Martins MMV000, 00016RGT or older SP00016R

mds08 · #1 11-24-2017, 06:42 PM

Looking at getting a 000 Martin. I have a SP00016R line up to get anytime. Just some last minute thoughts. Anyone have the SP00016R or had one? I have played the MMV000 but not the SP00016R. However I did own a 98 D16R same guitar except the size and it was a stellar guitar. Like a dummy I sold it to fund some other things but I did end up with a D28A 41 VTS so I'm not complaining. The SP00016R has a few reviews and something like 140 were made between 96 and 00. MMV000 are killer guitars as well.

mds08 · #2 11-26-2017, 07:52 AM

Ok any MMV000 reviews compared to the 00016RGT. Anyone?

drjond56 · #3 11-26-2017, 08:25 AM

Sorry, cannot give direct comparison, but I owned a 000-16SRGT (12 fret slothead version) and have played the usual version. What I can say is that those 16 series guitars were superb! Great value for the money when new back then, but really excellent guitars no matter of price. It was a guitar that worked for fingerstyle and strumming and was overall very balanced across the strings. In the 16 series I thnk there was probably less difference in the 12 and 14 fret versions because they were both long scale as opposed to a lot of the 12 frets being short scale. I would still have mine but due to some issues of arthritis, etc I have moved to 0 and 00 guitars--all short scale. Wish I could be of more help.

Jon

mds08 · #4 11-26-2017, 12:29 PM

Thank you and it was some help. Funny thing is I almost bought a 12 fret slotted small body guitar. I think this one is a better alternative to the 000MMV.

AZLiberty · #5 11-26-2017, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mds08

Ok any MMV000 reviews compared to the 00016RGT. Anyone?

They are more or less the same guitar with different finish/trim. Rosewood 000 with A-Frame bracing. (some -16's have a hybrid scalloped A-Frame others do not, the GT might be scalloped)

MMV is gloss with ugly gold hardware. (my opinion, some folks like gold)
-16RGT is "Gloss Top" only and has nickel hardware.

Depending on what year they were made, either could have Ebony, Micarta, or Richlite fretboard and bridge.

Neil K Walk · #6 11-26-2017, 04:27 PM

The MMVs have 15 series bracing. Only one lower face tone bar and and irregularly shaped bridge plate that is completely framed by the bracing, reinforcing the area but allowing for a more “open” sound. The 16 series has the typical two tone bars and scalloping on the lower X braces. Both do have A frame bracing on the upper bout though.

Tomo · #7 11-26-2017, 05:46 PM

I've had two SP00016R's. The first was a 96 and it was incredible but it had a funny odor so I sold it after a couple of years. I currently have 97 and love everything about it except the 1 11/16" neck. I actually have it for sale. I regretted selling the first one and will regret selling the one I have now.

mds08 · #8 11-27-2017, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomo

I've had two SP00016R's. The first was a 96 and it was incredible but it had a funny odor so I sold it after a couple of years. I currently have 97 and love everything about it except the 1 11/16" neck. I actually have it for sale. I regretted selling the first one and will regret selling the one I have now.

Mine is a 98. It will be my second Martin. I have had a few Martins and the Dread size like the SP00016R so I knew this must be a good one. Why selling it if your going to regret it?

Steve DeRosa · #9 11-28-2017, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drjond56

...I owned a 000-16SRGT (12 fret slothead version) and have played the usual version. What I can say is that those 16 series guitars were superb! Great value for the money when new back then, but really excellent guitars no matter of price. It was a guitar that worked for fingerstyle and strumming and was overall very balanced across the strings...

Bought my wife a 000-16RGT for Christmas about 15 years ago - sounded better than the 000-18, OM-21, and 000-28 MandoBros had on the floor at the time, and every bit the equal of the EIR 000-28EC...

IMO the 000-16SRGT is the finest value-per-dollar guitar CFM IV & Co. ever produced (and discontinued in the name of the almighty buck) - all the visual vibe and 95+% of the tone of the 000-28VS at one-third the (street) price, and I'm sorry I didn't grab the one on MandoBros floor when I bought my wife's 14-fretter...

If you can find someone crazy/stupid/desperate enough to part with theirs - they don't come up for sale too often, and with excellent reason - I'd go for the latter and never look back; absent that option, the 14-fret version is a great all-arounder when strung with bluegrass-gauge strings...

Tomo · #10 11-28-2017, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mds08

Mine is a 98. It will be my second Martin. I have had a few Martins and the Dread size like the SP00016R so I knew this must be a good one. Why selling it if your going to regret it?

Because I just bought an 000-15S and then later the same day found an SWOMGT. If it was 1 3/4" I would keep it though.

mds08 · #11 11-29-2017, 02:52 AM

I just picked up a 98 SP00016R. It has the 1 11/16 nut and low oval neck. I tried the MMV000 and a 00015, both are she wonderful guitars and would have any one of them, but this SP00016 had some vibe to it. For it being almost 20 years old and not a mark anywhere on it and the way she played and sounded were a little more desirable to my ear.