Martin DC-16RGTE Aura Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case)
The Martin DC-16RGTE Aura offers amazing construction and tone. The onboard Aura system means the Martin DC-16RGTE Aura sounds great onstage too.
Overall User Ratings (based on 39 ratings)
Submitted April 21, 2018 by Sameer B in Encinitas, CA
"Workhorse guitar. My go-to. "
Looking unassuming, it has tone that fills up a room while still cutting through a mix (medium gauge strings). I’ve traveled the world with this guitar and have put it through hell over the years. Every weather condition you can imagine, from winter in Oslo to humid Miami to summer in Bahrain for the troops. With a expected little adjustments here or there due to climate changes it has never let me down. I did drop it from standing position onto a wooden stage and the back separated from the body. Martin directed me to an amazing luthier/tech, James Hood, who is their guy in my area who got it back going, sounding as beautiful as ever.
The micarta fingerboard is fast and comfortable and very low maintenance.
Musical Background:
Professional touring/studio musician since 2002.
Musical Style:
Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop
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Submitted December 19, 2005 by a customer from dugan-meyers.com
"DC-16RGTE-Aura... quite simple the BEST 16 body size guitar made."
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Sound
As an acoustic guitar, this is one of the best sounding Martin's I've head. Not as throaty as a D-28, but still great bass sound coupled with good highs. Plugged in is where this guitar shines. With the Aura pickup, and the option to blend makes this guitar sound so good when plugged in that I find myself plugging in sometimes at home just to play around a little.
Features
Built in tuner. Aura pickup with customizable settings, and so on. What else could you ask for in a Ac/Elec?
Quality
Straight out of the box one of the nicest guitars I've owned. Finish was excellent, not a blem on it, and plays excellent. Holds tune VERY well (too well, since I sometimes take for granted that it will just be in tune when I pick it up).
Value
A little pricey, but well worth the cost. Great product.
Manufacturer Support
Called Martin one time to just talk about the onboard tuner, and they were a treat to deal with. Very pleasurable experience.
The Wow Factor
Looks great under the lights on stage. The gloss top really puts off the light. Wish it were full gloss, but hey, can't have it all... or can we? ;-)
Musical Background:
Hobbyist / Active Musician
Musical Style:
Contemporary Christian, Country, Easy Rock, Classic Rock
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Submitted August 18, 2007 by a customer from elmore.rr.com
"Have Martin will go anywhere."
Sound
Full sound with many options. Martin+Fishman= Great Sound. Any acoustic guitar will begin to sound better as the wood ages but with a sound this good from day one I can't wait to hear what she sounds like in 20 years.
Ease of Use
With the many option of the blended mic and pick up the options are many. I find myself spending a lot of time during practice just seeing what tones I can get out of her.
Quality
Martin Quality made right here in the U.S.A. by people who know what a guitar should sound like and actually care.
Value
You get what you pay for. You can put a pig in a dress and you still got a pig. However a truly beautiful woman looks great in a ball gown or old faded jeans and a ball cap.
Manufacturer Support
Have not had to use any support yet but they have contacted me to let me know that they are there if I need them.
The Wow Factor
This guitar lives up to the Martin name.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Contemporary Christian
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Submitted August 5, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"THAT GIRL CAN SING. SHE CAN SING."
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UNLESS SPENDING 2500+, BEST IT GETS. I DON'T WANT NO HIGH MAINTENANCE WOMAN ANYWAY.
Sound
GREAT SOUND. ACOUSTICALLY EXCELLENT, "HEY! IT'S A MARTIN- ROSEWOOD ACOUSTIC- COME ON!" PLUGGED IN, BETTER THAN ANY I'VE HEARD OR EVER PLAYED. AURA SYSTEM SOUNDS INCREDIBLY GOOD W/ MY CHEAP BEHRINGER TUBE PREAMP,COMPRESSOR, AND ALESIS MICROVERB III.
I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW GOOD THIS LADY COULD SING THROUGH TOP NOTCH EQUIPTMENT.
Features
WISH IT HAD A LOW CUT FILTER BUT EITHER WAY- AWSOME ELECTRONICS.
Ease of Use
DON'T GET NO EASIER.
Quality
ONE SMALL BLIMISH ON GLOSS TOP BUT I DIDN'T BUY HER FOR HER LOOKS.
Value
I CAN'T GET NO BETTER.
Manufacturer Support
NO NEED SO FAR BUT SHE'S GOT A LIFE TIME (MINE THAT IS) WARRANTY SO THEY'LL FIX HER FOR FREE 30 YEARS FROM NOW. I'LL LET YA'LL KNOW THEN.
The Wow Factor
EQUAL ONLY TO MY WIFE FOR TURNING ME ON.
Musical Background:
stage, studio, singer-SONG WRITER.
Musical Style:
ROCK,BLUES,FOLK-ART
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Submitted February 18, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com
Martin DC-16RGTE Aura Customer Review
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Sound
The sound is amazing.
Features
The only concern I have is how durable the fretboard material is.
I love the look of a satin finished guitar but gloss is more durable.
Value
great
Manufacturer Support
havent had to contact them.
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
blues, rock, folk
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Submitted May 31, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"SLEEP WITH THIS GUITAR"
She's beautiful. I finally got a Martin. Like a Super-model.
Sound
This is truly a Martin plugged or unplugged. The Martin strings that came with it sounded good. I put Elixers on it next and they sounded
very good. Gonna try D'addarios next, but it doesn't matter, I love
this guitar
Features
Aura electronics with a Fender Acoustasonic 30, a nice Shure or
Audio-Technica mic, and you are ready to go anywhere.
Ease of Use
Built in tuner works great, and again, the Aura is like butter
Quality
Beautiful guitar. Feels better than my wife.
Value
Expensive, but you know what? Gotta pay if you wanna play.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed any yet.
The Wow Factor
I sleep with it.
Musical Background:
Semi-actice musician
Musical Style:
Folk, 60's Rock, some country
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Submitted September 15, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Can't Go Wrong With The Martin DC-16RGTE"
If lost or stolen would replace it with another Martin for sure. These are guitars for life.
Sound
One, it is very loud. Second kind of heavy on the bass and has that bark when you need it. Very good sustain, wow! Two, very good fingerpicking guitar, the guitar really sings. It is awsome when plugged in. The electronics rock. You can save six preset sounds, great for stage preformance. Blending between mic and pickup is a joy. Very versitile sound.
Features
It's got the good stuff, superb spruce sikita top and east indian back and sides. This price range of Martins you get great quality but not alot of frills. No inlays and alike. Electronics are superb with great tonal control but easy to use!
Ease of Use
Very easy. It does take some time to master electronics fully but well worth it. It has a automatic mode and than a manual mode than you can control everything.
Quality
Come on!!!!!!! It's a Martin. Could not find any!!! blemishes on this axe. As far as durability, these guitars require a lot of care. One night in the back trunk of an auto could cause damage to this guitar. You have to worry about proper humitidy with this guitar. This is the trade off for having a world class instrument.
Value
You have to pay for your pleasures
Manufacturer Support
So far so good very helpfull and not alot of wait time.
The Wow Factor
First of all Martin has been building guitars longer than alomst anyone. The have had years of practice to prefect this art form. This is a family owned business that prides itself on producing the very best. There is something about holding a Martin is your hands that is magical. All I can say is that as soon as I get home from work I can't wait to pick it up. Oh, Ready dig the smell of that rosewood..........
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Christ. Rock, Blues, R&B
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Submitted June 21, 2007 by a customer from comcast.net
"Best bang for the buck!"
This is a keeper..no reason to even think of purchasing another acoustic. With the Martin 00028H, I have it all!
Sound
This is truly a Martin. You can hear it and feel it the first time you strum this baby. This is a versatile guitar and it will respond in kind to what ever style you play.
Features
Just a pretty looking guitar. Nothing fancy, but still strking to look at and listen to. The on-board Fishman Aura electronics give you more than enough tones to again suit what ever style you play
Ease of Use
This is a dreadnought plain and simple. The action is typical of most acoustic manfacturers, a little high. Always easier to shave down, then shimmy up. It is not hard to play, but it cna me modified to suit your style. I have never changed a martin setup. I have always believed that what ever setup Martin sends out the door is the perfect one for that guitar.
Quality
I can sum that up in one word. MARTIN!
Value
Youc an spend a lot more on a HD 278 and not getting any more or better sound. This is more than a good value.
Manufacturer Support
Again, I can sum that up in one word, MARTIN!
The Wow Factor
I thought I was buying a 000 16RTGE Aura. I guess you see what you want to see. When I got it home and realized my mistake, I started to think, I wanted the 000 acoustic/electric,(to go with my Martin 00028H) but you know, this is one easy playing and great sounding guitar. There was no need to bring it back and get the smaller model. This fills up the room very well, I love it.
Musical Background:
Between Hobbyist and Active Musician
Musical Style:
Rock, Folk, Country and Blues
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Submitted December 21, 2007 by a customer from excite.com
"Look past the brand name"
Sound
HAVE HEARD BETTER SOUNDING 400.00 GUITARS
Features
STANDARD STUFF
Ease of Use
There are no great sounds from this guitar
Value
Only the Martin name gives this model any charisma. Put another name on it and people would hear it for what it is. Very lack-luster.
The Wow Factor
It's like getting a date with a super modle only to find out she had gained 100 lbs.
Musical Background:
Luthier, Guitar Repair, Pro Player
Musical Style:
latin Jazz, Prog Rock
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Submitted May 15, 2008
"Highly recommended. Wouldn't hesitate to buy. Quality instrument!!!"
I will keep it. I enjoy playing it and treat it like it's special. I probable will keep it for a long time. Who knows what the future holds but as of now I have not intention of selling it. I have owned other highend guitars and sold them. I don't plan on selling this one anytime soon.
Sound
It has an amazing sound. What you would expect from martin. I was at a music store prepared to buy another guitar and the salesman suggested I try this one. I couldn't put it down.
Features
The aura system is great. It has everything I would want in an acoustic guitar. I sounds very nice acoustically or through an amp. I really enjoy playing this guitar.
Ease of Use
It plays very easy. The action was a little high for me when I first bought it but the luthier I use was able to lower the action to where it plays like butter. Very satisfied.
Quality
It is very well made. It has everything I would want. It's a plain simple guitar without all the fancy stuff. The fancy stuff to me doesn't make the guitar sound any better. I just makes it look better. It's really the sound that counts and this guitar has that, hands up.
Value
You get what you pay for. If you buy all the fancy stuff you would pay more but will have the same sound with all the fancy stuff. That's the difference.
Manufacturer Support
I called Martin a couple times for help on the filling out the warrantee info and they were very helpful. I don't expect to have to call them for any other problems.
The Wow Factor
It's not about sex appeal. It's about sound and this guitar has the sound and playability. That's what's important. I don't want people to tell me how sexy it is, I want them to tell me how nice it sounds when I play it.
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Submitted December 13, 2007
"Superb"
If mine broke, I'd cry, then buy another one. Most people do a fair amount of research before dropping this amount of money. I'm one of them. This is my pick. I didn't have buyer's remorse, just the wow factor.
Sound
I dig the sound. I brought this one and a Taylor 414Ce home. I put new phosphor bronze strings on both, then I lived with both of them for a week to see which one I picked up more. The Martin won, the Taylor was returned. The response wasn't as flat as the Taylor but I dig the slightly bright highs and the low lows. It seemed to have more of a soul.
Features
Kind of vanilla. It has a cut out and a pickup. I don't play plugged in too much but it sounded pretty good. The inlays and decorations are very plain. Definitely not sexy but it's a guitar pure and simple. I dig it.
Ease of Use
It plays really nice. I prefer the slightly rounded neck of Ovations but preferred the Martin sound. Given that, I find getting around the fretboard to be an excellent experience.
Quality
One knock against my particular one. A couple of months ago there was a slight buzzing from the inside of the guitar when I played certain notes. I only noticed with really quiet songs though. Since then, it has gone away.
As far as finish and construction quality, YES. It's excellent. Love the finish. Love the white trim. I pick it up just to look at it. I enjoy quality guitars and this is one of them.
Value
It's not a steal, you get what you pay for. I value shelling out dollars for guitars probably more than buying any other commodity.
It's a very nice guitar, its price tag reflects that.
Manufacturer Support
Never talked to them.
The Wow Factor
Looking at it on the rack, it looks plain. Aesthetically, its sex appeal is lacking.
But you play it and you realize it's just a hottie in sweats.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
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Submitted August 28, 2006
"Very satisfied with this guitar, it wants to be played."
Can't imagine wanting another guitar over this, unless you go into a higher price category.
Sound
Deep, full bass with sweet, balanced high end. Compared to Taylor 310CE, not nearly as bright and MUCH more resonant low end
Features
Love the Aura pick up. Blend is a nice feature to guarantee the "Martin" sound through almost any amp.
Ease of Use
Straight forward guitar, pick up requires a little getting used to but not a problem.
Quality
Rock solid, made to last. Typical Martin.
Value
A little pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Manufacturer Support
No experience so far, but I've heard great things.
The Wow Factor
Indian Rosewood tone is my favorite.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Rock and New Country
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