What a guitar!

I spent a generous 3 months researching my next guitar...from online reviews, magazines and professional musician friends of mine the search narrowed down to three guitars. I couldn't be happier with the D-16GT. The craftsmanship, the tone, the action all superb! On a side note: AJ Peterson, one of the sales engineers was really great. Ask for him if you can. They will go the extra mile to make sure your purchase was a good one!

Amazingly Rich and Warm Spruce/Mahogany Dread - Love it!

After briefly playing a D-16GT in my semi-local guitar superstore, I fell in love with the tone. After mulling it over a bit, I saw the one Sweetwater had in stock and I absolutely loved the grain on the top. It was very unique and I just had to have it, even without hearing it first. My sales engineer made the sale very easy, and before I comment more on the guitar, I'd like to tell you about the amazingly satisfying experience I had buying this guitar from Sweetwater. As they advertise, the folks as Sweetwater did an inspection before the guitar shipped. I was informed they found 2 or 3 'defects' on the top, and just wanted me to be aware of it. This concerned me greatly, but they assured if I wasn't satisfied, their generous return policy was there to back me up, so not to worry. I received the guitar, and I could not find these so-called 'defects'. I looked around, and saw what MIGHT be deemed a defect, but nothing that I would have noticed if it was hanging in a store. Sweetwater risked losing a sale over something that in my opinion most dealers would have overlooked or ignored. It was more important to them to do the right thing than to close the sale, and for that I give them a LOT of credit. They already had my trust, but they sealed it with this purchase.
About the guitar, I love it. The sound is so rich and warm and perfect for me. Playability is perfect as well. It was actually set up very nice right out of the box. I've had it for a few months now and have not needed a setup, though I've adjusted the neck a tiny bit myself. I love the simple herringbone rosette, and the black binding. Very much a 'working man's' guitar. The Micarta fretboard and bridge are the only things I'm not in love with, but functionally or sonically they take nothing away from the sound of this guitar. The fretboard is actually quite nice feeling, very solid. But looks-wise it definitely doesn't look like ebony to me. That said, I love this D-16GT and I suspect it will be a lifer.

OUTSTANDING QUALITY FOR $

I have owned this guitar for 7 years now ,so I feel qualified to add my opinion about it.It came with relatively high action (for me at least)which I had lowered just slightly to help with barre chords.The neck shape feels great,not too big or small.The workmanship is unreal for this price.I got the guitar in California,moved to the humid southeast,now I'm in the Arizona desert and it hasn't given me any trouble at all.The satin finish on the neck has turned into a nice and smooth gloss from the years of playing.As far as sound,it has a mellow bass response and bright top end.It isn't as loud as other similar sized guitars I've heard,not quite as much ring to the notes.I have found ,however,that unlike other dreadnoughts it sounds great played softly,especially with just fingers.I find myself not wanting to use a pick at all.Also,it's light as a feather and still smells like fresh cut wood on the inside.The TKL case has worn well,too.Considering you can buy 2 of these for about what you would pay for any other AMERICAN MADE solid wood guitar,it's a no-brainer in my opinion.