Martin DSS-16E Black Smoke (670)

Name: Martin DSS-16E Black Smoke | Moore Guitars
SKU: 628024
Price: 2499.99 USD
Availability: InStock

A slope-shouldered dreadnought with a striking black finish, classic Martin warmth, and gig-ready L.R. Baggs electronics.

$2,499.99

Same price at every authorized dealer. The difference is what comes with it.

SKU: 628024

Serial: M3092670

Weight: 4lbs 7oz/4.4lbs

0% for 36-48 months available

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4.8

Rated 4.8 out of 5

98% Recommend

557 reviews

1 In Stock - Inspected & ready to ship.

72-Hour Love-It Guarantee — Free returns

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Free 1-4 Day Delivery

1 in stock

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Talk To A Player Before You Buy

Rob and Cory are gigging musicians who know gear inside and out. They'll give you the straight answer—even if it means pointing you somewhere else.

Quick Specs

Spruce Top & Mahogany Body | Black Smoke
Modified Low Oval | Ebony Fingerboard
L.R. Baggs Element Electronics
24.9" Scale Length | 20 Frets
Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought Body

Player-Perfect™ Pro Setup Included

Our techs are all seasoned players, so they dial in every guitar like it’s going into their own rig—perfect intonation, action set exactly right, ready to rip from the first note.

Want it YOUR way? Tell us at checkout: string gauge, action height, whatever you need. We’ll nail it before shipping.

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Product Description

Stealthy Looks, Explosive Tone

Don’t let the understated, smoky finish fool you. The Martin DSS-16E is a cannon. It combines the classic, tonewood pairing of a spruce top and mahogany body with a comfortable, modern feel. The result is a guitar that sounds like a vintage classic but plays like a dream, perfect for the stage, studio, or woodshed.

Classic Tone Woods, Modern Design

At the heart of the DSS-16E’s voice is its solid spruce top, prized for its clarity, projection, and dynamic range. Paired with solid mahogany back and sides, you get a warm, woody midrange and a punchy, focused low end that’s perfect for cutting through a mix. The sloped-shoulder dreadnought body shape enhances this focused, intimate character, while the scalloped X-bracing allows the top to resonate freely for incredible sustain and harmonic bloom.

Effortless Playability

The shorter 24.9-inch scale length makes this guitar a joy to play. It provides a slightly softer string tension, making complex chords and string bends feel almost effortless. The Modified Low Oval neck profile is a player-favorite, filling the hand comfortably without feeling cumbersome, and the satin finish ensures a smooth, fast feel from the first fret to the last.

Gig-Ready Electronics

When you’re ready to plug in, the onboard L.R. Baggs Element electronics deliver a transparent, natural-sounding acoustic tone. This undersaddle pickup system is renowned for its ability to capture the guitar’s true voice without coloring the sound. It’s a simple, reliable system that makes the DSS-16E ready for any stage or studio session right out of the box.

Anatomy of a Tone Machine

Perfect for: Singer-Songwriter • Folk • Blues • Country

Tone

Warm, woody midrange with a clear, articulate top end.
Strong fundamental notes with a balanced harmonic bloom.
Responds beautifully to a light touch for fingerstyle, but has plenty of headroom and grit when you dig in with a pick.
The L.R. Baggs Element electronics provide a transparent, natural-sounding plugged-in tone that captures the guitar's true voice.

Playing Feel

The sloped-shoulder design is comfortable and sits nicely, whether you're standing or sitting.
The Modified Low Oval neck profile and satin finish offer a smooth, fast-playing experience up and down the neck.
The shorter 24.9-inch scale length provides a slightly softer string tension, making bends and complex chords a breeze.
An inspiring feel that encourages long writing and playing sessions without fatigue.

Versatility

Excels at everything from delicate fingerpicking to hard strumming.
The L.R. Baggs system is pedal-friendly, working great with preamps, reverbs, and delays.
Records beautifully, offering a classic, mix-ready acoustic sound right from the source.
Sits perfectly in a mix, providing a solid rhythmic foundation without overwhelming other instruments.

Complete Technical Specs

Body Specs

Type	Acoustic-Electric
Shape	Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought-14 Fret
Top Wood	Spruce
Back & Sides Wood	Mahogany
Top Finish	Gloss
Back & Sides Finish	Satin
Color	Black Smoke
Bracing	Scalloped X-Bracing

Neck Specs

Wood	Mahogany
Profile	Modified Low Oval
Finish	Satin

Fingerboard Specs

Material	Ebony
Frets	20
Inlays	1955 Style 18
Nut	Bone, 1 3/4"

Electronics Specs

Hardware Specs

Bridge	Ebony
Saddle	Bone
Tuners	Nickel Open Gear
Pickguard	Grained Ivoroid

Measurements

Scale Length	24.9"
Nut Width	1.75"

The Lowdown

We get it. Buying a guitar you haven’t played is a big decision. You need to know it’s going to feel right, sound right, and inspire you the second you open the case. We put together the questions we’d be asking if we were in your shoes—the real-world stuff that specs alone can’t answer. If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, just give us a call.

Great question. Compared to a standard square-shoulder dreadnought, the sloped-shoulder design tends to have a slightly more focused midrange and less boominess in the bass. It gives the guitar a warmer, more intimate voice that’s fantastic for vocal accompaniment and recording.

It’s a translucent gloss finish, so you can still see the beautiful grain of the spruce top through the color. It gives the guitar a really cool, understated vintage vibe that looks incredible under stage lights.

Of course. Every guitar gets our full Player-Perfect™ setup, but tell us your preferred string gauge and action at checkout, and we’ll dial it in exactly to your spec before it leaves the shop.

This guitar is covered by our 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you’re not completely inspired by it, just let us know. We’ll make it right.

Orders ship same day in most cases and arrive within 1-4 business days with free, insured shipping. We’ll get it into your hands as quickly as we can.

Call us at (888) 794-8482. You’ll talk to a real musician who can answer anything you need to know.

Player-Perfect™ Setups

Every guitar we sell is dialed in by seasoned musicians. We obsess over the details—perfect intonation, immaculate fretwork, and ideal action—so your guitar is ready to rip right out of the case. No exceptions.

Advice From Real Players

Call us and you get a fellow musician, not a script. We'll help you compare neck profiles, talk tone, and find the right guitar for you—even if it's not this one. Our reputation is built on honest conversation.

49+ Years Of Trust

Family-owned since 1976, we stand behind everything we sell. That's why we have a 72-Hour Love-It Guarantee. If you're not inspired, send it back on our dime for a full refund. Your satisfaction is our legacy.

BBB Accredited • Top 300 Reverb Seller • Fender Top Rated Dealer