GUILD M-20, Martin 00-15, MARTIN 000-15SM

fingerblaster · #1 08-14-2020, 12:10 PM

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.

PeterG_1960 · #2 08-14-2020, 01:26 PM

I wish I could say i have played them all. Truly, I have 5 guitars I want to choose between and the two Martins are right at #1 (000-15SM) and #2 (00-15M) and the Guild at #4.

There is a dealer about 40 miles from me that has the two martins in stock but I cannot take the risk of going there because we have a disabled son who is covid shielded and we are effectively in lockdown.

So I couldn't believe your question featured these models. Great minds think alike.

Doing some research on the AGF, I've seen many differing opinions on the Martins, but overall I favour the SM, my playing styles being very similar to yours. But that Guild is really nice.

Jeremy the Guitar Hunter just bought an M20 and it really comes accross well in his video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SucD...ature=youtu.be

Another guitar well worth considering is the Eastman E10-00 (hog back and sides) or it's counterpart the E20-00 (rosewood back and sides). These make up the other two models on my 5 to consider.

I wish you well with your decision, and shall be following this thread avidly!

Best wishes

Peter

DukeX · #3 08-14-2020, 02:20 PM

I can only speak about the 000-15sm.

A couple of years ago I was looking for the same type of guitar (also looked at the 17 series). After a lot of research and video watching, I decided on the 000-15sm. It's exactly what I was looking for. Mucho mojo, vibe, and a unique voice and feel that I find myself craving. YMMV.

BoneDigger · #4 08-14-2020, 02:27 PM

All are good guitars, but I would vote for the OOO15sm.

DCCougar · #5 08-14-2020, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerblaster

GUILD M-20, Martin 00-15, MARTIN 000-15SM

Sorry -- only into JUMBO Guilds. Love 'em!

Steve DeRosa · #6 08-14-2020, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerblaster

...I would be playing fingerstyle country/blues and folk on it...

Martin 000-15SM hands-down - if you break it in right; if you've never owned a hardwood-top (mahogany family, walnut, koa) guitar, FYI they need to be played harder, over a longer period, before they fully open up - pound the snot out of it (think Pete Townshend here) an hour or so a day for 4-6 months, and you'll have a real tone/volume monster on your hands when you come back to fingerstyle...

Bob from Brooklyn · #7 08-14-2020, 04:56 PM

I already have the 00015sm and I love it. The M20 is smaller. The only time I tried one I thought it was rather meh until I started finger picking (bare skin) on it. It made the hair on my arms stand. When I went back a few days later it was gone but the mental note had been made.

Cottonwood King · #8 08-14-2020, 08:20 PM

I’ve only played the Guild and the 000-15sm. I’d have to give another vote for the 000-15sm, only because the modern Guilds haven’t really spoken to me when I’ve played them. The M20 is a fine guitar but wasn’t anywhere near the 000-15sm when I played the two.

That being said, and I know you’ll here it a lot here: play them yourself first if possible to compare. Specs on paper are just that: specs. What a guitar feels like and sounds like depending on the player makes a world of difference. Best of luck!

db25364 · #9 08-15-2020, 06:52 AM

The 000-15SM generally seems to be the favorite among AGF folks. They tend to have a richer sound with more bass. It has a slot head which many love but many find it difficult to change the strings. I have a custom 00-15 that I absolutely love. I prefer the smaller size and it sounds wonderful.

k_russell · #10 08-15-2020, 07:16 AM

I have played all 3, but in 2 different shops on different days. I liked the Guild the best. In the end I did not buy any of these. The small body Alvarez worked for my purposes for less money.

Slothead56 · #11 08-15-2020, 07:36 AM

I sent my 000-15sm off to CA with my son when he moved....happy to do it as he loves that guitar.

I had it for about a year. It does everything. Great strummer, awesome finger style (I use metal finger picks and a plastic thumb pick). Very vibe like. I swapped out the not very cool while plastic button shiny tuning gears for a set of vintage nickel and it looks as good as it sounds. If it had stuck around i would have done a after market pick guard as well.

The other thing about this particular guitar is that you can bang it in to stuff without much cosmetic impact!