Martin 000-15SM Opinions

[DesertTwang]

I highly recommend this guitar. My 2013 000-15sm is one of the best-sounding guitars I know. It's powerful, growly and surprisingly loud. I've used it a lot in bluegrass jams, and it adds a great tone to the mix. Bang for the buck, I think it's one of the best sounding Martin guitars you can possibly buy. I got mine new for $1,100 shipped. Plus, with its slotted headstock, I think it's a killer looking guitar, too.

Just a note of caution: If you ever consider buffing out the satin finish, DO NOT do it. I attempted to, and it turned out to be a total mess. I was drawn to pictures of buffed-out specimens of this series I had seen on this and another forum, but there must be a difference in the wood, finish, or both, between older and newer 15sms. Based on my experience, it is not possible to buff out the newer ones to that nice, glossy sheen that you see in older examples.

This is the video that finally sold me on this guitar at the time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFgnW7yTVLI

[DesertTwang]

Originally Posted by geoawelch

Thanks everyone for the replies so far

I like the SM specs with the shorter scale, wider nut.

It's not a short scale. The 000-15sm has the standard, 25.4-inch, "long" scale that Martin uses in the dreadnaughts as well. Perhaps you were referring to the fact that the body meets the scale at the 12th fret as opposed to the 14th?

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

I own a 2009 000-15 (that I have added some nice upgrades to), and also used to own a 2016 000-15SM. I had no wood quality issues with either guitar. Both guitars are beautiful (see pics of mine below).

Between the two models, regarding tone, I strongly prefer the voice of a 000-15. In my opinion, the 14 fret body shape in this size guitar yields a much more appealing, balanced, and well rounded tone than the 12 fret body shape.

I found my 000-15SM to lack punch and 'shimmer' or 'tightness' on chords (especially barre chords). It also did not have the overall tonal balance or the volume that my 000-15 has.

If one is fingerpicking exclusively, the 000-15SM would likely be the ticket. However, if one does even a moderate amount of strumming, I'd recommend the 000-15. I absolutely love mine. As I am whittling down my number of guitars, the 000-15 is sure to remain in the cast of characters.

disclaimer: My 000-15 may be an exceptional example of the model - It is a real keeper. Also, now that it has almost 10 years of regular playing on it, its voice has really blossomed and matured.

Of course, YMMV.

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I should have mentioned in the opening post that I play fingerstyle only.

George

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

It's not a short scale. The 000-15sm has the standard, 25.4-inch, "long" scale that Martin uses in the dreadnaughts as well. Perhaps you were referring to the fact that the body meets the scale at the 12th fret as opposed to the 14th?

You are quite right, I confused the two.

[PiousDevil]

I have a 2017 000-15sm. Fantastic guitar, wonderful wood, wonderful smell, wonderful ringing tone, perfect setup from the factory. No complaints at all, would definitely buy again.

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

I highly recommend this guitar. My 2013 000-15sm is one of the best-sounding guitars I know. It's powerful, growly and surprisingly loud. I've used it a lot in bluegrass jams, and it adds a great tone to the mix. Bang for the buck, I think it's one of the best sounding Martin guitars you can possibly buy. I got mine new for $1,100 shipped. Plus, with its slotted headstock, I think it's a killer looking guitar, too.

Just a note of caution: If you ever consider buffing out the satin finish, DO NOT do it. I attempted to, and it turned out to be a total mess. I was drawn to pictures of buffed-out specimens of this series I had seen on this and another forum, but there must be a difference in the wood, finish, or both, between older and newer 15sms. Based on my experience, it is not possible to buff out the newer ones to that nice, glossy sheen that you see in older examples.

This is the video that finally sold me on this guitar at the time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFgnW7yTVLI

That is a good video. There are a few, plus the memory of the one I let get away

[bufflehead]

The "M" in 000-15M does not stand for mahogany. Rather, it represents a series of upgrades, including: bone nut and saddle; ebony bridge pins; an inlaid rosette (rather than a decal); delmar pickguard; diamond fretboard inlays.

I may have missed something there.

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

I have two playing buddies with high end Martin collections, my least expensive Martin is an OM-18 Authentic '33, and yet all three of us would tell you some 000-15SM's are just fantastic guitars.

Both of these playing buddies have 000-15SM's, one is "spectacular" and light as a feather, the rest of their collections are pretty high end, some Martin 15's just bat way above their price.

As someone who has owned almost 40 Martins they are not all created equal, and IMO and lifetime experience, some models seem to be more consistent than others, my opinion.

The 15 series Mahogany Martins and Mahogany GE's are very consistently greats guitars. So this is a guy with a high end collection saying "go for it", used and older even better. Happy shopping.........

Hi Rich,

Quite an endorsement - thanks.

George

[geoawelch]

DesertTwang, thanks for both your replies.

Will be visiting my local guitar shop soon.

George

Having owned a 00015 for a couple of years, I would personally buy the SM model. I prefer the wider nut and 12-fret construction to begin with, but to my ears the tone is richer and more full. The standard sounds very good, but the SM sounds great. Had I bought that model to begin with, I would still own a Martin.

[geoawelch]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

Having owned a 00015 for a couple of years, I would personally buy the SM model. I prefer the wider nut and 12-fret construction to begin with, but to my ears the tone is richer and more full. The standard sounds very good, but the SM sounds great. Had I bought that model to begin with, I would still own a Martin.

Thanks Willie,

That is definitely the plan. I passed on one a couple years ago and have regretted it.

George

[paulin]

For use in a loud band, what pickup would you recommend adding to a 000-15M? I'm not interested in K&K or other feedback prone pickups as we are pretty loud sometimes and headroom is important.

Thanks,
Paul

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by paulin

For use in a loud band, what pickup would you recommend adding to a 000-15M? I'm not interested in K&K or other feedback prone pickups as we are pretty loud sometimes and headroom is important.

Thanks,
Paul

DiMarzio Passive Angel with a decent preamp. Awesome!

[Guildman]

[QUOTE=muscmp;5757994]

i have a 00018ge also, but if i see a real good deal on the 15sm, i'll snatch it up. as a lot of us say, i don't need it, i just want it.

The above would be my comment as well. The 000-18 is about the guitar to end all guitars. You'll never pry mine away.

[Petty1818]

I have been interested in this guitar for quite some time but have never come across one. I did try the 000-15M and found it to be a bit too bright/thin sounding for me. It looks amazing and some videos sound incredible but I really need to try one.