Hello out there in Flatpicker land, I've got a question for the faithful...

I just purchased a new Martin D-16 RGT (an awesome guitar, a real Bluegrass Cannon.) I've been playing a 2001 DX-1 since 2001 and I wanted to move up.

I wanted an all-solid Spruce/Rosewood Guitar. This guitar blew even the D-28s that they had out of the water (it could be due to the fact that there is no finish on the sides and back?)

Anyway, after looking at the Martin website to see what I really got, I noticed that the neck material is listed as being "select hardwood." What does this mean. It kind of looks like Mahogany but I'm just not sure.

Take care,

Frankie

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...asp?id=14708

Posted - 09/19/2009 :  22:15:00  

I think that is just a way of saying that the woods may vary from batch to batch, depending on what is available at that time, but they are also attempting assure you, that it is high quality, well chosen wood, no matter what. There are many different species of Mahogany, and it most likely is some variant of that wood.
Gene Warner
repairman

lonewolf

Posted - 09/20/2009 :  06:20:10          

Yea, I agree, its a statement that qualifies the wood as "different" from their Honduran Mahogany tradition, but equivalent in quality thru good selection techniques. The term "Mahogany" is becoming useless, as its assigned to most any imported hardwood that vaguely resembles the age old traditional Honduran Mahogany. Glad you got a keeper.

Jim Holland
Athens, AL

Posted - 09/20/2009 :  19:15:47  

I think your good. It's not like Pine or Plywood or something. I have a D-16 GT (I would assume the R is rosewood). The neck on mine looks like Mahogany....plays nice

Posted - 09/24/2009 :  16:48:51  

Here is a link to a good discussion of select hardwoods over at the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum.
http://theunofficialmartinguitarfor...m/topic/5319

Dave Thier
Athens, AL