed the same as the car that drove me there.

Back to the D16s, one was a 2008 and the other a 2001. The later example had the richlite bridge and board and sounded inferior by a long stretch to the 2001 that I did the deal on.

Honestly, the best sounding Martin I played in the shop that day, it ticked all the boxes; perfect for me low profile neck, plenty of saddle left, nice straight neck with perfect action and a lovely vintage vibe tint on the silky spruce top. One small crack in the side (treble) which I'll keep an eye on and just enough played in mojo. Mine appears to be an early 2001 as the bridge and board are definitely not richlite, think these might be striped ebony from various thread searches on AGF. Has lovely low end presence and real sweetness in the highs, the J35 was a touch brittle in this respect but was a much newer instrument. It also had no sign of the high E string fret slipover that I've encountered on 3 previous D16s over the years. Featherweight too.

Overall, very happy indeed, I now regard myself as 'a Martin guy', it just fits me, love it and it had a pickup installed too, bonus. As is customary, pics

[Shades of Blue]

Congrats. The D16 is a great model. I had one for a few months several years ago. Typical Martin sound at a great price.

[Long tooth]

There is a D16 at a local dealer here and it smokes every other Martin he has in inventory right now. Excellent guitars and a great value when you find a good one.

[Gomers]

Thank you gentlemen, it's a lovely thing. Just had a noodle and this is the sound and feel that is made for me. She's got a few minor battle scars too on the top, dings only however, it's been well played in the last 14 years but well looked after.

Going to try some Monels next re-string.

[Treenewt]

Gomers, congrats on the Martin! Very nice! Always been impressed with that model...such great tone for the $$!

[JakeStone]

Looks like new condition...

Sweet Guitar!

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Gomers

Overall, very happy indeed, I now regard myself as 'a Martin guy', it just fits me, love it and it had a pickup installed too, bonus. As is customary, pics

[Borderdon]

I tried the same model some months back, it was a lovely instrument
Congratulations on yours !

[Daion78]

Mine's a 2002 and its great. It has a micarta (they called it then) fretboard and I really like it.

[TBman]

Congrats, the D-16GT is one of the most underrated guitars around. (With or without Richlite). Mine's a keeper.