Martin 000-15

you all know the basic features, i love the simplisity of this guitar.

this guitar reminds me of that little 7 year old opera singer you see on the talk shows all the time. this guitar eally sings, gets loud, and also holds good tone when your playing real low.

everything is good, i travel a l ot with mine, and also with the louisiana wheather, i have had to tweak the neck a couple of times. i had to buy a special set of allen wrenchs to reach the neck adjustment. that has been my only complaint about this guitar. it is wereing beatifully, the top portion of the guitar has a good whorn in shine to it, just from a couple of years of playing.

this guitar is dependable, although i have a couple of cracks forming on the back, both of these came banging around in a stage setting. this guitar always sounds good, holds tune good as well. this is usually the only guitar i travel with, so even though i own a backup, i don't need it.

never dealt with martin. never had anything i could not adjust my self i.e. the neck...

i am 23 and have been playing for approx 10 years. though i have played several martins this is my first to own. i had accomondered a 58' d18 for a while. the sound quality of this guiat is compairable. the week before i purchased mine i had to pass on 57' ooo-15. i didn't have the money for the 57', but after a trip to the casino i had the cash, i called the guy up and he had just sold it the day before. i had my mind set on the guitar, so i just went an bought a new one. no regrets. it complments my 62' strat beatifully.

The basics: 14-fret Orchestra Model/OOO size Martin guitar. No electronics, 100% solid wood: back, sides and top. No frills, just a high quality, US build guitar of C.F. Martin heritage at a reasonable price. Case included.

The OOO-15 (and it's sister guitar the D-15) are the entry level of C.F. Martin's high-end, USA made line of guitars. Lacking a high gloss lacquer finish, attractive top-wood, bindings or inlay work this is not a guitar Elvis would have played. That is to say, it's not designed for the eye and for that I see some have scored it a 1

I've given the OOO-15 a 5 because while it does lack cosmetics that can be hand in less expensive guitars from other builders, the OOO-15 makes up for in being 100% solid wood: front, back and sides and this 'feature' alone should account for a high score. It also features a bone nut, Martin's high-end tuners and high quality fret dressings, etc... that you get on any Martin guitar.

As with the others in the 15 series, it's made of solid Mahogany or solid Sapele. This is interestng case where it might be one or the other and Martin doesn't indicate anywhere which solid wood was used in the construction. Sapele and Mahogany share similar cosmetic properties in terms of color and the guitar has s stained satin finish so unless you're an expert on solid woods you won't know which you OOO-15 is made from.

It doesn't matter as they are both excellent tone woods with very similar characteristics.

This is the first OOO style guitar that I've owned. Up to this point I've owned four other larger Dreadnought body style acoustics. I love all my guitars, but if I could only keep one it would probably be my OOO-15, it's just the perfect balance of volume on fingerstyle play and strumming.

I've seen some people describe it as 'dark' it's not dark to my ears, it's actually bright but more mellow than a spruce top.

Factory setup was excellent. No flaws, incredible attention to detail from the Martin factory.

It stays in its case and comes out when I play it, it's solid wood. Martin's have a long history of being among (if not) the most reputable guitar in terms of durability.

Martin post-sales customer service (by way of e-mail and phone) is the best of any guitar vendor I have had to deal with. It comes with a lifetime warranty on part defects (as in lifetime of original owner). C.F. Martin has authorized service centers in most major cities with luthiers certified in their techniques and authorized to perform warranty repairs.

Current owner Christian Fredrick Martin IV has said in interview "I tell people if you're on a budget, buy a D-15, because it's the same build quality as our much more expensive guitars". The sound of this guitar is unique and very pleasant. I've heard people compare it to the Guild M-20 because of its size and top wood type... I've played on a Guild M-20 sounds different to my ears (probably because of the smaller body). The sound you hear on The Beatles "Blackbird" and "Dear Prudence" this isn't the guitar that was used on those tracks obviously, but the sound of the OOO-15 is very reminiscent of that. It's not muddy, it's not too bright. It's just perfect for folk style acoustic playing.

I own two other Martin's a low-end Dreadnought (DXK2), and a 1998 D-28. I also own a high-end Washburn acoustic with electronics and cutaway. I own a few others (high end electric Washburn and mid-range electric bass). I know a quality guitar and I also know what feels right ot me.

no frills which is what I want. Just wood. Just real honest wood

Fingerstyle: could not be sweeter for fingerstyle, fingerpicking guitar.

perfect and comfortable.

Real wood gets better with time. Give it years--better yet, talk to those who have the real wood guitars and let them tell you how it sounds after 10 years of care!

small mom and pop shops are the best. Even a year later, I still e-mail with questions and get immediate responses...

perhaps the nicest sounding guitar I have ever heard.

Mahogany body, good quality tuners, comfortable neck, as simple as they come. Not a lot of features, but this is what I like

This is where this guitar really shines. I went through a long process settling for this guitar. My search went through 1970's Gibson dreads, a 000-18, I also had a 000-28H custom shop model, which was definately beautiful, but once I picked up the 000-15 I was blown away by the rich, detailed, complex sound. It is the kind of guitar that you instantly gel with, the rich overtones soak into your body.
As far as I'm concerned I won't look any more for 'my' acoustic.
I have added a seymour duncan 'woody' soundhole magnetic pickup, which sounds great through my 1980's fender concerts, almost jazz guitar like.

The guitar was flawless from the dealer. The action was a little high for me (although ideal for slide) I took a couple of mm off the bridge and it plays perfectly now with no fret buzz.
Martin really finish their guitars beautifully, and I reaaly like the fact the satin finish is starting to polish up.

I don't really gig out much at the moment, but I'm sure if I did it would just 'relic' a bit quicker. Hardware I'm sure will last fine. I would depend on this guitar 100%.
I would gig without a backup, but if I had to get one I would by the same

Never had to use it

I've been playing 28 years, mostly as a hobby, but do know my guitars well. I have been 100% happy with this guitar, even though it took me a bit of time and wasted ?? to get there. I wish I hadn't assumed that the more you pay, the better guitar you'll get, as this smokes the 00-28H.

Like others have said here: it's a plain (Hazy)Jane box, and that is what it is supposed to be.

Now, the meat and potatoes portion: two words--Nick Drake! Nick played a Guild M20: the 000-15 nails it straight out--trust me. It's really amazing! Subtle or prominent bass can be mixed with a very distinctive brighter (Bryter)sound--very tightly focused i.e. River Man, Things Behind the Sun...etc. Just like the Guild M20. Of course it doesn't just end there. This guitar literally sounds like a symphony in a box! No mixing involved!

Bought from Elderly instruments. Set up was decent enough. Bridge pins are a little high--that's standard from Martin; also, it is a NON-ISSUE in my opinion. Strings are a tad high, but thats still ok to work with--does not bother this player. Finish is dull satin and seems to be holding up quite well...same as the neck--GREAT--I hate spending the damn time polishing anyway! The mahogany scent is there too!

Seems nice and solid around the neck. Finish is dull satin--and I would never use polish on it to make it shine. If it does wear (and it shows no sign of it yet) I'll rub it with 0000 steel wool, but only as a last resort.

IT'S A MARTIN! LIFETIME!

Been playing for 25 years plus: Other Martins, HD28, OM18V, LX1. Previously I tried to capture Nicks sound with my OM-18V, but it just wasn't there. Nice fingerstyle the OM, but it's mainly a strummer. This is both, but it's certainly not a volume monster like a dread. But the tone is one of the sweetest I've ever come across like Nicks Guild M20 or an old Martin 015.

all that this guitar needs - no shit !!!!

Not a dreadnought for sure but if you want real character then this is it - especially for blues styles.

Had it for over 3 years now and still need to get it set up right for me - so the factory set up can't be thst bad eh ?

been diged a couple of times but it's matte finish and hies most little things well. It's light weight is deceiving - this guitar is SOLID!!

don't need it

Paid $899 plus import tax - worth every penny - own a yamaha sg1300ts,
dearmond starfire, a Gibson "the paul" & blueshawk - I find it hard to open any of the others cases - the martin (mine is a 00015 with factory fitted fishman prefix) is too hard to pass every time. Well recommended.......

In this case, a rating of "1" is actually a compliment. No junk features like knobs and mother-of-toilet-seat inlays, just stuff that helps you create music. Elegance in Simplicity.

WOW!!!!!

I thought I knew what a good sounding guitar sounded like. I have a bunch of good guitars including a Martin HD-28 and a Gibson J-45, which are pretty much "industry standard" reference instruments. I can honestly say that for fingerstyle and fast single note picking, the simple 000-15 completely smokes the others. The 000-15 will lose in a volume contest and maybe strumming chords, but that's about it. It's counter-intuitive that a single type of wood and a small body can make such a huge sound, but boy does it ever. I would characterize the sound as focused with a complex series of woody overtones that almost sound synthetic because of their richness, sort of like a subtle chorus effect. At the time I bought the guitar, I also played a custom nitro gloss 000-15, a bunch of other expensive small bodied 000/00/OM Martin's, several Taylors (yuck) and 2 $7000 Goodall's. Despite being the cheapest, the 000-15 had the best playability and richest/loudest sound.

My guitar was actually very poorly set up, but that's OK; all new acoustics should be set up specifically for the player and style. I usually go with 3/32" string height on bass side at the 12th fret. This guitar likes Martin SP Lights (12-54) so far, I can't see wanting medium/heavy strings on this guitar even though all my others are set up that way. The fit and finish is typical Martin; nothing tricky, just honest quality workmanship throughout.

This guitar is not what I would call a battle axe. It has a very thin finsh and is made from mahogany which is a slightly softer wood than finished maple or rosewood. The dark finish will probably help it hide dings and I can't imagine that this thing will fall apart anytime soon. This guitar is a player not a looker, so up to a point who cares?

Maritn is generally good, although I'm currently in a warranty repair fiasco with a D-28 that has gone on for months. Not fun.

For the price and the desired purpose, the 000-15 is an absolute Grand Slam. It is understated in a typical Martin fashion, yet has power and tone like no other. It looks a little unorthodox, but after you play one for awhile you will be sold. This is one of the best values that I know of in musical instruments today, although I don't think they are carried at Guitar Center so you may have to seek one out. If you buy online, make sure it comes set up or that you get it tweaked locally. I HIGHLY recommend this guitar, the reviews hyperbole are for real.

2005 All solid mahogany. Rosewood fretboard and headtsock overlay. Sealed tuners. 25.4 scale. 000 size. Give it a 5 for features, since no electronics and all, but completely meets my expectations for what it should be.

Bright and articulate, much louder than I would have expected, given the size. Great high end, mid-level mids, thin on the bottom end, which I knew it would be and is really better (in some respects) than my '66 D-18 for the type of recording I do (strumming with a thin pick and singing at the same time), as it fits better into the mix without much EQ. I'm giving it a 9, since it's great for what it is.

Fantastic. I will say, though, that some I tried were not. There are WIDE variations in grain patterns, rosewood density and color, (fretboard and headstock), but this is subjective. I live near Gryphon in Palo Alto, CA and was able to try a few -- they had nine, I tried three, and found the right one for me. Again, rating is relative to what I knew it would be. It's got a thin satin finish, very well done. All the joints and seams are perfect, the frets are well-polished, the action was a little high but I adjusted that this afternoon by sanding the bottom of the bridge just barely and now it's just great. Nice and medium-low, no buzzing, just right.

The satin finish makes it look a little delicate but the wood is thick and the joints are solid as a rock. Can't say it won't polish out in spots and all that, but that just makes it more mine. Very solid feeling and looking.

Dunno. Just bought it yesterday.

I've been playing for 20 years and have had everything from Ovations to Gibsons (1969 J-50) and customs (Hippner) and Martins (my other acoustic is a 1966 D-18) and I bought and play them all for different reasons. This is exactly what I wanted for what is is. A pro-grade (I think) 000-size, finger-picking, light strumming party/porch/jam session guitar that I'm not afraid to leave out or take with me anywhere. Great case. Great company. Great guitar. Highly recommended with no reservations.

As you may be aware from other submissions, the Martin 000-15 is a spare beauty. It is solid mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and bridge, satin finish, no binding, and it's only nod to adornment is the raised gold "Martin & Co." signature on the headstock and a rosette decal around the soundhole. It's Walden with strings. And whether you appreciate its simplicity or see it as plain will come down to personal preference. I think it's an elegant guitar. So, giving this a rating is misleading. Since a ?10? is described on the H.C. website as "tons of features," then this has to be a 3. But I'll mention one other thing that others have mentioned, and it shouldn't be taken for granted. This has the most intoxicating aroma of any guitar I've ever held. It's like a cedar forest in the summer rain. You'll remember the scent long after the sound fades away.

Try Googling ?guitars, sound and tone.? It?s dizzying. The truth is, it?s difficult to put into words our idea of the perfect tone and everyone will have different criteria, but we know what we like when we hear it and why. When I first heard the Martin 000-15, I knew it was the guitar that I wanted. The sound is warm with trebles that shimmer with sweetness and woody bass notes that you feel in your arms and chest, but they never overpower the overall sound. In fact, everything I?ve read about the 000-15 suggests that it is a fingerpickers dream, and, while this is true, I love playing chords on this guitar because the balance of sounds is so delicate and even that I appreciate the harmony of the notes. Even within the few days of owning it, it has drawn me into experimenting with more complex chords just to see what sounds it can coax from them. I was playing a simple ?D? Chord one night and my wife kept asking me what that sound was. We listened to the sustain and these tonal colors just swirled around the room.

I like the feel of the satin finish. The awareness of the wood and the vibration is more immediate and raw. The action could be a little lower, but there?s a lot of bridge showing and the saddle is at a perfect height, should I choose to have it lowered at some point. But one of the reasons I wanted this guitar is it?s so easy to play.

I?ve had the guitar less than a week, so I can?t comment on durability. It?s light, but well constructed. The satin finish is probably more delicate, but all guitars should be taken care of and all guitars at some point get their share of battle scars.

Too soon to comment.

I?m looking back objectively at what I?ve written. It sometimes sounds florid or like I?m writing about a woman I love. But sometimes finding the right guitar is like falling in love. And if you?re reading these reviews, you appreciate guitars and understand what I?m saying. So, forgive my excess as you would any fool in love who does and says crazy things. I bought my first guitar 15 years ago and I didn?t know how to play yet. So, I didn?t know how to judge a guitar based on sound or ease of play, in short, all the things that matter most. This time around I wanted a guitar that would I would be happy with were I to never buy another guitar. I?ve always loved Martins, but knew I could never afford one, at least a solid wood Martin. The 000-15 was the guitar that made me realize that dream could come true. It is the least expensive solid-wood guitar they make. Here?s the best part. I wasn?t settling for the cheapest just to own a Martin. The shop where I purchased it has many high-end Martins along with Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottoms, Huss & Daltons, Collins and Taylors, to name a few. I played most of them. But the minute I played the 000-15, I knew this was the guitar. The warmth of the sound, the simplicity of the design, the mahogany hue, the feel of the wood, the earthy aroma, it?s all there. I?m looking forward to years of enjoyment.

the beauty of this guitar lies in its' simplicity.there is no binding on the body or neck.the rosette and logo on the headstock are decals.
the top,sides,and back are made of mahogany with a beautiful satin finish.the frets are medium and it has a 25 1/2 in scale neck.the back of the neck has a satin finish as well.the tuners are martin's own.

the sound of the 00015 can be described as earthy and rich with a deep,but not overpowering,bottom end.the higher strings ring clear and bright all the way up the neck.it is a beautiful thing when all these thigs are able to occur simultaneously.the natural harmonics that one is able to coax from this instrument are extremely pleasing to the ear.
i mostly play mostly finger style,rock, and blues.it excells in each of these styles. sounds excellent with a pyrex slide.
i can say nothing negative about the sound of this guitar and it seems to get better with age.

the action is a little high,but my guitar has not had a professional setup.this is not a problem until trying to fret barre chords past the 7th fret.it is a little difficult to hear each note distinctly,especially while incorporating hmmer ons and pull offs. i was able to completely solve this problem by stringing it with 10's, but alot of volume and bass response is lost with this compromise. in my opinion,not worth it. use 12's,d'addario phosphor bronze sound amazing.
the satin finish on this guitar is beautiful and flawless. without a high gloss finish,the soundbord is able to resonate freely. you can really feel the bass when holding it against the body.

i have not played live with this guitar but it seem durable enough to endure live gigs.my 0015 has take a few tumbles and it is still in perfect shape.the thin satin finish does pit fairly easily but i think it adds instant charater.i read in other reviews that the thin finish wears quickly.this has not been a problem for me with over a year of daily usage.it seems to wear very well.in fact,i eagerly await a worn spot wher my forearm rests,again character. i think this guitar will go the long haul with me.it's definitly a keeper and i think it will age beautifully.
i don't think i would ever play a gig without a backup guitar,but what could back this up?

i've never had to deal with martin.

i've been playing guitar about 2 1/2 years(average about an hour of practice a day).ialso own a 2001 celebrity deluxe cs257,a2001 celebrity deluxe limited edition,a 1996 alvarez classical,and most recently,a 2001 american fender strat.
if my 00015 were lost or stolen,i would replace it.this guitar sounds just as good or better than any martin i've tried. it is the last acoustic guitar i bought.i've continued to try other acoustics but nothing i've played comes close despite price tags 5 times what i paid for mine.the only other guitar that i wold buy would be a gibson j185 or j100,also very beautiful instruments.
the action is a little high,especially when compared to my ovations,but the sound that is put forth by this guitar and its' comfortable waist makes it the one i reach for 9 out of 10 times.