Members sixstring422 Posted July 24, 2007 Members Posted July 24, 2007 I know it is not the most expensive Martin. But is it worth it to spend the extra money and get a Martin if it is comparable to say a Larrivee or if I just got an epiphone master built or something?
Members rangerrick Posted July 24, 2007 Members Posted July 24, 2007 play them all in your price range and buy the one you like best don't worry about what we think
Members DonK Posted July 24, 2007 Members Posted July 24, 2007 Totally subjective. Some sports-car lovers drive Ferrari's; for others a Corvette is enough, and they'd never pay the extra money for a Ferrari. Separately, the D-16RGT is a nice guitar. You can get lower-price Martins, like the D-15, that don't cost much more than a Masterbilt. Larrivee guitars come in all price ranges, so it's not as if Larrivee is a budget alternative. You'd have to consider what Larrivee you were going to compare the D-16RGT to, and that's a matter of your preference.
Members BackPocket Posted July 24, 2007 Members Posted July 24, 2007 it's only better if it sounds and plays better to you. I really like the epiphone masterbuilts dreads, but none had the nut width I wanted. I ended up bumping up to a martin because i needed the extra space. Like someone said before, play them all then choose the best one that fits your playing.
Members Howie22 Posted July 24, 2007 Members Posted July 24, 2007 I really like that guitar. I've been eyeballing D-16GTE with the Fishman Premium Blender pickup (with the gooseneck mic) and the D-16RGTE with the Aura system. I really want an acoustic with something more than just a piezo, which really limits the choices. For instance, I also really like the D-15 Mahogany and the Larrivee D-03, neither of which are offered with an internal mic pickup. So, looks like I'll have limited choices, or I will buy a guitar and pay for a pickup system to be installed. Anyway, I really like the D-16s I've played
Members BackPocket Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 my friend bought and 000-15 and had a pickup installed. I think he said it was done at martin - maybe he just meant by a tech. Not sure - we live within an hour of the factory. Either way, they put a strap button quarter inch jack and it was done really nicely. You can't really tell that anything has been done to the guitar. maybe a good pickup install in a new guitar is another option?
Members guit30 Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I had one of the 1st D-16GTs in 2000, striped ebony fretboard, nice guitar, could have used a good set up , the neck wasn't too thick. I bought it new for $750 and sold it a couple of years later for $595, I was unable to play guitar at the time and didn't want to see it go to waste. The guy who bought it totally unseen from California was more than happy, and now that I can play some, I like Alvarez Jim
Members cusackjh Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I have a Martin DC-16GTE Premium and an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500R (solid rosewood body/sides). I installed a K&K Pure Western Mini passive pickup in the Epiphone so that I could "plug in" with either. Everyone has their likes/dislikes, but I really, really like these two guitars, and the Epiphone is phenomenal for the price. Good luck.
Members GondoGuitar Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 If you like The Martin and it is in your price range, you should get it even if it is a little more than some of the Larivee's. Have you played the Larivee you are thinking about, also? You said you had played the Martins. The only reason I bring it up is that the neck is different between these two instruments. While I like the tone and look of the Larivee, the neck is too much like a baseball bat for me. I definitely prefer the Martin neck on the 16 series to it. And like the tone and look, also. If it is only between these two, my vote is the Martin.
Members chadhogan Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I was on here last week asking the same question. I had thought i wanted the martin, but I took two hours to sit down and REALLY weigh each of them out. In the end(WHICH WAS TODAY PICS TOMORROW) I chose the Larrivee D-03R with the LR baggs pickup. I liked the real ebony bridge and fretboard, I also preffered the tone and the satin finish of the larivee. There is definently nothing wrong with the Martin, its really a matter of preference. Take some time and try them both, the right one will speak to you.
Members garthman Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 If they both look, play and sound the same, why fork out the extra cash? I bought a Crafter guitar a couple of years ago that I chose after playing many, many different guitars, including some Martins that were, like, 4 times the price. I genuinely preferred the Crafter and have no regrets whatsoever that I chose it.
Members slodge Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 It's already been said, but it bears repeating: Play them both and let your ears and fingers guide you. That being said, in Jan. I bought a D16R, which is very similar. In fact, if I hadn't found a good deal, I very well may have wound up with the RGT, which was on my short list of finalists. The primary difference was an ebony vs. micarta fingerboard. The other differences were basically cosmetic, and didn't really affect the sound or playability. Love it, love it, love it. Six months later and my wife is still jealous of the look in my eyes when I open the case! Happy hunting!
Members kwakatak Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I'd say save up a little more and get something from the Standard series, but that's just IMO. In the sub-$1000 price range there are some serious contenders - especially the Epiphone Masterbilt series. I haven't tried Guild GAD or Blueridge's offerings, but their rep alone around here has even me curious. As for Larrivee, much as I love mine I'd say that their forte is with a more "modern" sound (like Taylor) but with a focus on fingerstyle. They probably wouldn't compare to any of the others I've mentioned as far as that "fuller" sound. Like the others said, though: if your own ears tell you differently then that's what I'd go with.
Members Freeman Keller Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 There are many nice guitars out there and most of us could be very happy with a lot of different ones. But if you've always wanted a Martin, why not treat yourself to one? I had dinner at a local pub a couple nights ago and happened to have a Martin tee shirt on (it was some swag from when the local rep put on a seminar at our Mom and Pop music store). As I was standing there waiting for our table the guy behind me said "you play a Martin?". I said "yeah, got two of them". He replied "nice".
Members adrifter2 Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I own among my five acoustics, a new Martin D-16RGT I bought two years ago. I use it quite a bit with some Bluegrass-Folk music bands I play with. it does really well, and holds its own with the new factory D-28's my friends play. Even though I own an HD-28 which is my favorite, I'm happy with my D-16RGT. I use Martin "SP" Phosphor bronze strings on my Martin's, and switch to medium gauge D'Addario Phosphor Bronze when needed. My D-16RGT has really opened up since I have owned it. Don't worry about the Martin bolt on neck the 16 has. These type of necks were perfected by Taylor on their acoustics. The RGT sounds really great wether heavy chording, flat picking or finger picking. The D-16RGT will suprise you.
Members Tony Burns Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 I wouldnt buy any guitar on the name alone - play the darn things and buy what sounds best to you in your price range - Id also give Larrivees a shot , I love mine - but hey you might turn out to be a Taylor person- but we'll do our best to accept you anyways- were a nice bunch of folks on this forum !
Members Freeman Keller Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 - but hey you might turn out to be a Taylor person- but we'll do our best to accept you anyways- were a nice bunch of folks on this forum ! Now Tony, be careful. I've got a Taylor, but I keep it close to my two Marties. I keep hoping some of their mojo will rub off on it.....
Members jedistar Posted August 2, 2007 Members Posted August 2, 2007 Check out a great deal at: http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/martinCustom.html 2005 Martin D-16 RGT Custom: (EXC) This special custom-designed dreadnought has a solid glossy Adirondack Spruce top, glossy solid Rosewood back & sides, and a one-piece Mahogany neck. Notice the pearl dot inlaid Ebony fingerboard, white body & neck binding, herringbone rosette, and chrome open geared butterbean style tuners. Crisp and clean with plenty of body, this guitar is practically a D-28, with a high-grade top and a low price! With hard case. $1499.
Members Mikeo Posted August 2, 2007 Members Posted August 2, 2007 I know it is not the most expensive Martin. But is it worth it to spend the extra money and get a Martin if it is comparable to say a Larrivee or if I just got an epiphone master built or something? I own 2 Martin 00016RGT guitars one has a cut away. I alos own a Martin MC 28. You want to know what I love about being a Martin owner, and you can do what you want. Back in 1989-90 I bought my first Martin, the MC 28, it cost 1300 bucks, after owning it for 15 years, it needed a neck reset, I also had Martin athoriize a new bridge and saddle. The work was done through a local builder and authorised service guy. The cost to me was , ZIP. You do what you want, but martin is a great company , they make a great guitar, and stand behind their work to the original owner. I'd buy another Martin in a heart beat, I love there necks too. I own a few Gibsons and have owned a Taylor which I sold for one of the 000's I like the Masterbuilt stuff and larrivee makes a wonderful instrument too. martins have great re-sale value too. You do what you want.
Members dwerlin Posted August 2, 2007 Members Posted August 2, 2007 Another Martin D-16RGT owner here...I absolutely LOVE it. I could care less about the Micarta fingerboard and bridge. The sound of my D-16RGT is SO close to the D-28 that I couldn't hear any difference in a blind test.
Members recordingtrack1 Posted August 3, 2007 Members Posted August 3, 2007 . . . but hey you might turn out to be a Taylor person- but we'll do our best to accept you anyways- were a nice bunch of folks on this forum ! GRRRRR!!!!! :DRT1
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