Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

These guitars play the same no matter where I pick one up. They are the sleeper guitar in this or much higher price ranges and are consistantly excellent. The only thing this guitar lacks is the dove tail neck joint but, you would never know it. Also the fancy inlays (if you are into that sort of thing) are not here. The tone and sustain are just so much better than any other brand. The rosewood back and sides give it a brighter tone and the volume is great. You just have to try a DC16RGTE to believe it. Pick one up and compare it to any other guitar - you'll be amazed.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

Been playing for 15 years on the cheap. Spending 300-400 on an acoustic every 3-4 years when I couldn't stand the one I was using. I've played mostly acoustic since age 14 and always strumming along just good enough to sing too, never really excelling at any instrument beyond basic rhythm. A year ago one of the guys in my band made the point that if I had spen 2k on a nice acoustic 10 years ago I wouldn't have had to spend $400 every few years to get another guitar I would just end up unsatisfied with. So I bit the financial bullet and set a budget and went to find a really nice acoustic.

I went to the Sam Ash in Columbus and played all the best acoustics on hand. Several Taylors, several Martins, and a couple Gibsons. This guiter stood, for my tastes, head and shoulders above the other in terms of fit, form, functions, and tone. I played the HD-28 and it really didn't sound as good to me as this one did plugged or unplugged, testing the electronics through a Fender Acoustasonic. So after a couple weeks of looking and letting the impressions set in I picked up this model and the midrange Fender Acoustasonic amp.

A year later my impression of this guitar has not diminished and it's become something of a 4th child. I love this guitar and my playing has come further in the last year than the 10 years preceding it. Without the frustration of experimenting on a sub par guitar I've taken my playing to whole new levels of complexity that I never would have with a lesser guitar.

Unplugged this guitar has big presence and holds its place in the natural mix with hand drums and other acoustics. I'm often surprised by the volume I hear from it when I listen to someone else play. Plugged in you can get such a variety of sounds from the Fishman Aura system that I can literally shape the sound to meet any acoustic situation, everything from bassy low ends to bright, even piercing, highs. I know the mindset behind the stripped down high end acoustic electrics but I've just gotten to used to having the ability to tinker and play with the tone, and the on-board tuner is spot on, not that you will have to use it much unless you are alternating tunings. The tuners are a accurate and not so touchy that fine tuning is a pain, and once your strings at stretched and set it you can pretty much forget about tuning up, I've very rarely had to do any tuning when picking this guitar up. The Action and feel of the neck and the Micarta fingerboard is comfortable and precise allowing for very reliable right handed tap and slide techniques.

The con's are few. The electronics only engage when plugged in so the tuner only works plugged in. My solution has been a ¼" adapter in the pocket for alternate tuning when playing unplugged. Second the case is a piece of junk and a REAL dissapointment. The case is flimsy construction with only 3 latches and for the price of the guitar the case is a real irritation, after only a year it is beat to hell and the outer layer is staring to peel off and all the latches are of center. My advice is budget in a nice SKB case with it cause this case feels like housing a prince in a shanty. It will eat battery if you leave it plugged in so... don't do that.

Overall everything about this guitar feels and sounds right. It is effortless to play a 4 hour set on it and still be carving a little more. It holds it's own with any other high end acoustic I've come across and at under $1800 that is saying something. If I had 2k to blow right now I wouldn't hesitate to go get another one just for alternate tunings and backup. This guitar has changed me as a musician, made me better, and I would NEVER go back to cheaper acoustics. If it broke today I would pawn everything I owned till I had the money to go get the exact same guitar.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

Man I love this guitar. When I decided I was going to break down and buy a good quality guitar that had to be American Made, I tried them all in the $1500 to $2200 price range. Gibson J-45, Taylor 310,410 Martin DC-16 GTE and then the DC-16 RGTE. I knew from the minute I pick up this guitar that it was the one. So I went in a local Sam Ash Dealer and played this guitar off and on for about 1 year. Finally I could not take it any more I sold my Motorcycle and bought the guitar and have not quit playing it yet. I would tell anyone that is looking to spend this amount of money to really look at this guitar. If I had to give one complaint I would have to say that for the tuner to come on and work you have to have a cord plugged in the jack. I understand the reason behind it to save battery life, but if this is the only complaint that I have then I really don't have one.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

I have been playing for several years and found myself wanting a better quality guitar than what I already had. I did alot of research on serveral different guitars. I went to a local music store and play the Taylor 314,310,414,410, the gibson J-45, Larrivee, and then I played the Martin DC-16RGTE. I fell in love with this guitar. I spent night and day thinking about it. It took me 1 year from the time I played the first one until I was able to purchase this guitar. I am so satisfied with this guitar. I would tell anyone who is look to spend between the 1500 and 2000 dollar range to really look at this guitar. If I had any complaint it would be that for the Tuner to function you must plug in a cord to the jack. I understand that by doing this it saves battery power, but if I had to give a complaint that would be it.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

I have also always wanted a Martin, so I finally picked up a DC-16RGTE and I'm glad I did. I had an Ovation Balladeer and this is in a different atmosphere. I am still learning, but I now have a set of Ping irons to work with instead of a set of knock-offs... if you know what I mean. The smell of new guitar is addictive. The sound is unforgetable.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

If you are looking for a mid price Martin this is probably just what you are looking for. The only downside is that the electronics go through batteries. About 4-6 hours is all you can expect from a good 9v. Tone, playability, volume are all there in spades with the DC16RGTE. I don't think you get the dovetail neck joint until you get into the D18s which is a good bit more money and the next real sound upgrade in the line. The D-16s have a mortise and slot joint which still works great after all it is a Martin! I love this guitar. It has just the sound I was looking for in something pricewise that I could justify to the Mrs. I play mostly acoustic rock and blues - this does all that well plugged or miked. You can't beat this guitar for the price.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

I OWNED A HD28, IT PLAYED GOOD, BUT DIDN;T HAVE THE VOLUME I WANTED.I TRIED THE DC16RGTE,AND LOVED IT,
PLAYS GOOD AND SOUNDS GREAT.

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

I OWNED A HD28, AND SOLD IT,IT PLAYED GOOD BUT IT DID NOT HAVE THE VOLUME.I BOUGHT A DC16RGTE AND WAS AMAZED AT THE VOLUME,TONE, AND EASINESS OF PLAYING.
I LIKE IT TWO TO ONE OVER THE HD28

Comments about CF Martin DC16RGTE Aura Acoustic Electric Guitar:

"I've always wanted a Martin so I finally picked up a DC-16RGTE and I'm glad I did. The sound of the spruce top and rosewood body is absolutely stunning. If you need to plug it in, the built-in Fishman electronics sound wonderful."