Martin hd16r lsh opinion

rmsstrider · #1 08-03-2015, 10:14 AM

I am interested in opinions for the Martin HD16R LSH. Large Sound Hole. Has any one played one? I have read only a couple of reviews. I am looking at one on Reverb. Can anyone comment on this particular model?

guitargabor · #2 08-03-2015, 10:37 AM

I owned one several years ago.Very nice with a clear and loud tone.Fairly light for a dreadnought.If it's a decent representative of the model I would not hesitate in getting one.

The reason I let it go of mine is due to a preference for smaller bodied guitars.

Lacks Focus · #3 08-03-2015, 11:15 AM

If you get it, I'll be interested in hearing your impressions. I wanted one, but by the time I was actually in the market, they had been discontinued, and my attention was taken by another instrument.

rmsstrider · #4 08-03-2015, 11:55 AM

1300.00 1970 , advertised as excellent plus. W original case. Seems like a fair price?

Lacks Focus · #5 08-03-2015, 01:08 PM

I could be wrong, but I don't think Martin made 16 series guitars back then.

Pheof · #6 08-03-2015, 01:13 PM

I don't know about that exact model, but I am under the impression that Martin's large-soundhole guitars are Tony Rice models? At least, I think they're influenced by the Tony Rice. Regardless, I can't see how you can go wrong with just about any Martin, as long as you choose the right model for you. The HD16R sounds like Tony's toneage. I love the sound, and may buy one myself now that you brought it to my attenshuns. Has a very nice piano/ring to it.

SFCRetired · #7 08-03-2015, 01:16 PM

http://www.martinguitar.com/componen....html?Itemid=6

Sounds like a fair price, if it's in good shape.

guitargabor · #8 08-03-2015, 01:49 PM

Checked out the reverb ad.

I think it's a good deal with one caveat: the seller has it on consignment at a local music shop.I would be careful to make certain the guitar has remained in the excellent condition as described before you purchase it.

Just my 2 cents as a very fussy guitar buyer( as some of our sponsors here can vouch for....)

Wade Hampton · #9 08-03-2015, 02:25 PM

After the OP wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmsstrider

1300.00 1970 , advertised as excellent plus. W original case. Seems like a fair price?

Lacks Focus replied:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacks Focus

I could be wrong, but I don't think Martin made 16 series guitars back then.

That's correct. There's no way this guitar was built in 1970. The first "16 Series" guitars started showing up in the late 80's, if I remember correctly.

As for those guitars themselves, I have played several and all were nice guitars.

whm

rmsstrider · #10 08-03-2015, 02:39 PM

My mistake 2007 year.

Wade Hampton · #11 08-03-2015, 02:58 PM

Okay. I just got off the phone with Harry at Martin Customer Service.

Harry had to check some reference books because not all of this information is on their computers.

The years that the Martin D-16R LSH was in production were from 2006 to 2013.

Harry gave me the production numbers for each year, and so since I have that information I might as well post it here.

In 2006 Martin built 8 of this model.

2007: 455

2008: 104

2009: 106

2010: 59

2011: 58

2012: 54

2013: 89

This adds up to a grand total of 933 Martin D-16R LSH guitars made.

None of them were built in 1970, or during the entire 20th Century, for that matter. Harry told me if I had the serial number he could date it exactly, but this gives us the 8 year span when this guitar was manufactured.

My thanks to Harry, who was very helpful all the way around, and to Martin for having such accessibility to the public in the first place.

Wade Hampton Miller

Wade Hampton · #12 08-03-2015, 03:07 PM

By the way, I sent Harry the link that SFCRetired provided, where it says that the "16 Series" guitars started being made in 1961. That is almost certainly a typo: the year 1991 as a start date is a lot more likely.

But he's going to pass that along to the folks who maintain their website, and it will definitely be researched and presumably corrected soon.

whm

rmsstrider · #13 08-03-2015, 04:15 PM

So sorry to have caused confusion by stating the wrong year. I shouldn't be on this forum, in between jobs at work.
Thanks for all the dating information.
I would still like to hear any opinions about this model Martin if anyone can contribute.
Also it was brought to my attention that this guitar is on consignment at a music shop and also on Reverb. So the current condition listed on Reverb may not still hold true. I wouldn't think that if you consigned a guitar to a shop that you would simultaneously list it for private sale.
Anyway for the price a martin Hd16 rosewood back sides / spruce top doesn't sound too bad?

Backpocketnj · #14 08-03-2015, 04:17 PM

Great guitar if you don't wan the traditional bass of a Martin Dread. It has a 1.75 nut wdith and 2.25 saddle which is not as common in dreads, when it came out at least.

It's a loud guitar with a wonderful sound the pronounces the mids and highs for a dread.

I owned one for a few years. It was great but I don't play dreads anymore. Too big for a short fellow like me.

syrynx · #15 08-03-2015, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

By the way, I sent Harry the link that SFCRetired provided, where it says that the "16 Series" guitars started being made in 1961. That is almost certainly a typo: the year 1991 as a start date is a lot more likely.

The confusion is easy to understand, though, and it's of Martin's own making, because 1961 is the year the 0-16NY was introduced. That was the company's first use of the style 16 designation. Who can be blamed for thinking that the 0-16 was part of the completely unrelated "16 Series?"