Martin 00-16C

Made in 1967, Sitka Spruce top, Mahogany sides and back, rosewood fingerboard and bridge,very basic tuners, no back binding, side dots on unbound fingerboard, 'Martin' label on face of headstock, SSC

This is NOT a classical guitar by any means. Tone is very soft and mellow. In fact, it has not got much definition when playing chords.
Good for single note lines and fills. Sort of a 'compressed' sound to this guitar.

As expected, Martin has always deserved its reputation for quality and this guitar, built in 1967, is no exception. Maybe could have used some higher quality tuners though.

Built in 1967 and it is still quite solid. The finish looks great. Again, the tuners should have been a bit higher quality. They turn with great difficulty. Sure you can get new ones, but better original ones would not make this necessary.

If this is the sound you are needing in a nylon string guitar you will be very happy. It is a solid guitar. But if you want a classical guitar this isn't it. If you want a nylon string that is loud and bright this isn't it either. You'll need to play this before you buy yo decide if it is for you.

Made in 1967 (One owner-namely moi). Satin Matte finish, slightly dulled by time and use, but considering this is my only guitar which has stayed with me, and my favorite, the finish has held up incredibily well. It has been well cared-for with a minimum of war wounds. Slot heads, tuning knobs yellowed with age. Tuners still work to perfection after 37 years of twisting. Thin Spruce top which results in ringing that is unheard of in classical guitar, especially with the strings of today. For years I used Savarez for the basses and D'Addario or Aranjuez for the trebles, but now, Sav's new Alliance line is the only thing I will ever use again on this baby.

I play in no particular genre, though I am blues-oriented and it flavors my jazz, folk, pop styles which all sound like nothing you have heard before. Even Willie Nelson would beg for this puppy once he heard it. Fingerstyle, both soft (flesh) and hard (nails) are easily worked and projected clearly in any environ. Because of its resonance and brilliance, I can duet with a Dread with no problems standing up to the steel. I also flatpick (no pickguard but I have no pick marks due to the way I play with picks). The only mark is a small worn spot where I anchor my pinkie. I play anchored about 70% of the time.

The action is fast and light. The small box fits snugly under the arm and the shallow width combine to make it a comfortable play over long periods of performance or practice. It is deceptive in its size, and those hearing it for the first time are always suprprised at the amount of volume and force it has. The neck is 2" at the nut and 2 3/4" at the 12 fret. I do wish it had that 20th little fret though.

This guitar has been in some really tight spots with me, hitchhiking across country, with a very flimsy case no less!, living in crowded places in the Haight-Ashbury in the 60's and 70's where a lot of people played with it (under my watchful eye, of course!). I used the best fine wood wax on it for 35 years and then cryed all over it writing a song one night then fell asleep and the saltwater ate into the wax build up and I had to take it down to the finish and start over. I was amazed at how much that changed the tone which had resulted from all those years of polishing. My bad. or hers, I guess... It is very thin on top and I used to be scared of some taut open tunings which I used to use, thinking it was going to pull the bridge up, but it took it all and never even bent.

Martin is incredible. I only dealt with them once to find out what it was worth back in the eighties because I wanted to insure it. They said they didn't make that model any longer, but if they had to replace it, they would charge about 1300 bucks to make me another, custom.

I know it says that gushing reports will be tossed but really, if you play this lady (Jezebel is her name) I am confident you will understand my giving it the very highest rating. Why Martin stopped making this I'll never understand. It has to be the most underrated guitar of all time. I have played this guitar for its entire life and i hope I live long enough to play it twice that still...

1965 I believe - USA of course 29 frets, solid spruce top satin finish classic slot head original tuners - the original case and the mold smell came with it

I play fingerstyle, ballads - sound I would describe as mellow

35 years later it has neck wear from being played, tuners have a bit of tarnish, finish has some age cracks and someone tried to refinish part of the neck wear badly -= nothing that means anything when playing

It has already survived but it is lightly built and feels fragile in the hands. I leave it at home.

When I bought it I called Martin to ask about its age and finish they were great.

I loaned it to my sister in law to take guitar lessons and the instructor made her bring it back said he could not stand having it his class - he worried about it too much - way too nice for a beginner. It came in the original case and had a mold smell to the case which has faded but it still evident. For the money I don't think one could do better - they have not had the prices run up on them so there may be some good buys out there,

1968. 19 fret, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides; no binding on back

Vibrant, clear, sweet voice. The wood is very thin - the top is thinnest that I have ever seen. Makes it very resonant. Perfect pitch/intonation.

Action is fast and comfortable. The fingerboard seems to have a concave radius that makes it easy to reach for those long cords. Extremely easy to play. The guitar, as a whole, feels really good to hold. Finish is a little odd - very thin, "natural" or satin finish .

Very reliable; thin wood, so it probably isn't very durable.

NA

I've been playing for 27 years - mostly fingerstyle of all kinds. Own an Estruch flamenco from the same period and a Martin dreadnaught from 1975. This guitar can't be replaced - it just resonates with me. I would buy it another if I could find one in as good a condition, and I lost this one. The only thing it really needs is a tuner upgrade.

1970, made in the USA. 19-fret classical body. Solid top. No electrics... this sweet baby is 100% pure classic. I don't really know too much about it, except that it plays better than any classical I have ever laid my hands on. It was a gift from my father the firt year I entered college [my major was guitar performance]. It looks beautifull, has a flat back and long neck, solid wood design, only nylon or gut strings... no steel/metal except the tuners, non-locking.

The best I have ever heard... no bragging, but I just haven't heard better.

No buzz, even from the mid range to the bottom of the neck.

Light weight... very light... fragile i guess.. but i have never damaged it, so i don't know REALLY how durable it is. But it keeps it tune, even after not having been played for several months.

MARTIN ROCKS!

if you can get your hands on one of these baby's... get it... it's the best classical i have ever played in my life/\.