Martin HD-16R vs. Special Style 16 Rosewood: Run-off

[lowrider]

And remember, you can probably get the 16 Special for a little over $1500 just for asking!

You can also buy the 16 Special and play it for 30 days and decide that you really want to spend the money on something else and take it back for a full refund.

[j38guitar]

Originally Posted by lowrider

And remember, you can probably get the 16 Special for a little over $1500 just for asking!

You can also buy the 16 Special and play it for 30 days and decide that you really want to spend the money on something else and take it back for a full refund.

Couldn't agree more with this comment!

[tsmith28]

Originally Posted by lowrider

And remember, you can probably get the 16 Special for a little over $1500 just for asking!

You can also buy the 16 Special and play it for 30 days and decide that you really want to spend the money on something else and take it back for a full refund.

Yup, I bought mine for $1585 when the retail price was $1750

[SpruceTop]

As others have mentioned or implied, I'd be looking for a new or good-condition 2018 and newer used Martin D-28 or Martin HD-28.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

As others have mentioned or implied, I'd be looking for a new or good-condition 2018 and newer used Martin D-28 or Martin HD-28.

It looks like my exact budget limit is going to be $1700; I don't believe I could find a used D/HD-28 for that -- wish I could.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Troubador

It looks like my exact budget limit is going to be $1700; I don't believe I could find a used D/HD-28 for that -- wish I could.

Either one of your narrowed-down Martins are good guitars, but if you can, may I suggest the delay of the purchase of one or the other of your two guitar candidates and save your money and put it toward a Martin D-28 or HD-28?

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Either one of your narrowed-down Martins are good guitars, but if you can, may I suggest the delay of the purchase of one or the other of your two guitar candidates and save your money and put it toward a Martin D-28 or HD-28?

I already have a HD-28 Ambertone as my main guitar. My purpose with this purchase is to get a good backup/secondary guitar to my HD-28, to be used in places where I would not want to take that HD 28. I thought I had that with the Recording King RO 328 I had acquired, but I realized I much preferred a dreadnought size.

I should clarify: I would consider a D/HD-28 as a backup if I could get one for $1700.

[Troubador]

Okay, 'Spruce Top' inspired this question, which I'm not going to start another thread for, but it did make me think:

For a backup guitar, if you had a budget of $1700-1800, would you choose a used D-28 or a new Special 16 Style Rosewood? That is, if you could find a used D-28 for that amount.

[jacot23]

Originally Posted by Troubador

I should clarify: I would consider a D/HD-28 as a backup if I could get one for $1700.

Wouldn't we all!

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

Wouldn't we all!

See my question right above your post.

[jacot23]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Okay, 'Spruce Top' inspired this question, which I'm not going to start another thread for, but it did make me think:

For a backup guitar, if you had a budget of $1700-1800, would you choose a used D-28 or a new Special 16 Style Rosewood? That is, if you could find a used D-28 for that amount.

I'm with Spruce Top, I'd just save up and get a Reimagined D-28 as a backup. I'd also get the Heritage Insurance on both and just go ahead and take either one wherever I wanted to.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

I'm with Spruce Top, I'd just save up and get a Reimagined D-28 as a backup. I'd also get the Heritage Insurance on both and just go ahead and take either one wherever I wanted to.

Can you tell me about the Heritage insurance? PM if you'd rather.

With a new Special 16, I'd get the Martin lifetime warranty. Would that be better than a used D-28?

[sinistral]

I voted for the HD-16R, but the more I think about your use-case, the more I think the Special 16—or an even less expensive guitar—makes more sense.

The reason I voted for the HD-16R is that, on many reliable accounts, it’s very much like an HD-28 sonically. The problem is that they are not easy to come by, and can’t see you “us[ing in places where [you] would not want to take that HD 28.” The Special 16 isn’t rare, and won’t have collectible value. If anything, try to find one used.

[jacot23]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Can you tell me about the Heritage insurance? PM if you'd rather.

https://musicins.com/appraisals-and-valuations

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by sinistral

I voted for the HD-16R, but the more I think about your use-case, the more I think the Special 16—or an even less expensive guitar—makes more sense.

The reason I voted for the HD-16R is that, on many reliable accounts, it’s very much like an HD-28 sonically. The problem is that they are not easy to come by, and can’t see you “us[ing in places where [you] would not want to take that HD 28.” The Special 16 isn’t rare, and won’t have collectible value. If anything, try to find one used.

If that Recording King dread RD 328 had the 1 3/4 nut, I probably would have got that and not been going through all this.

Do you not think the lifetime warranty is worth buying the 16 Special new as opposed to used? I have found a used one on Craigslist for $1500, plus shipping. I found a new one at Guitar Center; they will give me a 15% discount. With that and sales tax, my final price will be about $1682 -- so about $100 more than the used one. What do you think?

Oh, btw, I found a HD-16R adi top; they want $2000 and will not go any less, for now.