Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,912
High-end/Boutique
$200
$1001+
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Discover the exquisite blend of tradition and innovation with the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural. This masterpiece encapsulates the essence of Martin's legendary craftsmanship, designed to elevate your musical journey. Its natural resonance and full, balanced tone are the product of meticulously selected satin-finished East Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a Sitka spruce top. This combination not only projects a sound that's rich in overtones but also an instrument that grows with you, offering an even more complex sound as it ages.
The guitar is not just an acoustic wonder; it's also equipped with the Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics, making it a versatile choice for live performances or studio recordings. Whether you're strumming unplugged at home or plugged in on stage, this guitar delivers unparalleled sound quality. Its High Performance Neck taper ensures a comfortable playing experience across the fretboard, making it a joy to play for hours on end.
Crafted with the musician in mind, this guitar is a testament to Martin's dedication to producing instruments of exceptional playability, tone, and durability. It's not just a guitar; it's a lifelong musical companion, ready to accompany you on every step of your musical voyage. Whether you're a performing artist or a recording enthusiast, the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural is designed to inspire and enhance your musical expression.
Key Features:
- Satin-finished East Indian rosewood back and sides for warm, resonant voice
- Solid Sitka spruce top for balanced, articulate tone
- Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics for superior amplified sound
- High Performance Neck taper for comfortable playability
- Durable solid wood construction for a lifetime of playing
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | D-14 Fret Dreadnought |
| Back & Sides Wood | Solid East Indian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Solid Spruce |
| Top Finish | Satin |
| Body Bracing | Forward Shifted X Brace |
| Binding | Antique White |
| Neck Wood | Select Hardwood |
| Neck Shape | Modified Low Oval |
| Radius | 16" |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Dots |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Bone/Compensated White Tusq |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Tuning Machines | Open Gear |
| Electronics | Martin E1 |
| Strings | Martin MA540T Authentic Lifespan, .012-.054 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Softshell Case |
FAQs
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What type of wood is used in the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
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The guitar features a solid spruce top with satin finish and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing a rich and resonant sound.
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How does the neck profile of the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought affect playability?
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It has a modified low oval neck shape with a high-performance taper, offering comfortable playability for both strumming and fingerstyle playing.
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What electronics are included in the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
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The guitar is equipped with Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics, providing high-quality amplified sound for live performances and recording.
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Is the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought suitable for live performances?
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Yes, it features Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics, making it ideal for live performances with excellent amplified sound.
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What is the scale length of the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
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The scale length is 25.4 inches, which contributes to its full, rich tone and comfortable playability.
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Does the Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought come with a case?
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Yes, it comes with a softshell case, providing protection and easy transport for the guitar.
Videos
Aaron Short Music
Martin D-16e Special Review - Under $1850!!!
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin Special 16 Style Rosewood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural.
Comparisons
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The Special 16 Style has a full-depth dreadnought body, unlike the D-16e's 000 body depth, resulting in a fuller sound.
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The Special 16 is made in the USA with superior materials compared to the Road Series, which is made in Mexico with Sapele wood.
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The full 5-inch body depth of the Special 16 provides 21% more internal volume than the D-16e, significantly enhancing low-end tone and bass response.
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User experience
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Owners note the Special 16 can sound comparable to higher-end models like the D-18 and D-28.
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Some owners report the Sitka Spruce tops darken and tone matures over time, enhancing the guitar's sound.
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The Special 16's satin back and sides are appreciated for aesthetics but can show bumps and dings more easily over time.
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Owners report the Special 16 has a "gut punching" low-end response, favored for its powerful tone over other models like the D-16RGT.
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Features and functionality
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Early Special 16 models are full-sized dreadnoughts, while newer versions are reportedly smaller and thinner.
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The Special 16 has an Ebony fingerboard and bridge, unlike some models with Richlite alternatives.
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The Special 16 features 18:1 gear ratio, sealed Martin branded tuners, offering superior tuning stability compared to the D-16e's 14:1 gear ratio Grover tuners.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners enhance sound with Graphtech bridge pins, saddle, and nut, alongside Schaller GrandTunes, elevating the guitar's performance to a higher tier.
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Hipshot tuner buttons can replace the unattractive buttons on the Martin branded tuners, providing a look similar to Grover kidney beans.
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Setup and maintenance
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A bone saddle is recommended over tusq to resolve out-of-tune harmonics, enhancing overall sound clarity.
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Value and pricing
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The Special 16 is praised for offering 90% of the HD-28's sound quality at 56% of its cost, making it a cost-effective choice for many.
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