Thoughts on older Martin DC16GTE with Fishman electronics

[Guitar1969]

I want to get a quality acoustic but am limited in funds. I might have a chance to pu a 2000 Martin DC16GTE for under $900 in good condition that has aged well. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this model.

[reverend1]

I dont have any experiance with that model, but if you like it, and it speaks to you ,buy it.

[Tralfaz]

Seems an okay price, but I'm really not too knowledgable about that model.

I have a Martin D-28 with a Fishman undersaddle p/u in it. The guitar is great, but I can count on one hand the number of times I've plugged it in, because it just sounds so much better played acoustically through a mic.

[Lerxst]

Looks like 900-1,000 is the going eBay rate. That model has mahogany b/s so if you're a rosewood and spruce guy, you might want to keep looking.

FWIW, I would check out the classifieds on the UMGF, AGF and Larrivee forum before you decide:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/forums/23
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?board=6.0

[Guitar1969]

Thanks for the info - I am going to hold off - The wife kind of frowned at the idea of getting another guitar.

There were also some changes in the electronics on the new version (This one is the old) - The new one is using the Roland AP1 which has effects and such - not sure if it is better or worse. I think I need to spend more time looking. I need to fully explore the $800-$1000 options from Taylor, Martin, and Breedlove.

[Denverdave]

I actually used to own a OMC16GTE (OM sized version of the same guitar) and it was somewhere around that year (I bought mine new). They are nice guitars and the electronics in it are pretty nice but nothing special. That seems to be maybe a touch high price wise but not too out of line.

[Guitar1969]

Thanks - I am actually going to check out the OM model. I am not sure what to do. I want to pu something around the $800 mark new or used, and need it to have electronics in it. I know there are a ton of choices in that range and not sure where to start. I have always though Martins were way overpriced for what they are, and for awhile was really excited about Breedloves, but my last go around, were not that impressed. Its I always like the guitar that is out of my price range.

[Prages]

Lino has one...at least, I think that's the model he has. Probably from the same period too.

His is a nice guitar. The preamp on it is kind of tricky because there's so much you can adjust on it, so it's easy to make it sound bad plugged in, but it is quite possible to make it sound great plugged in. We usually spend a good bit of time in sound check trying to get it dialed in just right. Sometimes we get it, sometimes we don't.

That speaks more to us not being able to operate the preamp correctly than it does on the preamp itself though. :D

[Denverdave]

Thanks - I am actually going to check out the OM model. I am not sure what to do. I want to pu something around the $800 mark new or used, and need it to have electronics in it. I know there are a ton of choices in that range and not sure where to start. I have always though Martins were way overpriced for what they are, and for awhile was really excited about Breedloves, but my last go around, were not that impressed. Its I always like the guitar that is out of my price range.

Look at some of the Alvarez guitars in that price range. Especially if you can find some of the Alvarez Masterworks series either new or (especially) used. They are really nice guitars with good electronics in them. Or in that price range (or a bit less) you could probably pickup one similar to Prages Takamine - which is a great guitar with a really good pickup in it.

The main thing to to play anything and everything you can that has what you are looking for and buy the one that makes you not want to put it down.

[Kerouac]

For that sort of coin there are definitely better options, unless you just have to have that Martin "sound." Breedlove makes some really cool models (new) in that price range, as do Seagull and Simon & Patrick. Yamaha makes some Compass models that can be had around there and as Dave mentioned, Alvarez has a LOT of options.

It might be a little more work, but I'd go with a nicer acoustic and then have a local tech install a BBand system or something that wouldn't be quite as invasive and require cutting a hole in the top for a preamp section.

[Prages]

It might be a little more work, but I'd go with a nicer acoustic and then have a local tech install a BBand system or something that wouldn't be quite as invasive and require cutting a hole in the top for a preamp section.

That's not a bad idea. That's what I did when I bought the Zombie Fender, only I didn't start with a "nice" acoustic. It didn't have a pickup in it, and I bought a Martin Thinline Gold + under saddle thing and had a local tech put it in. It had an active preamp, but no adjustments or anything. It actually sounded really good in there. Then again, everything about that particular guitar defies logic.

[Kerouac]

That's not a bad idea. That's what I did when I bought the Zombie Fender, only I didn't start with a "nice" acoustic. It didn't have a pickup in it, and I bought a Martin Thinline Gold + under saddle thing and had a local tech put it in. It had an active preamp, but no adjustments or anything. It actually sounded really good in there. Then again, everything about that particular guitar defies logic.

I used to use a soundhole pickup in my non-Zombie Fender, but I only played it live a handful of times. At some point I'd like to put a B Band into my Simon & Patrick.

[Guitar1969]

So now I am checking out Taylor 310CE, which I can probably pick up used for about $800. Does anybody have any thoughts on this model as well as the Expressions System (Love it, hate it, etc). Also, a few ebays are coming from Texas - I have never had to deal with humidity issues being in SoCal. Should I be concerned about this. Other than asking, how do I confirm they used a humidifier on it. Its my understanding that sometimes the problem with cracking etc may not show up till after the fact.

[Denverdave]

So now I am checking out Taylor 310CE, which I can probably pick up used for about $800. Does anybody have any thoughts on this model as well as the Expressions System (Love it, hate it, etc). Also, a few ebays are coming from Texas - I have never had to deal with humidity issues being in SoCal. Should I be concerned about this. Other than asking, how do I confirm they used a humidifier on it. Its my understanding that sometimes the problem with cracking etc may not show up till after the fact.

Well in Texas the humidity issues should be a bit more minimal than in other places. There is no way to actually confirm that they have used a humidifier all the time when it was dry. And that is a risk you run with used Taylors. Other than that the 310 is a pretty good guitar. I'm not a big fan of the Taylor sound but they make very nice guitars and $800.00 is a pretty good price for that model.

[Kerouac]

I like Taylors and that seems to be a pretty good price too. :thu:

[Guitar1969]

I spent some time yesterday at GC and Rockit music playing acoustices and to be quite honest with you, was not very impressed with the Martin models that are possibly in my price range (used) like the D16 and D15 models. The only one that I liked was the HD-28V but way out of my price range(3k). I really like the Taylor 3 and 4 series at this point but want to make sure I explore all options. Checked out the Breedloves as well (American Series) and although they play nice it seems like as of late the word is out ,and they are not as great of a value as the used to be. Someone also told me they won't hold their value like the Taylors or the Martins.

I feel I should also check out the Larivees but can't seem to find them anywhere - What would be a Larry model equivalent to the Taylor 3 and 4 series or Martin D16 series.

Question, I am a heavy strummer and just now starting to learn to fingerpick, but still will always mainly strum - What size besides a Dreadnaught could I get away with - Would a GA still work.

This is what I am looking for:

Solid Wood on back and sides (I like Mahogony Sapeale, and Olglekol(sp) sounds in the Taylor)
Cutaway
Electronics preinstalled
I like the shape of the GA but want decent mids, and need it to handle my heavy strumming hand.