Spent time with or Own a "Martin 00-17S 12 fret ?

[mahoriver]

Would like to hear thoughts from folks who have spent some time with
or Own the new'ish model "Martin 00-17 S" 12 fret ? Thanks
Looking to use it for folky/blues type stuff.S Songwriter/Vocal accompaniment.
I have a Martin 0-15m Custom.My first small body guitar.And just love the sweet compressed sound that comes from it..
It is surprisingly good if you dig into it with a little strumming. As well as fingerpick.
Other 00-17 S threads
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=419312
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=421668

Like the vintage looks of the black one



These two guys ramble on a bit,skip to -10:16,good comparison of the 14 vs 12 fret

[mahoriver]

Thought i would try one more time with this.Yes ive got a bit of small body gas.
I honestly prefer the sound of the Martin over the Waterloo in the sample
below..Do like those Waterloo's though.
Bump.Going down.

[llew]

I have a "Black Smoke" 00-17S. I prefer it to the WL-K as well. It's a great little fingerstyle blues box. But surprisingly strums pretty well too. Very loud for it's size and resonant. Definitely got that vintage vibe about it. Definitely play one f you can. It won't be for everyone but I really like mine. Hope that helps...good luck!

[mahoriver]

Thank you llew,much appreciate your thoughts.I did play 2 Waterloo's,couple
of weeks ago.The X braced and ladder braced WL-14.Havent come across a
a 00-17s here yet.

[llew]

The Martin has a bit deeper voicing (go figure...it's a Martin after all?) than the Waterloo I tried. Maybe a little more versatile? That being said...I have the big Waterloo (WL-JK) Jumbo King and love it. But The 00-17S was better to my ear than the smaller Waterloo? Not everyone will see/hear it that way I'm sure...

Wish it was a slothead...

[llew]

Yeah but I really prefer the standard paddle headstock especially when it's time to change strings? And I'm told that paddle headstocks are "period correct". But I would like it either way? 00 12 frets do look right somehow with the slotted headstock...still I'd prefer a pyramid bridge?

[Cameleye]

I played the two at Folkways a few weeks ago, preferred the Waterloo.
The Martin was OK but I thought the bass string notes (when flatpicked) were too boomy. Kinda bothered my ears. The mids and higher notes were adequate but just did not speak to me. The Waterloo was well balanced and clear in all registers with a sweet overall tone that made me wish I'd brought more money.

[llew]

I agree...the Waterloo is better balanced. And they are a lot of guitar for the $ IMO. The WL-JK gets a lot of lap time here!

[mahoriver]

Thank you folks.I am/was certainly suprised with the deep bottom end my 0-15 has llew.
And was thinking the Martin 00-17s might be more versatile than
the Waterloo WL-14..When i played the "X" & Ladder braced WL-14 they
didnt jump out at me(as the CEO 7 did).but who knows, if i bought
and lived with one (wL14) it might become a favourite.They were fun.
(I always have a problem fully judging a guitar in a shop)
If its a standard Martin guitar size,the Martin 00-17s has a lower bout
width of 14 1/8 inch : the Waterloo 00's are 14 3/4 inch lower bout.
I prefer that the Martin is a little smaller in size.

Wish it was a slotted headstock to.but could live with the paddle.
00-17s along side a 1930s Gibson 12fret L-00.

[smurph1]

I own a Martin 000 and Love it! I've spent some quality time with the 00-17 Whiskey Smoke, and I like that too. I guess I need to get another job!! LOL

[westman]

Wooooooo, caught me out there -
the first vid -Mark Stutman of Folkway Music
he's playing left handed on r/h strung guitars
had to do a double take there.

really never liked that wooden boat sound of the first guitar in that vid.

[mahoriver]

Well thanks for that westman
I think.

[Coach Jim]

I looked at both the 00S-17 black smoke and the 00L-17 whiskey sunset. I liked both. The 00S- 17 was a great finger picking guitar with good tone. I did not think it was as good of a strumming guitar as the 00L -17. I played them both for an hour before choosing the 00L-17 Whiskey Sunset as it was was a better strummer and also finger picked well, had stunning looks and I needed the the 14 free frets for some of my songs. In addition I already have two 12 frett 00 Alvarez parlor guitars. I did not look at the Waterloo guitars as I did not like the shallow V neck and they are more expensive as only one store in the area carries them. I am admittedly a Martin guy and my local store was having a promotional sale on all their in store Martins. I could be satisfied with either. Good luck on your choice!

[mahoriver]

thats a great help,nice one Jim thanks.