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Average Price: $881
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Description
Experience the perfect blend of tradition and innovation with the Martin DC-16GTE, a distinguished acoustic-electric guitar crafted for musicians who seek exceptional sound and playability. This masterpiece boasts a solid Sitka spruce top paired with robust solid sapele back and sides, delivering a rich, full-bodied tone that resonates with clarity and depth. Whether you're strumming in a studio or performing on stage, its Roland AP-1 electronics ensure your sound is captured with pristine fidelity, allowing every nuance of your performance to shine through.
Designed with a D-14 fret cutaway body, the DC-16GTE offers effortless access to higher frets, making it an ideal companion for both intricate fingerstyle and powerful strumming. The modified low oval neck shape ensures comfort during long playing sessions, while the hybrid "X" scalloped bracing enhances the guitar's dynamic range, offering a balance of strength and flexibility.
The guitar's aesthetics are equally impressive, featuring a bold herringbone rosette and multiple black/white boltaron top inlay style, complemented by a polished gloss finish on the top and satin on the back and sides. With a sleek black richlite fingerboard and bridge, and stylish chrome tuning machines, this guitar not only sounds exquisite but looks the part too.
Key Features:
- Body Size: D-14 fret cutaway
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce
- Back & Sides: Solid sapele
- Electronics: Roland AP-1
- Neck Shape: Modified low oval
- Fingerboard Material: Black richlite
- Scale Length: 25.4"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Bridge Style: Belly
- Tuning Machines: Chrome enclosed with large buttons
- Case: 345 Hardshell case included
Product specs
| Brand | Martin |
| Model | DC-16GTE |
| Finish | Natural |
| Year | 1999 - 2015 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Acoustic-Electric Guitars |
| Active Preamp | Yes |
| Back Material | Sapele |
| Body Shape | Dreadnought |
| Color Family | Natural |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Composite |
| Model Family | Martin D-16 |
| Model Sub-Family | Martin D-16E |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | Undersaddle Piezo Pickup |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Martin 16 / 17 Series |
| Sides Material | Sapele |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used for the back and sides of the Martin DC-16GTE?
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The Martin DC-16GTE features back and sides made from Sapele wood, which is known for its warm tonal qualities and durability.
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Does the Martin DC-16GTE have a built-in preamp for live performances?
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Yes, the Martin DC-16GTE is equipped with an active preamp and an undersaddle piezo pickup, making it suitable for amplified performances.
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What body shape does the Martin DC-16GTE have?
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The Martin DC-16GTE has a Dreadnought body shape, which provides a robust sound with excellent projection, ideal for strumming and flat-picking.
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Is the Martin DC-16GTE suitable for fingerstyle playing?
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The Martin DC-16GTE's Dreadnought body and spruce top offer a balanced tone that can accommodate fingerstyle playing, though its larger size may be more suited to strumming.
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How many frets does the Martin DC-16GTE have?
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The Martin DC-16GTE features 20 frets, providing ample range for various playing styles and musical genres.
Videos
Groovy Music Lessons
Martin DC-16 GTE Acoustic Electric Guitar Review By Scott Grove
Martin DC-16 GTE Acoustic Electric Guitar Review By Scott Grove
Groovy Music Lessons
TFOA review - Martin DC16 GTE
The Fellowship of Acoustics
Martin DC-16 GTE (unplugged)
Alfred Punzalan
Martin DC-16gte Acoustic Guitar Sound Sample
Joeymusic
Reviews
PROS
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Warm, balanced sound ideal for fingerpicking
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Fast neck makes complex chord changes easy
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Sound improves with age and care
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Holds tuning exceptionally well, even with new strings
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Built-in tuner remains reliable over time
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Fishman electronics provide versatile amplification
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Durable construction, retains like-new appearance
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Resonates beautifully, enhancing playing experience
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Versatile for both rhythm and lead playing
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Collectible potential as a discontinued model
CONS
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Side wood prone to splitting in humidity
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Pickup quality considered subpar by some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin DC-16GTE.
Build quality
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The DC-16GTE has experienced issues with the back separating from the neck block, requiring glue repairs for restoration.
Source
Features and functionality
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Comes with a Fishman pickup, which was removed during the repair process.
Source -
The DC-16RE model was produced with a "Schertler Bluestick under saddle pick-up," which may impact the instrument's structural integrity if improperly removed.
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The removal of the pickup often requires a taller saddle and endpin jack replacement to maintain original playability without affecting the guitar's tone.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Some owners are concerned about the neck angle when assessing repair needs.
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Switching to medium gauge strings increased neck relief, possibly causing bulging due to unaddressed humidity issues and unglued bracing.
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Filing the guitar nut for new string gauges is crucial; nut files can be costly, making professional adjustments a worthwhile investment.
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Keeping an acoustic guitar properly humidified is essential to prevent brittleness and cracking over time.
Source
Value and pricing
User experience
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Some owners express concerns about under-saddle pickup removal leading to perforation of the guitar's top, though it's typically just a single hole for the pickup lead.
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A guitar tech quoted a $400 repair cost for three cracks and a neck joint issue, highlighting potential expenses for neglected maintenance.
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Owners attempting DIY repairs on cracks should reference detailed video guides, but major neck issues are best left to professionals.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this photo, we can see Hammond using a Martin DC-16GTE.
Guitar spotted during The Gear of Riot Fest 2014
"Our main acoustic guitar was a Martin DC-16GTE. Its a guitar that can cover everything."
In this picture you can see Vincent playing a Martin DC-16GTE on stage
"Our main acoustic guitar was a Martin DC-16GTE. Its a guitar that can cover everything."
In this video, Jack Conte can be seen playing a Martin DC-16GTE guitar in a "Panic at The Disco" cover.
In this picture you can see Arun playing a Martin DC-16GTE acoustic guitar next to Chris Conley
In this picture you can see Chris playing a Martin DC-16GTE acoustic guitar
at 39:07 he uses the Martin DC-16GTE.
In the image provided, Leonardo de Lozanne is seen using the Martin DC-16GTE guitar during Fobia's collaboration with Coca-Cola for Christmas 2012. The image is credited to Flickr. This guitar was also utilized for the "Destruye Hogares" DVD, the Fobiarama's shows and during dates of its promotional tour.
Album Usage
The Martin DC-16GTE has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin DC-16GTE, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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