Martin 16 Series 2026: The Stage-Acoustics Get a Colorful Update
Red, white, blue, and a new preamp!
Martin 16 Series 2026: The Stage-Acoustics Get a Colorful Update · Source: Martin
Martin 16 Series 2026 · Source: Martin
With the 2026 update to the Martin 16 Series, the US guitar heavyweight shows how to stay on the cutting edge. Vibrant colors, a new preamp, and Martin’s first short-scale Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought!
This is 16 Series 2026:
Martin 16 Series 2026: What’s New
After just two years, the manufacturer is updating the Martin 16 Series. Back then, the manufacturer equipped the models in the series with an in-house E1 preamp system, and each model came in a 000 body size.
The new generation now comes with an L.R. Baggs Element preamp. This change has its pros and cons. Sonically, the preamps from L.R. Baggs are in a league of their own. However, this preamp appears to lack the phase switch and the built-in tuner from the E-1. While this probably isn’t a major concern for instruments in this price range (most pros will either use a dedicated tuner pedal or a clip tuner), fans of the Martin 16 Series should keep this in mind.
In addition to the 000 size, the new series also includes other body sizes: Jumbo, Grand Concert, and Grand Performance. So there’s more variety here. And visually, Martin really stepped it up.
That’s because the 2026 Martin 16 Series comes with high-gloss tops in colors that are, for acoustic guitars, sometimes very vibrant (see below). Here, the term “stage guitar” is taken very seriously.
Martin Guitars 16 Series DSS-16E: Short-Scale Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought
The most striking acoustic in Martin’s 16 Series 2026 lineup is the DSS-16E, which is available in the finishes 1935 Burst*, Black Smoke*, and Cherry Cola*. This is a slope-shoulder Dreadnought, but with a short 24.9-inch scale: an absolute first for the traditional manufacturer.
The top of all three models is made of solid spruce, the back and sides of solid mahogany, the neck of select hardwood, and the fingerboard of ebony. Premium components. The package is rounded out with 20 frets, the aforementioned Element preamp, open-gear nickel tuners, and an ebony bridge with a bone bridge insert.
The three models are available at Thomann and Sweetwater*.
00L: Short scale, compact body
The 00L type, which is much more compact than the Dreadnought, also comes in three colors: 1935 Burst*, Black Smoke*, and Blue Denim*. The three models use the same tonewoods as the DSS-16E and also feature the shorter 24.9-inch scale length.
Available at Thomann and Sweetwater*.
J-16E, GPC-16E and Grand J-16E 12-String
In addition, Martin is introducing five more models in the Martin 16 Series 2026. First, there are three Jumbo models: 1935 Burst*, Cream*, and Black Smoke* (also from Sweetwater*). It appears the manufacturer has given each of the three body sizes two colors (1935 Burst and Black Smoke) plus a unique color, with a slight American touch of red, blue, and white.
What sets the J-16 apart, beyond its body, is its use of rosewood instead of mahogany for the back and sides. Thomann prices all three models at 3,399 euros. Finally, two outliers stand out, though they feature very traditional finishes. First, there’s a 12-string acoustic: Grand J-16E 12 String*. Martin calls the color “Vintage Tint.”
The Martin 16 Series 2026 also includes a cutaway model! It’s called the GPC-16E Natural*, in the Grand Performance format.
More on the new guitars from Martin Guitars
- Martin on Gearnews
- Product page
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