Martin 000-16GT vs. 000-18 or something else.

[LuckyB]

Hello guitarists!

I have a dream.. I want to own Martin someday.. 🤔😊 No matter do i need to 1k or 2k money for it, its lifetime investing.

My current acoustic guitar is Yamaha FS720S. I liked it more and more in every day and it had good value of bucks, i will keep it. Good campfire guitar in future. Played with it 2,5 years and its "opened" nicely.


I have a very small hands and fingers. Its little troubled thing to my playing. So i wanted to know wich model may be the best choise to me. Yes i knew that one way to solve this is go to local guitar shop and test different models. But i also know that there is many folks who knows a lots of guitars and those playability.

Many thans in advance! 😊

[woodbox]

Which Martin?
Well, they make so many models these days, you are probably going to get a lot of opinions.
But between the two you have listed in your title here, I would recommend the 000-18 over the 000-16GT.

Generally speaking, the 18 models are simply "more" guitar than the 16 models.
They might play the same, maybe even look very similar, but in my experience, the 18's sound better.
There are any number of possible reasons for that... bracing, neck joint method, build materials & wood grades... but that's a discussion for another time.

My opinion is based on --
1) direct experience with each of these you mention.
2) I've owned (and/or known friends who owned) many 16 and 18 series.

The 16's always go away, the 18's stay around.
I have three 18's currently and one 16 I'm considering selling.

I cannot recall a time when someone who had an 18 wished they had a 16 instead.
But many have bought a 16, only to trade up to an 18 later.

Let the discussion begin.

[Br1ck]

A very early 000 16 is a sweet guitar. 1990 or there about. I had one and sold it to a friend to fund my M 36 years ago. He still has it. I wish I still did.

Don't know about the newer 16s, except they made an adi topped one a while back that was a serious D 18 killer. Probably why they quit making them.

[tippy5]

I might sell my 2016 000-18? Please let me know if you are looking used.

[gr81dorn]

Originally Posted by tippy5

I might sell my 2016 000-18? Please let me know if you are looking used.

He's in Finland, FYI ;-) Not out of the question, but it's a long way away!

[gr81dorn]

Don't rule out 15 series. The 000-15 has the same narrower nut you may favor in the 000-16g over the 18's wider nut. I've had a LOT of guitars, but that thing does everything well in my humble opinion.

[archerscreek]

I own a OOOC-16 RGTE from 2004. If it had a gloss finish on the sides and back you’d think it was an excellent example of a 28 series model based on sound. In the past, I thought about “upgrading” to a OOO or OM in the 28 series but never found one that sounded better. The only reason I’m thinking of getting rid of it is that my playing improves a bit with a 1 3/4” nut (mine is 1 11/16”) and I also found a dred suits me better. But believe me, I’m having a hard time letting this 16 series guitar go. So don’t be surprised if you come across a 16 series OOO that impresses you.

[BastianS]

I'm currently looking for a 00018 and had the chance to a/b those two recently. This particular (!) 18 beat this particular 16 out of the water. There was no question. The 18 had the warm, rich sound you expect from it. It was just simply wonderful. The 16 sounded boxy.
That being said, I'm of course only talking about these two in this shop on that day.

[samthinguy]

I believe their biggest difference will be scale length. The 18 has the shorter scale length compared to the 16 if I’m not mistaken. Most people would say that means the 18 would play a bit easier but maybe have a little less snap. They also have a different bracing pattern

[gr81dorn]

Originally Posted by samthinguy

I believe their biggest difference will be scale length. The 18 has the shorter scale length compared to the 16 if I’m not mistaken. Most people would say that means the 18 would play a bit easier but maybe have a little less snap. They also have a different bracing pattern

The entire neck is a major playability difference - they have different nut widths and scale lengths. I find that a night a day difference on paper and in some guitars it really seems to be more noticeable than others. I wouldn't actually like the scale and nut on a 000-18 on paper, but when I pick one up and play it, it feels great.

Sorta highlights to the advice to go play stuff and really get a feel since numbers and measurements only tell some of the story.

[LuckyB]

Originally Posted by tippy5

I might sell my 2016 000-18? Please let me know if you are looking used.

Thanks your offer, but i will buy a brand new guitar. I wanna be a shes first! 😎

I'm sure you find quikly a new owner to your guitar.

[LuckyB]

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

Don't rule out 15 series..

I would keep that on my mind when i go to test differents martins. Thanks!

[LuckyB]

Originally Posted by woodbox

My opinion is based on --
1) direct experience with each of these you mention.
2) I've owned (and/or known friends who owned) many 16 and 18 series.

Thanks for your great answer.
If that nut width sits to my Hand, i may be would go with 18 before than 16.

[Osage]

I am constantly impressed withe the sound of the Martin 16 series when they come into my shop and I'm not easily impressed with new Martins. If I were in the market, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 16.

[LuckyB]

Originally Posted by BastianS

I'm currently looking for a 00018 and had the chance to a/b those two recently. This particular (!) 18 beat this particular 16 out of the water. There was no question. The 18 had the warm, rich sound you expect from it. It was just simply wonderful. The 16 sounded boxy.
That being said, I'm of course only talking about these two in this shop on that day.

+1 to 18 😊