Martin 00-16DBFM

Hello. I am fortunate to have 00-16DBFM number 86.

I live in Calgary, Canada, and we don't always get to see instruments like this one new and for sale in this town. The tone and clarity of the sound from this guitar simply makes me happy. I smile when I hear the first notes on picking it up. I noticed in one of the other reviews here that someone mentioned it resonating his voice. I had a similar experience - one of my sons was playing some of his music at volume - this guitar was resonating enough that you could hear the resonations from a few feet away.

This guitar is the easiest one of the more than 15 I have, to tune. The Waverly peg system is solid, and is very sensitive and tight. I used to think that Grover keys were the best, but this system beats them hands down. And because of the resonant nature of the guitar, when you tune it, you can actually hear the strings come into tune with each other when you do string-to-string tuning. The volume of the notes actually goes up when the two strings hit precise tuning. As well, having the tuning keys facing to the back of the guitar, instead of to the sides as in most others, actually makes it easier to get my fat fingers on the right key the first time and not be messing with the ones I don't mean to touch.

The binding on this guitar is beautiful. Although I now only admire it up close when I'm alone, as my family laughs at me when I hold it six inches from my nose and stare at it.

The grain in the spruce top is perfectly matched - I am not sure of how they do this, construction-wise, but it looks like they have book-matched the two pieces of spruce by splitting them from a single piece of wood. It is not easy to see the join down the middle, since the join is made with such precision and the wood grain is so straight in the pieces. The fingerboard inlays (squares at 5th and 9th frets, a diamond at the 7th) are very unique. They have "slots" at the mid-point of each of the four sides of the shape. A painstaking detail. Another one being the inset of some pearl in the top surface of the string pins. These are perhaps small details, but they make the instrument unique and admirable.

They produced this guitar to commemorate and celebrate women in music, so my "certificate" says. Well, it does that. This instrument has a bright, clear voice, and notes are sustained long and true.

My other acoustics guitars are a Gibson jumbo and a Yairi classical. I love their voices, too. No need to pass comparative judgements. But how I'd put it is this Martin is a lady, while the other two are gentlemen, by comparison.

Probably the guitar player I most identify with is Clapton. It follows that I am, of late, exploring who and what Robert Johnson was and played. I find that this Martin is not as easy to play in this style, but I think it is more me than it is the instrument. For example, an Fminor chord on this guitar is harder to find and finger quickly than I find it on other guitars. But, after all, this is the body shape and style that Johnson played in his day. I think the neck shape, combined with the closer string spacing, make it more challenging. Or perhaps it is just that I am still getting to know this instrument and we aren't as comfortable as with the others, which have been with me for 20 or 30 years now.

Given the size and shape of the guitar, I cannot imagine how it might be done, but one suggestion I would have made is that the pick guard be made larger than it is on this guitar. Artistically, the way it is done now is perfect - eye pleasing and all. However, if you do try to use a pick with the instrument, I find I have to take extra care to avoid the pick doing any damage anywhere. So, it is a finger picking instrument, I think. It is a strong and well built instrument, by no means fragile. But in this one aspect, it'd be easy to make marks in the beautiful finish with a pick without much care. The pickguard might be a bit larger, I think.

Everything is/was set up to my liking when I purchased the guitar. I like the action, although it is not as low as I might have preferred. But I don't intend to change it, either.

When I first laid eyes on it, this guitar was hanging on a wall in the guitar store's humidified room, on a wishbone shaped neck-holder. I have never been able to remove a small area where the finish at the top of the neck was in contact with the black rubber covering on the hanger. The finish seems very soft there, almost gummy in an area the size of a ten cent piece. Nothing to do with the high quality of the finish Martin gave it, however it makes me wonder how well the neck finish is going to withstand long term play and use.

Flawless construction - at least as far as I can see - sets a standard. Everything just right.

I hope I never need them, but Martin does have a positive reputation for their quality of service and attentiveness.

I first picked up an instrument at the age of 12, so forty years ago. This instrument is one of several I own and play today. Others include a '70 Gibson SJ Deluxe acoustic, a '80 Yairi classical nylon strung, a '77 Les Paul 57 re-issue , a 1995 Frampton Les Paul limited edition, a 97 Strat, a 2001 Deluxe Strat, a '95 Rickenbacker M3, a 91 Godin Mx3 electric/synth/acoustic, an 03 PRS Brazilian, an 05 PRS M15, and a 01 G&L Asat Classic. Amps are Fender and Crate, and floor gadgets are mostly Marshall and Digitech.
I am today more of a guitar collector than a player, I'm afraid.

If I lost this guitar, I would replace it if I could; I am coming to be fast friends with it and have no wish to replace it.

I love it's voice and ring. Solid, crisp and true. Less bass, more high end. Maple is definitely different, and Martin shows they know how to use that to advantage.

I hate the prospect of scratching it with a pick.

Favorite feature is that it stays in tune well, and is the nicest guitar to tune I've ever seen, due to the Waverly system on it.
And it is PRETTY. When friends - especially women - look over my guitars for the first time, this is the one they speak to first and admire the most.

I played several Martin guitars the day I purchased this one. They were all fine, all great materials and fine workmanship, but this one has a distinctively different voice and stood apart to my ear.

I like this website and the idea it lets people share on instrments like this. Great idea, and thanks.

This review is for a 2004 Custom Shop 00-16DBFM. The standard 00-16DBFM is a small body, 25.4? scale, 14 fret guitar made with a flamed maple body & sides, and with a Sitka spruce top. The guitar is ornamented in a ?Spanish guitar? fashion with mosaic patterned inlays and rosette, a slotted headstock with gold Waverly tuners, a multi piece maple neck with a mahogany skunk stripe, and an ebony fretboard and bridge. My custom additions/changes to the guitar were a 1 ?? nut width, quilted maple back and sides, a premium Sitka spruce top, the full diamonds and squares fretboard inlay, ebony bridge pins and end pin, and no pickguard. The standard model, as well as my custom, comes with an excellent Geib style case.

The tone is a highly resonant, sparkly, and reasonably full ranged sound. The trebles are very pronounced, and the guitar has a full mid-range. The bass, at this point, is a bit subdued, and since this is the tone that I was hoping for - both for recording and for solo playing - I hope the guitar keeps this sound as the top ages. Too frequently however, a spruce top becomes much darker and bassy sounding with age. Only time will tell how this guitar will end up sounding. Right now, however, it is perfect!

The fit and finish were perfect. I wasn?t completely thrilled with Martin?s choice of the quilted maple, especially since I paid a premium price for it, but it isn?t butt ugly either. All the purflings, bindings, rosette, and inlays were done perfectly, and the finish is a work of art. The saddle height and overall setup from the factory is a bad joke, however. I?m sure Elderly?s technicians would have corrected all that, but I asked that the guitar be shipped ?as is? since I was going to carve my own saddle anyway. Also one of the Waverly open-gear tuners keeps coming unscrewed, and it evidently takes some kind of special wrench to tighten the pegs so that this won?t happen. This is the only unresolved issue at this point in time.

This guitar, as are all Martins, is very light weight, but at the same time seems very sturdy. The Geib case is built like a tank - I think you could drive a car over it without the guitar being damaged. I expect this guitar to last several lifetimes.

I have only rarely dealt with Martin themselves, and the only issue I have with this guitar at this time is the Waverly tuner. If Martin doesn?t do what is required to fix it, I can assure each and every one of you that you will hear about it!

This is my third Martin Custom Shop guitar. I also have a custom OM-35 and a custom J12-40. Obviously, I have been thrilled with their products else I would not have bought this one too. This guitar, as previously stated, is for light solo playing, for recording, and for being a small body guitar to take on vacation and travel. For those purposes I think it will be perfect. Besides these three Martins I also have a Taylor 814CE and a Fender Stratocaster. I have been playing for nearly 40 years now and have gone through dozens of guitars only to end up with these few keepers. What I desperately need to do at this point is to put that first ding in this guitar so that I am not so overprotective about it, but believe me, that will happen in time! Overall I am quite pleased with this newest addition.

It's a 2003 model, #103 in the limited series. Features are as described below and on Martin's website. The 00 size with the deep body is what attracted me in the first place. The back strip/binding/purfuling/rosette etc. is sublime and very tasteful. It's a work of art. The tuners are the best I own, Martin should put waverly's on all new guitars. The neck is low and fast, the frets are nice and thick. It's a fingerpicker for sure. The case is an improvement over the older Geib case, lots of heavy duty latches and a heavy lock & key. It's an overall great valued package for the money, hence the rating.

I enjoy playing with myself. No really. Folky type music is my main interest, blues, americana and original compositions. The sound is hard to describe. It's my first maple guitar, but I've always admired the crystalline maple sound. This one has it in spades. I tried a flatpick, it was good, but wait until you finger pick this blonde beauty. It's ethereal. Also, I noticed that there is an echo when I'm talking near the guitar. I realized it's the top vibrating and transmitting my voice through the soundhole. Incredible. The sustain is mind boggling, must be the maple neck and body combo.

It came from Elderly and they do a decent set up on every new Martin. It's just right. The top is typical Martin sitka nowadays. It's pretty, but there is a 1" long vertical dark streak in the top near the OM style pickguard, totally natural, in the wood, barely noticeable, but just like a new baby, you look at every inch. I call them like I see them. Not enough to send it back, and only visible in certain light. The maple is heavenly, and great honey color.

The slotted peg head and neck feels heavy, (it's maple) which adds to the sustain and looks super too. Overall it's a lightweight guitar and friendly to hold. It's quality all around, and like I said, a great value.

Martin has done so much for me on another guitar, I can't say enough good things. They are the best and will do whatever it takes to make you happy.

I have 30 years playing time. I own an old Epiphone 000 (one mean little blues machine), an Alvarez D & two other Martins, an HD-28VR and a spectacular 000-18 Woody Guthrie. I beleive this new one may see more playing time than the others. It just sings, and is my number one fingerstyle guitar right now. I wish Martin would be a little more choosy with their tops. My HD has a 2 inch long dark streak in it,barely visible, no big deal, but I know it's there. Know what I mean? When you buy on line you take a chance, and so far tonewise, I've hit the lottery. This little one could have been uglier than a baboon's butt and I'd still keep it because of the superior tone. It speaks to me, you know?

This is a first-class instrument all the way; solid wood throughout - ebony fretboard and bridge, solid spruce top (mine has over 15 grains per inch), gorgeous flamed maple sides and back, and a mahogny/maple neck. Quality Waverly tuners and a slotted headstock for greater string snap and sustain. Label is signed by CF Martin himself (the IV of course). Since only 60 of these Special Editons were made, I imagine you probably would have to get one through the secondary market. These babies will hold their value.

The guitar has the that crisp, bell-like Martin-sound (like the kind you hear as a soundtrack in a beautiful landscape video with brooks in the forest). The guitar has only moderate projection because of it's grand concert size (which is two removed from the thundering dreadnoughts). But I have a K&K pure western acoustic passive pickup that amplifies the tonal qualities perfectly.

I'm a perfectionist and I found the action 1/32th too high. But since I play predominantly classical guitar, I manage jut fine. In fact, because I am use to the classical guitar's feel an dimension I always felt awkwark with a dreadnought or jumbo guitar. This looks and feels like a steel-strung classical. I am tinking of going to lighter guage strings which made lessen the string tension and get the 32nd back. But I must say that the higher action does let the notes ring and allow for easier bending. The finish, like the choice in woods, is first class. It is a high gloss that really shows off the flamed maple.

Because of the solid an quality woods and care in consruction, I expect this guitar to actually get better with time.

Although I have not used it, Martin has a reputation for superior service.

The market is dominated by great sounding, cookie-cutter guitars that may not hold it's sound or value over time. Investing in a Martin, Special Edition (limited run), solid wood classic like this one was an easy decision.

Easily the most beautiful guitar I have ever laid eyes or fingers on, gorgeous flame maple back and sides, tight grain spruce top, mahogany binding, maple neck with mahogany inlay, soundhole rosette, back stripe in herringbone, slotted peghead, high end Waverly gold tuners, a "perfect" guitar, I have #4 of the series (100?) signed by CF the 4th himself!

Certainly not the massive volume of sound you would get from a dreadnought, but a balanced sound, excellent tone, recently installed a Fishman Matrix I Natural Acoustic pickup, and this thing flat rocks! what sound! If I ever find another acoustic that sounds better than this plugged in I will be a very happy guy!

Absolute perfection as far as fit and finish, totally flawless! The stock saddle had been "upgraded" to a bone compensated one which had not been properly sized resulting in too high action, this was replaced with a micarta saddle when I installed the pickup, and with the new lowered action and electronics, this is by far the easiest guitar to play I have ever owned

This thing is too pretty to take out and abuse, this will be reserved for my private s