my new guitar (review) : 000C-16RGTE

[brian_ok]

Well, I've been saving up for a good acoustic/electric guitar. A week ago, I took my Artcore (Ibanez, AF-85) to Guitar Center and traded it in for a Martin 000C-16RGTE. I've been playing it 5-6 hours a day (up from 2-4) since I got it, so I feel like I can give it an accurate review.

Price
it was marked down from $1050 to $750 for some sale that GC and Musician's Friend are having...with my trade in, I paid $300 cash for the guitar, a case, a strap, and 2 sets of strings. (so, ~$180 above the trade in or so for just the guitar.)

Quality
Typical Martin quality. Not wanting to pay for the pretty writing on the headstock, I tested several Takamines, a 300 series Taylor, 2 OM bodied Larrivees, and a few Gibson Songwriters. This blew them all away in sound, playability, and 'feel', if you know what I mean. It has pretty low action, which I was looking for because I used to play exclusively electric. I was at first concerned about the Mikarta fretboard, but it plays very well and very fast. The sitka spruce top and indian rosewood back/sides are lovely and have a VERY deep, rich sound.

Electronics
I tested each guitar both unplugged and plugged. The Taylor's EQ (is the TES on 300 series guitars?) was slightly better than this EQ, but this guitar blew all the rest (^ see above brands) away. I feel that the electronics convey the acoustic sound and feel very well into the digital world.

Shape
This is very important to me...I was looking for a small bodied guitar with a large sound, which describes this guitar to the dot. The grand auditorium-ish shape fits me very well.

Overall
I looove this guitar. Plain and simple. I was pretty sure that the Larrivees would win me over, but for the price, this guitar was irresistible. I am confident that there is no other guitar in the $600-$1000 price range that even comes close.

Here are some photos:



note the body shape...



to give you an idea of it's size, I'm 6'3".

and my dog wouldn't stop licking it when I had it on the stand, so here is Lucy:



She is cute and I love to rub her belly.

Well, hope that helps anyone looking for a guitar. I'd strongly recommend this guitar to anyone.

[Lbacker]

yah dude..that guitar is sweet. As soon as I get to the guitar center, everytime I run for this one to make sure its still there. Sweet purchase

[Tranman66]

thats verrrry nice man. Do you think its better glossed? It doesnt look glossed. I dunno, its just me, i cant stand playing a guitar not glossed. Plus, its a layer of good protection

[jeffro]

Sweet man, I love that body shape.

[heathcliff]

Nice Review and very helpful. I have been thinking about turning my d16 into a ooo 16.

nice price too

[6_strings_for_life]

as a martin lover.. congrats on the purchase.

That looks like its a nice playble guitar, but how do you like playing it with no fretboard dots?

[mlb1399]

as a martin lover.. congrats on the purchase.

I'm still regretting that I didn't get a cutaway on my Martin. Looks like a good guitar. I found that once I found a guitar that I loved to play my practice and passion went up considerably.

[brian_ok]

as a martin lover.. congrats on the purchase.

That looks like its a nice playble guitar, but how do you like playing it with no fretboard dots?

I actually really like the lack of fretboard dots; it just looks more natural. There are still dots on the bracing that I see when I look down, so it's not really a problem.

Thanks to everyone for your replies!

[brian_ok]

thats verrrry nice man. Do you think its better glossed? It doesnt look glossed. I dunno, its just me, i cant stand playing a guitar not glossed. Plus, its a layer of good protection

I personally prefer the look and feel of satin, but as far as protection goes...I'm looking into glossing it or having it glossed. I'm not sure if that's safe, or possible though.

[ballmeblazer]

awesome. great review, you covered pretty much everything. well done. i'm thinking about getting a new guitar soon, and I was wondering, does everyplace accept trade-ins, or only the major national chains? because i have a gift certificate, plus if i trade in my old guitar(not really that old) i could end up getting a real quality 12 string for the price of a average quality guitar.

[brian_ok]

awesome. great review, you covered pretty much everything. well done. i'm thinking about getting a new guitar soon, and I was wondering, does everyplace accept trade-ins, or only the major national chains? because i have a gift certificate, plus if i trade in my old guitar(not really that old) i could end up getting a real quality 12 string for the price of a average quality guitar.

I would call the store and see if they buy or trade instruments. Sam Ash and Guitar Center I know do appraisals, buybacks, and trades. Also, they will generally take off more from the sticker price if you're doing a trade in, and give you more for the buy, than if you did them seperately. If that made sense.

[tbillie41]

nice review, thanks man. i'm going to check out doing a trade-in at my local GC.

is your lucy a yellow lab? i have a black lab named lucy and someday will have a yellow named linus

[ballmeblazer]

awesome. great review, you covered pretty much everything. well done. i'm thinking about getting a new guitar soon, and I was wondering, does everyplace accept trade-ins, or only the major national chains? because i have a gift certificate, plus if i trade in my old guitar(not really that old) i could end up getting a real quality 12 string for the price of a average quality guitar.

I would call the store and see if they buy or trade instruments. Sam Ash and Guitar Center I know do appraisals, buybacks, and trades. Also, they will generally take off more from the sticker price if you're doing a trade in, and give you more for the buy, than if you did them seperately. If that made sense.

it does. thanks man.

[highasatree]

Nice guitar. Can't go wrong with a Martin!

[dmbandummer]

Ha! You play guitar in the bathroom!



J/K

Sweet guitar. Nice Review.