The DSS-16E is a slope-shoulder dreadnought on a 24.9" scale, built in Nazareth with a spruce top over mahogany back and sides. It has scalloped Forward Shifted X Brace, a Modified Low Oval neck with High-Performance Taper, an ebony board with 1955 Style 18 inlays in mother of pearl, and an L.R. Baggs Element for the amplified sound. Martin voices it warm and punchy, and the shorter scale makes it easier to fret than the 25.4" dreadnoughts in this catalogue.
Each finish is a gloss top colour over satin dark mahogany back and sides. The 1935 Burst wears a faux tortoise guard, and Black Smoke and Cherry Cola take grained ivoroid. We would start with the 1935 Burst for the most traditional look of the three, and go to Cherry Cola if you want colour. For the 16 Series in rosewood on a jumbo body, look at the J-16E, and for a cutaway, the GPC-16E.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA (Nazareth, Pennsylvania)
Body Size: Sloped Shoulder D 14-Fret
Construction: Simple Dovetail Neck Joint
Back Material: Mahogany
Side Material: Mahogany
Back and Sides Finish: Satin
Back and Sides Color: Dark Mahogany
Back Inlay Material: Black Stripe
Bracing Pattern: Forward Shifted X Brace
Brace Shape: Scalloped
Brace Material: Spruce
Brace Size: 5/16"
Top Material: Spruce
Finish Top: Gloss
Top Color: 1935 Burst (1935 Burst) / Black Smoke (Black Smoke) / Cherry Cola (Cherry Cola)
Top Inlay Material: Black Stripe
Binding: Antique White
Pickguard: Faux Tortoise (1935 Burst) / Grained Ivoroid (Black Smoke) / Grained Ivoroid (Cherry Cola)
Rosette: Custom Multi-Stripe
NECK
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: High-Performance Taper
Neck Material: Select Hardwood
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Finish Neck: Satin
Scale Length: 24.9"
Number of Frets Total: 20
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Heelcap: Antique White
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8''
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4''
Fingerboard Inlay Style: 1955 Style 18
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Mother of Pearl
Side Dots: White
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper
Headplate Material: East Indian Rosewood
Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style Overlay
Pleked: Yes
ELECTRONICS
Electronics: L.R. Baggs® Element™
HARDWARE
Bridge Material: Ebony
Bridge Style: Modern Straightline - Drop in Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 5/32"
Bridge Pin Material: Black Polymer
Bridge Pin Dots: Abalone
Saddle: TUSQ®
Saddle Radius: 16"
Tuning Machines: Nickel Open Gear
Knob: Butterbean
Nut Material: Bone
CASE
Case: Softshell



