Martin D-15S

Just a plain, simple all-mahogany guitar with no bindings or any fancy stuff. All solid dreadnought, 12-fret neck that is slightly wider than a 14-fret D-15 and a beautiful slotted headstock.
It had no pickup system installed when I bought it.
Mine is a lefty.

I play mostly blues and folk, and it suits my style very well. It has a warm sound with a solid bottom and a nice trebble. I play with my bare fingers, and thats works wery well with this guitar.

No complaints here! I just tuned it, and started to play!

I mounted a Shadow Nanoflex pickup in it, so i can use it at live gigs. Some time along the way I might change the tuners, but they OK for now. I got a feeling that this is gonna be my work horse for many years to come. I don??t use a backup guitar, I just keep a set of spare strings in my guitar case.

I hope I never have to find out!

I have been playing for more than 40 years, but this is my first Martin. Hopefully not my last! If it was stolen, I gladly get another one. After I killed the guy who stole it of cause! ;-)
I choose this one for many reasons. First the wider neck, then the 12-fret neck joint, and the sound of solid mahogany. And the price is all right!

Plain in a pleasing way. Just watched a movie with an old timer setting and Harry Dean Stanton was playing one of these - probably becuase it looked so old fashioned.

Volume is spectacular. Tone is bright and warm at the same time. Will probably become warmer as time goes on.

Just a solidly built guitar. INTERESTING, i bought it at Nazereth Music, Martin's local outlet (I live 20 miles away). It was four days off the line when I got it!

My warranty provides a free neck adjustment (if necessary).

Nuff' said. About price, I think Nazereth Music charged me without a recent increase. What a steal for $775.

this beauty just empasizes GUITAR.

This is a 12 fret slothead dreadnaught.(If you have never owned a slothead style guitar, putting on a new set of strings might take a bit of getting used to) Its actually sort of a re-issue of the 12 fret slotheads that were popular in the 1930's. The string spacing is wider than a standard 14 fret dreadnaught. There is no binding with this guitar, but it still looks nice. It just has the Martin trademark on the headstock and a single gold rosette around the sound hole.

Due to this model being an all mahogany guitar it doesnt have the volume and punch needed for bluegrass (as one example) or any situation where volume and the ability to "cut" through a loud mix is needed. I have some spruce topped dreadnaughts for those situations, and I purchased this guitar for solo situations and small groups with maybe 1 or 2 other guitar players.

For those kind of situations I am exceedingly pleased with this guitar. Its tone is just wonderful. It has a very dry, open and "woody" tone. A very beautiful and pleasing, well rounded, and somewhat "dark" tone. It is very responsive with great balance from string to string. No part of the tone...bass, midrange, or treble...is any louder of quieter than any other.

In adition, its wider string spacing has made it my primary fingerpicking guitar.

It came with everything perfect, except that the strings were a bit high. Of course, that was easy to remedy.

So far...about 2 years...I have had absolutly no problem whatsoever with this guitar.

Havent needed it

Overall this is one fine guitar. I have no intention of ever parting with it. It sounds great, and I love the 1930's vibe it has.

2003 Martin D-15S, USA All solid mahogany body, Mahogany top. 12 fret slotted headstock. No frills, No BS, no biding. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard.

This is actually a follow up and a new review. I liked the first D-15S so much I had to get another! I feel I'm getting really to know it's sound. First thing I noticed with this series is that as soon as you strum a chord or pluck a note it's right there. It jumps right out at you. Quickest response of any guitar i'ved owned, and I'ved owned plenty. They say that this due to the mahogany top. When you strum it's full and rich, fingerpick and it's alive. The bass is big which is what is most important to me, and it's mid-range is known as being the strongest out of just about any guitar. The trebles are light and airy. This guitar is great but it's not for every one. If you like a guitar that's on the bright side this guitar is not for you. Also don't try and compare it to an all mahogany guitar with a Sitka top. A mahogany topped guitar is a completly different animal. It has overtones but they are rounded and this comes across to the listener as not being as loud as other guitars. It's just as loud if not louder, but without the cutting treble. What's great about this guitar is that when you bash the hell out it, it starts to sound warmer, not brittle like so many other acoustics. Proof is in the pudding, go check one out for yourself. If you've never played an all mahogany guitar it might take some getting used to. I used to be a die-hard rosewood fan, but this guitar has converted me. Definately easier to get a better sound when recording or playing live.

Set-up was good. Martin sets it up with a high nut, but I like that. I feel you get more tone especially out of open chords. I'm not a fan of martin strings, they're terrible in my opinion atleast the ones I've tried. Change those immediately, they're tone killers. Try not to judge the guitar with those strings.

No binding so be careful not to bang it against anything hard or sharp. It's seems durable so far and can take medium strings and hard strumming. I hear mahogany hols up well. we shall see. I would use it on a gig without a back-up. I've already used it in the studio without a back-up

Asked for the production #'s on this guitar and Martin got right back to me. Send you your warranty card back fast as well.

Been playing,touring, recording awhile. Own lots of highe end guitar, this D-15S is the best even at it's price. Like it so much I bought two. My favorite feature is that it is very plain and simple, with a great big warm sound. You can bash it and it still sounds good. Sturdy but light. I had a hd-28vs and a HD-35 and I got rids of those and got the D-15S. The guitar is utilitarian. it does it's job. Just FYI, the D-15S are getting harder and harder to find and there's a rumor that Martin might stop making them so get em while you can.

2003, USA, 20 fret, joined at 12th fret, all solid mahogany, mahogany top, satin finish, slotted headstock, drednought, scaller tuners, low-oval neck, rosewood fingerboard & bridge, A-frame x bracing mortise & tenon neck joint. No binding completely stripped down. Unlike other people I like the stripped down natural look of a guitar. This guitar is so stripped down it almost looks like a little tree. All wood, no interference. The only downside is not having any binding, which does protect the guitar edges from getting banged up. I gave this guitar a 9 due to the cool look it has being featureless, but had to deduct a point for no natural binding.

I play a wide range of styles, styles that change within the same song, so I needed something very dynamic and with a lot of headroom. You can play this guitar very hard(with pick) and fingerpick(with bare fingers) and it sounds very good. Due to Martin's A-frame X-bracing, you get great bass response. The treble gets a little rounded off, but I feel the majority of guitars I've tried have twangy treble that I don't like. I changed the bridge to bone and that brighted up the guitar, as well as made it louder, improved the tone. I'll be honest I loved the sound of this guitar at first and then moved on to loving the sound of my other guitars more. I have rosewoods, maples, jumbo's ect. But, a funny thing happened. I noticed that the sustain and bass response on the D-15S was bigger, darker, fuller, than any guitar I owned. Including my Jumbo that cost me $3,000! I guess because there wasn't much to the d-15S and it was so inexpensive I didn't take it seriously. I even had it down to the local music store to trade it in, but when I heard someone else play it and I finally heard it from a listeners perspective, I realized I was making a mistake, a big mistake, seeing that the top wasn't even fully broken in yet. This guitar is all about sound!

Standard Martin set up, everything was in order, action at the nut was a little stiff, but Martin makes it that way so you can bridge it down to where you like it.

The guitar is feather light, hence the great responsiveness, we will see how it will hold up on the road. As I mentioned before, Martin could have atleast added some wood fiber type of binding. I've already banged up the sides pretty good. On a positive note I have a friend who has a d-15 and he does 250 shows a year with it and has for the last couple of years and he has no complaints.

Called them about a question, seemed fine. They get your warranty card back fast after you register your guitar.

Been playing on and off for about 22 years. playing steady and touring for 10 years. If it were stolen I would go right out and buy another one. I heard though that Martin has discontinued this model. It's a shame if that's true, because I think it's one of Martin's best deals in term of sound and price

This is a 2003 D-15s with the standard features of the 15 series, with the 12 fret, wider neck, and plastic tuner buttons. No binding, satin finish, all solid wood, and a higher retail price of $1219.

I purchased this guitar for 2 reasons: 1) the great sound, 2) the feel of the neck. The sound is great, and IMO, the best sound of all the 15 series guitars due to the bracking, size of the body, and the placement of the bridge. It has longer sustaining bass, strong mids, and not so loud highs.

The action is higher than what I prefer. The wood reflects a strange stain: looks like the finish was stripped and stain re-applied. Some may consider this ugly. Also, a circular dark stain on the back, as if defective or low grade wood has been used. However, dispite these flaws in appearence, and low grade of wood, the construction is flawless as one would expect from CF Martin.

This guitar is a slotted Head, and the body is large mahogany. Hence, it may not endure the test of time. One light bang may cause the headstock to break. The large top may belly up faster than others guitars fitted with spruce. I use medium strings which put more tension than light strings. Also,I understand the decal may come off. The frets are thin and with my playing will need a refret in 2-3 years. Also, due to the higher than normal action, the neck may need a reset in about 3-5 years. I just got this one, and it will be my outdoor guitar. I will provide an update in about 2-3 years.

For me, Martin has always been accessable for assessories, consultation, and parts.

I have played for over 28 years, and have owned over 30 guitars electric and acoustic. I wish I could have seen the guitar before I purchased it through a mail order, thus avoiding this one with ugly flawed finish and defective looking wood. I love the width of the neck and the sound of a 12 fret, and wish Taylor guitars made one with a cutaway so I can reach the higher frets. Look at the guitar befor you buy it.

Basic set-up. Solid Sapele top, back & sides; jumbo dreadnaught body (same size as a 12 string body); slot headstock; no binding; twelve frets to the neck joint, rosewood bridge & fretboard, chrome tuners w/pearloid buttons. (Sapele is similar to mahagony only in appearance. Its qualities relative to resonance are and physical characteristics are much more like those of cedar.) Not a real pretty piece, but unique.

Uhh... wow! I've been playing for 25 years, I mean playing - and this is one of the finest sounding acoustic guitars I have ever played, period. Full, rich, yet not poignant at any register. Thick and creamy as opposed to bright and piercing, yet very well balanced.

Action was a little high from the factory, but pretty typical. Fittings are well done, finish is ugly, but reasonably flawless. No sloppy glue like my Gibson acoustic.

Fairly light guitar, given it's size. Sapele is pretty sturdy stuff relative to spruce or mahagony. So far it looks pretty solid, but its too early to tell.

Haven't tried 'em yet...

As mentioned, I've been playing since 1978. I own oodles of guitars-Seagull CE Flame Maple; Gibson L130; Washburn D12; Gianini Classical, Kramer 12 String Solid Top; three Gibson Les Pauls, three Fender Strats, Tele Custom, Tele Standard, Gibson ES 135, Epiphone Sheraton II, the list goes on... I would likely replace this guitar if it were lost simply because of the sound quality, which is superb- and the value for the money. It's a little bit big on the body side, with a short stubby neck, but fat girls need love too...

Very plain,decal rosette and old style Martin headstock logo.

The sound is exceptional. I'ts loud even when fingerpicking because the slope shoulder dreadnaught is 1 inch longer then a standard D model. The neck is 12 fret 1-3/4 wide.The treble and mids are well balanced and the bass does not overpower the guitar. Overtones are very evident as is characteristic of all Martin guitars.

The set up as received was and still is high. But I've left it that way for hard playing and volume. If you like to play full bar chords,this is not your axe!! The intonation is acceptable and re-tuning is not required after capoing. The wood in this guitar is solid Sapele and is striped normally. However,this one has a top that looks like standard mahogany with matching swirls/bearclaw below the bridge One defect: the rosette began to flake away after 3 months. The rosewood bridge and fret board are well made and the mahogany neck is excellent

Everthing seems solid and wear-resistant except the lousy decal rosette. It has a satin finish and I can not find a single scratch or worn spot anywhere

I've tried to get Martin to fix the decal under warranty. They at first claimed(without seeing the guitar)that the decal defect was cosmetic. After further communication,they wrote to tell me to take it to a registered Martin warranty center for evaluation. I will take it to my closest dealer(100 miles) for evaluation.If they want to charge me for the repair I will pay to have the decal completely taken off. It'll probably look better!!

I've been playing over 40 years. I wish I had known that these decals were so easily damaged. If it were lost/stolen I'd buy another Martin with NO decals. It's really a shame because sound and playability are fine. No other well known manufacturer's make a 12 fret slot head, 1-3/4 wide fretboard, all wood, in the D class at less then $1000!!!