Martin 00-16DBM

I bought this guitar used this year - two years after the 00-16DBM model went out of circulation. I love the full-bodied gloss (gloss on back and sides, not only the top) that feels nice to the touch. The slotted headstock gives it a touch of class, and classical-ness. The narrower neck fits my small hands better than most. the case it comes with, what the salespeople told me, was "unique" (but that may have been because they were trying to get me to buy it) - not a standard Martin case. It's mahogany all around, and is beautiful in its simplicity.

I play mostly fingerstyle, or soft strumming. Has a brighter sound with more emphasis on the treble than my D-160GTE, and suits my music style to a tee. Very resonate sound. When I was in the store, I picked it up almost as a joke (since I am very happy with my D-16GTE), and also because I'm generally not a fan of all-mahogany guitars, or slotted headstocks, but I played one note and froze, looked at my friend, and we both were like, "WOW". And the more I play it, the more I'm convinced this is THE guitar I'll have for my whole life.

I had this guitar set up by a very skilled luthier, so it plays like a dream. Even before I got it set up, I was happy with the action, but because I'm not the original owner, I don't know if that set-up was teh factory set-up. When I bought it, it had a ding on the side from the previous owner, but that didn't affect the sound at all.

It feels considerably more delicate than my D-16GTE, and I've already put in a couple of scratches by bumping into things, but everything else is solid. I play this guitar more than my other ones, except I don't tend to gig with it because of lack of electronics. However, this is a great guitar for the recording studio.

In terms of normal wear and tear, not seeing much - after 4 years (I called Martin after I bought it and they determined the guitar was made in 2003), it still looks brand new, but again, I can only speak to the few months I've had it, and not the past 3-4 years when it may have been sitting in someone's guitar museum).

I've called Martin a few times for various things - they've always been very friendly and helpful, and when I bought the 00-16DBM and called Martin to find out more about this guitar (because it's been discontinued), the customer service representative follow up on our conversation by sending me a packet of information, including the "Sounding Board" magazine from 2000 when the 00-16DBM first came out and was featured in an article.

Because I'm not the original owner, I don't have the nice Martin warranty, but for a guitar like this, I have no problem spending a bit to maintain it.

I've been playing for almost 4 years, and own 6 guitars, three of which are Martins. When I bought this, they had to put it on hold for a month, at which time I did a lot of research and went into the store to play it. Each time I played it only confirmed that my initial instincts about this guitar wasn't misplaced.

I really hope that nothing happens to this guitar - they don't make them anymore! When I called Martin, they told me that less than 500 00-16DBMs were ever made. I believe the exact number is 474. When I took it into the shop, the luthier (who is a Martin luthier), looked at it and told me it's potentially worth a LOT more than what I paid for it, but for me, it's a moot point because I never plan on selling this guitar.

Martin's latest offering in the Women and Music series. Purchased in 2004. It was the only Martin which meet most of my accoustic search criteria- Made in USA, slot head, 14 frets to body, small 'tear drop' pick guard and smaller body than a dred or jumbo. (I'm transitioning from the fine Tacoma Papoose). Its top, sides and back are solid mahogany in all gloss finish. Satin Mahogany neck. Fingerboard is striped ebony (rosewood?) with small pearl dots. 1 11/16" white Corian nut. Saddle is compensated white Tusq. No binding. Came with fine Geib case. I'm so impressed with this guitar, I'll be looking for the prior models which have more appointments and different wood combinations.

I lack experience in comparing its sound to other brands or wood combinations but It has a beautiful full range with loud projection. I practice mostly scales with plastic finger picks
and flat pick lower strings.
I bought a set of silk and steel strings to try and was astonished at the improved chime (harmonics?) it put out. The steel color may seem a little out of place on a fine guitar but the sound is worth it.

Every time I pick up this guitar I'm impressed with its overall workmanship/appearance.
The bridge pins appear to be plastic. Martin's description is 'black with pearl dots'. I'll try other variations soon.
Don't be put off with changing strings on a slot head guitar. After struggling with the traditional method of restringing, I now just give the wound strings three overwraps from the outside to the hole and feed it through (four wraps for solid strings).

No problems as of yet after six months. This model is a 'keeper' and should last for many years. Tuning machines are chrome Schaller with cool white acrylic knobs. Not as retro as open gear types but work fine. Only having an end pin for neck strap, I use a leather strap adaptor routed under strings above nut.

No support needed as of yet. Life time warranty as I'm the original buyer.

I'm 54 years old and am rediscovering the guitar after giving it up as a young guy. Remembering my Fender Duo Sonic electric, I started by buying some entry level electrics to compare. Dean Razor S, Lace Rat Fink and Pignose strat. All fun guitars but I wasn't practicing on a regular basis. I figured I would play more with an accoustic laying around. A little Tacoma Papoose got me interested in playing enough to upgrade to this Martin.

This is a continuation of the Women in Music series. It is all solid mahogany, 00 width with dreadnought depth, striped ebony fingerboard, mother of pearl dots, 20 frets (14 clear), the "women in music" mosaic rosette, no binding, slotted headstock (Indian rosewood with Martin gold foil logo) and beautiful gloss finish. Came with a hard case.

I really like the look of this instrument; like a steel-string classical. It's simple and gorgeous.

I added the L.R. Baggs dual-source active pickup with microphone and transducer. The dial controls volume and how much mic you hear; it's ~1" x 0.5" and clamps onto the edge of the soundhole, so I didn't have to cut huge holes into the body.

This is the nicest sounding small-body guitar I?ve ever heard and I tried a lot before I finally bought it. The increased depth gives the guitar a full, deep, resonant tone and good volume.
It?s really nice for fingerpicking (my favorite style) and other "folky" stuff, probably not as good for harder rock or blues. It's not very bright, but I found that the brightness/crispness is variable between instruments of the same model (I played five 00-16DBMs in the store over half a year before buying one).
I haven't played amplified much, but I found that I can't tune in much of the microphone before I get feedback. However, the transducer seems to capture the warmth of the guitar well on its own.

I didn't touch the set-up, except to have the pickups installed. The action is great, not too high or low. I find that I do have to be more careful about placing my fingers a little closer to the fret to prevent buzzing than I was. Also, with the narrower neck, I sometimes mute my high E string with my left palm, because the string is close to the edge of the neck, but each guitar is going to play a little differently. The narrower neck does have advantages, though, for people with small hands!

While this guitar is so beautiful one would tend to protect it, it seems quite durable. The finish doesn't scratch easily. I wouldn't take it to rowdy parties, but I definitely wouldn't worry about it in normal use.

I'm the original owner, so I have a life-time warranty. I have not had to deal with Martin, yet.

I bought this guitar (my first) because I was looking for something small-bodied. I've only been playing for 2.5 years and I don't play gigs yet, so I was looking more for an instrument to play at home. I am 5?2? and I was playing a Takamine dreadnought, which sounded nice but my right hand would get cold from loss of circulation when I played sitting down for a long time. This is the nicest sounding small-body guitar I?ve ever heard and I tried a lot before I finally bought it. It came down to this or the Taylor 312ce, but I chose this because the Taylor was a bit too bright and lacked bass, plus I'd been wanting this guitar since the first time I played it. This instrument suits me perfectly in size, tone, look, etc.

My only complaint is that the slotted headstock makes string-changing difficult. The instructions that come with the guitar are not clear (even with diagrams) and I ended up putting a scratch in the headstock the first day I had the guitar, changing a broken string.