Martin 000-15SM Opinions

geoawelch · #1 06-15-2018, 08:26 AM

Happy Friday one and all,

Am looking forward to returning to the Martin family. As my current stable is all Rosewood, I have an eye towards Mahogany, specifically the 000-15SM.

I have read a number of posts on that guitar and he 15 series in general and see that with the decreasing quantity of Mahogany, various species (Sapele, Sipo) have been used over the last several years.

So, I guess I'm looking for impressions of the 000-15SM overall and also of the newer versions vs older ones.

I'm not interested in suggestions for other makers, just the Martin 15 series.

Thanks in advance. Wish you all a good weekend and for those of you who are Dad's, Happy Father's Day.

George

v32 finish · #2 06-15-2018, 08:30 AM

Will be watching this thread with interest, as someone who likes the aesthetic of the stressed mahogany.. and the 15 series guitars in general.. can anyone tell me is there a difference between the regular 000-15M and the -15*SM*? Is it just the look of the particular mahog. or are there other differences?

Looking forward to some of the Martin aficionados chiming in here, as I've had my eye on this very guitar for a while.

Thanks
SC

JCPO · #3 06-15-2018, 08:37 AM

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwKMucL3l5M

cu4life7 · #4 06-15-2018, 08:43 AM

Don’t believe the talk about the decreasing quality of the mahogany, just listen with your ears. Most people take issue with the look, not the sound. Sapele has more stripes.

If it has the M as the last letter, it is mahogany. The version you are looking at is the 12fret slothead model and I must say they are fantastic. So much so that I have often considered adding one to go with my 000-15. I did play one that was too tubby sounding, but all the other ones I have played have been great.

You can go wrong with the 15 series in my book, but give the 17 series a try and also check out la guitar sales customs.

geoawelch · #5 06-15-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cu4life7

Don’t believe the talk about the decreasing quality of the mahogany, just listen with your ears. Most people take issue with the look, not the sound. Sapele has more stripes.

If it has the M as the last letter, it is mahogany. The version you are looking at is the 12fret slothead model and I must say they are fantastic. So much so that I have often considered adding one to go with my 000-15. I did play one that was too tubby sounding, but all the other ones I have played have been great.

You can go wrong with the 15 series in my book, but give the 17 series a try and also check out la guitar sales customs.

I don't have issues with quality of Mahogany. I know that the "quantity" has been diminishing for documented reasons. Just curious how the other species compare.

I definitely will be playing the guitar I buy ahead of time locally.

Thanks

George

Sagebrush Tom · #6 06-15-2018, 08:49 AM

There are a number of differences between the 15m & the 15sm that being the sm is a 12 fret slotted head, wider string spacing 1 3/4" nut, 2 1/4" saddle spacing, Golden age side mount tuners and Ivoroid tuning knobs. And both models are built with whatever variation of woods that are available at the time (Mahogany or sipo or sapele).

Been thinking of looking for a used 15sm model as i love my 000-15m.

And Happy Fathers Day.
Tom

Treenewt · #7 06-15-2018, 10:08 AM

I had the chance to play the 000-15m and 00-15m this week, and I’d have been more than happy to have either one of them. Just wonderful, warm, comfortable Martins. I used to have a D15, and will always love that tone. I don’t think you could go wrong with anything in the 15m series.

geoawelch · #8 06-15-2018, 10:15 AM

Thanks everyone for the replies so far

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

Almost pulled the trigger on one a few years ago, and still regret it.

C'est la vie

D-utim · #9 06-15-2018, 10:26 AM

M does not mean genuine mahogany. Sipo or Sapele also are used.

DukeX · #10 06-15-2018, 10:37 AM

Of course, the body shapes are quite different.

Martin website says South American Mahogany in these guitars. No Sipo or Sapele (also fine tonewoods).

Sagebrush Tom · #11 06-15-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoawelch

Thanks everyone for the replies so far

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

Almost pulled the trigger on one a few years ago, and still regret it.

C'est la vie

At one time i also thought the 15sm was short scale. I would be nice if it had a 24.9 scale length, but i could easily live with it's 25.4 scale length.
Also you asked about other makers all hog models, but in the 15 series price range nothing really compares to the tone and playability. Also check out the 000-17sm model that has all the same specs except for the spruce top, but unfortunately is now discontinued.
Tom

muscmp · #12 06-15-2018, 10:52 AM

while i have a 0015m and use it as my songwriting partner, my wife and i bought her daughter the 00015sm. if i didn't have the 00 i would surely buy the 00015sm. the 3 days i played it before we gave it to her as a birthday present, i couldn't believe how much bass it had. whenever we are at their house, it is brought out for me to play.

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.

play as many as you can and pick the one that sings to you.

play music!

fatt-dad · #13 06-15-2018, 11:03 AM

I have the 00015s, which preceded the 00015SM. The, "S" is for slothead and now the, "M" is for mahogany. The 00015s had a decal for a fake rosette. I think the 00015SM has a single inlayed rosette?

The slotheads are the same scale length as the non-slot-heads.

The slotheads are 12 frets to the body, so in the case of the 00015m and the 00015sm, the body is two frets longer in the latter. That affects sound.

I love mine! Care less about the rosette. I did change out the original tuners for three-on-a-plate Waverleys.

f-d

Ed-in-Ohio · #14 06-15-2018, 11:10 AM

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.

rmyAddison · #15 06-15-2018, 11:17 AM

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.........