Description
The Martin DSS-16E is a vintage-inspired beaut of an acoustic boasting the easy playing of a modern design, from the classy finish to the bold new voicing that’s perfect for singer songwriters, soloists and rhythm players. The 16 Series combines traditional Martin build quality and premium tonewoods with the latest in versatile electronics and neck profile, so you’re getting best of both worlds: gorgeous old golden age acoustic style with the contemporary comforts for effortless recording and performance.Sloped shoulder dreadnought soundThe classic dreadnought shape is arguably the most versatile acoustic ever made, and the DSS-16E very much lives up to that reputation. This slope shoulder model does however bring with it a punchier midrange and quicker decay than its wide shouldered sister. The glossy spruce top and satin mahogany sides meld into the perfect pairing of rich yet slightly tighter low-end warmth and defined projection. Martin’s X-bracing ensures consistent resonance throughout the body making for excellent feedback and dynamism.Contemporary feelA big benefit of the DSS-16E ‘s modern appointments is how effortless it feels to play. The modified low oval neck shape and a high performance taper as you travel up the fingerboard feels seamless – at no point do you feel like you’re fighting to fret any chords regardless of shape. The slightly shorter than average 24.9-inch scale length creates a relaxed feel to naturally pair with the vintage tone.Vintage style and pro-grade electronicsThe DSS-16E looks the part too dressed in a cool Black Smoke finish, equipped with a luxurious ebony fingerboard and detailed with traditional design motifs, including mother of pearl inlays and the classy framing of antique white body binding and detailed rosette binding, sure to catch looks in any setting.The L.R. Baggs electronics makes the DSS-16E an extremely versatile instrument for a quick, easy and great sounding setup when plugging into a PA system or laying down demo tracks hooked directly into an interface.Key FeaturesVintage-inspired slope-shoulder Dreadnought with a gloss spruce top in Black SmokeSolid mahogany back and sides with a satin finishShort 24.9″ scale length for a relaxed playing feelForward-shifted scalloped X-bracing for enhanced resonance and bass responseEbony fingerboard and bridge with 1955 Style 18 mother-of-pearl inlaysL.R. Baggs Element electronicsGrained ivoroid pickguard with nickel open-gear tunersSpecificationsNeckNeck material: Select HardwoodNeck shape: Modified Low OvalNeck taper: High Performance TaperNeck finish: SatinNeck colour: Dark MahoganyNeck joins body at: 14th fretScale length: 24.9″Number of frets: 20Fingerboard material: EbonyFingerboard inlay material: Mother of PearlFingerboard inlay style: 1955 Style 18Fingerboard width at nut: 1 3/4″Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 2 1/8″Nut material: BoneHeadplate material: East Indian RosewoodHeadplate logo style: Script Old Style OverlayHeadstock shape: Solid with Square TaperBodyBody size: Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought – 14 FretTop material: SpruceTop colour: Black SmokeTop finish: GlossTop inlay material: Black StripeBack material: MahoganyBack and sides colour: Dark MahoganyBack and sides finish: SatinBack inlay material: Black StripeSide material: MahoganyBinding: Antique WhiteRosette: Custom Multi-StripeBrace material: SpruceBrace shape: ScallopedBrace size: 5/16″Bracing pattern: Forward Shifted X BraceConstruction: Simple Dovetail Neck JointHeelcap: Antique WhitePickguard: Grained IvoroidSide dots: WhiteHardware and electronicsElectronics: L.R. Baggs ElementBridge material: EbonyBridge style: Modern Straightline – Drop-in SaddleBridge string spacing: 2 5/32″Bridge pin material: Black TUSQBridge pin dots: Mother of PearlSaddle material: BoneSaddle radius: 16″Tuning machines: Nickel Open GearKnobs: ButterbeanPlek’d: YesCase: Softshell
