Glenn F

I would look for a Martin with a modfied low oval neck and a 1.68" nut. I find this way more comfortable than Taylor necks. YMMV.

QC. I was so impressed with the ros, that I tried a couple more RKs, and there were issues with each one, including, most importantly, sounding and playing like crap. If I had kept my ros, I don't know how often I'd play it. I had mine set up well, but it was the V that turned me off. I would expect that Guild above to be a better guitar, so that would likely be the one I'd zero in on as a leading choice to try.

Probably fewer QC issues, though. The nut on the ros-16 was off kilter about .25".

that looks decent!

Recording King ROS-16. I had one. The neck is not thin, rather a V shape. They're out of production, but if you can find one 2nd hand, I'd check it out. I used it the last time I played live, but I couldn't really get used to the V. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't sold it. When I did, someone grabbed it within a week. The bass was impressive, and it's a beautiful guitar.

Pfffft. Amateur. I've got it down so that my wife thinks NGDs are her idea! Hope she's not reading this....

Riff-Raff had his own custom model Martin? 😳

Top was solid cedar, back and sides the usual laminated cherry. I miss mine. Funny enough, I commented on that video years ago.

why don't you email Godin and ask? My B-30 was either '77 or early '78. It may be as old as 76. I traded an Akai tapedeck for it in autumn, '79.

The 1977 Norman B-30 that I had pre-dated Godin's takeover, iirc. It was a superior guitar to any LaSiDo models that I've tried. The neck was interesting. It could rock up and down a bit, in case it ever needed a shim. Sadly, it was in bad shape when I moved to Europe, so I left it behind. Ironically, I met the luthier who's done all the work on my guitars a couple of years later. He could've restored it. Would've cost more than the guitar itself, but that guitar was the only thing that kept me from starving when I was homeless, so it had sentimental value. Oh well.

Thanks. Humidity isn't really an issue here. Our flat is usually between 50-65%, and I usually keep my acoustics in their cases when I'm not playing them. However, the GT has been on our couch since this morning, and our livingroom is redolent with the aroma. I've never played another brand of guitar that gave aroma-therapy. I really can't say enough nice things about this guitar. When the prices were lower, they would've been a steal in the $1,000 range. The sound is clear, crisp, warm, with great dynamics. She sounds like a Martin, plays like a (well setup) Martin, and makes me smile. So, now I have two Standard Series models, the 16GT, and a 000-M (Road Series). Everyone of them has her own voice, yet they all sound like Martins. I'll never sell them, unless in dire straits. I'm selling a Taylor 320 to offset the cost. This will be the 3rd Taylor I've let go of. Guess I'm not a Taylor fan. it took almost 3.5 months to get the guitar I wanted, a lot of teeth-gnashing, angst, and disappointment went into this insanity, as well as countless hours reading reviews and discussions. But I have the guitar I want.

Unfortunately, I'm now too broke to afford to bet.

I got her back from my luthier friend today. He did an exemplary job on it. I am finally convinced that Richlite isn't a problem for me. Post-setup, she plays so easily, it just makes me smile. So, the 16GT: All solid sitka(gloss) and mahogany(satin). Scalloped X-bracing. Modified low oval neck (probably my favourite acoustic neck profile). The spruce isn't AAA, but that is irrelevant. This guitar sounds fantastic, and plays like a dream. My experience with this guitar is directly in line with all of the reviews and discussions I've read. That is, overwhelmingly positive. Smells yummy, too!

Not at all. I am sincere when I said 'enjoy.' I love my Martins, they're what acoustic guitars should be, imo. My collection, modest compared to many, is worth a good chunk. Basically, it's the most expensive thing in our flat. The D-16GT will be the 4th Martin in my collection, which I get back tomorrow. Bottom line is, we only go around once, it's no great extravagance to buy something that will give you pleasure for the rest of your life!

I'd go with 2 in the $2,000 range. But the Martin Standard Series has little to offer now at that price point, at least in Europe. I've got a great collection, 16, and 1 on the block for my D-16GT, even my 'beater' is an all solid Walden.