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-   -   NGD: My first Martin! (00015-SM) (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545700)

beatcomber 05-01-2019 04:18 PM

NGD: My first Martin! (00015-SM)
 
I was in the Music Emporium on Monday afternoon buying some strings, and decided to check out the Martin 00015-SM I saw on the rack.

I was taken aback by how rich and well-balanced it sounded, and I loved the slotted headstock and simple, classic appointments. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and went back this morning right when they opened, ready to make a deal; I brought with me my '64 Gibson F25 Folksinger for trade-in.

I won't go into the details, but I feel like I got a crackin' good deal from The Music Emporium, and the whole negotiation process was painless and easy. They were willing to give me credit that was about $25 more than I paid for the Gibson last year, plus they knocked $200 off the sticker price advertised on most dealer websites for the 00015-SM. Because my cash outlay was minimal, I didn't have to pay a lot of sales tax either.

At the end of the day, I was able to acquire a brand new Martin for not a whole lot more than what they typically go for on the used market.

Unlike buying sight unseen from an online dealer, I was able to ensure before purchasing that the guitar sounds/looks good and plays well. I was also very happy to support a business located in my home town.

The only downside is I had to go directly from The Music Emporium to work, and the sweet smell of mahogany tormented me all day! But I am now about to shut down my computer, leave the office and head home with my new treasure...

Below are photos from TME's website of the actual guitar that I purchased. She's a beauty!

https://themusicemporium.com/assets/...1-6b7e73bb.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-2.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-3.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-4.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-5.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-6.jpg

https://themusicemporium.com/isotope...15sm-web-7.jpg

FOG01 05-01-2019 04:25 PM

That's a beauty!

HOF dad 05-01-2019 04:27 PM

congrats on a lovely guitar - great pictures to boot!
I love the anticipation of waiting to play something special.
Hope you have that every day

beatcomber 05-01-2019 04:29 PM

Many thanks! :D

ishtar 05-01-2019 04:32 PM

That’s fantastic!!! I’ve had two of them. Might have to satisfy my 12 fret urges which are growing... they are fantastic instruments! congrats!

Treenewt 05-01-2019 04:39 PM

That is a beautiful Martin! Congrats! The 15 series continue to be simply amazing instruments.

dbuck 05-01-2019 04:40 PM

Congrats, those all hog 12 frets are great guitars. Excellent pick for your first Martin!

lowrider 05-01-2019 04:40 PM

Really nice guitar. It's beautiful in it's own simple way.

Enjoy!

llew 05-01-2019 04:43 PM

Congrats...beautiful Martin!

hairpuller 05-01-2019 04:43 PM

Really cool guitar! Love the look and I'm sure the tone is killer. Have fun!
scott

Jaden 05-01-2019 04:44 PM

Very nice looking guitar, congratulations: Martin sure does a special job building guitars with mahogany/ sipo. Thanks for sharing this local guitar shopping experience, lots of fun. Enjoy!

ragincajun 05-01-2019 04:51 PM

Congrats on your first Martin, although I doubt it’ll be the last. That guitar is my absolute favorite in the 15 series too!

Wade Hampton 05-01-2019 05:00 PM

The Martin 000-15SM is my absolute favorite among Martin's entire "15 Series" product line. Those are great guitars. Congratulations on snagging a fine instrument.


Wade Hampton Miller

crikey 05-01-2019 05:09 PM

Looks great and I believe you'll love the tone. Congrats!

BrunoBlack 05-01-2019 05:09 PM

Terrific guitar. I’m sure you’ll love it. Congratulations.

TJE 05-01-2019 05:14 PM

I’m sure it sounds wonderful.....and smells just as good as it sounds!☺️

MrYelnats 05-01-2019 05:40 PM

Thats a Beauty!
 
I have the same model, and purchased it in 2015 IIRC. Mine looks a bit darker overall, and is likely SIPO and not Mahogany. But aside from that, these are sweet sounding guitars, and yours has the nicest coloring and grain pattern I've seen. Congrats!

fongie 05-01-2019 05:44 PM

Sweet.........Congrats!!! I had the 000-17SM which I sold last week. Enjoy!!

TJNies 05-01-2019 06:00 PM

Have to say, this is my favorite all-mahogany guitar. When I was auditioning some new Martins, the sales guy at GC suggested I try one of these.

I was surprised how toneful and warm these were! Played beautifully.

Congrats! I particularly like the ribboning of the side wood.

wkbryan 05-01-2019 06:21 PM

Excellent choice!

DukeX 05-01-2019 06:53 PM

Beautiful guitar! I've had mine for eight months, and it is an absolute blast to play.

Enjoy!

blacknblues 05-01-2019 07:00 PM

Very nice! I live 20 minutes away from TME and know first hand how hard it can be to leave that store empty handed!

OneThing 05-01-2019 07:00 PM

That’s a beautiful guitar. Congratulations!!! May it bring you many, many hours of enjoyment.

beatcomber 05-01-2019 07:09 PM

Thank you all for the kind words!

I spent some time with it after getting home, and it really is a delightful instrument.

While I was at the store this morning, I also picked up a set of Martin Retros, my favorite strings, which are said to be a great choice for mahogany guitars.

The guitar came from the factory with what I believe are PB Lifespans, and they are still fresh and sound fine, so I am in no hurry to pull them off. I'm wondering, however, if I will lose some of that wonderful bloom after switching to the monels? I guess I'll find out after the next string change.

dave42 05-01-2019 07:11 PM

A keeper for sure.. Enjoy!

Jaden 05-01-2019 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatcomber (Post 6051753)
Thank you all for the kind words!

I spent some time with it after getting home, and it really is a delightful instrument.

While I was at the store this morning, I also picked up a set of Martin Retros, my favorite strings, which are said to be a great choice for mahogany guitars.

The guitar came from the factory with what I believe are PB Lifespans, and they are still fresh and sound fine, so I am in no hurry to pull them off. I'm wondering, however, if I will lose some of that wonderful bloom after switching to the monels? I guess I'll find out after the next string change.

I really like the factory strings that come with the 000-15m; if yours is the same and are new, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to change them, imo.

beatcomber 05-01-2019 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaden (Post 6051759)
I really like the factory strings that come with the 000-15m; if yours is the same and are new, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to change them, imo.

Yessir, I have no reason to rip them off right away.

Floridapicker 05-01-2019 07:44 PM

congrats on the new Martin. It's really a day to celebrate. Play it a lot and see how it sounds in a year...you'll be floored I promise.

DownUpDave 05-01-2019 07:55 PM

Congratulations I own a 000-15M but those 12 fretters are the bomb. I tried Monels on mine and it made it sound dull, I gave it a full month. I put PBs back on and it returned to the sound I loved when I first played it. Others love the Monels so they are worth a try down the road. Enjoy your new beauty, I'm a bit jealous.

Jim Owen 05-01-2019 08:08 PM

Well done, Beatcomber.

That’s a classic. Use it in good health.


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