Martin DC-16GTE Premium - Pics and Sound Clip Posted!

[Grachi]

ohhhh that is a nice lookin' gee-tar.

definitely getting a martin after i graduate college in a year or two, I've played them too many times in the store ... the guys there probably think I'm planning to steal it

[muzwolskee]

I bought a Martin DC-16GTE Premium a year ago almost to the day. I paid $1369 at Amherst Guitar Gallery in NH. Those guys are great and they had quite a selection of Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons to test out. Like you, I fell in love with the sound of this guitar. I plugged it into a Fishman amp they had there and it was heaven. I have a Peavey Renown at home and that's not the right amp for this guitar ;-/
After one year, the tone of the guitar softened nicely, the (mahogany) neck has been polished from use. I actually prefer the sound when the strings have 'aged' slightly! I have always said I did not need a tuner; that I had a great ear - but the onboard tuner has proven to be invaluable - don't get me wrong - this guitar holds in tune great, but I Drop D tune often, and in a room with background noise / instruments, the tuner is invaluable.
Drawbacks: It comes with light strings - I immedately put mediums on. The setup was low for my style, and produced some buzz when strummed hard. The guy at Guitar Gallery set it up for me and it was beautiful after that - I could dig deep, as well as do some delicate fingerpicking. I'd also say that the cutout in the side for the electronics should detract, but I honestly could not tell the difference in sound between it and a D-28 (no elex; no barn door). I do like the Taylors with their very subtle elex knobs, but the 315ce (more $$) I tried was a little harder to play, and IMO did not sound as rich. The Micarta fretboard is a little slippery, but that is very minor. One final drawback - I like to play around the campfire, and this guitar is way too nice for that - so keep your old guitar for this purpose!!!!
I would play as many other models as I could before spending $1500 on a guitar, but it sounds to me like you have your heart set on this model of Martin - you won't be dissapointed.
It sounds like you live in Vermont - get a humidifier for your guitar!!! Only about $20 and well worth the small $$ to protect your guitar.
Enjoy!!

[whatshername]

thanks for the review

i actually purchased the guitar about a week or so ago. i'm in love with it. im looking at humidfiers as we speak.

[muzwolskee]

Congratulations! May it become a lifelong friend for you!
..Chris

[freshead16]

I bought a Martin DC-16GTE Premium a year ago almost to the day. I paid $1369 at Amherst Guitar Gallery in NH. Those guys are great and they had quite a selection of Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons to test out. Like you, I fell in love with the sound of this guitar. I plugged it into a Fishman amp they had there and it was heaven. I have a Peavey Renown at home and that's not the right amp for this guitar ;-/
After one year, the tone of the guitar softened nicely, the (mahogany) neck has been polished from use. I actually prefer the sound when the strings have 'aged' slightly! I have always said I did not need a tuner; that I had a great ear - but the onboard tuner has proven to be invaluable - don't get me wrong - this guitar holds in tune great, but I Drop D tune often, and in a room with background noise / instruments, the tuner is invaluable.
Drawbacks: It comes with light strings - I immedately put mediums on. The setup was low for my style, and produced some buzz when strummed hard. The guy at Guitar Gallery set it up for me and it was beautiful after that - I could dig deep, as well as do some delicate fingerpicking. I'd also say that the cutout in the side for the electronics should detract, but I honestly could not tell the difference in sound between it and a D-28 (no elex; no barn door). I do like the Taylors with their very subtle elex knobs, but the 315ce (more $$) I tried was a little harder to play, and IMO did not sound as rich. The Micarta fretboard is a little slippery, but that is very minor. One final drawback - I like to play around the campfire, and this guitar is way too nice for that - so keep your old guitar for this purpose!!!!
I would play as many other models as I could before spending $1500 on a guitar, but it sounds to me like you have your heart set on this model of Martin - you won't be dissapointed.
It sounds like you live in Vermont - get a humidifier for your guitar!!! Only about $20 and well worth the small $$ to protect your guitar.
Enjoy!!

Hey man, not sure if you read through the whole post but i have the same guitar as well but ive always been afraid to put mediums on it. It says on the martin website that the recomended string guage are lights. It sounds like you did fine adding the extra tension, I was afraid though of the bridge lifting and all that other stuff that can possibly happen....

SO far so good?

Also, did you notice a change going from the lights to the mediums on that guitar??

THanks a bunch!

by the way, great pics and sound clip of the guitar! Have fun with it, nothing like getting a new guitar!

[muzwolskee]

Medium strings gave it more acoustic sound. It is an Acous/Elec, so plugged in the light strings would be fine. Don't worry about bridge lifting; it's designed for Medium. I suspect that it comes with lights, just becasue they are easier to play and sound fine plugged in. Absolutely no bridge lifting after one year...

[freshead16]

Medium strings gave it more acoustic sound. It is an Acous/Elec, so plugged in the light strings would be fine. Don't worry about bridge lifting; it's designed for Medium. I suspect that it comes with lights, just becasue they are easier to play and sound fine plugged in. Absolutely no bridge lifting after one year...

Cool man, well im gonna give it a try thanks to you. Wish me luck ahha.

[muzwolskee]

good luck Micah, your music sounds great!