Martin 000 dilemma

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I have a D18 and a 00015-sm. I love the 15 but I think the 18 is more versatile. You can get used 15's for under $1k all day long at Guitar Center if you really want to get crazy. It even looks like they're doing extended financing on the used guitars now.

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by kilgoret78

Greetings everyone. My first post here, looking for some input on a Martin 000.

I have been playing guitar on and off for a few years. No lessons, I just watch videos and read chord charts. I have gotten to a point where I can play the basic chords and change from one chord to another with out stopping. I am a noob. I have bought and returned a few guitars for a variety of reasons. About a year ago I got a Seagull S6 and have been enjoying playing it since. I have gotten to a point where I think I have found a sound/tone that is pleasing to my ear and a shape that is comfortable to play- the 000.

I have been researching and playing two Martin 000s for a few months. The 15m and the 18. Both sound amazing, but different. Though they both have that mahogany sound that I like. The 18 is crisp, bright, and alive. The 15 is warm, dry, and has a growl to my ears that the 18 does not. They also play a bit differently. The 15 almost plays like an electric guitar.

I am a couch player, not a performer. I do not attend bluegrass jams, nor do I plan to. I like to play at home after a long day to relax. Volume is not something I necessarily seek. In fact, mellow is preferred.

I recently took the plunge and got a 000-18 at a local shop on a Black Friday special. However, I can’t get the 15 out of my head.

So after all this rambling- here is my question. Did I buy too much guitar with the 000-18? Would I be better suited with the 000-15? Is the 000-15m an heirloom quality guitar?

I have poured through many threads on this topic, and it seems that there is no bad choice here. I am curious to read perspectives from folks with much more experience than me. Thank you in advance for your input.

..."However, I can't get the 15 out of my head..."

To me, that is the answer. There is no right or wrong in this decision. Life is short, so play what you like.

[Slothead56]

So much great advice...I may as well pile on.

Congratulations on being discerning enough to recognize tonal differences in these two guitars so early in your guitar journey. I think you nailed their sound....but did you nail it or did you read so much that others nailed out for you? Not being critical but many of us have been playing a long time and haven’t necessarily developed that good an ear. I can tell you after 45 years that I’m still learning about tonewoods, construction and how they make a guitar different. Almost all of it I’ve learned in the past 7 years I’ve been a member here.

Again, not being critical, but it speaks to the key thing: Forget trying to tell the difference and buy what you like today. I can 100% guarantee that over time your tastes will change. That’s ok...that’s why very few of us have our first guitar.

BTW-for my money the 18 is a significantly more versatile instrument and will carry you farther down the road. And I own a 000-15sm...for now at least!

[pszy22]

I will say that this type of question is the equivalent of asking the guy behind you in line what toppings you should order on you pizza. But since you asked, I own both a 000-15 and a 000-18. If someone told me I had to sell one, I wouldn't have to think about it, I'd keep the 000-18.

I think most will agree that the 000-18 is a more versatile instrument. As you continue to play, you may become interested in some different styles of music. There is not much music that can't be played with a 000-18.

[Boozehound]

The 000-18 is a phenomenal guitar that most would consider superior to the 000-15. It is a Standard Series Martin and very much an heirloom guitar. Keep it. Play it. Keep it humidified. Don’t worry about it! Enjoy.

[madhat]

I think you did good.

Now- plan to pick up the 000-15m when you have the opportunity...


Then take the 000-28 for a spin.

madhat.

[kilgoret78]

Thank you everyone for the replies / input / options / etc. this has been a great and informative thread for me. I know that this topic has been discussed a number of times. I do think that my ask was a bit different (hopefully not redundant).

Overwhelmingly the 000-18 seems to be the winner here. I do love the sound of the guitar. I had the opportunity to play it for a while today and really like it. Maybe this is the reassurance I needed. I am going to spend time with it over the next week or so and make my decision.

Any other input is welcomed. Thanks again. Great community here at AGF.

[Ben M.]

Someone already said it but I'll say it again.
Go with your gut

[brianmay]

My take on it would be to keep the 18 (I also find it aesthetically nicer too).

But there again, I've been keeping a 000-28 company for the last 11 years. I also don't play publicly. It's my mood-changer as I sit and doodle or even play songs from start to finish . . .

It's fun, it's reliable, it's beautiful to look at even when on its stand (my guitars are on stands so I can pick them up and play - no pets, kids gone).

BUT that's MY judgement and is totally irrelevant.

The ONLY person that can judge, is you. It's tough but someone has to do it.

[kilgoret78]

Thank you again everyone for your insights. Lots of great responses from many experienced players.

I was able to spend a good bit of time playing the 000-18 over the past 48 hours. The new strings are settling in. It really is a terrific guitar. I want to take a few more days / week to decide, but I think that I am going to go with my original instinct and keep the 18.

One note- everyone talks about the wonderful smell the 000-15, but can we talk about how great the 000-18 smells? Wow. How long does the rich, woody, sweet smell last? Hopefully much longer than the new car smell.

[hairpuller]

Well, mine still smells gorgeous and it’s 12 years old!

[jpricewood]

I actually prefer the warmth of the 15 series over the standard series. You could do what I did and buy a Martin 15 and then a bunch of Eastmans for the price of one Martin.

[fazool]

the 15-series is my favorite Martin series. I've had several.

[Jaden]

I managed to acquire a new 000-15m and 000-18 Std at the same time through an inheritance, and the difference between the 15 and 18 was like night and day - the 18 so much more complex, or like the equivalent of 3 or 4 different guitars depending on how you played it. I’ve since moved both of those guitars on, but have replaced the 15 with same model, this one more soft and complex - the first was stiff, tight but I still loved that guitar. The 18 was a little too soft for my abilities at the time, but it’s a model I’ll probably return to sometime in the future.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by kilgoret78

Thank you everyone for the replies / input / options / etc. this has been a great and informative thread for me. I know that this topic has been discussed a number of times. I do think that my ask was a bit different (hopefully not redundant).

Overwhelmingly the 000-18 seems to be the winner here. I do love the sound of the guitar. I had the opportunity to play it for a while today and really like it. Maybe this is the reassurance I needed. I am going to spend time with it over the next week or so and make my decision.

Any other input is welcomed. Thanks again. Great community here at AGF.

The only way you're ever going to learn anything is to return the 000-18, and get the 000-15.

When you've finally had some hard time suffering the remorseful angst of 'WHAT HAVE I DONE?? WHAT WAS I THINKING??', only THEN will you have learned The Lesson, which is: Don't ever put a guitar choice up to committee, unless that committee is you, your hands & your ears.

Regards,
Howard Emerson