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Martin

collapse expand iconDescription

The Martin GPC Special 16 Style Grand Performance acoustic-electric guitar delivers full-bodied tone and innovative Fishman electronics for gig-ready acoustic sound. Crafted with a resonant East Indian rosewood back and sides, and a gloss Sitka spruce top, this Grand Performance cutaway model produces rich bass, sparkling highs and lush overtones. The neck's High Performance Taper facilitates fluid playability across the fretboard. The GPC Special 16 Style, a bold instrument for the stage and studio.

Fishman Matrix VT Enhance Electronics Provide Dynamic Plugged-in Performance

The built-in Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics elevate the GPC Special 16 Style to a versatile plug-and-play acoustic-electric. Shape your tone with simple bass, mid and treble controls, experiencing the guitar's full tonal range. The tuner allows for quick tuning adjustments between songs. Connect to an amp or PA, and unleash the GPC Special 16 Style's resonant acoustic qualities and natural feedback resistance in live environments.

Cutaway Design Delivers Full Fretboard Access

The GPC Special 16 Style's cutaway body provides comfortable access to higher frets for advanced soloing and intricate voicings. The Grand Performance body style yields a balanced, articulate tone with shimmering highs and focused lows. Strung with Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan strings for a bright, resonant unplugged performance.

Satin Finish and Premium Hardware Provide a Stylish Aesthetic

A satin finish allows the rosewood back and sides to breathe and vibrate freely, enhancing acoustic resonance. Chrome enclosed tuners, binding and rosette offer an elegant esthetic. Rest assured the GPC Special 16 Style's all-solid-wood construction and dovetail neck joint will stand the test of time. Experience premium craftsmanship and materials with this stunning instrument from Martin Guitars.

Martin GPC Special 16 Style Rosewood Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Ambertone
Martin GPC Special 16 Style Rosewood Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Ambertone
Martin GPC Special 16 Style Rosewood Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar Ambertone

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Spruce top with East Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Modified Low Oval with High Performance Taper select hardwood neck and a satin finish
  • Ebony fingerboard and bridge
  • Fishman MX-T pickup and chrome enclosed tuners

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body type: Grand Performance
  • Cutaway: Yes
  • Top wood: Solid Sitka spruce
  • Back & sides: Solid East Indian rosewood
  • Bracing pattern: Forward-shifted X-brace
  • Top finish: Gloss 
  • Body finish: Satin
Neck
  • Neck shape: Modified Low Oval with High Performance Taper
  • Nut width: 1.75" (44.45 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Neck wood: Select Hardwood
  • Scale length: 25.4"
  • Number of frets: 20
  • Neck finish: Satin
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: Yes
  • Brand: Fishman MX-T
Other
  • Headstock overlay: East Indian rosewood
  • Tuning machines: Chrome enclosed
  • Bridge: Ebony
  • Saddle: Compensated white TUSQ
  • Nut: Bone
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Recommended Strings: Authentic Acoustic - Lifespan 2.0 - Light (MA540T)
  • Case: Soft shell

collapse expand iconWarranty

One year warranty on Martin Backpackers, Little Martins and Ukuleles. Limited lifetime on other Martin guitars.

collapse expand iconReviews

4.61

33 Reviews

94%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

4

Good sounding when working

Bought this Guitar cause of the Rosewood Electronics and built in sound hole Tunner. First off the saddle neeedrd lots adjusting. I finally replaced it with a Bone Saddle to Solve the issue and more sanding to get It to play easy. Next the Electronics for Plugging your guitar into kept going into A buzz like feedback. I have tried every Thing you can think of to correct this and Yes I did replace the battery several times. The jack is soldered to a circuit board and That's the issue, I truly think a Soldering Connection is bad. Why cause it does it Once in a while. Any how I'm dealing with It and love the sound when plugged in. The Finish could of been better on the top Cause if you get close you can see the Srayed finished from the top with slight Degree of to bad finish from to much Air When they finished it. Also it's a lot harder To keep the satin gloss clean. Rub it down. Anyhow, it does sound good And the Rosewood is the way to go, just Booms out of the box. I'm keeping it even With the flaws cause I got it to play after Many adjustments. Just look it over when You buy one. These were mass produced And that's the issue without more factory Testing and care to look it over more before It's released. I certainly would of gave it A five if the end jack worked properly though.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Unfortunate design flaw

I bought the GPC Special 16 from as I loved its brilliant, clean sound. Unfortunately, a year after the purchase (Nashua, NH), the top of the guitar started cracking, for absolutely no reason related to how I cared for (see picture attached). Martin directed to a local service center, which deemed the guitar out of warranty, blaming the crack to lack of humidification, in spite of the fact that I keep my guitars in the case humidified (with a hygrometer). This is the only Martin I owe which has this problem, and it has been an expected disappointment to have Martin not to recognize that this is a design/material/build issue and provide some sort of resolution. I hope my review, albeit negative, will be published, so other potential buyer will be aware of the issue.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing24
  2. Small Venues21
  3. Jamming20
  4. Recording17
  5. Rock Concerts5
Cons
  1. Poor Quality3
  2. Electronics Short out1
  3. Not the loveliest grain on back/sides1
  4. Gig bag, no hard case for a $2k guitar is wrong1
  5. Needs a little more red coloring on the face.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced21
  2. Novice6
  3. Professional Musician5
Pros
  1. Good Audio30
  2. Good Feel30
  3. Fun To Play28
  4. Stays In Tune26
  5. Consistent22
  • Good sounding when working

    4

    submitted7 days ago

    byFred

    fromApache Junction

    Bought this Guitar cause of the Rosewood Electronics and built in sound hole Tunner. First off the saddle neeedrd lots adjusting. I finally replaced it with a Bone Saddle to Solve the issue and more sanding to get It to play easy. Next the Electronics for Plugging your guitar into kept going into A buzz like feedback. I have tried every Thing you can think of to correct this and Yes I did replace the battery several times. The jack is soldered to a circuit board and That's the issue, I truly think a Soldering Connection is bad. Why cause it does it Once in a while. Any how I'm dealing with It and love the sound when plugged in. The Finish could of been better on the top Cause if you get close you can see the Srayed finished from the top with slight Degree of to bad finish from to much Air When they finished it. Also it's a lot harder To keep the satin gloss clean. Rub it down. Anyhow, it does sound good And the Rosewood is the way to go, just Booms out of the box. I'm keeping it even With the flaws cause I got it to play after Many adjustments. Just look it over when You buy one. These were mass produced And that's the issue without more factory Testing and care to look it over more before It's released. I certainly would of gave it A five if the end jack worked properly though.

  • Easy player, fits me to a t, and I can handle it effortless.

    5

    submitted2 months ago

    byMichael

    fromT Town, WA

    I try to play twice per day. with this guitar it is easy, and my practice sessions always go longer. This is my go to guitar, it is always uncased. My 814 rarely sees the light of day. Very fun.

  • Unfortunate design flaw

    1

    submitted7 months ago

    byGianluca

    fromBosotn

    I bought the GPC Special 16 from as I loved its brilliant, clean sound. Unfortunately, a year after the purchase (Nashua, NH), the top of the guitar started cracking, for absolutely no reason related to how I cared for (see picture attached). Martin directed to a local service center, which deemed the guitar out of warranty, blaming the crack to lack of humidification, in spite of the fact that I keep my guitars in the case humidified (with a hygrometer). This is the only Martin I owe which has this problem, and it has been an expected disappointment to have Martin not to recognize that this is a design/material/build issue and provide some sort of resolution. I hope my review, albeit negative, will be published, so other potential buyer will be aware of the issue.

  • Gorgeous tone for an accoustic/electric

    5

    submitted9 months ago

    byLarry

    fromMidland, Michigan

    My first Martin - just love the tone, the feel and the electronics are top notch.

  • Amazing guitar

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byMichael

    fromKingsport tn

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This martin acoustic guitar sounds amazing. The guitar is beautiful. This is my first martin guitar and I love it 😀

  • Great for recording

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byDan

    fromGreensboro,NC

    GP body is slightly more shallow than a dreadnaught, so it naturally EQs itself and doesn't clip the mics. All solid wood gives it major tone. It's not as boomy or muddy. Great note articulation. Crisp highs without being crunchy or thin. Note: the truss rod is recessed about 5".

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byValerie

    fromNew york

    Is the entire guitar solid wood?

    Is the entire guitar solid wood?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, it is.
  • asked byBryan

    fromOgallala Nebraska

    I have a Martin gpc16e that is paid off. I had the special edition before I purchased the special, I gave it to my daughter and baught the standard edition. I like the one I gave to my daughter way more. Can I trade the one I have in on a the gpc16e special and pay any difference in price

    I have a Martin gpc16e that is paid off. I had the special edition before I purchased the special, I gave it to my daughter and baught the standard edition. I like the one I gave to my daughter way more. Can I trade the one I have in on a the gpc16e special and pay any difference in price

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Please bring your instrument to a local Guitar Center for evaluation.
  • asked byDream Theory

    fromGreensboro, NC

    I'm picking mine up today, and one thing I'm wondering: Is the gig bag a flimsy film of nylon or a substantial tough fabric with thick foam?

    I'm picking mine up today, and one thing I'm wondering: Is the gig bag a flimsy film of nylon or a substantial tough fabric with thick foam?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, it's nice. Even their soft shell case doesn't have thick foam lining.
  • asked byKelly

    fromt town, WA

    IS THIS GUITAR LOUD? I NEED A LOUD GUITAR.

    IS THIS GUITAR LOUD? I NEED A LOUD GUITAR.

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    I’m sorry, I don’t know. How loud do you need it to be? If you need volume you should look at a Dreadnought.
  • asked bygypsygary

    fromSouthgate MI

    where is this guitar manufactured ?

    where is this guitar manufactured ?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Martin GPC is made in Nashville.
  • asked byJustin

    fromAshland, KY 41101

    Is this Guitar Made in the USA or is it made to Mexico?

    Is this Guitar Made in the USA or is it made to Mexico?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The GPC is U.S. made.
  • asked byJoel

    fromBryant ark

    What are the end pins made of

    What are the end pins made of

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Bridge Pin Material: Black Tusq
  • asked bydan

    fromFrankfort ky

    .... so, are thew back and sides solid or not???

    .... so, are thew back and sides solid or not???

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, back and sides are laminate.
  • asked byJosh

    from17061 millersburg PA

    Does Martin make a hard shell case for this model? Thanks

    Does Martin make a hard shell case for this model? Thanks

    Open Reply - Thomas
    "Martin 12C330 Hardshell Plush Case"
  • asked byLuca

    fromBoston, MA

    I just bought a Martin GPC Special 16. The main difference with the standard Martin GPC 16E seems to be the pick up. The special has the MX-T which is cheaper than the matrix VT enhance which is mounted on the standard series. Is it the only difference or there's something else? The Special version is made of laminated wood. How about the standard version? Is it made of solid wood? I am considering to return the guitar, but it sounds really well and prices just went up. Also, it looks like the standard GPC 16E won't be available for a few months. Is that true?

    I just bought a Martin GPC Special 16. The main difference with the standard Martin GPC 16E seems to be the pick up. The special has the MX-T which is cheaper than the matrix VT enhance which is mounted on the standard series. Is it the only difference or there's something else? The Special version is made of laminated wood. How about the standard version? Is it made of solid wood? I am considering to return the guitar, but it sounds really well and prices just went up. Also, it looks like the standard GPC 16E won't be available for a few months. Is that true?

    Open Reply - Beau
    The only difference between these two models is the pick up. It is true that the Standard GPC 16E is on back order and won't be available for a few months.
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