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Martin GPC-16E Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic-electric Guitar with Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Back and Sides, Hardwood Neck, and Ebony Fingerboard - Natural
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Martin GPC-16E Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural
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Grand Auditorium

The Martin GPC-16E Mahogany acoustic-electric is a beautifully designed Grand Auditorium with a smooth, deep cutaway that makes it a wonderful option for a variety of styles and endless exploration. The GPC-16E features a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides — a legendary tonewood pairing known for its blended high and low end and balanced midrange. A select hardwood neck with ebony fingerboard offers exceptional playability and response — ideal for finger-picking and flat-picking alike. And the onboard Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 pickup system amplifies stellar acoustic tone when plugged in.

Optimized playability

The GPC-16E Mahogany's neck is carved to Martin's Modified Low Oval profile with High Performance taper that was designed specifically with performing guitarists in mind. For your playing pleasure, the ebony fingerboard is buffed to silky smoothness and the frets are dressed to perfection using a Plek Pro machine for optimized playability. Typically reserved for top-dollar custom guitars, this process levels the frets with pinpoint precision, providing you with the most playable fretboard you're likely to own.

Proprietary electronics

Martin and Fishman have been working together for over 30 years in an effort to build the best acoustic-electric guitars on the market. And they recently teamed up again to create the Matrix VT Enhance NT2 pickup system that you'll find in the GPC-16E Mahogany. This system consists of Fishman's popular Matrix under-saddle pickup and an advanced Enhance element that can be blended into the signal separately via the soundhole-mounted controls. The Enhance function lets the natural sounds of the guitar come through, which is ideal for players using techniques such as body tapping.

Comfortable Grand Auditorium body style

The forward, balanced tone of the GPC-16E Mahogany comes from its Grand Auditorium body style. This body style provides excellent projection and focus with a warmth that is never booming and detail that is never harsh. This sound is popular for both fingerstyle nuance and full-chord strumming. The Grand Auditorium size gives you more low end and projection than the 000 models but is still supremely comfortable to sling over your shoulder for marathon gigs. That's why Martin Grand Auditoriums are staples in the arsenals of the performing acoustic guitarists at Sweetwater.

The same body shape at a new depth

When you play the GPC-16E for the first time, you may notice that the body feels different from other Martin Grand Performance guitars. It retains the same cutaway shape but is slightly thinner than normal. Instead of the traditional body depth of 4-1/2-inches, Martin opted to give this guitar the depth of a 000 — 4-1/8-inches. This change affects the guitar in two notable ways. First, the thinner body reigns in the boomy bass response for cleaner recording. Second, it helps the guitar to create a more mid-forward response. Don't fret, even with its new body depth, the GPC-16E retains the same room-filling power that you expect from a Martin guitar.

Martin GPC-16E Mahogany Acoustic-electric Guitar Features:

  • Beautifully designed Grand Auditorium with a smooth, deep cutaway that makes it a wonderful option for a variety of styles and endless exploration
  • Solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides — a legendary tonewood pairing known for its blended high and low end and balanced midrange
  • Gloss top with satin back and sides
  • Select hardwood neck with ebony fingerboard offers exceptional playability and response
  • Onboard Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 pickup system amplifies stellar acoustic tone when plugged in
  • Neck is carved to Martin's Modified Low Oval profile with High Performance taper that was designed specifically with performing guitarists in mind
  • Body style provides excellent projection and focus with a warmth that is never booming and detail that is never harsh
  • Scalloped, forward-shifted Sitka spruce X bracing for enhanced resonance and support
  • Nickel open gear tuners look classic and keep you in tune

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Tech Specs

  • String Type: Steel
  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: GPC-16E Grand Performance
  • Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
  • Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
  • Finish: Gloss Top, Satin Back/Side
  • Color: Natural
  • Body Bracing: Scalloped Forward-shifted X-bracing
  • Binding: Brown Faux Tortoise
  • Neck Wood: Select Hardwood
  • Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
  • Radius: 16"
  • Fingerboard Material: Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Dots
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 25.4"
  • Nut Width: 1.75"
  • Nut/Saddle Material: Bone/White Tusq
  • Bridge Material: Ebony
  • Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
  • Electronics: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2
  • Strings: Martin, .012-.054
  • Case Included: Softshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 10GPC16E-02

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Outstanding Guitar!

My new Martin GPC-16E is simply an outstanding guitar. It's an acoustic-electric model that has an incredible sound and tone when played acoustically. The playing ability/action is comfortable and super easy on my fingering hand. The intonation is perfect! The cost, which was just over $ with tax, is very affordable given the superb qualities of this instrument. I opted for the mahogany version of this model and am beyond pleased that I made this purchase.
Music background: Professional musician playing a diverse array of instrumental and vocal music.
Rated 5/5

I finally found MY guitar

I've been playing guitar and bass on and off for years. I've run the gamut with acoustic guitars, 1980's Ovation, Takemine, Fender, Martin d-16m and then Seagull.

I knew I wanted this next one to be a Grand Auditorium or around that size with a slightly thinner body depth.

Started to buy a Taylor but kept coming back to the GPC-16e in Mahogany.

Beautiful guitar, comfortable sitting or standing, fast neck, warm tone but not as warm and as dark as the all Mahogany D-16m and loud enough unplugged for me and plugged in the electronics are superb.

Very, Very happy with this purchase.
Music background: Perpetual Student
Rated 5/5

It's just amazing

I have always dreamed of owning a mart8guitar. I typically don't buy guitars without playing them first, but I could not find one local to me. So I rolled the dice with Sweetwater. I should mention that I had the nut replaced during the setup at sweerwater.. the luthier at sweetwater. By the name of Dan or Don (hand writing difficult to tell) did an absolutely fabulous job. The setup is prefect. Action is even nicer tham my ES 335 (epi).

I can't say how it played before the setup.. I will assume it was great as it's a US Martin. But man, it is an absolute joy to play.
I recieved it in April 2023, it is now Mid July and I can hardly think of a day I have not played it.
It really has lived up to my expectations that I was buying my dream acoustic guitar.
Music background: Guitar hobbyist
Rated 5/5

Parallel

I bought the rosewood model of this guitar several years ago and am very pleased, my comments run about the same as what's posted with the exception of rosewood-mahogany tones. My specialist at the time recommended one model of Martin case and ordered it the same time as guitar purchase. It was too snug, so No problems with an exchange!
Have been considering ordering this mahogany model. I agree that a Martin of this quality Should come with a hard case!! I just don't believe in gig bags! Although the Taylor mini that I purchased does have an excellent softshell case that I'll probably not replace. Enjoy your selection, mine, like most good guitars just keeps improving !! Happy trails !!!
Rated 5/5

Outstanding. Just, OUTSTANDING.

Been partial to Martin's ever since I bought my first D-35 (yep, Brazilian rosewood…) back in 1969. Have gotten to the point where I don't want to risk taking the D-35 out of my studio any longer. Realistically can't replace it either physically or sentimentally. Have always LOVED the big lower and mid-frequency tones of a Martin Dreadnought. And, no other guitar rings like a Martin. Wanted to find a new acoustic that possessed those low and mid-frequency tones, but also had a bit more attack or "punch" in the upper frequencies. Seriously looked at a couple high-end Taylor's. But then I heard the GPC-16E with mahogany body. Bought it and have been playin' the fire out of it since it arrived. This guitar is SUPERB. Frankly, the Grand Auditorium size is a bit easier to handle than the D-35. Most importantly, the tone is exactly what I was looking for. Dayum…just DAYUM…
Music background: more years than I really care to think about...
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