Martin 00-16DB

This special edition "Women In Music" Series guitar was built in 1997, and is one of 97 made. This was the first model in the WIM Series. It has a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, ebony fretboard and bridge, slotted headstock with open waverly tuners with "butterbean" tuner buttons. The finish is glossy on all surfaces. It is the smaller, 00-style body with the depth of a Dreadnought. There is a special, classical-style rosette with a matching backstrip. Half heeringbone binding all around.

It is amazing sounding for fingerstyle or flatpicking. Lots of bass and highs. It sounds much better than my Seagull, which, for its price is one of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard.

I bought this guitar "used," but it had almost not been played at all in the 5 years it had been owned by 2 other people. The action is perfect. Extremely low with no buzz at all. The attention to detail in this guitar goes beyond what would be expected even from Martin.

The gloss finishes always seem much stronger to me, and minor bumps against chairs and such seem not to bother the guitar at all. I am hesitant to take it out of the house too often, but I certainly don't want to hide this beauty from the public eye.

Haven't had to deal with it, but you always seem to hear about Martin's great customer support.

I was looking at the more recent 00-16DBFM model since I was in love with the flame maple, but all of the models from the Women In Music Series were built in lots of 500, except the first series which only 97 were built. I paid about $700 less than I would have for a new one and this one is in beyond perfect condition. I just got lucky. In the few days that I have had it, I already know this is the best fit of a guitar I have ever held and played. If I ever lose this one (I hope and pray that never happens) I will buy another from this series.