Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Guitar Center
4.5 (12)
$2,299.99
Amazon
4.4 (10)
$1,839.08
Reverb
5.0 (12)
$1,999.00 New
$2,099.97 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (2)
$2,299.99
zZounds
5.0 (4)
$1,999.00

Average Price: $2,090

High-end/Boutique

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Martin D-16E". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the perfect blend of tradition and innovation with the Martin D-16E acoustic-electric guitar. Crafted by Martin, a name synonymous with the acoustic guitar, this instrument is as much a piece of musical history as it is an instrument.

The D-16E is a dreadnought guitar with a twist. While retaining the iconic dreadnought shape, it's slightly thinner than usual, taming the boomy bass for cleaner recording and creating a mid-forward response. Yet, it still delivers the room-filling power you expect from a Martin dreadnought. The back and sides are made of East Indian Rosewood, known for producing a warm, robust sound with excellent sustain, while the top is made of solid Sitka spruce, generating a balanced, resonant tone with shimmering highs and tight lows.

A key feature of the D-16E is the Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 electronics. This proprietary system captures the guitar's rich acoustic voice perfectly for amplified performance or recording. It doesn't just pick up the sound of the strings but allows the natural sounds of the guitar to come through, making it ideal for techniques such as body tapping.

Key Features:

  • Solid Sitka spruce top for balanced, resonant tone
  • East Indian Rosewood back and sides for warmth and depth
  • Modified low oval neck profile for comfortable playing
  • Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 Pickup for natural acoustic amplified tone
  • 25.4" scale length suitable for most players
  • Durable hard-shell case included for protection and transport
  • Martin's time-honored mortise and tenon neck joint and dovetail body joint for stability and tone
  • Scalloped, forward-shifted spruce X bracing for enhanced resonance
  • Plek'd frets for optimized playability
  • Dreadnought body shape with unique thinner depth for cleaner recording and mid-forward response

Product specs

Brand Martin
Model D-16E
Finish Natural, Sunburst
Year 2017 - 2024
Made In United States
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars, Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Mahogany, Rosewood
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Natural, Orange
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Martin D-16
Model Sub-Family Martin D-16E
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Hybrid System, Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Martin 16 / 17 Series
Sides Material Mahogany, Rosewood
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the Martin D-16E's body?

The Martin D-16E features a body made from solid mahogany and rosewood, with a spruce top. This combination provides a balanced tone with warmth and clarity, suitable for various music styles.

Does the Martin D-16E come with built-in electronics for amplification?

Yes, the Martin D-16E is equipped with an active preamp and an undersaddle piezo pickup, allowing it to be easily amplified for live performances.

What is the neck profile like on the Martin D-16E?

The Martin D-16E has a neck made from mahogany, providing a comfortable playing experience with a smooth satin finish that facilitates easy movement along the fretboard.

Is the Martin D-16E suitable for beginners?

While the Martin D-16E is a high-quality instrument that can be appreciated by players of all levels, its features and craftsmanship may be better suited for intermediate to advanced guitarists who can fully utilize its capabilities.

How does the Martin D-16E perform acoustically compared to when amplified?

The Martin D-16E delivers a rich, resonant sound both acoustically and when amplified, thanks to its solid wood construction and quality electronics, making it versatile for both unplugged and plugged-in settings.

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Reviewing the new Martin D-16E, Martin Guitar's Most Affordable Rosewood Dreadnought Guitar!

Video thumbnail for Reviewing the new Martin D-16E, Martin Guitar's Most Affordable Rosewood Dreadnought Guitar! by Alamo Music Center

Reviewing the new Martin D-16E, Martin Guitar's Most Affordable Rosewood Dreadnought Guitar!

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for The Martin D-16E Rosewood at MaurysMusic.com by Maury's Music

The Martin D-16E Rosewood at MaurysMusic.com

Maury's Music

Maury's Music

Video thumbnail for The Martin D-16E Mahogany at MaurysMusic.com by Maury's Music

The Martin D-16E Mahogany at MaurysMusic.com

Maury's Music

Maury's Music

Video thumbnail for Martin D-16E Acoustic Guitar Review by Terry Carter Music Store

Martin D-16E Acoustic Guitar Review

Terry Carter Music Store

Terry Carter Music Store

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic Martin sound with a balanced tone, not overly boomy

  • Smooth, buttery neck ideal for fingerpicking and solos

  • High-quality craftsmanship, American-made

  • Comfortable to play with a narrower 000 body depth

  • High clarity and projection with clear, sweet notes

  • Factory-installed Fishman pickup system provides excellent amplified sound

  • Lightweight with a thinner body that resonates well

  • Perfect for both fingerstyle and light strumming

  • Includes a padded semi-rigid case for good protection

CONS

  • Lacking loudness compared to full-size dreadnoughts

  • Some find the "low oval" neck shape uncomfortable

  • Gig bag included instead of a hard case for the price

  • Needs careful handling to avoid neck bending without proper storage

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin D-16E.

Comparisons

  • The Special 16 Style provides a deeper, richer tone due to its 5-inch body depth, unlike the narrower 4.125-inch D-16e.

    Source
  • A slight budget increase allows for a satin D-18, offering a notable jump in quality and tone over the D-16E.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Special 16's 18:1 gear ratio Martin branded tuners offer smoother performance and better tuning stability compared to the D-16e's 14:1 Grover tuners.

    Source
  • The Special 16 does not include a herringbone design, which is a distinctive visual difference compared to other models.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that the Special 16 has a more powerful low-end response, making it preferable for those seeking pronounced bass tones.

    Source
  • One owner experienced issues with the pickup initially, but received a rapid replacement, highlighting Martin's responsive customer service.

    Source
  • Owners coming from Taylor guitars, like the 314ce, find the D-16E to be a compelling first Martin option.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users suggest replacing Martin tuner buttons with Hipshot buttons for improved aesthetics while maintaining functionality.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some owners have reported that the neck block only lists "D-16" without additional detail, which can be confusing for identifying specific models like the D-16E Rosewood.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A user noted that Neil Young's music sounds particularly good on the D-16E, suggesting a tonal quality suited for similar acoustic styles.

    Source
  • The D-16E is favored for fingerpicking and styles similar to John Mayer's music, suggesting it suits intricate playing.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Lewis Capaldi uses Martin D-16E

Lewis Capaldi

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

Lewis Capaldi plays the Martin at Glastonbury Festival (2019) when performing his song 'Hold Me While You Wait' originially released May 3 2019. The image shown on equipboard depicts a cut away body however in the video given Lewis does not have a cut away.

See how Wyatt Flores uses Martin D-16E

Wyatt Flores

...
Verified via Facebook

This Facebook post confirms that Wyatt Flores used to own a Martin D-16E guitar.

Genre Usage

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