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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.flatpickerhangout.com/archive/55088
Warrington - Posted - 04/13/2021: 14:11:45
First off, I'm not a Martin hater (I own two), and I'm not a purist when it comes to guitar brands or how they should be played.
Anyhow, I bought a DC160GTE in 2012.
I went into with open eyes, knowing it was a controversial guitar:
1- It has a "composite" fingerboard, a cut-away body and,
2- It has some fairly active electronics.
I knew there would be a trade-off in terms of sound quality (as an acoustic only) and performance as a stage guitar.
So it has gone about as expected- ok as an acoustic, and excellent as a stage guitar.
As for the fingerboard, I understand Martin's decision. When the EPA raided Gibson, it probably spooked every domestic guitar manufacturer. I can't say if the fingerboard has affected the sound quality one way or other- I don't know if there is a truly comparable guitar to compare it to.
I only recently learned the series had been discontinued. I don't even know when that happened. Like I said, I don't worship at the altar of Martin. I'm guessing it didn't sell well, and the crown was changing heads in Nazareth at about the same time. I was disappointed, but not shocked.
I've never seen anything from Martin explaining their decision.
I have to think the decision was at least partially driven by the Martin traditionalists. I got some vehement insults from the purists and snubbed at a couple of bluegrass festivals. Weird.
I've noticed the remaining DC 16s are currently selling for about double the original MSRP.
If anyone else has some thoughts here, I'd love to hear them, especially any explanation I might have missed from Martin.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 04/15/2021: 04:54:12
I think it was just good business sense: if it doesn't sell well, stop making it and make something else that does sells better.
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