Martin D-15 Acoustic

03, made in Nazareth,Pa. An all wood guitar. This D-15 smells like a dream. Mahogany body, neck, and Martin tuners. No pickup. Nothing real fancy, but that's not why I bought the guitar.

The sales guy was actually pretty cool and threw in a nice Martin 640 case and humidifier for nothing. Not bad...

This is what sold me on this guitar. The tone is really warm, rich, mellow and full. You could really hear (and feel) the strings resonate into the body and out. Beautiful Sound, and best of all, it's going to sound better with age. This guitar has plenty of bass and is meant to be played loud. The sound reminds me a lot of a Guild D-50. I'm a mix of a flatpicker and fingerpicker and suits both styles. I just restrung it with DiAddario EXP 12's. It now sounds more balanced, but with that same punch.

I compaired this guitar to a Taylor 310, 410, 414ce, and Martins DM, D16. I thought this guitar sounded better then all of them. The Taylors sounded to silverly, and lacked that punch.

One important tip, if their is more then one of these guitars hanging around, try them all... Their were two others sitting in the room that sounded a bit dull. Mine was hanging up on the wall and when I played a couple of chords and WOW did it have a voice. It turned heads in the room...

The set up from the factory was great. I think that's the first Martin that actually had low action. Their was no fret buzz. No flaws on the body, neck, or headstock. Setup was perfect for the exception of one thing, the factory strings(Of course, like every guitar I bought. The low E string sounded more like a thud. But that all went away when I changed the strings. Now it's perfect...

Here's where I run into a problem. I doubt that I will subject this guitar to live playing.. I would say that I can depend on it, but this guitar is not built like a tank and I would be afraid that I would break it. I would definatly use it in a studio recording though. The wood isn't as thin as some people say, it's medium.

So far the finish still looks as good as the day I brought it home.

Never dealt with them, and hopefull never will. But it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

I've been playing off and on for about 10 years. This is my first acoustic guitar, and I LOVE IT!!! If it were lost of stolen, I would definatly buy another one, if I couldn't find one that didn't sound as good as the one I have now, I would go out and buy a Martin HD-28, D-28, or a Guild D-50. IMO this best acoustic for under $1000, and some over that...

03 made in USA (nazareth PA?)- no real accessories, only 1 strap button (not neccessarily bad) , no bells or whistles, but thats not what you are paying for, simple, but good

Amazing sound, not bright at all, mellow, balanced, martin bass, dark, warmish, very full and present sounding, i like it alot. No amps, no effects, rich and full, great for acoustic, exactly what i was looking for best sounding for price range

Factory set up was perfect, no buzz, no intonation issues, high action, but i like that on acoustic, nothing wrong from the factory

mahagonny is soft, could dent easily, otherwise should last awhile, i will update or report back in year after i have taken this on a few trips or adventures...(so i hear) i dont plan on gigging with this, we dont have acoustic songs, but if i were to gig with it, always have a backup...

N/A

An excellent guitar for the price range, best sound for under 1000 in my opinion, beat out a few used guilds and a taylor in that price range. i would replace this if i lost it right now, but in a while my tastes may change and we will see...perfect sound, comfortable body, neck, i compared it to a used taylor 8 series, 2 used early 80's guilds, a takamine, an ovation, a washburn, an alvarez, a few other martins, and an ibanex

you all know that..some days an ugly bitch and some wery pretty..it is my babe!

The sound is close to perfect..but be aware..my D-15 was not adjusted correctly when receiving it (new with tags and film on the pickguard and so on)...first i wanted to lower the bridge...someone had put a piece of plastic under the Martin bone-bridge??? why?? I removed it right away...the result wery nice and brighter treble. Further I lightened the truss rod just a bit (im sure someone had tried to to tighten it to provide lower string action...i also tested the neck it was too straight), the result, the string action got a little higher, however they felt a lot smoother just like my flamenco guitar, easier to make bends and what is most important no buzzes all over the freetboard. Now that has been adjusted, the sound is perfect, chords and single note. It also has a very nice and balanced bass.

a piece of plastic under the Martin bone-bridge??? I dont beleive that is a factory setting(otherwise my rating should be 3)...everything else is perfect.

A very solid guitar! It will last for years if you dont't mistreat it.

I've been playing for 15 years. I compared the D-15 with some K. Yairi guitars at the same price-level..the D-15 is a winner in playability and sound. I've read all the other reviews, THANK'S it was a greath help.

Most people have listed the basic features, mine is a Custom model so it has tortoise binding on top and back and a real rosette inlay (very simple, though) and open-gear old-style martin tuners.
I bought this one new but with a long crack in the top that was well repaired by the Guitar Factory in Orlando, FL, an Authorized Martin Repair Center.

The sound is astonishing for a guitar in this price category. I never wrote a review but I felt obligated to do it this time. I have 2 other higher-end Martins (D-18 and 000-16C) which I am probably going to sell because the sound of the D-15 is what I was really looking for.
The tone is well balanced, I play with finger mostly, the bass are exceptional but not overwhelming, it sounds good and even everywhere on the fretboard.

I think at Martin they do a very good job, the guitar is well assembled with good materials. The only thing I did not like is the wood used for the top which does not really look like mahogany and is not consistent with the back and sides. But it sounds good.
I can't complain about the finish because the glossy laquer would make it more expensive.

This is definetely a keeper for me, of course I would have liked a glossy finish that protects better over the time but at least I got the binding which helps making the guitar more durable.

They let me register the warranty even if I bought the guitar (new) from an E-bay seller, they are very quick and responsive.
A couple of years ago I enjoyed the factory tour that they give every day for free at 2pm; they even waited for me after I called to tell them I was late (I got a speed ticket right outside Nazareth for driving at 95mph while I was trying to make it there on time)

I own a lot of guitars (too many, actually) and I can say this is the best I got in terms of sound; I could sell almost everything but not this one.

I bought this guitar used for $350 at House of Guitars in Houston. It is about 4 years old and it snatched it up due to its wonderful tone and low price.
Mahogany body, top, and neck, rosewood fretboard and bridge, Martin chrome tuners, satin finish, one strap button, standard Martin inlays on the neck, cheap decal rosette, looks like synthetic nut and pins but I think the saddle was replaced with bone, great mahogany smell, came with a Martin case but I got it used and the case around the neck and headstock had started to collapse a little like someone sat on the case or something, the locks on the case rusted, but it is very protective ad holds the guitar very snugly.
Simple features, but they are very well made, which is why it gets an 8.

This guitar sounds great for my style, which is some fingerpicking but mostly soft to hard strumming and pounding away at it. It has strong bass and mids, with a mellow though not quiet treble. It sounds great for any type of acoustic music and I am going to get a Martin pickup in it so I'll have to see how it sounds plugged in later.
There were two buzzes with this guitar when I got it, but I fixed one by tightening the nut on the low E string's tuner, which had come loose and made a horrible racket pretty soon after I bought it. The other one is quiete and is only on the high e and b strings, probably due to the high action and the (I think) non-stock saddle.
I have compared this guitar to many others such as a high-end Taylor and a 1970s Martin HD-28. Both have a brighter sound than this guitar, but I think it has a better tone and it is actually louder than both guitars. I still wonder how a guitar I got for $350 has a better tone than a $2000 Martin HD-28 that is 30 years old, but it does.

The action on this guitar when I bought it was very high, and I havn't had time to change it yet. The finish is satin mostly, but over time the oil from the owner's body made it glossy in places like where the arm rests, on the neck, and other areas. I suspect that this is common of all of these guitars after a while, but it still looks beautiful in a dark, simple way. Where it is glossy though, that mahogany really looks beautiful.

The guitar withstands intense strumming and asks for more with only minor beauty marks on the soundhole. The finish will last and, if anything, will only get more glossy. The strap button is solid, and the tuners are great. It needs binding, as there are already many dents on the underside of the top of the guitar and one small crack on the side.
The wood is very thin, so be careful with it, but it'll stand rough playing.

I bought it used and have not dealt with Martin.

I love the tone and the look of this guitar, though I would change a few things, such as giving it binding, a better rosette, and an ebony fretboard and bridge (the light rosewood really doesn't look as good with the similar colored mahogany).
I chose this guitar because I didn't have much money and so I was looking at many different guitars for under $500. This guitar beat out all the rest by a ton, and I am extremely pleased with it and the deal I got on it. This guitar will probably last me a long time due to its wonderful tone that rivals guitars worth much more.

After 4 1/2 years, the basic features of this guitar are it's simplicity and tone. Sure you can get a guitar with lots of special extras, but why? Solid mahogany- I'm hard pressed to understand why one would pay for more when the feature of importance is sound.

Deep resonant base, singing highs- perfect for finger-style work. The players I've been with have just loved this instrument- it stands up with bluegrass players especially.

The action out of the factory was solid, but four years have taken their toll. Off to the Martin luthier for fresh set-up, and back cam an instrument with a set-up to rival anything.

I would use this instrument anywhere, anytime, for any purpose. The finish wasn't my favorite thing about the guitar, but 000 steel wool took off the satin and gave this D-15 a shiny, oiled appearance. It's just heading into adolescence and is maturing beautifully.

My box came straight from Martin, and the service has been great, although only needed once. Taking this to the luthier was a great experience. Martin doesn't cover set-up, but the luthier lowered the saddle, removed and lowered the bridge, and gave me back a guitar that was better then new. We'll do a neck reset (again covered by Martin) in a few years. Who can ask for more than a lifetime guarantee and a great luthier to do the work?

I've been playing for 30 years now, and this is the finest instrument I've owned. That includes a D-28, a Les Paul, a Telecaster, and a few more. There's nothing like it for the price. I've had Taylors too- great concept, but not a Martin

Mine is a 2002 which I have had for 9 months. The features, already covered below, are very sparse making this the affordable guitar it is. No binding, satin finish. The decal rosette is a disappointment. If any guitar could do without it, its the D-15. The case came with the guitar, (increasing the value--try finding a all wood $500.00 guitar without a case that beats the D-15!) I like the stock Martin tuners. I never see to have to tune this thing. Will probably put in a bone nut and ebony pins at some point.

Sound is the main reason to take a look at this instrument---I played a lot of guitars in the $500.00 price range and nothing came close. I could have gone for a Takamine, Ibanez or a Seagull Artist and gotten a gloss finish, binding and a spruce top but would not have this sound. To my ear, the low priced, unfinished Taylor was no more impressive than the Seagull. Then there's the famous "Martin Sound." Even with stock coated strings it had that soulful boom, but once I got it home and put on a new set of D'Adario phosphor bronze, it was a whole new ballgame. The high end really came out to accompany the already impressive mids. In the 9 months I've had it it has become even more resonate and broadened in tone, like its waking up fom a long sleep. I thought long and hard about the DM, a very good sounding guitar made by Martin out of God knows what, but the D-15 had a richer tone for about the same price. Indeed,I have not played a new D-18 that I thought sounded better.
I'd love to have a good Taylor someday because of that beautiful clear chime, and a Gibson Dove or Hummingbird rivals anything out there INHO, but none of these axes can be had for $500.00. Gibson's Epiphone line doesn't even rate a mention in this discussion. Taylor puts their sound and finish into the higher end instruments, not the low end 110. But Martin has essentially put together every component that makes for the trademark tone of their nicer guitars and left the product plain and unadorned, thus affordable. Hats off to Mr. Martin.

The action moved from moderate to high in the first month or so. I tried a couple of set-ups and finally gave in and let the guitar figure out its own environment. I live in NC and the summer is pretty humid, so it took some time for her to settle in. I finally moved to light strings and had the nut and saddle adjusted. The intonation is perfect, it was always a loud guitar so not much was lost with going to light guage. The action is low up the neck like an ES-335 which makes practicing scales more tolerable.
Though I understood I was buying a satin finish, which really means, "not finished," I was still a little annoyed at the uneven shine that appeared where my right arm rubbed the top. The guitar quickly obtained a lopsided glow, so being the obsessive compulsive I am, I had the whole top surface buffed to even out the gloss. Where the neck and bridge join the top, it was hard to polish but the rest came out evenly. The results were surprisingly beautiful bringing out the mahogany grain. I would encourage anyone interested to ask their luthier about this treatment since it is easy and cheap to do. I know this was an inexpensively finished guitar, but it made me wish Martin had added that one small step to assembly. My next guitar will definitely be a gloss top.

I don't think any guitar withstands being dropped, so I'm a big strap lock guy. With the D-15, attaching the buttons requires some wood work. (The far button is just a peg crammed into the end.)I wasn't crazy about drilling holes in my new guitar but it beats dropping it. This was always a budget purchase so there was no way to go for built in electronics. Therefore, sound hole and bridge PUPS need to be handled with care. (Ya might rip off that cheap rosette!)This guitar is light and fragile. I have already dinged it up a bit, especially where there would be binding. But then I play it all the time, so these are beauty marks. Still, you can go all Willie Nelson on this axe without intending to. I play mainly in settings where they forgive a string change, but a backup is still a must.

Because of finish issues and my own over-zealous consumerism, I have dealt with Martin several times. My main issue was that Martin put into their literature some mention of the deterioration of the satin finish. They basically said, "You get what you pay for and this is still a great deal." I had to agree. I give them high marks for their warranty and customer service, but really, there's no substitution for a good Martin approved luthier and I've got one of the best in my area. All my set up, repair and maintenance work goes through him and if necessary, then to Martin.

I've been playing off and on for several years but recently concentrated my practice with the purchase of this guitar. In retrospect, I could have waited, saved up and gotten a D-18, maybe a Hummingbird or a Taylor, but I doubt it would be worth twice or three times the price. If it were lost I would definitely buy it again. Simply put, I have not found a better value out there. And nothing else has that smokey tone, perfect for folk and blues. She may be a plain jane, but what a beautiful voice!

This is a comparing test between low bedget Martin and Taylor guitars.

I have to admit, I took great interest in comparing the low priced Taylor Guitars to their Martin cousins, in fact the Taylor 110 and 214 to the Martin DM and D15. I had some more expensive Martins and Taylors around for overall comparison, and here is what I came up with:
First let me tell you that Martins are definetly much louder with a boomier bass and a much clearer tone. A DM or D15 should be played loud. It's voice is authoritative, with lots of sustain. The all mahogany body sounds way darker than the spruce top of the DM, which adds a lot of sparkle.
The Taylor 110 or 214 on the other hand are very quick responding guitars with a worn, broken in feeling. They are both not as loud as a Martin, but they do not need to be played loud, they sound good at low levels. They are much more balanced and "silverly" in tone, they tend to sound compressed in a nice way when played hard (wheras the Martin has that much headroom and reacts to dynaimics individually). They are much better to handle but the Martins are manufactured better, the Taylors feel grainy in no negative way.
I myself do like both the Martin and the Taylor sound. Note: More expensive Martins are not neccesserily better sounding ones (even the "cheap ones" carry that warm, boomy Martin trademark sound), more expensive Taylors on the other hand are defintely better sounding that their low budget cousins. I came out of this test of mine with both the Martin D15 and the Taylor 214 - they are the affordable best of both worlds in my opionion.
Another hint: I had two of each guitar (two D15, two 214, etc.), the Martins of one kind sound very much the same, the Taylors quite different, so try some if your store has more than one!

see above

Everyone else has already told you about the features. The important thing is the solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Rosewood fretboard, bridge, and headplate. Satin finish, very nice and plain. Comes with a very nice hardshell case with a plush inside.

Oh, many people have mentioned the smell of the guitar. It is great!

I give it a 9 because even though it has very few features, they are mostly top notch.

The mahogany gives it a very mellow, warm sound that is perfect. If you like a brighter, jangly tone, get a Taylor. I like to use this guitar for acoustic folk, rock, and blues. It sounds better flatpicked than fingerpicked.

The store I bought this from tuned it way down (2 steps), so I thought the action was a lot lower than it really was. That said, it didn't really bother me. I'm used to playing with high action. Good bookmatching, no flaws in fretwork or bracing that I can tell.

I have been playing this guitar at home every day for the last 3 months, and it has already picked up a ding or two from my clumsiness. The finish is thin, but I like how it shines up to a gloss. That's already happening on the neck. The strap button is not even glued in. The guitar has a hole in the bottom, and the clerk pushed it in. I have not used it with a strap due to my fear of the button coming loose and dropping it. I don't play out.

No contact with Martin other than a letter when I sent in my registration. American Music offers free setups, so I may take them up on that offer later. They are a very cool store, with friendly salespeople who were willing to cut a deal.

This is the best guitar I currently own. If it were stolen, I would definitely buy another one just like it. One thing: the stock strings (Martin SP Lights, I think) suck. They dulled within a month of playing. The other thing I don't like about it is the decal rosette, which looks ugly. I would've preferred just no rosette at all. No frills baby!

I love the "legendary Martin tone (tm)", solid wood for an unbeatable price. I had originally wanted to buy something for around $300-400, like a Seagull or Ibanez, but this guitar spoke to me and convinced me to open my wallet.

solid mahogany nothing fancy

This guitar has a nice warm,crisp woody sound.I play country blues,rock folk.This is a very quite guitar much quiter than my gibson hummingbird.I use this guitar mainly for writing songs and when i want to play late at night and not wake up my wife and daughter-it is a very quit guitar but has a rich sound

action was high but lowered it to my liking.No flaws at all martin makes great guitars

it is very light and must be treated with care.I could see how you could easily hit this against a coffee table and knock a hole right thru it.I use my gibson hummingbird when i play out.But i'm shure with the proper pick up it would sound just fine.

I have been playing for over 25 years.I own a gibson hummingbird,taylor 514ce,gibson sg,rickenbacker 620,vox ac30tb
fender acoustisonic sfx,fender bassman amp.If it were stolen id probably buy another.Ilove the sound of this guitar,i bought this
as my campfire guitar.I'm to paronoid to take my gibson anywhere except a gig and this martin is the perfect take it anywhere guitar
and not have a heart attack if it were destroyed guitar.It is one of the best sounding under $1000 guitars i have played.Also check out the new taylor 214 it has a great sound also but i prefered the d-15
melower sound