1999 Martin 000-15 Specs?

[FiggyPudding18]

Hey all, looking at a 1999 Martin 000-15. Are the specs any different from the current 000-15m version? Is it made with the same mahogany, etc.


Thanks!

[UncleJesse]

I would think in 99 it would still be geniune mahogany and not sipo. Someone else may have more information.

FROM 2015:

"Due to dwindling quality and supplies with increased demand, we have had to broaden our species base for Mahoganies in order to continue making the volume of quality instruments required. Genuine Mahogany refers specifically and only to Mahoganies of the genus Swietenia. In our case, that would be Swietenia macrophylla - both native and plantation grown.

All of our Mahogany is Solid wood, not plywood, so we can get that term out of the way.

True Mahogany (which we refer to as Select Mahogany) includes all species of the larger botanical Mahogany family, Meliaceae. The mahogany family includes the following species, for our purposes, and are used as availability dictates:
Sapele Entandrophragma cylindricum (tropical Africa)
Utile or Sipo, Entandrophragma utile (tropical Africa)
African Mahogany Khaya ivorensis (tropical Africa)
Spanish cedar Cedrela odorata (Central and South America)
Note: There are others too, but we are not utilizing them currently.

The 15 series is currently made of Sipo, and Mahogany as available. If a custom quote specifically calls for Genuine Mahogany, that is what it is supposed to get. We are keeping Genuine Mahogany set aside for customs as required and dovetailed neck guitars.

Sipo/Utile is generally the closest in appearance to Genuine Mahogany, and has the same tonal characteristics.

Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to share my answer on the forum.

Best regards,
Linda"

Another thread on this: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=555627

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

I would think in 99 it would still be geniune mahogany and not sipo. Someone else may have more information
Another thread on this: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=555627

Thanks! I’m interested that the seller states it is an 000-15, without the m, but says it’s mahogany. Definitely want to confirm it’s solid hog and not sapele

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

Hey all, looking at a 1999 Martin 000-15. Are the specs any different from the current 000-15m version? Is it made with the same mahogany, etc.


Thanks!

There are quite a few changes in the specs of the current 000-15M from the 1999 000-15 version. Here's a list of some that I'm aware of, there are no doubt more than this:

15- mortise and tenon neck joint
15M- simple dovetail neck joint
15- herringbone decal rosette
15M- multi-stripe rosette (not a decal)
15- tusq nut and saddle
15M- bone nut and saddle
15- white plastic bridge pins
15M- ebony bridge pins
15- round MOP fretboard inlay
15M- diamond and squares short pattern abalone fretboard inlay
15- EIR bridge
15M- ebony bridge
15- closed back tuners
15M- butterbean open back tuners
15- gold foil headstock logo decal
15M- script old style overlay

IIRC most of the 15 series guitars in 1999 were made with Honduran mahogany. If a different wood was used at that time it would probably have been sapele.

Hope that helps.

[FiggyPudding18]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

most of the 15 series guitars in 1999 were made with Honduran mahogany. If a different wood was used at that time it would probably have been sapele.

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much, so there is no way to guarantee it’s not sapele? I guess maybe sapele would have striping and Honduran mahogany wouldn’t maybe?

[blindboyjimi]

Sapele is very easy to see. The stripes are not subtle.
IMG_0631.jpg

IMG_0632.jpg

[FiggyPudding18]

https://imgur.com/a/XztgiOI

https://imgur.com/a/0v69W4A

Do you think genuine mahogany?

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by FiggyPudding18

https://imgur.com/a/XztgiOI

https://imgur.com/a/0v69W4A

Do you think genuine mahogany?

Based on those photos I'm almost certain that it is not sapele. The 15 series guitars prior to having the "M" designation that I've seen which were made of sapele had very pronounced striping. When I purchased my Martin J-15 new in 2007 there were two available for me to purchase; one was clearly sapele with prominent striping on the top and back, a look that I didn't care for. The one I purchased was made of Honduran mahogany and the difference in appearance was strikingly obvious even before the sellers confirmed the construction of each.

Here's a photo of my 2007 Honduran mahogany J-15:



Here's a photo of a sapele J-15:

[Dotneck]

I've got a '99 000-15S. It's Honduran.

[Cool555]

Is the 2007 J-15 and the current 000-15M similar? Or did Martin have both models back then. They sure look similar.

Is the 1999 000-15S and the current 000-15M similar? Why the additional S behind?

Thanks.

[FiggyPudding18]

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately the person backed out of the trade, at least I learned a little bit here

[scriv58]

Originally Posted by Cool555

Is the 2007 J-15 and the current 000-15M similar? Or did Martin have both models back then. They sure look similar.

Is the 1999 000-15S and the current 000-15M similar? Why the additional S behind?

Thanks.

S=12 fret model

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by scriv58

S=12 fret model

Thanks scriv58! Just like the current 000-15SM model.

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Cool555

Is the 2007 J-15 and the current 000-15M similar? Or did Martin have both models back then. They sure look similar.

Is the 1999 000-15S and the current 000-15M similar? Why the additional S behind?

Thanks.

I'm not sure how long the J-15 was in production(it was discontinued by Martin several years ago). I don't know if it was being produced in 1999. As for looking similar, yes they look practically identical in body shape, but the J-15 is a jumbo. If you see them side-by-side the J-15 looks like the big brother of the 000-15.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by catdaddy

I'm not sure how long the J-15 was in production(it was discontinued by Martin several years ago). I don't know if it was being produced in 1999. As for looking similar, yes they look practically identical in body shape, but the J-15 is a jumbo. If you see them side-by-side the J-15 looks like the big brother of the 000-15.

Thanks catdaddy for the explanation! That's a nice-looking retro J-15!