Goya 316H

My Goya 316H is much the same looking as the famous Martin D-28. Dreadnought size. It is labeled under CF Martin and was made in Korea. Most of the features are similar to the descriptions as the below two reviews. But because mine was made in Korea, it is not solid top. I believed it was made in 1989 as the serial no. starts with "89". I bought it as a displayed item in a guitar shop in Hong Kong a month ago, costing around US$100 only. It was stored in the shop for a long time. Even thought there were many guitars prized 3 or 4 times than it, the sound is not as beautiful as it is.

It sounds quite deep and full. The projection of sound is not great enough, but makes me feel comfortable. The note is not big, but I think it is because I used extra light string (I'm a beginner). The layer of sound is not complicated and resonance is much weaker then my another Takamine EN-12C. But I still use it as daily practice but not the Takamine. Its bass is solid and balance is good.

The craftmanship is okay when comparing with other guitars made in Korea , Taiwan or China. It was stored in the shop for a long time, but it did not show any flaw comparing with other used items. (It was stored in an enclosed loft) As I said, it looks the same as Martin D-28.

The nut is lower than usual, which makes me more easy in playing.

I'm not sure as I've bought it for a month only. But it lives near twenty years but still looks new now after a little bit care by me. Unlike my Takamine which do not need tuning every time, the Goya need a slight tuning.

I don't think Martin will take care of it anymore.

Although I'm a beginner, I spent a long time choosing my first guitar and it is my choice. Although I think the sound is not good enough for any performance, I like playing it for practice because it makes feel more comfortable with its balanced sound. My Takamine EN-12C sounds much more beautiful but it sounds loud at home. (Hong Kong people has small home which looks like a room in Americans' eyes) Comparing with most guitars prized 3-4 times more, it is the best choice.

I was given this guitar a few years ago, It is a pleasure to play and has a wonderful full sound, sort of on the tenor side. The rosewood sides and back makes this a sweet sounding instrument which in my opinion is unmatched by the current run of mid to high end valued acoustics. I have played a number of Takamines, Tacomahs and Deans
as well as yamaha and Epiphones in order to set my perspective about just how good my Goya Stacks up, and in my opinion it beats them all clear up into the 800-1000 dollar range. I know i will have this guitar until the end of my days. As near as i can tell this was built in the mid seventies and the wood has aged wonderfully, the finish is in excellent condition and i have no doubt it is every bit as strong an instrument now as it ever was and will only get better. If i had to decide between my goya and a new Martin, i would stick to what i have.
So-called shop pros say i'm nuts, i can afford a Martin but i'm sticking to my Goya

Its great for strumming and is very crisp and bright when you pick . I also us a pro mag pickup on it which mellows it just right for bottleneck slide.

I will need to refret it some time in the future, which is to be expected since i play it alot and itsalmost 40 years old! The finish is weathering the years in fine fashion. no checking or cracks anywhere. The spruce is a beautiful deep golden color, and the rosewood is exquisite.Mahogany Martin Fashioned neck is true. The tuners are tight and smoothe. I cant find a single stress crack in the finish ANYWHERE. The action is soft and low.

Its almost 40 years old, I would play this guitar anywhere but in the shower, and i would depend on it anywhere.

I cant believe more people dont have more info on this guitar model. If i find another one ..or ten more, i would buy this goya. Martin Co. is NO help info-wise. They just want to push the Crap-composite boxes they are making currently.

Honestly , this Goya has sated my desire to own a "expensive guitar" and frankly I doubt if i will ever purchase a new acoustic. I have played for 25 years. If i ever lose it , I will replace it with another G 316H if i can find one. Only another player would understand when i say i am really attached to this guitar as if it is my friend...It compliments my styles and is comfortable in my hands.

Japanese made Martin and Co. copy actually made by Martin & Co, under the Goya label. Martin actually bought the Goya company way back,but has stopped using the name since 1996. This is one of the early jap made models and its a stunning guitar. solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides.The lovely woodgrain can be seen on the inside of the guitar and this is a quality made instrument.The bracing is scalloped and the body back and front.Its finished with a herringbone around the top edge and a nice patterned design down the middle of the 2 piece back.The tuners are Grovers.Everything about this guitar says quality

Its one of the best guitars Ive ever played,with a strong sound all of its own.Loud and clear with a rich tone.Excellent.I would compare it with a lot of high end guitars.

Finish is superb and everything is as it should be.All the wood is of a quality usually found in much more expensive guitars.The tuners are solid well respected Grovers and the bracing and build is superb.

Ive been playing this live for a long time with no problems apart from the odd string break.I started using it as a backup,but now I use it as my main axe,a lot of very famous people use Goyas.They are a well kept secret among musicians and are very hard to find

Never needed to deal with them...emailed Martin once to ask about the model,all they could tell me was that they stopped making em in 1996 to concentrate on their Sigma line

Playing for more years that I can remember....have Guilds,Martins,Gibsons,Ive used em all.The Goya is the cheapest one Ive ever owned and yet its my favourite now,as its got older its sounding better.Looking for another one of same model but no joy so far...