The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 06-25-2017, 01:18 AM
julesrsuarez julesrsuarez is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 26
Default MARTIN 000-15M BEST STRING GAUGE

I used to play 13 (msp7100) on my old guitar, but I'm afraid the neck will bend if I use it on my Martin 000-15m. I'm always on e-flat tuning that's why I think it won't hurt the neck.

Do you think 13 will be okay for e-flat tuning for Martin 000-15m?

What do you use?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-26-2017, 12:51 AM
StevenL StevenL is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Monroe, Louisiana
Posts: 1,374
Default

I use 12-54's. Using e-flat tuning would probably be about the same tension with 13's. The guitar is so light, I'd be wary of 13's at standard tuning but it may take it just fine.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-26-2017, 03:00 AM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Chugiak, Alaska
Posts: 31,164
Default

The guitar will be fine strung with medium gauge strings at standard pitch. Tuning a half step flat will cause you no problems at all.

I prefer medium gauge strings, and that's all I've ever used on any Martin guitar I've owned, whether dreadnought, Triple O, Double O or OM. Straight-braced or scalloped, from a structural standpoint Martins can handle medium gauge strings. You may or may not prefer the sound with mediums, but any mechanically sound, undamaged modern Martin guitar intended for steel strings can handle medium gauge strings.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-26-2017, 05:39 AM
ghostnote ghostnote is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,649
Default

Martin recommends light strings for that guitar. I use 12s on mine, and it sounds great - no complaints here.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-26-2017, 05:45 AM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Addison, TX
Posts: 19,007
Default

If 13's damaged Martin 000's I would have blown up a few guitars.

I used 13's tuned down 1/2 step fro over a decade with OMs/000s and even an 00, zero problems.

A few months ago I went back to concert tuning and using Martin MSP 4150s, .0125s, right between 12' and 13's. Have then on all my guitars and really like them, possibly an option for you.

Enjoy your 000-15M, they are great little guitars.........
__________________
Rich - rmyAddison

Rich Macklin Soundclick Website
http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison

Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar
Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar
Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-26-2017, 06:00 AM
51 Relic 51 Relic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Whippingham Isle of Wight England
Posts: 1,313
Default

As already stated Martin recommend no higher than Med strings on their steel string guitars . I use 12-54 Martin Claptons on my OODB but that's my preferred gauge
__________________
Martin OODB JT
Gibson J45
Yamaha LLTA
Yamaha SLG200S
Yamaha NTX1200R
Taylor GSMiniE Rosewood
Joe Brown Uke
AER Compact 60
Marshall AS50D

Now 100% Acoustic and loving it ! No more GAS
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-26-2017, 09:25 AM
Ted @ LA Guitar Sales Ted @ LA Guitar Sales is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Southern California
Posts: 12,231
Default

The current 000-15M was designed to be used with 12's, but 13's tuned down a half step should be fine as well. We've sold a boat load of our Custom OM-15's, which differ from the stock 000-15M only in that they have a 1-3/4" nut, 2-1/4" saddle spacing combo, along with tortoise binding, and the feedback we get is that most folks prefer to stick with lights.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-26-2017, 09:30 AM
stephenT's Avatar
stephenT stephenT is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: GA & MN
Posts: 4,655
Default

I'm using 12.5s on my Martin OO-15m, MSP4150 SP Phosphor Bronze Light/Medium. Perfect for me.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-26-2017, 10:49 AM
Robert1950 Robert1950 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Edmonton, AB.
Posts: 158
Default

It seems that if anyone recommends anything under 12 here, it seems like weakness or heresy. But 11-52, especially on 000/OM sized guitars or smaller works well for me. I like the slightly easier feel and flexibility. Any reduction in "Tone" is not significant for me.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-26-2017, 11:11 AM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Chugiak, Alaska
Posts: 31,164
Default

It's not a question of "heresy," I was merely pointing out that the guitar can handle mediums without any problems. It can also handle extra lights. It's a matter of personal preference and playing style.


whm
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-26-2017, 11:19 AM
Llewlyn Llewlyn is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco (CA)
Posts: 342
Default

I don't think that Martin recommendation necessarily implies a physical limit for the particular guitar. A fingerstyle guitar usually mounts light strings because they tend to me more comfortable to the player rather than medium strings.

Ll.
__________________
Martin OM-28 1931 Authentic | Martin CEO-7
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany | Logan Custom Telecaster
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-26-2017, 11:19 AM
ishtar ishtar is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 342
Default

I have had a few 000-15s in my life and just got my latest... and just asked a similar question somewhere (I believe over at the unofficial Martin user group site). Several folks suggested Martin retro Monels, which come in a few gauge sets. I got the .011 Custom lights and am really enjoying them. The Tony Rice flavor comes in .013s... Maybe try 'em?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-26-2017, 11:39 PM
julesrsuarez julesrsuarez is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 26
Default

Thank you so much for your opinions. With little adjustment with the neck, I installed the 13 medium and it became thick sounding. But it still sound good though. But I think I will go with 12.5 next time as talkgtr said. I really like the OEM string of the guitar but I don't think I will like it when stepped half down.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-27-2017, 04:57 AM
lt20dbl lt20dbl is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,458
Default

Based on actually owning a 000-15S for four years and passing it on to my stepson who needed a neck re-set for the guitar under warrantee after another two years, (He switched to medium at standard pitch from my lights at E flat) I would recommend using lights. It is a lightly braced guitar and I believe the light string recommendation is about right. After eight more years, the guitar is still doing fine.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-27-2017, 05:04 AM
julesrsuarez julesrsuarez is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 26
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lt20dbl View Post
Based on actually owning a 000-15S for four years and passing it on to my stepson who needed a neck re-set for the guitar under warrantee after another two years, (He switched to medium at standard pitch from my lights at E flat) I would recommend using lights. It is a lightly braced guitar and I believe the light string recommendation is about right. After eight more years, the guitar is still doing fine.
So what string are you using is it the Lifespan SP Light? And you are in E flat, correct?
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=