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Martin BC-16E Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar - Natural

4-string Acoustic-electric Bass with Sitka Spruce Top, East Indian Rosewood Back and Sides, Select Hardwood Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, and Fishman Matrix VT Electronics - Natural
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Martin BC-16E Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar - Natural
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Extremely Playable Acoustic-electric Bass

The Martin BC-16E acoustic-electric bass is a great option for the bassist that prefers to play unplugged. This acoustic axe produces mellow tones that will have you smiling from ear to ear. The body is made from all-solid tonewoods. A Sitka spruce top adds extra definition to the warm, creamy tone of the rosewood back and sides. The select hardwood neck has an ebony fingerboard and a slim carve that you'll find very easy to play for extended sessions. Meanwhile, the cutaway body gives you total access to the upper frets. When you need to plug in with a band, the onboard Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics reproduce powerful tones fit for the stage. If you're interested in entering the world of acoustic bass, the Martin BC-16E is the way to go.

Martin quality meets acoustic bass

Acoustic players know Martin as one of the leading manufacturers of flat tops. They manage to embrace the past while looking to the future. It may be a tightrope act, but Martin has always been able to pull it off. That's why they've consistently been a leader in acoustic instrument design, infusing their guitars with new materials, building techniques, and technologies — while producing fine instruments that age with incredibly well. When you're buying a Martin, you're buying more than an instrument. You're buying a highly playable heirloom that you and your loved ones will enjoy for years to come.

Solid tonewoods create memorable tones

The Martin BC-16E acoustic-electric bass is made with all-solid tonewoods to deliver top-notch tone. The body features a Sitka spruce top that's paired with East Indian rosewood back and sides. Rosewood has many fans here at Sweetwater. It produces warm, resonant tones with a smooth midrange and mellow bass response. The spruce top adds extra note definition and a dash of brightness when you're picking. Discerning players love this tonewood combination, and so will you.

Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics deliver great plugged-in tone

By equipping the BC-16E with Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics, Martin takes the acoustic-electric back to basics. This simple pickup system gives you tone and volume control, along with an Enhance feature, for incredible plugged-in tone. Simple, effective, and coupled with the tonewood selection, the result is pure, natural amplified sound. Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics help you take the stage with total confidence.

Martin BC-16E Acoustic-electric Bass Features:

  • Cutaway body gives you total access to the upper frets
  • Sitka spruce top allows for greater projection and superior note definition
  • Factory Plek treatment lowers action and enables smooth playability
  • East Indian rosewood back and sides create a sweet, well-balanced sound
  • Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics contribute great plugged-in tone
  • Forward-shifted X-bracing enables greater bass response

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 4
  • String Type: Steel
  • Body Type: Acoustic Bass
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Color: Natural
  • Finish: Satin
  • Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
  • Back & Sides Wood: East Indian Rosewood
  • Body Bracing: Forward Shifted X-bracing
  • Binding: Antique White
  • Neck Material: Select Hardwood
  • Neck Shape: Bass
  • Fingerboard Material: Ebony
  • Number of Frets: 23
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.58"
  • Nut/Saddle Material: Bone/White Tusq
  • Bridge Material: Ebony
  • Tuning Machines: Black Closed Gear
  • Electronics: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2
  • Strings: Authentic Acoustic 92/8 Phosphor Bronze, .045-.100
  • Case/Gig Bag: Softshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 10BC16E-01

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great guitar but he E string is a bit dead when amplified

I purchased this guitar from Sweetwater's Ebay site for instruments that don't pass quality control or are returned by customers. The listing noted that the bass had a lifting bridge, a twisted neck and a top belly. I expeced the guitar to have defects but it arrived in perfect condition. The bridge had a white chalky substance that made it appear that there was a detached bridge but it was perfectly glued to the top as I would expect from any Martin that leaves the Nazareth factory. The top was not completely flat but that's entirely normal for any acoustic "flat" top and I have 3 Martin 6-strings that have similar tops. As for the twisted neck, I couldn't see it when I looked down from the bridge or nut. The only problem this guitar has is that the E string is does not produce as much volume under amplification than the other 3 strings. This is common with under saddle piezo pickups so eventually I will tinker with the with it to make sure there is solid contact between the saddle, pickup and ebony bridge. I knew when I purchased this that it was likely to be as fine as any Martin USA product and I was complety right. I've uplaoded photos of the bridge from the origial listing and after I cleaned the ebony with a bit of mineral oil. The lesson I have learned from this purchase is that Sweetwater has an outstanding level of quality control; and that Martin does not let intruments with lifting bridges, bellied tops and twisted necks from leaving the factory.
Music background: Ameture who loves guitars
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