Johnson JO-16 Carolina Series

Short Scale (24.9") 14 frets to the body 000 sized guitar. The shorter scale, like a Gibson, has less string tension so its easier to fret. The 000 sized body is shallower and easier to hold than a dreadnaught but still makes big sound. Very comfortable mahogany neck. I believe it's called a modified V shape. Not nearly as fatiguing as some of the thinner necks out there. Scalloped bracing like a Martin. Solid spruce top and mahogany laminate back and sides. (It doesn't sound like a laminate, that's for sure!) Rosewood fretboard with abalone inlays. Rosewood bridge. Bone nut and saddle. Abalone and pearl overlay on the headstock. It has a real sound hole rosette, not painted on or a decal.

The tonal quality is lush and rich. Greg Rich, the designer, and his team at TML know how to voice a guitar! The Music Link has nailed sound quality. The top and bracing on this guitar work very well together. Great separation when playing chords as each note is cleanly clearly defined. I Have yet to find a muted or choked note over the entire fretboard. Sounds very good when played fingerstyle but when picks are used it really rings out. Easy to get a bass run growl and rumble, not at all boomy or muddy. Trebles chime with ease. I'm giving the sound a 10. This instrument has a sound quality and tone rarely found in this or higher price ranges.

The action is a bit higher than I have on my other 4 guitars but not so high that the guitar is uncomfortable to play. But I expect that on any guitar that's new to me. Since I play mainly fingerstyle my personal preference is just a tad lower is all. I've had the action set to exactly where I like it on all my guitars. The tuners have an inconsistant feel both when free of wire and when tuning to pitch. I'll upgrade those at some point. Again, that's just personal preference. They have held tune through three days of hard playing so I'm not at all worried about their functionality. I did a fairly comprehensive inspection upon receiving the guitar including a flashlight and inspection mirror on the inside to look at the braces and bridge plate. Nothing cracked, loose or shoddy. There were a couple very small glue globs in the kerfing by the tail block but who cares. It was evident that the assemblers took great care and pride building this guitar.

I did gig with this guitar this friday past. It held up fine. The finish is robust as is the finish on most guitars now a days.
I don't forsee any problems with this guitar. And if there ever were any, well, see the Customer Support section.

Are you kidding? Greg Rich and The Music Link have a well deserved reputation for standing behind their products and doing right by their customers. They are smart enough to know that they are in a repeat/referral business that is multi-generational. TML's customer service is head and shoulders above the industry standard.

I've only got about 1800 hours playing stringed instruments but that's enough playing time for anyone to know what works and what doesn't work, what's a good instrument, what's an exceptional instrument and what's junk. I currently own 3 other acoustic guitars and a custom made bracket band tubaphone banjo. I can afford to buy whatever I want so my decison to buy this guitar was not in any way influenced by its price. This is an exceptional sounding instrument no matter what the price.

If you're looking for your first guitar, a gift for a friend or loved one or just to add a very nice voice to your guitar collection ask your local shop or whomever you trade with to let you try one of the new Carolinas.

2006 made in China. Nice Martin Vintage 000 Copy. Solid Spruce Top, laminated Mahagony Back and Sides. Nice "Butterbean" Tuners, Bone Saddle and Bridge, nice Inlays. No Pickguard like at the manufacturers web-side and other Carolina-Models I saw, maybe it is one of the first or a prototype. 635mm scale and 45mm neckwith at the first fret.

Wow! This baby sounds loud and fat for a OOO-Style Guitar. Very close to the original Martin. Respect! It sings and is very resonant.
Sounds not like a cheap copy.
Maybe it sounds better, than the cheaper modells from Martin, Taylor and other well known manufacturers. I give a 9 because a high class Martin will be better ;-))

Lacquer finish could be better, but is o.k.
String setting for my taste a little bit high, but in a normal range.
Very Straight neck.
I give a 7, because I tried 4 different guitars and the other three were not so good.
Would'nt buy one by shipping, but if you have a chance to try at a local store, you should find a well build model.

will be seen in a few years ;-))

Great guitar for the money!!!
Went in store to buy a JO-17, but the J0-16 sounded better for my taste.
Tried although the all solid version J0-27, but against the expectation the J0-16 was better and sounded bigger and more rich.