Martin 000-15m vs Guild OM 120

[Luc]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to buy my first all solid wood guitar. I really like both the sound and the look of mahogany guitars and I want something around the OM or 000 size. I have had the chance to play the Martin a few times (both the normal version and the streetmaster) and I love it and would buy it today if I could. My main concern is the price which is why I am looking at other options. I saw the Guild OM 120 is all solid mahogany but it is about half the price because it is made in China. Has anyone been able to try one of these guitars? Are they even comparable to the Martin? Does it seem like they have good quality control? I’m mostly wondering because I could afford to order one today but if I want the Martin I’ll have to wait a while longer to keep saving up. I’m also open to other options if people have suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

[JackC1]

My advice is to not to settle on price as the reason for the Guild. You should like it as much as the Martin; otherwise, buy the Martin.

[Lillis]

I recently had a GUild D1212 made in China and it was very high quality. I’m lucky enough to have a 00015SM which I think will be a lifer for me. It sounds like you really want the Martin so I think it would be worth waiting a little longer. Just my 2 cents.

[Monty Christo]

Guilds are great, and the 120 sounds really good. However, I am a big proponent of "buy once, cry once." I think the 15-series guitars are some of Martin's best, and I also place a lot of value on pride of ownership. If you've got a desire for the Martin, keep saving and don't compromise. It will be worth the wait, IMO.

Also, used ones come up for sale regularly. You can let someone else deal with the depreciation and maybe get one that's more in line with your budget.

[sinistral]

I’ve played the Guild M-120 and own a 000-15M. I would say that the closer comparison is between the 000-15M and the Guild M-20—I would compare the M-120 to the 000-10e moreso than to the 000-15M.

All-mahogany Martins have a very distinctive sound. One thing to note is that the 000-15M has a standard scale length neck (typical of an OM and not a 000) and a 1-11/16” nut. Some dealers special order 15 series guitars with short scales and wider nuts, but those are typically more expensive. It is pretty routine to find used 000-15Ms for $1k - $1,000, if that helps.

[mr. beaumont]

Tough call, as I actually think the all mahogany Guilds made in China are very, very cool.

But I've had a 000-15m for a few years now, and it's become my favorite guitar.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by sinistral

I’ve played the Guild M-120 and own a 000-15M. I would say that the closer comparison is between the 000-15M and the Guild M-20—I would compare the M-120 to the 000-10e moreso than to the 000-15M.

All-mahogany Martins have a very distinctive sound. One thing to note is that the 000-15M has a standard scale length neck (typical of an OM and not a 000) and a 1-11/16” nut. Some dealers special order 15 series guitars with short scales and wider nuts, but those are typically more expensive. It is pretty routine to find used 000-15Ms for $1k - $1,000, if that helps.

+1..............

[kbraker]

I currently own the Om120 as my backup and plug in and play. The Martin 000 is 1
11/16 vs. the Guild at 1.75. If you can find one , Martin made an OM 15. If it’s your main guitar I’d go for the Martin. I don’t know how similar the neck profile is. That makes a difference to me.

[TiffanyGuitar]

This is a bit of a tough call. A few years ago, I tried two 000-15m guitars. They both sounded absolutely great. But, one of them had a terrible neck angle to the saddle - so bad you could visibly see a distinct hump at the 14th fret where the neck met the body. The second one was better - but still had a bad neck set angle to the saddle.

A year ago, I tried an OM-120. Build quality was very, very good. It needed a fret dressing, that's about the only thing I noted. But I thought the sound was thin. It may be that I am weird, since it surprised me with the rave reviews it gets.

So, my vote is to save for the Martin, but if you buy the Martin, either check the neck angle yourself or have someone qualified do it for you within the return window. If you buy the Guild, have someone go over the frets for you.

[abn556]

A more apt comparison IMO would be the Guild M20 US made to the Martin 000-15. Almost the same price and both American made.

+

[Wellington]

I would try and get my hands on the M-20 to try, which is more like the 00-15m.

[lar]

I've played both. I liked the neck on the OM-120 but the sound was unremarkable. Every 000-15m I've played has been very good, playability and sound. They aren't loud, but such a sweet sound.

[Luc]

Thanks everyone for the reply’s. I’m going to see if I can find one of the guilds to try in person to compare the 2 but if not I’ll probably save for the Martin because I know I like the sound and feel.

[Jeffreykip]

I am sure that the Martin will be great, but a Guild is an awesome guitar. I have played the Guild Om series and the sound was great, but the setup not so much. That can be an individual guitar thing, though and the reviews for the OM 120s are all positive. Martins are great but they are going to be the top end of the price options before you get to boutique guitars. A 1500$ guitar will sound good, but you don’t have to pay that for a guitar you can love forever. The other thing to consider is used. If you are patient you can get a great guitar for a lot less.

[baseball]

Martin..... and I played Guilds for much longer in my life....
Guilds sound really good....Martin's sound AWESOME

Those little 15's are mini cannons.