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Old 08-14-2020, 12:06 PM
fingerblaster fingerblaster is offline
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Default GUILD M-20, Martin 00-15 MARTIN 000-15SM

Hey guys, i'm loosing my mind over what what one of these guitars to buy. I have not played any of them. It seems my local shops our out of stock on them. I would be playing finger style country/blues and folk on it. Does anybody own or have played any of the three guitars mentioned? your wisdom and experience is must appreciated.
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Old 08-14-2020, 12:13 PM
pagedr pagedr is offline
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I've played all three, and they definitely vary a bit from one to the other. Playability wise, both the Guild and 000-15SM have 1 3/4" nuts whereas the 00-15 is 1 11/16". I like both but some are more picky about that sort of thing. The 15SM obviously has 12 frets to the body as well, whereas the others have 14.

Sound wise I like the Martin's better. The newer Guild M-20's just don't sound that great to my ear, a little overbuilt maybe. Now, if you were to look at some vintage M20's, those are outstanding guitars and usually pretty affordable, at least by vintage standards. Between the 00-15 and 000-15SM, I think it just depends what you prefer from the aforementioned playability specs, as well as the body size/sound. The 000 is a little boomier, being both bigger and only 12 frets, whereas the 00 is a bit more balanced but not as loud. I lean to the 00-15 as I love the 00 body size but obviously it'll come down to your own preferences.
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Old 08-14-2020, 12:17 PM
fingerblaster fingerblaster is offline
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Thanks man, that helps. I really am partial to the 12 fret layout. I have been leaning towards the 15sm since I started searching.
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Old 08-14-2020, 12:44 PM
Cool555 Cool555 is offline
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I own a 00-15m for 8 months now. Bought it new and really really like it. Didn’t expect the honeymoon to last for 8 months. I prefer the 1-11/16” and sold my Dread Junior 2 (All-Sapelle) recently because of its 1-3/4” nut.

Having said that, I know that the 000-15SM is the more popular choice in AGF (for the 15 series) So if you like 12-fret and 1-3/4” nut, then go for the 000-15SM. There’ll be many posts coming in support of that model. Just my 2 cents.
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Old 08-14-2020, 02:57 PM
Br1ck Br1ck is offline
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I have a 00 15 custom 12 fret. It is warmer than the 00 15. I'd lean toward the 00 15 for country blues for the brightness. The 000 15SM is fine but crosses the line toward a larger guitar sound. That could be exactly what you are looking for. You need to play at least two of them. If you can't get to a store, I'd be very up front and buy two, telling the store one would surely be returned.

I'm also a big fan of the specials stores like LA guitar have made popular. A 15 with plain tortoise binding is just right to my eye.
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Old 08-14-2020, 03:07 PM
Lillis Lillis is offline
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Well,I had a 00015SM and loved it but my shoulder did not. I begrudgingly sold it and bought a 0015 custom (to get the same 1 3/4 nut and 2 1/4 spacing). I love the 00 too,just not as much. Still miss the fuller,richer tone of the SM but can honestly say you probably can’t go wrong with either one for your playing style. No experience with the Guild at all.
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Old 08-15-2020, 08:23 AM
hojo199 hojo199 is offline
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I have owned a 000-15SM and an M-20 (Oxnard build). I loved the 000-15SM. I stupidly sold it to fund a vintage purchase.

The M20 was well appointed, fit and finish, gorgeous. Played fantastic but had ZERO tone except this woofy sound on the "B" note (Low E 7th fret). I had gotten it on a long distance trade. I hated it. It sold on Reverb in one day for more than I had in it.
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Old 08-15-2020, 09:21 AM
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I don't have any experience with the Guild, but I've had both of the 000-15 models. For your stated purpose, I'd definitely recommend the 12-fret SM over the 14 fret M model. A, it's got a warmer, deeper tone, and if memory serves, it projects a bit better, probably because of the body shape. Also, it's got a wider nut and wider string spacing at the saddle, both of which I greatly prefer for finger style playing. Not everyone does, but I think that's true of a lot of folks.

I liked the 000-15M quite a bit too, but I had it before I was fingerpicking, so I mostly used it for strumming and a bit of picking (with a pick). For my taste and purposes, I much preferred the 000-15SM. You might or might not, but for a fingerpicking application, I think it's a better starting point...

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Old 08-15-2020, 09:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fingerblaster View Post
Hey guys, i'm loosing my mind over what what one of these guitars to buy. I have not played any of them. It seems my local shops our out of stock on them. I would be playing finger style country/blues and folk on it. Does anybody own or have played any of the three guitars mentioned? your wisdom and experience is must appreciated.
Buy the M20. Reasons?

1) unlikely ever to need a neckset in your lifetime
2) fun to play
3) beautiful craftsmanship
4) sounds stunning
5) less common than a Martin
6) it's a Guild...no finer mass produced guitar
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00-15, 000-15sm, guild, m-20, martin

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