0 and 00 Martins

[fongie]

You will be shock at how loud some of these small bodies are. I had a 00-18V and a 0-16NY, the 00 was just amazing. You couldn't get a more comfortable couch guitar as well. Try one, you will be amaze.

[JonWint]

I don't know that sizes 0 and 00 are odd. Maybe a size 3 1/2 is odd.

I'm building a size 5 now. This is how it compares to a dreadnaught.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Martinaylor]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Might I assume that you grew up when the dreadnought was considered the standard size?

Allow me : C.F.Martin stared making guitars in the USA in the 1800s, right? (You knew that).

Back then there were relatively few Rosebowl sized venues and few heavy metal gigs.

Guitars were considered instruments for ladies when entertaining a small gathering/ soiree - all very domestic and polite,

The size 1 was the standard size for this.
The size 0 was called a "concert" size and intended to be sufficient to perform in a large room, small hall etc.
The size 00 was called (if memory serves) a "grand concert" - so, we are talking about a large hall, church, small theatre perhaps.

The 000 was introduced some time later - in 1902 and called the "Auditorium" and considered appropriate for a large venue of maybe 500 or more.

NOTE: all of the above were to be played un-amplified.

This was demonstrated to me some years ago ('70s?) when I went to see Stefan Grossman playing in a small Victorian theatre with, maybe 4-600 seats (?)

Through some sort of misunderstanding, no house p.a was available.

Stefan walked onto the stage, and after the welcoming applause he spoke to us and explained the problem and offered to play unamplified or offered people to go to the desk to get their money back.

He held up his Martin 00 and 000 and said, "well this was the size audience that these things were designed for!"

As far as I cold see, no-one left.

I was pretty high up at the back, and we heard every note.

Makes you think about how amplification has spoiled our enjoyment of music don't it?

1. Yes you’re right- growing up, I saw mostly dreadnoughts. So forgive me everyone for not knowing about these sweet “small” guitars I’m just now learning about them for some reason...

2. Beautifully written! Very helpful! And what a great story about Stefan. Thanks!

[Paddy1951]

I have come to the point where I really enjoy 00s.

I have a 20 year old 00-15. A Plain Jane that gets it done and then some.

Most of the time I don't need the volume of the dread. I compared the 00 to the triple 0. Pretty close.

Then there is that certain intimacy that comes with a 00 size.

Some day I will get a 00-18.

I really like the 00 size. A great partner for singing.

[fongie]

Oh that is understandable, you can get confuse if you are not familiar with so many diff. sizes. I read you purchased a OM recently, well the 00 is a fraction smaller.

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by Martinaylor

I don't think they're odd objectively - I just simply haven't seen any in my 20 years of gigging/playing until I saw one on the internet the other day. I find them odd because I had never seen anyone use such a small guitar before.

Seriously, you've never seen anyone playing a parlor guitar? You've seen 000's right? An 00 isn't all that much smaller. I play a carbon fiber parlor guitar and like it so much I sold my larger guitars. I'm not playing in bluegrass jams or anywhere else that needs the acoustic volume of a dread. A D28 was my only acoustic guitar for decades and I loved it, but when I play a dread now, they just seem uncomfortably big (I play seated a lot - they're OK standing) and I don't need the volume. And if I should need it, I can always plug in.

Little guitars may not be you're cup of tea, but you should play one, or two, or three. They might surprise you. I love 'em now. Stumming or picking.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by JonWint

[IMG][/IMG]

What does GT stand for in this chart?

[Ludere]

just to throw in a non-Martin example ... my little Alvarez AP66 is classified as a parlor guitar, but it is almost exactly the dimensions of a 00, (but in looking at that chart, its shape is more like the Size 1); there are a few videos out there and quite a number of AGF fans of those ... love that little guitar!

[JonWint]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

What does GT stand for in this chart?

I think it's this odd ball:

[IMG][/IMG]

[truckgoodbar]

I purchased a 00-18Authentic about 6 months ago and I have to say that ounce per ounce it is one of the best guitars I have ever played. I also have a 2010 0-28VS that is outstanding as well. I'm obviously hooked on small bodied Martins.

[jkilgour2000]

Walked into Sam Ash in NYC last year, and saw a new 2018 Martin 00-28 on the wall.

“Ooh, I’ve never tried one of THESE!”.

Within 15 minutes I was walking out with it. My most comfortable guitar.

[chippygreen]

My '67 nylon 00-28C is my most recent acquisition, and is a joy to play. It invites an intimacy in approach and touch that my larger guitars do not, even more so than my like sized Bashkin 00. I'm considering an 0 or 00 for my TBD Michaud build...

[chippygreen]

Originally Posted by chippygreen

My '67 nylon 00-28C is my most recent acquisition, and is a joy to play. It invites an intimacy in approach and touch that my larger guitars do not, even more so than my like sized Bashkin 00. I'm considering an 0 or 00 for my TBD Michaud build...

With NGD link if curious!

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/....php?p=6016164

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Might I assume that you grew up when the dreadnought was considered the standard size?

Allow me : C.F.Martin stared making guitars in the USA in the 1800s, right? (You knew that).

Back then there were relatively few Rosebowl sized venues and few heavy metal gigs.

Guitars were considered instruments for ladies when entertaining a small gathering/ soiree - all very domestic and polite,

The size 1 was the standard size for this.
The size 0 was called a "concert" size and intended to be sufficient to perform in a large room, small hall etc.
The size 00 was called (if memory serves) a "grand concert" - so, we are talking about a large hall, church, small theatre perhaps.

The 000 was introduced some time later - in 1902 and called the "Auditorium" and considered appropriate for a large venue of maybe 500 or more.

NOTE: all of the above were to be played un-amplified.

This was demonstrated to me some years ago ('70s?) when I went to see Stefan Grossman playing in a small Victorian theatre with, maybe 4-600 seats (?)

Through some sort of misunderstanding, no house p.a was available.

Stefan walked onto the stage, and after the welcoming applause he spoke to us and explained the problem and offered to play unamplified or offered people to go to the desk to get their money back.

He held up his Martin 00 and 000 and said, "well this was the size audience that these things were designed for!"

As far as I cold see, no-one left.

I was pretty high up at the back, and we heard every note.

Makes you think about how amplification has spoiled our enjoyment of music don't it?

Brandi Carlile did a “pin drop tour” playing in small theaters completely unamplified. I wish I could have seen it. Here’s part one of a documentary covering it. I’d imagine being unamplified caused people to shut up and be more present instead of talking

.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by JonWint

I think it's this odd ball:

[IMG][/IMG]

That's the Japanese built Shenandoah series guitars.

I know of at least a couple of custom Nazareth made Martins with a similar but different body style. The Shenandoah has a pointier cutaway profile and the waist is much higher (closer to the neck) than the custom Martins which have a far more graceful profile. And, not an oval/elliptical sound hole.