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  #1  
Old 01-25-2020, 06:57 PM
surfcowboy surfcowboy is offline
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Default Martin 000 String Spacing Question

Hey first post on the forum! I'm on the hunt and I could use some help. For the past couple months I've been searching for my "life guitar" and I'm pretty sure I want to get some kind of Martin 000. I've tried out a few different models at my local guitar store and I really like the comfort of the orchestra body size combined with the short scale. I play a lot of finger-style with some flat-picking/strumming so I want something that will do both well.

My favorite guitar so far has been the Martin 000-18. Love the sound / feel / look and I'm close to making a purchase...

The only thing holding me back is wondering if there are any Martin 000 guitars (past or present) with 2 1/4 inch string spacing at the bridge?

The new 000-18 had 2 5/32 spacing which felt good but on the narrow side. I also played a CEO-7 with 2 5/16 spacing which felt great for fingerpicking but a little wide with a pick.

The standard 2 5/32 spacing isn't a deal breaker for me but I'd love to find that Goldilocks, not too narrow and not too wide 2 1/4 string spacing. Anyone else find themselves in this position or have to make this decision in the past? Any insight or suggestions welcome! Thanks
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Old 01-25-2020, 07:04 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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I'm with you that 2 1/4 is the sweet spot for string spacing. My Martin OMC-15e has 2 1/4 string spacing.
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Old 01-25-2020, 07:27 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Also, just about all the Breedlove American models have 2 1/4 string spacing.
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Old 01-25-2020, 07:44 PM
JMW01 JMW01 is offline
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The Martin 000-15SM has 2 1/4” string spacing at the bridge. However, it’s not short scale and a 12 fret. The 000-28EC is short scale and 2 1/4”, but I prefer the 000-15SM.

Last edited by JMW01; 01-25-2020 at 07:57 PM.
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Old 01-25-2020, 09:10 PM
darylcrisp darylcrisp is offline
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the OM 21 that was built along 2005-2017(around those years), had 1 3/4" nut width, 2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle. And i'm pretty sure it had the Low Profile neck which i think was Martins best neck profile ever-its kinda a low profile true C shape. These were unadorned models, sitka top, IRW back/sides, and i can't remember for sure but i think rosewood binding. thinking 1/4" bracing. You can find them on reverb and such. Typically rich tones with a hint of dry come from this model.

d
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Old 01-25-2020, 10:12 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darylcrisp View Post
the OM 21 that was built along 2005-2017(around those years), had 1 3/4" nut width, 2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle. And i'm pretty sure it had the Low Profile neck which i think was Martins best neck profile ever-its kinda a low profile true C shape. These were unadorned models, sitka top, IRW back/sides, and i can't remember for sure but i think rosewood binding. thinking 1/4" bracing. You can find them on reverb and such. Typically rich tones with a hint of dry come from this model.

d
I had a 2015 OM 21 and it had 2 3/16 string spacing.
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Old 01-26-2020, 01:40 AM
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raysachs raysachs is offline
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I’ll second the 000-15SM if you’re ok with an extra half inch of scale length. In a 000-18 you might want to check LA Guitar Sales or a couple of Forum sponsors to see what kind of limited custom runs they’ve had done. Ted at LA Guitar sales always seems to spec his customs with 1 3/4” nuts and 2 1/4 spacing at the bridge. Another stock model to check out is the CEO-7 whichis a OO body size but has the wider nut and string spacing and is a short scale...
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Old 01-26-2020, 03:28 AM
Jaden Jaden is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulzoom View Post
I had a 2015 OM 21 and it had 2 3/16 string spacing.
I believe the OM-21 is now at 2 5/32 string spacing with the PA taper neck - it started the previous decade at 2 1/4 and of course nut width is constant 1 3/4” throughout.
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Old 01-26-2020, 08:10 AM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaden View Post
I believe the OM-21 is now at 2 5/32 string spacing with the PA taper neck - it started the previous decade at 2 1/4 and of course nut width is constant 1 3/4” throughout.
So anything before 2010?
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Old 01-26-2020, 04:41 PM
surfcowboy surfcowboy is offline
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Thanks for the replies! After reading through your comments and doing a little more research it looks like the options for short scale Martin 000s with 2 1/4" bridge spacing are limited or non existent:

- Modified low oval + High Performance taper necks are either 2 5/32" or 2 3/16"

- Pre 2010 OM-21 guitars have low profile necks with standard taper which comes with 2 1/4"... but no short scale option.

- 000-15sm have modified low oval with standard taper (sort of an outlier from what I can tell) with 2 1/4" bridge spacing.


I'm wondering if there are any other Martin 000s (14 fret) with the combination of the modified low oval + standard taper?

In an ideal world I'm looking for these specs:

Size: 000-14 Fret
Top: Spruce
Backs/Sides: Mahogany or Rosewood
Scale Length: 24.9"
Nut Width: 1 3/4"
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval or similar
Neck Taper: High-performance or Standard
Bridge Spacing: 2 1/4"
Price: 1,000 - 3,000

I'm not completely set on getting a Martin. I'm also open to looking at other brands / models with similar specs and Martin style. Any other brands or models I should check out?
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Old 01-26-2020, 05:33 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by surfcowboy View Post
- Pre 2010 OM-21 guitars have low profile necks with standard taper which comes with 2 1/4"... but no short scale option.
I just messages a reverb.com seller about a 2002 OM-21 and he said the string spacing was 2 3/16, not 2 1/4.
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Old 01-26-2020, 08:01 PM
MHC MHC is offline
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I have the same issue as you with Martin's MLO/PA taper necks and their string spacing at the saddle. 2 5/32 is just too narrow, given that 2 1/4" is perfect for me.

I came up with two solutions:

1) I bought a Custom Huss & Dalton TOM-M (short scale). Their neck shape is ideal for me and the string spacing is 2 7/32 (just the barest smidge off 2 1/4")

2) I also bought one of Ted's Martin Custom Shop 00-21 (Ted from LA Guitar Sales). It has the MLO neck profile but without the PA taper. That means the neck width at the 14th fret is 2 1/4" and the string spacing at the saddle is also 2 1/4". Perfect.

I once asked Ted if he'd order a 000-21 with exactly the same neck and saddle spacing if I wanted one, and he said he would. But with the H&D I'm actually all set for guitars.

Good luck!
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Old 01-26-2020, 08:20 PM
surfcowboy surfcowboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MHC View Post
I have the same issue as you with Martin's MLO/PA taper necks and their string spacing at the saddle. 2 5/32 is just too narrow, given that 2 1/4" is perfect for me.

I came up with two solutions:

1) I bought a Custom Huss & Dalton TOM-M (short scale). Their neck shape is ideal for me and the string spacing is 2 7/32 (just the barest smidge off 2 1/4")

2) I also bought one of Ted's Martin Custom Shop 00-21 (Ted from LA Guitar Sales). It has the MLO neck profile but without the PA taper. That means the neck width at the 14th fret is 2 1/4" and the string spacing at the saddle is also 2 1/4". Perfect.

I once asked Ted if he'd order a 000-21 with exactly the same neck and saddle spacing if I wanted one, and he said he would. But with the H&D I'm actually all set for guitars.

Good luck!
Thanks for the ideas. It's nice to hear how others have navigated this situation.

I haven't looked into Huss & Dalton but I'll check those out.

As for the custom 000-21 concept... forgive my ignorance but is the 000-21 just a OM-21 with the short scale neck? How do you like the MLO neck profile with the standard taper? Does it feel significantly wider or chunkier to your left hand?
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000, 000-18, martin, orchestra model, string spacing

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