{"product_id":"martin-dss-16e-black-smoke-sloped-shoulder-dreadnought-acoustic-electric-guitar","title":"Martin DSS-16E 'Black Smoke' Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Martin DSS-16E Black Smoke is a boldly distinctive new addition to the refreshed 16 Series - a slope-shoulder dreadnought that combines a striking gloss Black Smoke top finish with warm, vintage-inspired mahogany tone in a body format and scale length combination that Martin has not previously offered in this configuration. The slope-shoulder dreadnought body produces a woody, intimate acoustic character that differs meaningfully from the squared-shoulder dreadnought format - warmer in the midrange, more focused in the low end, and with a slightly softer, more rounded tonal presentation that suits singer-songwriters and players who want something distinct from the typical Martin dreadnought voice. Paired for the first time with a 24.9\" short scale length, the DSS-16E delivers a relaxed, comfortable playing feel that complements the mahogany body's natural warmth and makes this one of the most approachable and player-friendly dreadnoughts Martin has introduced in recent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe gloss Black Smoke spruce top is the visual statement that immediately distinguishes this guitar from everything else in the 16 Series - dark, dramatic, and commanding, offset by the grained ivoroid pickguard and antique white binding for a visual contrast that is genuinely striking. Forward-shifted scalloped X-bracing enhances resonance and bass response, while the Modified Low Oval neck with high-performance taper, ebony fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 mother-of-pearl inlays, bone nut, TUSQ saddle, ebony bridge with abalone-dotted black polymer bridge pins, nickel open-gear butterbean tuners, and East Indian rosewood headplate with script old-style overlay complete a 16 Series specification of considerable refinement. L.R. Baggs Element electronics make the DSS-16E stage-ready from the moment it leaves the waterproof softshell case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGloss spruce top in Black Smoke finish with satin solid mahogany back and sides delivers punchy midrange, strong treble response, and a focused, woody low end - a dark, dramatic visual statement that commands attention before a note is played.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlope-shoulder dreadnought body paired for the first time with a 24.9\" short scale length produces a warm, intimate, and focused dreadnought voice with a relaxed, comfortable playing feel that makes this one of the most approachable Martin dreadnoughts available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForward-shifted scalloped X-bracing enhances resonance and bass response, contributing to the DSS-16E's characteristic open, warm, and projecting acoustic voice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModified Low Oval neck with high-performance taper, ebony fingerboard with 1955 Style 18 mother-of-pearl inlays, and bone nut deliver the comfortable, familiar Martin playing experience with a modern taper that suits a wide range of hand sizes and playing styles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eL.R. Baggs Element electronics provide natural, transparent amplified acoustic tone suitable for live performance and recording, completing a stage-ready specification straight from the factory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: Sloped Shoulder Dreadnought, 14-fret\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop: Spruce, gloss, Black Smoke\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop inlay: Black stripe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack \u0026amp; sides: Solid mahogany, satin, Dark Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBack inlay: Black stripe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBracing: Forward-shifted scalloped X-brace, spruce, 5\/16\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConstruction: Simple dovetail neck joint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinding: Antique white\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRosette: Custom multi-stripe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard: Grained ivoroid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck: Select hardwood, Modified Low Oval, high-performance taper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck finish: Satin, Dark Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFingerboard: Ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFingerboard inlays: 1955 Style 18, mother of pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFingerboard width at nut: 1-3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFingerboard width at 12th fret: 2-1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSide dots: White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale length: 24.9\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal frets: 20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck joins body at: 14th fret\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut: Bone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaddle: TUSQ, 16\" radius\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge: Ebony, Modern Straightline drop-in saddle, 2-5\/32\" string spacing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge pins: Black polymer with abalone dots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeelcap: Antique white\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadstock: Solid with square taper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadplate: East Indian rosewood, script old-style overlay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuners: Nickel open gear with butterbean knobs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElectronics: L.R. Baggs Element\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrings: Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes: Waterproof softshell case with backpack straps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade in: USA (Nazareth, Pennsylvania)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew for: 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Martin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48583876772061,"sku":"40\/16-DSS16E-BS","price":4099.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0367\/8045\/files\/0H3A9015.jpg?v=1789956325","url":"https:\/\/www.acousticcentre.com.au\/products\/martin-dss-16e-black-smoke-sloped-shoulder-dreadnought-acoustic-electric-guitar","provider":"Acoustic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}