Martin 000-15m Nut Width

SasquatchLife · #1 10-25-2020, 06:37 PM

Good evening ladies and gents,

I'm interested in buying a Martin 000-15m. I see that is has the narrower 1 11/16 nut width. For all of you who own this model, does the narrower width cause issues for fingerpicking? Is it cramped compared to a 1 3/4 nut?

I have relatively small hands so I don't know if it will bother me to be honest.

I'm also interested in the 000-15sm 12 fret slot head, but I dunno about the 12 fret limitation.

It does seem that the 12 fret is generally favored over the 14 fret 000-15m.

Does anyone here own both? If so, which one do you like most?

Cheers,
Jordan

sloar · #2 10-25-2020, 07:16 PM

I recently picked up a new 000-15m. I play 99% fingerstyle and have had no issues with being cramped. It’s the smoothest and easiest guitar I’ve played yet. Absolutely love it.

warfrat73 · #3 10-25-2020, 07:24 PM

L.A. Guitar sales special orders an OM-15 spec, that has the wider nut, but also the longer scale length.

I have a 000-17sm, and personally I prefer the ergonomics of a 14-fret by small margin.

SasquatchLife · #4 10-25-2020, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloar

I recently picked up a new 000-15m. I play 99% fingerstyle and have had no issues with being cramped. It’s the smoothest and easiest guitar I’ve played yet. Absolutely love it.

Nice! Congrats on the new guitar. It seems that this model gets great reviews or 5 star reviews by everybody.

SasquatchLife · #5 10-25-2020, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warfrat73

L.A. Guitar sales special orders an OM-15 spec, that has the wider nut, but also the longer scale length.

I have a 000-17sm, and personally I prefer the ergonomics of a 14-fret by small margin.

The 17sm has a sitka spruce top right? That's the difference between it and the 15sm? Yeah, I really like the OM-15 at LA guitar. Has a really cool binding too.

BoneDigger · #6 10-25-2020, 07:33 PM

I have owned a CS 00015m with 14 frets and 1 3/4" nut. I now own a 12 fret 00015sm. I think they are both good, but the 12 fret model actually sounds a little better to me. It may have been those two particular guitars though. I do tend to like the wider nut width more than 1 11/16th. I own two D15m guitars and am looking for one with a 1 3/4" nut, but for a D size guitar, I am specifically looking for a 14 fret model.

SasquatchLife · #7 10-25-2020, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I have owned a CS 00015m with 14 frets and 1 3/4" nut. I now own a 12 fret 00015sm. I think they are both good, but the 12 fret model actually sounds a little better to me. It may have been those two particular guitars though. I do tend to like the wider nut width more than 1 11/16th. I own two D15m guitars and am looking for one with a 1 3/4" nut, but for a D size guitar, I am specifically looking for a 14 fret model.

Nice, yeah I'm pretty torn on the 12 fret vs 14 fret. What do you specifically like better about the sound on the 12 fret? Is it more difficult to change strings on the 12 fret?

BoneDigger · #8 10-25-2020, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SasquatchLife

Nice, yeah I'm pretty torn on the 12 fret vs 14 fret. What do you specifically like better about the sound on the 12 fret? Is it more difficult to change strings on the 12 fret?

I am not sure on the tone and I did not play them side by side. I sold the 14 fret model then later picked up the 12 fret model. It just seems a little more resonant to me. As for string changes, yes, I much prefer a standard headstock over a slot head. When I get a new D15, I want to find a 14 fret standard headstock model, but with 1 3/4"nut. I may have to have one made from the CS.

SasquatchLife · #9 10-25-2020, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I am not sure on the tone and I did not play them side by side. I sold the 14 fret model then later picked up the 12 fret model. It just seems a little more resonant to me. As for string changes, yes, I much prefer a standard headstock over a slot head. When I get a new D15, I want to find a 14 fret standard headstock model, but with 1 3/4"nut. I may have to have one made from the CS.

[emoji106][emoji106]

Cool555 · #10 10-25-2020, 10:08 PM

I have small hands too and I actually prefer 1-11/16 to 1-3/4” nut width. I strum more than finger-pick and don’t find it difficult to do the latter.

SasquatchLife · #11 10-25-2020, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool555

I have small hands too and I actually prefer 1-11/16 to 1-3/4” nut width. I strum more than finger-pick and don’t find it difficult to do the latter.

Nice, that's good to hear. Do you have the 000-15m or just a different model with the 1 11/16 nut?

Cool555 · #12 10-25-2020, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SasquatchLife

Nice, that's good to hear. Do you have the 000-15m or just a different model with the 1 11/16 nut?

I have the Martin 00-15m. Bought it new 10 months ago. Still loving it! My most played guitar.

Shredmaster007 · #13 10-26-2020, 01:00 AM

Probably just me, but my fore finger joints on my fretting hand would really cramp up and be painful when playing an open Am or Dm on my 000-15. The geometry on the Martin seemed to make the finger have to curl really close to itself.

SasquatchLife · #14 10-26-2020, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool555

I have the Martin 00-15m. Bought it new 10 months ago. Still loving it! My most played guitar.

I hear that's a great guitar also.

SasquatchLife · #15 10-26-2020, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredmaster007

Probably just me, but my fore finger joints on my fretting hand would really cramp up and be painful when playing an open Am or Dm on my 000-15. The geometry on the Martin seemed to make the finger have to curl really close to itself.

Yeah, I believe it. I just need to try and get my hands on one at a local GC and see if it's too cramped. Other than that, how do you like your 000-15m?