Martin 000-15

I bought my guitar in January 2007, over 2 and a half years ago. As far as Martins go, I also own a HD28V (a different animal completely, different woods all around, dreadnaught)

If you're looking at this review, you know something about the features of this guitar. The finish is satin. It is all solid, mahogany or sapele construction. I don't know if there is a sound difference between these two woods. There is no binding anywhere. The rosette is a decal. I'm pretty sure the fingerboard is rosewood. It is a smaller body size than a dreadnaught-which makes this guitar more comfortable to play. I like the color and finish. It's really just a matter of preference. No electronics. I would not get a Martin with electronics. In my mind, that takes away from the integrity of the guitar (for example, the saddle is not directly touching the wood-the transducer separates them). For gigs and recording, I mic it.

It's a nice, understated, unassuming, clean and classy look, and I can't really think of anything it's missing in the features department. Other reviewers mentioned the materials of the nut and saddle. Again, this is a matter of preference as to how that affects the sound, but for the money paid (I paid $720 in early 2007), I can't complain. I would take the 15 series over the 16 series. I know the 16 series is usually more expensive, but for some reason I like the 15s better.

The rating for this category is hard to choose. Sure it could have more expensive materials and more appointments, but then it would be a different and more expensive guitar.

Literally every single time I play this guitar, I say the same thing each time I put it back in its case: "worth every penny." And it really is. It sounds best with moderate strumming, and fingerpicking. It accompanies a vocalist nicely.

As many people pointed out, this is not a dreadnaught. It sounds beautiful strummed, but it has its limits in that it can take hard strumming up to a point, but it's not as loud or clear as a quality dreadnaught when strummed hard-and really, it's not supposed to be. It has a nice, tight focused bottom end and all around balance. It does not have the strong bottom end of a dreadnaught-and again, it's not supposed to. For its design and purpose, and in the context of the wood materials used, it achieves its goal.

It has a nice clear sound for moderate strumming, and shines on fingerpicking. It has a nice thick punch when playing single notes in the mid-upper frets (around 7th to 12th frets, and more particularly, the 9th through 11th frets on the G and B strings), that I just can't get out of my HD28v (which has a smoother sound), and so I like playing this guitar for blues.

After playing it for more than 2 years, I am giving it an honest 10. It's earned it. To me, a 10 does not mean that it can do everything and suits every style of music; it means that it is excellent at doing what I believe it was designed to do-be an auditorium style guitar, with some nice balance and punch, particularly in the upper mid range, that works well for fingerpicking instead of straight strumming. I have never found myself saying "damn, if it only sounded more bottom heavy or louder" because honestly, that's not what this guitar is about.

I purchased it new from a local shop. The action is fine for me. Some people might want it a little lower, but it loses some of its sound when you do that, and with the changes in weather, any lower action might result in buzzing during the colder months. The neck is comfortable.

Martin recommends light strings, so stick with that. I'm guessing the guitar won't withstand medium gauge strings (I've read the in the early 20s, guitar players used heavier strings so they could be louder to fit in with bands, but the bridges broke-that's where all the bracing designs come in-trying to find a happy medium between having the top vibrate enough, but have the strength to withstand the pounds of pressure from the strings).

The finish is perfect.

There are no flaws. One thing that stood out for me in this regard are the frets. On a lot of guitars, particularly less expensive ones, if you run your fingers along the edge of the fretboard, you sometimes can feel the edge of the frets sticking out. This can be from sloppy workmanship, or from wood shrinkage, and can sometimes interfere with playing. Thankfully, this guitar did not suffer from that.

I suppose this could use more quality tuners, but I can't say that it slips out of tune either. Acoustic guitars are somewhat delicate, so it's obviously not going to handle hard knocks too well. I am expecting this guitar to last at least one lifetime, and am looking forward to the wear on the finish. Where my strumming arm rests over the guitar, it is starting to look a little shiny from the oils and natural buffing, but that's how satin finishes play out.

No experience.

I have been playing for 29 years (some of those years I was not active). As for acoustics, I also own a Martin HD28V, Epiphone AJ200 (my bang around guitar), and a Tamra (I think that's an Ibanez offshoot) which is a D28 copy, but a piece of junk (I string that one Nashville style). Some people are Martin people, and some people are Gibson people. I like both, but I find Gibson construction and quality to be inconsistent lately. I don't particularly care for Taylor. There's something sterile about their sound, and they always sound better plugged in than unplugged. But no matter how good the electronics, an acoustic plugged in never really sounds natural, and you don't get to hear the sound of the guitar breathing.

As with all acoustics, play as many as you can before buying, including playing several of the same model. I remember when I bought mine, I A/B another 000-15, going back and forth for a couple of days-I would return and see if I felt differently about one or the other after a day. There was a slight difference between the two--either would have been fine, but I preferred the one I picked. And remember, look at the strings when you're trying out a guitar. Some of them have been sitting there for months. That can really affect the sound (although some people prefer guitars with dead strings).

First I'll say that I judge harshly... if anything gets a "10" I call that "impossible to improve".


I have seen that some people give this guitar a low rating in the 'features' category because it lacks extensive inlay work and fancy frills. I think that is really what gives this guitar its style. It is pure quality without flash.
The top back and sides are all solid wood. Martin uses either Mahogany or Sapele, both of which are nearly identical in appearance and tone. The whole body is dark with rich wood grain and a satin finish that compliments the design perfectly. There is no binding material anywhere on this guitar, which gives it a simple, clean look.
Quality tuners and a comfortable solid wood neck. All made in the USA.
The saddle is Tusq and the nut is Corian. Both good materials, but if I were to change anything, I would give it bone saddle, nut and pins.
I'll rate it an 8 because it lacks fancy electronics or inlays, and the nut, saddle and pins could be improved.

Incredible.

The mahogany top gives this guitar a very unique tone. Not overly bright, but rich and full. The low end has a smooth sound to it, not muted or muddy. The mids and highs have great sustain and a warm tone that is smooth as silk. Balanced tone for fingerpicking or strumming. You need to hear one of these...

If I had anything bad to say about the sound of this guitar it is that it is not very loud. This is not a guitar that you would play unplugged with a band if you want to stand out.

I didn't get mine new from the factory so I can't say anything about the factory setup.
Mine has a great, low action perfect for fingerstyle and light strumming. Again, this is not an instrument that you would hammer on, it sounds better played lightly.

The Satin finish is kind of a matter of preference. I have heard of some people buffing this guitar up to a gloss finish, but I'm leaving mine how it is. This guitar has its own style, no flash, no frills. I think the satin, low gloss is the perfect compliment.

I can't find any flaws anywhere.

Stays in tune... Other than that, I cant really attest to its reliability. I don't play on stage and will never take it it to a gig. As far as durability goes, I don't plan on throwing it down the stairs, but it feels solid enough to take it.

Never dealt with Martin CS, but I've heard good things about them.

This is my favorite guitar I have played. It looks great, plays great and I like its style. I would be hard pressed to find a different guitar that sounds this good, for this little $$.

If it were run over by a speeding locomotive, I would go find another immediately.

mine has a factory fishman prefix - blinding sound when plugged in.
It has all the features I was looking for - no frills, all quality solid mahogany/sapele wood - what more do you need ?

I love the sound - i play fingerpickin' blues on it mostly and this little baby makes me smile and cry - it's got a real mellow sound -just go and try one - you'll see ! It also stands up well to strumming - but be warned "this is NO dreadnaught" - I have no dislikes with this guitar.

Action -: i think this is completely down to personal preference and playing style - out of the box i originally felt the action was a little too high travelling up the fretboard - but i've not had it set up yet and it's never stopped me playing it.
Fit & finish -: just like it should be - top quality.

Yes - the satin finish is not as durable as gloss - however if this guitar is looked after it will stand the test of time.

never had any problems

I've been playing again for 6 years (although played 6 years previously) - i own a Blueshawk, "The Paul", yamaha SG1300 & a JC16GTE. The 00015 is still my favourite. I would highly recommend this guitar to anyone who loves playing acoustic. It's a no frills touch of class........ If it got lost or stolen ? I'd search forever to get it back - altough i would buy another one until i found it!!

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.

Nazareth, PA manufactured solid mahagony (sapele back and sides?). Mahogony neck with rosewood fingerboard. Pure, simple, utilitarian construction.

A kind of smoky, silky kind of sound? not exactly bell-like but very satisfying. Keeping strings new really helps out the upper end. Surprising volume for this size guitar.

Very basic, kind of minimalist look that I think is beautiful. Martin quality refined construction. I had the action lowered slightly with a simple neck adjustment before I bought the guitar and it has stayed there.

I have had this guitar for about a year and it is in wonderful condition. Solid yet lightweight. Its a joy to play, and I play it a lot. Stays in tune.

Lifetime Martin warrany. Local rep has willingly helped with a couple of minor details.

Though I had an old Fender acoustic for decades, this is my first serious guitar after I got serious about playing. It is a quality instrument that will reward you with its playability and soulful sound. I love its feel and vibe. If it were stolen, I might move up to a higher level Martin, but I plan to keep this guitar for a long time.

If you want features, buy a D41. Made 2004. This is a simple, all solid wood (mahogany back, sides and top), well made acoustic guitar and although I think it looks wonderful and somewhat unique in that it has a mahogany top (most seem to be spruce or cedar), its looks probably weren't a selling point

My music Style - Hmmm. Everything from Abba to ZZTOP. Suits fingerstyle more than rhythm although light strumming does sound nice and it does strum louder than my midrange Seagull Cedar top. Sounds good playing Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, Nick Drake etc. Great sustain. Very bright.

Action quite high but not bothered me yet. Plays well all the way up the neck. No build flaws at all. I really like the satin finish and the full mahogany body. Smells great!! I've ordered ebony bridge pins (Plastic just doesn't seem right) and I may get the nut and saddle replaced with bone in the future.

To early to tell. Very light though compared to a dreadnought and even a 000-28. Wouldn't use it at a gig yet whilst it is still so new but would always have a backup just in case

It's a shame that the lifetime warranty only applies to owners in the US

Been playing 17 years and own a US strat, a heavily modded 80's japanese squire strat, a sanchez classical and a yamaha bass guitar + various keyboards. I spent months playing various model Martins and Taylors and eventually decided on a small bodied Martin. Very nearly bought the 000-28EC but then spotted the 000-15 and loved it straight away. I also dont think I'm a "2 and a half grand" standard guitarist but this is certainly making me play more and one day I would like to add a top end Martin to my collection

2003/4 model, with solid mahogany body and neck and mat. finish. In the distinct "parlour" guitar size which is v comfortable to both hold and play. It came with a hard martin case which is also excellent. A stripped down model but not of stripped down quality.

Great for acoustic blues/ragtime/jazz because of the equality of sound. Good resonating bass with sweet, audible treble. Although hardly ideal for strumming country/rock etc it is great for lead acoustic work especially when played w/ fingers rather than pick. Unlike some parlour sized instruments it also makes a good deal of noise.

It has quite a high action on it for an acoustic guitar (more of a classical/resonator tension) although this could be adjusted if necessary. The smaller width and depth of the neck mean it's ideal for getting around quickly esp with intricate work.

For such a light and flimsy feeling guitar it seems capable of taking more than it's fair share of knocks. The strap button comes separately when shipped from martin and must be applied yourself. It (as the bookelet recommends)must be checked regularly to ensure it's secure as it doesn't screw in. However, as i never play standing up i haven't bothered to put mine in yet

I've been playing 12 years nearly and although i've only ever owned one other acoustic guitar, I feel that this one is a keeper. Styled in the same way as the acoustic blues guitars of the 20s and 30s it suits the music i play perfectly. If it were stolen i would probably replace it with the same model again although all guitars are individual despite all being the same model. I compared it to the Martin 00016GT and the M16GT as well as a Lakewood equivelent. It combined the looks and style of the 00016GT with the sound of the M16... quality!

2003, made in Nazareth, PA. No frills. Solid Mahongany or Sapele top, back, and sides. East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. 20 frets total, 14 clear. Martin 'OOO' or Auditorium style body. Entire guitar is stain finished. Martin sealed machine heads. Martin (TKL) 330 model hardshell case included. Very evocative of the Mahogany guitars being made by Martin and Gibson during the Great Depression.

Fantastic! I bought this to use for ragtime and acoustic blues. Highs are very clean and clear, lows are not boomy but are definately there. Unline Martin dreads, this guitar actually produces a respectable volume when picked with bare fingers. Has that bell-like Marting ring to it. I am constantly surprized at how much volume I can get out of this small bodied guitar.

Action is typical of the Martin factory - a bit high. The entire guitar is satin finished. One cosmetic feature that I do not like, white bridge pins and end pin. Black pins would look a lot better in my opinion. This particular guitar was fresh out of the box so it is esentialy factory mint.

As people have said, it feels very light in weight. That is due to the mahogany construction. The Martin D-18 has a mahogany back and sides and when A/B'ed with their rosewood models also light in weight. I trust Martin to build it right, they've been doing this for a long time. That being said, you couldn't set this one on fire or sling it around the stage, but if properly handled; I think it will last a long time.

Haven had to deal with them but they have a good reputation.

Excellent value for the price. May look like an ugly duckling to some, but I think it's a winner.

00015, all the normal stuff,fantastic hard case,chrome tuners had to go.the guitar has a plain look and the gold groovers look elagant on this guitar.

i have a few other guitars my wife liked the idea of getting a martin but had reservations about the low price,you get what you pay for,i recieved the 00015 and started struming and said to myself nothing special here.then i started picking nothing else matters and my wife was 20 ft away my wife walked in and said there sounds like theres a ghost in the martin.i picked a few others and fell in love what a fantastic sound it engulfs you and pulls you in.this is a very difficult guitar to put down.i replaced the strings with elicsers and was not impressed with them so i stuck them on the yamaha and sounds great,put dadarios on and have been using them consistantly ever sence

the guitar was set up at the factory for a pretty quick action and great sound picking i realy dont think the guys at martin could make a crappy guitar,except maybe the backpacker,tryed one at shop and it will stay there forever.this axe has a very comforable fret board and neck and the size of the body fits me very well

everybody says its light and i agree it does feel fragile but ive had heavy guitars fall apart sitting in the livingroom.lifetime garanty

lifetime so ill give it a 10

best deal for 600 and a hard case to,if your a picker get this guitar i replaced the tuners with gold grovers just for appearance.Ive been playing a few years i also have a yamaha 413,pacific.samic artist series electric heavily costomized,crate gfx 120 great amp for the house,derring goodtime and vega tenor banjo a hand made violin my grandfather made 50 years ago and a harmonica the dog likes to chew on.

15 (solid mahogany top, back, sides) model, 000 (auditorium) style, 20 frets (i think), but you can only BARELY reach the seventeenth fret unless you buy a cutaway model (000-15C), basically a lower end 17 series martin with satin matte finish, rosewood bridge and fretboard, standard martin sealed tuners, no electronics installed in my model (couldn't stand the thought of pre-tornout mahogany replaced even by a fine fishman pickup onboard equalizer).

000 style martins are ideal for fingerstyle blues and picking, while dreadnaughts put out better volume. I was deeply impressed by the full bass sound put out by the slim-body auditorium style and chose this guitar in an instant over the D-15 dreadnaught model. The high trebel notes rang clear and bright and overall the guitar had great, full, mellow mahogany sustain. Decent pitch harmonics to for a mid-range martin.

The setup was good, I purchased it from guitar center though which I cannot reccomend as the best dealership as far as extra bells and whistles are concerned. pretty much a stock martin job, one light (but 2-inch nonetheless) scratch in the finish i didn't notice bothers me now, but thats more the dealers fault i'm certain. The martin strings that came installed lasted forever (like 5 months of constant playing) but subsequent martin string sets (particularly the SP+) wore out on me way to quickly (breaks in the D and G string windings and dulling tone), but no real quips about the guitar itself.

The satin matte finish is a little problematic, as the area where the top of my arm rests (to the bottom left of the bridge: picture the guitar standing, facing you) has wore down to the wood after maybe only 3 months of, albeit constant, playing. The mahogany has a great natural, perfectly aged smell, but tends to absorb any oils it might come in contact with. The finish has otherwise survived surprisingly well with only minor nicks and scratches. This is my favorite guitar, but i would never gig with it, even solo, its too delicate. I believe it'll last forever and sound great even after i'm gone, but only with proper care.

I honestly don't know why I wasn't given the warranty papers for it by the Guitar Center folks, but i saved the reciept and i'll chew em out for it someday. As of right now i'm not worried (knock on mahogany). :)

Been playing for 2 years now, mostly acoustic (beatles, blues), I'm entering the provebial "school of hendrix" presently and buying a strat (all the reviews and classifieds on this site have been instrumental(forgive the pun) in that. Anyway thats not the point, the point is this is a great guitar, great sound, great value, if you're willing to take good care of it, i highly recommend at least picking one up the next time you're shopping for an acoustic

OO015, all mahogany solid top, back and sides 1994. Plain simplicity itself

Suits blues acoustic very well - good mids, wraps around you without smothering your voice when singing. I love the mahogany warmth and sweetness. Quiet, but I line it that way.
Incredible value for the money !

So comfortable - can be played anywhere; neck fits my hand perfectly.

This guitar seems a bit fragile, but I'm not worried about breaking it for some reason - I think it's maybe a bit stronger than it feels !

N/A

Would buy another one immediately - highly recommended if you like small sweet and rich guitars

I bought it new in 2000 from Musician's Pleghm. Solid mahogany throughout with rosewood fretboard and bridge. Durable satin finish. 25.4 in. scale, 1 11/16 neck width, 14 frets in the clear. Finish is deep, dark, and lovely. 000 body style. Great Spartan simplicity with a vintage look. Comes with a very nice hardshell case.

The sound of my Martin is pure, sweet, clean, warm, woody, fat, crisp, and I love it more than any acoustic I've ever played. When I strum tightly voiced chords on this one, it builds up these rich, compressed, complex overtones that make me drool like Pavlov's dog. It records killer too. I must have gotten a particularly sweet instrument because I've played some that don't sound this good, but maybe I'm just partial. I give it an 11 for sound. This little acoustic is a tone machine.

It came adjusted OK, but I always do my own setups anyway. They're not the easiest guitars to adjust but it's worth the effort. Absolutely perfect finish on this one (when it was new). I tightened the tuning gears, and replaced the saddle with a bone saddle designed for a Martin. I adjusted the relief to perfection.

I've played this guitar in church, many living room gigs, and countless hours in my room. It is solid, and dependable, and I suspect it will last many years with care.

I've never dealt with Martin, and I've never had to.

I've been playing 15 years, though I am primarily a bassist. I like quality instruments and this is definitely an example of the legendary Martin quality and care. It's different than most acoustics that one will run across and that was a big attraction for me. This is one of the all-time great solid wood acoustic guitar buys. If it were lost or stolen I would definitely buy another. I have a lot of acoustics but this one is "My Guitar", if you know what I mean.

2001 Martin all-mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Simple detail, nice mahogany smell. Basic, but that's what I like.

I'm an intermediate player, and this was the first guitar I played that made me realize I could be good. I think that says something. The sound is true, clear and it has a mellow tone that fits my quiet, moody, blues-country cross type of playing.

Easy to play from get-go. I had struggled with F chord until I got this guitar.

It is light and seems fragile. But treat it carefully and I think its fine. I think the fragility and satin finish, along with the lack of decoration make it a pretty romantic little tool. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

No problems, no need for customer support.

It made me into a guitar player. I can entertain a group now. This seemed unlikely before I decided to try this baby out at the shop one day.

2001 model, solid mahogany back and sides. Includes TKL brand case with Martin Logo on outside of case. Simple features, no binding, but nice dot inlays on the neck. Visually, a rather nice looking guitar. It comes with Martin brand sealed tuners.

When I got the guitar the strings were a little corroded, so I changed them with the Martin SP+ strings. These are the strings that come on the guitar and are recommended. The sound was better for about 5 days, and then they needed to be changed again. I always wash my hands before I play, and I wasn't really playing excessively. I did not keep the guitar long enough to change them again. I bought this as a second guitar, I already own a Taylor 310 and there was just no comparison. The Martin has a very dull sound. This is due to the wood, and the smaller body. I just couldn't warm up to the sound. I gave the guitar about 3 weeks, and I'm returning it to musicians friend tommorow.

The action was great when I received the guitar, nice and low without any buzzes. The body has a satin finish on the back, sides, and top.
Unfortunately, there are some small problems in this area that some players might not mind, but I could not get past. First, when you get the guitar, the strap pin on the bottom of they body is not factory installed. What I got was a hole drilled into the body, where you simply tap the pin in. The hole that had been drilled was very sloppy, the edges were very rough and when I inserted the pin, I discovered the hole had been drilled at an angle. Second, the holes were not drilled out large enough for the bridge pins, so they stuck up higher than you would usually see on a guitar. I know I could have fixed these problems myself, but for $500 I felt like this should not have been an issue. Finally, the rosette was an adhesive sticker that was ugly, and over time would have peeled off. (The Martin logo on the headstock was done the same way) The pick guard was ok though. These are small cosmetic problems, but I have seen better features on foreign made acoustics. I expected more from a Martin.

This is a very lightweight guitar, that will be very touchy to climate changes. The satin finish will probably ding very easily, but I won't have it long enough to know. I would not use it as a main guitar or a backup. To be fair, the tuners are a Martin Brand, and are sealed. They seemed to work very well. I really did not have any durability problems for the three weeks I had it.

I did not contact Martin, because I was quite sure I would return it to Musicians Friend.

I have been playing for about ten years, and have had experience with all different brands of guitars. I didn't rate this guitar highly because of the small problems, but I know what I want in a guitar. I know it is only a $500 guitar, but I expected better quality from a Martin. I guess this just makes me appreciate my Taylor that much more. To be fair, I did get this through mail order. I knew I was taking a risk by not seeing it before I purchased it. If I had seen this guitar in a store with the problems I have listed, I would not have even considered buying it.

This is a correction of the date of production for my 7/7/02 review. The guitar was made in 2001, of course, not 1991. I apologize for any confusion. Thanks.

Made in 1991. Bought used, in person, from a small, reputable local guitar shop about two weeks ago. It looked like it hadn't been played as the protective film is still on pickguard. Please see the other eleven reviews for further information. They have done a good job describing the features common to this model.

This guitar has a very nice, even, full tone especially for its size. I was particluarly impressed by the low-end. I flatpick in bluegrass style so I'm used to playing dreadnoughts. This guitar appealed to me as a good instrument to play in the house and take on trips due to its size. Considering its size and body style, it responds nicely flatpicked strumming chords and playing single notes.

The action was very friendly, more playable than my dreadnoughts, which aren't bad by any stretch. It is very easy to play and was a nice change from dreadnoughts. Yesterday, however, I noticed a little gap on the top side, however, where the heel and fretboard meet the body. (Yesterday was a bad day regarding this guitar. Please see my comments in the next section.)

Yesterday I put my leg up on the frame of my bed and lifted the guitar into position. I bent over a little to start playing and heard "POP!" What was it? The body had CRACKED on the lower waist! I was shocked. Within the hour I had it back to the shop where the owner graciously offered to repair it for no cost. He could only describe what happened as "weird." I could hardly stand to look at it but it was probably a 2 to 3 inch crack. There is no excuse for this to have happened. There was no physical evidence of any damage to the instrument when I bought it and I've taken great care of it in the two weeks I've had it. It was made as recently as 1991. It can only be a case of poor materials, workmanship, or both. I am extremely disappointed and don't feel like cutting the 800 pound gorilla of acoustic guitardom any slack. It is inexcusable, period. I won't be doling out any of that "It'll outlast me." or "It's a Martin." praise. Martin doesn't deserve it. I suspect that Martin produces too many guitars and trades on its past more than some are willing to recognize. I have no confidence in this guitar anymore and probably won't keep it.

Because I bought this one used I don't have any recourse with Martin through customer support. Thus, the company is spared responsibility for this embarrassment of an instrument.

No matter what virtues it had, it started to fall apart on its own. It just doesn't get any worse than that.