Martin D16RGT - any good?

Arjan1961 · #1 01-17-2018, 10:30 AM

Got an option to swap my Blueridge BR140A for a Martin D16RGT, guitar is from 2008 and looks near mint. Anyone got experience with this type of Martin? i have to pay a little extra money so it is not a real swap but the deal is ok.

waveform · #2 01-17-2018, 10:45 AM

I have a DC16rgte and I love it. Its a small dreadnought that can get you good access to amazing sound.

Im actually having a hard time finding an upgrade for the guitar since it has rosewood back and sides. Even if you have the mahogany it will be an amazing bang for buck gitfiddle.

bsman · #3 01-17-2018, 11:10 AM

Not sure what you mean by "small dreadnaught" - as I am not aware of any dimensional differences between the D16 and any other Martin dreadnaught-sized guitar.

TBman · #4 01-17-2018, 11:53 AM

I have the D-16GT. Great sounding, full size dread. This version has mahogany back and sides.

PorkPieGuy · #5 01-17-2018, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arjan1961

Got an option to swap my Blueridge BR140A for a Martin D16RGT, guitar is from 2008 and looks near mint. Anyone got experience with this type of Martin? i have to pay a little extra money so it is not a real swap but the deal is ok.

If this is the one WITHOUT the electronics, it should be a good guitar. I've played one and I liked it.

jsanfilippo5 · #6 01-17-2018, 11:10 PM

I owned a d16rgt for a while. Excellent guitar - I added an ivory saddle to it and it was my fave guitar for a while and I am sorry I ever sold it. I’d say do it - if you like the feel and tone.

#7 01-17-2018, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsman

Not sure what you mean by "small dreadnaught" - as I am not aware of any dimensional differences between the D16 and any other Martin dreadnaught-sized guitar.

I think he’s referring specifically to the “E” model which is 000 depth.

#8 01-18-2018, 01:49 AM

It's a good Martin. I don't care for the necks on them so much but they tend to have really nice sonic qualities. For the price they are one of the better buys.

SalFromChatham · #9 01-18-2018, 04:03 AM

Make that deal every day of the week. That is a fantastic guitar, and has that Martin tone. It has an m&t neck joint, and a richlite fretboard, but no one told it that it sounds nearly identical to a D18. Also a great looking guitar.

Neil K Walk · #10 01-18-2018, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

I have the D-16GT. Great sounding, full size dread. This version has mahogany back and sides.

As do I. I've grown to love it and think I made a good choice going with the mahogany version over the rosewood. Originally I just thought the white plastic trim on the rosewood model looked cheap but then over time I came to appreciate the projection of mahogany over the "enveloping" effect of rosewood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

I think he’s referring specifically to the “E” model which is 000 depth.

I was not aware that they made the "electronically-enhanced" versions of the same model thinner. That doesn't seem right and will have to check the specs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by themissal

Make that deal every day of the week. That is a fantastic guitar, and has that Martin tone. It has an m&t neck joint, and a richlite fretboard, but no one told it that it sounds nearly identical to a D18. Also a great looking guitar.

The D-18 is mahogany, this is rosewood. Apples and oranges. I will concede that when I chose my own D-16GT in 2009 I A/B'd it with a 2009 D-18 and the "lesser" model was superior in tone.

Goodallboy · #11 01-18-2018, 07:21 AM

I love these recommendations to trade a guitar the responders have never played, for a guitar they've never played.

If YOU play the Martin and like it better than the one you currently own, make the trade.

#12 01-18-2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

I was not aware that they made the "electronically-enhanced" versions of the same model thinner. That doesn't seem right and will have to check the specs.

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/16-series/d-16e/

The D-16E is a Dreadnought, with a 000 depth, constructed of a Sitka spruce top and sycamore back and sides. It features silver binding and heelcap, an ebony bridge and a silver bound ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl diamonds and squares inlay. A modified low oval neck with a high performance taper make this guitar easy to play up and down the fingerboard. This model is also equipped with Fishman® Matrix VT Enhance electronics.

Neil K Walk · #13 01-18-2018, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/16-series/d-16e/

The D-16E is a Dreadnought, with a 000 depth, constructed of a Sitka spruce top and sycamore back and sides. It features silver binding and heelcap, an ebony bridge and a silver bound ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl diamonds and squares inlay. A modified low oval neck with a high performance taper make this guitar easy to play up and down the fingerboard. This model is also equipped with Fishman® Matrix VT Enhance electronics.

I understand that the current "Retro" models have this feature and you've confirmed that the current 16 series do as well, but the is a 2008 RGT model with satin back and sides and the old MT neck with modified low oval neck profile - as opposed to the "faster" "performance" necks. Even the current model does not specify if this is the case with regards to body dimensions, and the OP doesn't specify whether or not it has electronics. As far as I know, the 2008 version was a full size dreadnought; my 2009 mahogany version certainly is. My only beef has been with the "select hardwood" neck, which turned out to be Spanish cedar.

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/16-series/d-16rgt/

Arjan1961 · #14 01-18-2018, 08:33 AM

Reading all this make me want to make the swap , and no this one does not have electronics. The Blueridge BR140A is a great sounding guitar with a lot of boom. I do have a new Martin D18 and man does this Blueridge come close to the sound of the Martin. But i want my collection being expanded with Martin guitars so it has to go. Thank you all for the comments

rokdog49 · #15 01-18-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themissal

Make that deal every day of the week. That is a fantastic guitar, and has that Martin tone. It has an m&t neck joint, and a richlite fretboard, but no one told it that it sounds nearly identical to a D18. Also a great looking guitar.

I played them the same day before I bought my D18.
I don't think they sound alike.
Of course as always, YMMV.