Advice needed on mid-priced Martins.

[Mike M.]

As I mentioned in the Introductions page I'm pretty new to acoustic guitars. So......I played a few Martins today while at my local music store. I'm sticking to the guitars that are more in the "mid-priced" line as I only have so much money to work with.

As far as the guitars that fell into the $900 to $1,500 dollar range the one that seemed to strike my fancy was the mentioned 000C-16 GTE. I didn't try the onboard electronics, just held it, played it and listened. Very comfortable to hold and the neck seemed to be just the right size. Not too bulky nor too small and the action was just about right as well. I would have prefered it just a tad lower but it really was very playable as it was.

Everything about it's tone seemed just about right. It didn't strike me as a loud guitar but it certainley wasn't wimpy either. All around I think I would define it's tone as being tight but not sterile. It had a nice voice. Could have maybe had a tad more overall presence but maybe a new set of strings would take care of that. But it did posses more presence than the 00015 and 15S that I tried. (I also tried a few Taylors and while they were nice and played good they were all in all to bright for my liking).

I'm in the early stages of trying out guitars, but I felt the the 000C-16 GTE was a nice starting point of referance to go by and it's on the list as a potential purchase. For what it's worth I use a pick 90% of the time while the other 10% is a combination of pick and fingers. So, to those who do own this guitar, what's your take on it? Any problems with overall durablility or any tuning issues? How are the onboard electronics? Can the action be lowered if needed? Would this be good or bad for the tone? Any info good or bad would be greatley appreciated.

Any other suggestions? I'm going to try some other Martins in my price range so I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Thanks.

[Rockabilly69]

Mike,

Without a doubt when shopping Martin Guitars, you have to restring them and compare each guitar with the same strings. Typically they ship with Martin SP strings, which sound great for about 3 days. After that, they suck. You will definately not get a true sound from the guitars with what's on them in the store. If you're going to spend that much money on a guitar, you need to buck up and put some new strings on the contenders before you make that decision. If you don't, you may miss the right guitar. Alot of guitar mfgs, have figured this out and put on coated strings when they ship. You will be amazed at the difference. As for the 00016GTE, I play a variation of that guitar, the SP00016TR, which is the noncutaway sprucetop/rosewoodback, and it's the guitar I made my reputation on, and the one with the most gigs on it. But the 00015S is the one I use for almost every open tuned rock rhythm I record. Also as I got used to playing the 00015S, I started liking the wider neck. And when I bought my EC00028, that wider neck appealed to me too.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/rockabilly69/montauk086.jpg

Here's one used on Gbase and it's the same year as mine! I played a lot of 1998's and they were very consistant. http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1722731

[Mike M.]

Thanks for the reply, Rockabilly. Yes, I agree about changing the strings in order to get the full idea of a potential guitars tone. Luckily, the store in question is one that I've been going to for years so I know they'll change the strings for me, as they've done it before.

Looking at Martins website, there are definatley a few other models within my price range that I'd like to try, such as the DC-16R GT and GTE for example, as well as the DCME. I'm in no hurry as I want to be 1000% sure.

Another guitar I tried that felt great to play was a Gibson songwriter. This guitar definatley needed a new set of strings, as they were as dead as dead can get. That guitar played SO nice (perfect action) but it's really a bit more than I'd like to spend. They'd really have to give me the deal of deals in order for me to consider buying one.

[Rockabilly69]

Mike,

I like those Gibson songwriters too, a friend brought me his to try at one of my singer songwriter gigs and I liked the way it played, but it had a bridge pickup which typically don't use so the sound threw me a bit.

As for the other Martin models, steer clear of the models using the composite necks or bridges. They just don't sound the same.

I also like to choose my electronics than have them preinstalled which is something to consider.

If you can find one of the SP models from the late nineties (like the one I left the link for), they should be in your price range, and already opened up, plus if you decide you don't like it, you won't loose any money if you choose to sell it. I've seen alot of them, and the ones from the late nineties seem to have some nice figured tops. I think my SP has a better top than my Clapton.

In another post alot of players have sung the praise of the flat backed Guild guitars of the 70's. They were saying they were some of the most undervalued guitars out there, and quite a few pop up on e-bay.


Dan

[Mike M.]

Dan, when you mentioned the models using the composite materials for the neck and bridge are you refering to that micarta material?

Thanks again.

[Rockabilly69]

Whatever it's called,it's not wood:) They've been going back and forth on this stuff, but the earlier specials (SP) didn't incorporate it, and they sounded the best. A Martin rep told me they used it cause the early bridge were having issues, but I think it was just a cheapening thing. My guitar is built like a tank (although very light) and has been through two fret dresses, and a refret, with no problems other than just plain wearing stuff out.

[Mike M.]

Thanks for the added info, Dan. Now that I think about I just might go for something that's a bit more above and beyond of what I had in mind price-wise. I'm not a wild spender at all but if I have to spend a bit more for pure quality, ease of playability and tone I'll do it.

Well, I won't have time during the week to look at guitars due to my work hours but I am going to look again this coming up Saturday. I know I'll be back with more questions. Thanks again for your help, Dan. Much appreciated.

Mike

[Rockabilly69]

Mike,

Watch this one, it's one of the good ones...

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARTIN-SP000C-16R-000-Rosewood-body-000-28-excellent_W0QQitemZ220150907772QQihZ012QQcategoryZ 33028QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Huckleberry]

When shopping for an acoustic, I steered clear of anything with pre-installed electronics. I don't like electronics in an acoustic. It's a personal choice, and I wouldn't tell anyone they were wrong to do otherwise.

Price was a concern for me at first, but then I leaned more on my ears than my wallet...and ended up with the "mid-priced" D-15, anyway. Just made the sound I wanted to make, is all.

[bluespckr]

My first Martin was a DC16RGTE -- dreadnaught, single-cut acoustic-electric. That thing played and sounded great plugged or unplugged. I had a tech do a set up, and he tweaked the neck slightly, and shaved down the bridge saddle a tad. The thing played like butter.