Martin 00-17s or Gibson J-15

indiefolk · #1 05-06-2016, 10:11 AM

Ok so I know they're both completely tonally different guitars but... I've got a $2000 budget and I'm looking to record my own album and the HPL Martin I've been using isn't giving me the tone I want. To give you all perspective, I'm a singer-songwriter in the folk genre and I do both finger picking and heavy strumming while using a loop station and the two guitars that I've been trying out and enjoying are the Gibson J-15 and a Martin 00-17s. I'm completely torn between the two right now and although they sound very different they suit different things that I like to do with a guitar (the J-15 is definitely more of a guitar that wants to be strummed but finger picking sounds decent yet the Martin sounds pretty quiet when strumming but is great when finger picking-I'm putting a pickup in the Martin if I get it so that won't really matter if I'm playing plugged in but still...) and since I'm torn between the two I'd like some other opinions besides my own.

If you guys can think of anything that might be even better in the $1500-2000 range I'd love to hear suggestions it's a big decision

Thanks

stinger23 · #2 05-06-2016, 10:17 AM

Get yourself a j45, you'll thank me later

TBman · #3 05-06-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinger23

Get yourself a j45, you'll thank me later

I was just going to say this. The "new" old stock J-45 runs about $1,800 at Guitar Center. The J-35 is nice too. At this point in time I really like the walnut tone of the J-15. While you are shopping though, check out the Waterloos by Collings. They are in your budget.

dodge · #4 05-06-2016, 10:31 AM

If I was you I would snag this one in our classified section. It less than half your budget. The J-15 is a very versatile guitar.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=428505

magazine · #5 05-06-2016, 10:35 AM

If you don't mind the size, I'd go with the J15. I still think that's a heck of a deal that's going for the J15s.

Rosewood99 · #6 05-06-2016, 12:05 PM

Do you prefer apples or oranges? They are completely different sounding guitars.

VJP5 · #7 05-06-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodge

If I was you I would snag this one in our classified section. It less than half your budget. The J-15 is a very versatile guitar.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=428505

Ditto.

No affiliation with the seller but that is a great price.....and a great guitar!

Trawlerman · #8 05-06-2016, 01:03 PM

I am a Martin guy and own 2, but I played the J-15 in GC a few months ago and it was the best guitar of all I played. If I needed another guitar, that is where I would go. Great Value!

Rob W · #9 05-08-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trawlerman

I am a Martin guy and own 2, but I played the J-15 in GC a few months ago and it was the best guitar of all I played. If I needed another guitar, that is where I would go. Great Value!

Yes, the J15, for the money is kind of a no-brainer. And a very unique guitar, Sitka over Walnut with a maple neck on a Slope dread! And it will handle heavy strumming well. The 00-17 is also a great, woody-sounding, guitar but may not suit your flexibility requirements. I'd also consider a used J35. Close in $$.

Wade Hampton · #10 05-08-2016, 11:14 AM

I agree with Rob, they're both great guitars, but I suspect that the J-15 will prove to be more musically versatile.

I wasn't aware of the J-15 that strive2walk has posted for sale in the classified ads, but I agree that is an excellent price for what appears to be a guitar in cherry condition. Here are some photos of it for all of us walnut-fanciers to gaze at adoringly:

Gibson J-15

If I didn't already own a Klepper KJ in black walnut (same body shape, longer scale) I'd be tempted to buy that one. Of course, it terms of assuring tonal quality, it's safest to buy the one that's tempting you right now, the one in the store that you already know you like.

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

cisco7 · #11 05-08-2016, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinger23

Get yourself a j45, you'll thank me later

Agree with stinger 100%. You'll probably thank him.

. Best of luck in your search.

Mr. Scott · #12 05-08-2016, 11:27 AM

You may also like to consider one of Martin's 15 series guitars. I happen to have a 00015 SM which is a 12 fret slot-head and is very good for both finger style and plectrum. I use mine doing the sort of thing you have in mind. The all-mahogany bodied guitars record well too, in my experience.

Steve DeRosa · #13 05-08-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

...I suspect that the J-15 will prove to be more musically versatile...

That is one stunning set of walnut sides/back - almost rosewood-like...

A/B'd a few J-45's and J-15's side-by-side a little while back - found nothing to justify the extra cost of the -45 in terms of either tone or construction...

cmd612 · #14 05-08-2016, 03:19 PM

Since you mention you're a singer: have you tried singing with both of them?

I like Martins an awful lot for many things, but when I'm singing, I prefer the quicker decay of a Gibson. (Yes, that's a big generalization, and I haven't even played a 00-17s, so YMMV, FWIW, etc.)

Good luck!

Rev Roy · #15 05-08-2016, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinger23

Get yourself a j45, you'll thank me later

Yep. I had a J-15 and loved it...but after a couple of months I traded it in on a J-45. Best decision I've made in a long time. Add $100 or so to your budget and you can get a new one.