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

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by tsmith28

I only compared one guitar of each model, but I purchased the Special 16 precisely because it sounded VERY similar to the HD-28 that I played alongside it. Judging from the reviews on the GC and MF websites, I'm not alone in this opinion

Thank you for that.

[b1j]

I’ve played both, but at different times. The HD-28 comes out of Nazareth a bit better set up. The Special 16 — also made in Nazareth — felt quite a bit heavier. Check the weights (I don’t know the figures). I’d say the Special 16 is considerably better than half as good as the HD-28: maybe 9/10 as good, at half the price. That makes a strong case for the Special 16. It’s a good thing the Special 16 got sold while I thought about it over the weekend, or it would probably be here with me now.

For a guy like me, there’s a place for the Special 16: after all, it’s a Martin rosewood dread, a fitting tonal complement to both my mahogany guitars, big and small. It’s well made with a straight, plekked neck. I don’t gig except for a rare open mic. I play for fun, for myself and the occasional friend or family member. I record at home, but have a fairly low talent ceiling, both with playing and music production, so let’s be realistic. I will never have an HD-28 and a Special 16 in the same room. I do not compare myself to James Taylor or my guitars to Olsons. I am not setting the bar unnaturally high for my skill set. So yes, I believe I could be just as happy with a well set-up Special 16 as I am with any of my other three guitars, which would each cost more to buy.

I’d take a look in the mirror and ask yourself how much guitar do you need?

[bufflehead]

I voted for the model made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by b1j

I’ve played both, but at different times. The HD-28 comes out of Nazareth a bit better set up. The Special 16 — also made in Nazareth — felt quite a bit heavier. Check the weights (I don’t know the figures). I’d say the Special 16 is considerably better than half as good as the HD-28: maybe 9/10 as good, at half the price. That makes a strong case for the Special 16. It’s a good thing the Special 16 got sold while I thought about it over the weekend, or it would probably be here with me now.

For a guy like me, there’s a place for the Special 16: after all, it’s a Martin rosewood dread, a fitting tonal complement to both my mahogany guitars, big and small. It’s well made with a straight, plekked neck. I don’t gig except for a rare open mic. I play for fun, for myself and the occasional friend or family member. I record at home, but have a fairly low talent ceiling, both with playing and music production, so let’s be realistic. I will never have an HD-28 and a Special 16 in the same room. I do not compare myself to James Taylor or my guitars to Olsons. I am not setting the bar unnaturally high for my skill set. So yes, I believe I could be just as happy with a well set-up Special 16 as I am with any of my other three guitars, which would each cost more to buy.

I’d take a look in the mirror and ask yourself how much guitar do you need?

Thank you for that detailed information; I really appreciate it. It looks like to me that if I am going to get a secondary/backup guitar anytime soon, it will be either the Special 16, or a D-18. And I may not be able to find a D-18 I can afford. There's a DR Centennial on Reverb, but it's just out of my price range. And the HD-16R is very scarce. So, it may come down to the Special, or wait for the Recording King new dread to come out. I'd prefer a Martin, though. If I could find a D-18 that I could afford, I still haven't made up my mind 100% to get it because I still prefer rosewood over mahogany. But as some have pointed out to me, why have two guitars that sound exactly the same.

Well, excuse my ramblings -- just thinking out loud mostly, I guess. Maybe I'm delusional anyway. I plan to do some recording soon, but for now the only ones who will hear me play are my wife and cat.

[tsmith28]

Originally Posted by bufflehead

I voted for the model made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

I thought they both were. Where is the HD-16R made?

[jacot23]

At least your wife will listen; mine leaves the room; cats too for that matter, LOL.

Personally I'd get the GC Special 16 for the warranty. If you find a D-18 at that price you'll need to watch for binding issues on the 2012-2020 years(and maybe '21&'22).

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by jacot23

At least your wife will listen; mine leaves the room; cats too for that matter, LOL.

Personally I'd get the GC Special 16 for the warranty. If you find a D-18 at that price you'll need to watch for binding issues on the 2012-2020 years(and maybe '21&'22).

You know, that's a good point that I kind of keep forgetting -- the warranty on a brand new guitar. But I definitely need to keep that in mind when I'm doing my deliberating. That could be a big deal in the future.

[lowrider]

Hold on there Troubador, you have another thread about how you are not getting along with the playability of your HD-28. i think you better solve that issue before you go buying another new Martin with the same neck!

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Hold on there Troubador, you have another thread about how you are not getting along with the playability of your HD-28. i think you better solve that issue before you go buying another new Martin with the same neck!

Yes, I know. That's one reason I wanted the HD-16R. Still, I'll not get rid of my 28; I'll find some answer to make it work for me. I like that guitar too much to let it go. Besides, I don't know what I'd replace it with. I'm not going down that path.

I haven't made up my mind 100% on this, just trying to reason it out, explore possibilities within my budget, narrow my choices. But I've pulled back overnight, decided to slow down, and not hurry my decision. I want to take my time and hopefully make a wise choice. I'm tired of the merry-go-round; that's a losing endeavor in many ways, including financially.

[Troubador]

For those of you who know by personal experience: Would you say there is any difference in sound between the Special 16 and the HD-28?

[egordon99]

Originally Posted by Troubador

For those of you who know by personal experience: Would you say there is any difference in sound between the Special 16 and the HD-28?

I would assume they would sound different because they are different guitars.

Even two different HD-28s would sound different.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by egordon99

I would assume they would sound different because they are different guitars.

Even two different HD-28s would sound different.

Well, yes, that is certainly true. Even the HD-28 Ambertone I sold sounded different from the new one I bought.

[egordon99]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Well, yes, that is certainly true. Even the HD-28 Ambertone I sold sounded different from the new one I bought.

Exactly!!!

That's why you really just need to go out and play some guitars. That way you will be sure you like the sound and it has a neck you can get along with.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by egordon99

Exactly!!!

That's why you really just need to go out and play some guitars. That way you will be sure you like the sound and it has a neck you can get along with.

I know. Most of the time I like living way out here in the 'outback', but there are disadvantages.

[Troubador]

The Special 16 has the simple dovetail neck joint; the HD-16R has the M&T. Which neck joint is "better"? If ever in need of a neck reset, which of these necks would be easier/less complicated/less expensive to reset?