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Pros:
- Very comfortable for a dreadnought
- Great sound
- Simple and elegant look
Cons:
- Requires more tuning
- Martin=Pricey
Founded in 1833, Martin has gone through a lot of changes and innovations but what has stayed true throughout these years is its dedication to craftsmanship and details that create some of the most famous and well-renowned guitars on the market. The company is responsible for developing the first dreadnought guitar so when you are looking to buy a dreadnought style model you can rest assured that Martin has got you. Their D-16RGT delivers all their best methods and materials to create the sound and construction that matches and exceeds all your needs.
Build
D-16RGT is a dreadnought body style guitar with solid Sitka spruce top that gives this model the volume. The back and sides are made of East Indian rosewood while the 25.4″ scale neck is made of solid Spanish cedar that is easy to grip and very comfortable. The binding on this model is a Hybrid D1 pattern making the guitar more lightweight and giving a better bass response.
Hardware
Martin has equipped their D-16RGT with an FSC Certified Richlite fretboard and bridge. The nut and saddle are White Corian. Corian is a very hard and durable material and yes yes… it is not the same as the revered bone, but you probably are not going to notice any difference in the sound, unless you have been playing your entire life and have an ear of a real master. Anyway, let’s move on from the “nut” issue that seems to be pervading every guitar conversation: the fingerboard is Richlite with Style 28 inlays. The finish is different on different parts of this guitar: the top is Gloss polished, the back and sides are satin and the neck is semi gloss. Although these variations sound like you get a mass the finished product is quite beautiful and the reason for different polishes it probably because mahogany, sitka and all different materials react differently to specific polish and let it breathe and vibrate differently.
Martin D-16RGT Sound
The tonewood and construction methods of Martin have never disappointed and that is always very obvious when you pick the guitar up and start playing. The D-16RGT has a beautiful, deep sound. This model boasts the same loud and rich sound that Martin is so famous for and, overall, I think once you play this guitar for a while you will understand why Martin’s guitars are so revered and loved among professionals.
Conclusion
Martin has been famous for creating some of the best and most famous guitars on the market for years and years now. They are also famous, or infamous, should I say, for quite high prices that a lot of people, especially beginners cannot afford. If you are considering buying your first guitar and do not have a couple of thousand dollars lying around I would suggest going for something else BUT if you have been practicing for quite some time and see yourself playing for years to come (or already have been playing for years) Martin D-16RGT is a great option for you to consider.
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