Ed;
As a general rule the earlier the small bodied guitars the better they
are.
Those from the 20s through 40s were very lightly built but still robust
enough to stand up as long as they're not abused.
I find the 0 and 00 from the 60s through 70s to be 'stiff' sounding, but
that's just me.
Like you, I want to like things like the 0-16 NY, but when confronted
by
reality I'm often disappointed. Of course your results may vary. There
are some good 'uns out there, but by and large I'd keep looking for
something older or much newer.
KH
"Ed Edelenbos" <eded@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:6drvv2F42sd4U1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "Kevin Hall" <timberline@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:w6ydnTmTIfoOKuXVnZ2dnUVZ_rjinZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Ed;
>>
>> The 0-16 NY model was very lightly built by 'modern' standards, and
>> really not intended for steel strings. Odd little things actually.
If
>> I remember rightly, and it's been about 30 years since I repaired or
>> played one, they had only one tone bar down between the lower legs of
>> the 'X', like the very early small bodied Martins built before they
>> switched to steel strings in the early 1920s.
>>
>> The model was originally intended as a sort of 'dual-s****t' rig on
which
>> you could use either nylon or silk-'n-steel strings. Steel strings
any
>> heavier than extra-lights will damage them in short order.
>>
>> They're definitely not meant as a flat-picking thrasher, and frankly
>> they're just not that good as an all-rounder either.
>>
>> I did a few gigs back about 1968 or '69 with a woman who had one, and
it
>> was drowned by my 00-18. The woman was a member of the Canadian
Olympic
>> gymnastic team at the time. Wonder what happened to her and the
little
>> guitar?
>>
>> Anyway, if you want a good all 'round 12-fret slothead Martin, try
>> finding a 00-21 instead, or an early 0 or 00-18.
>>
>> KH
>
> Thanks, Kevin. I guess I'm not immune to the Martin allure...
especially
> a '60s folkie special like the 0-16ny. (grin) As I'm second guessing
it
> (by asking questions) I guess I'm not completely taken by that allure,
> though. I've been totally spoiled by the feel of my Larrivee parlor. I
> had a 00 size (made by Ayers) that was a terrific guitar but after the
> parlor, it just felt too big. I recently found a '70 0-18 that was well
> within my budget but some previous (so-so looking) repairs and the fact
> that it looks like a neck reset will be needed soon combined with not
> being able to try it (i.e. mail order) makes it a non-starter. If I
keep
> looking (and asking questions like this post), the right thing will
> probably pop up.
>
> Ed
>
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