Martin 000-15M Mahogany Acoustic Guitar Independent Review & Demo
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- 3:50 for sound demo.
Here we take an independent and unbiased look at the Martin 000-15m all Mahogany acoustic guitar.
Is such a simple guitar really worth £1400? Let's find out...
Until I first played a OOO-15M, I thought the mighty dreadnaught was where it was at. I had only ever played the D shape, and upgraded through successive price points until I got to a D-35. I thought I was done. Then one day in a guitar shop in Dublin I picked up a OOO-15m and fingerpicked something I always play in a situation like that (April Come She Will). I was absolutely blown away by the sound. Six months later I had bought one. 12 months on from that, I now only very rarely play the D-35 even though it cost more than twice as much. I’ve realised that the smaller body much better suits my playing style. And even though I’m over 6’2”, I just feel much more comfortable too. I will say however that while I like the warmth and clarity of the mahogany, I do miss the richer sound palette of the spruce+rosewood in the D-35. So I think I might now sell the D-35 and get an OOO-28 or OM-28. I digress though. My real comment here is that when it comes to performance vs price, the OOO-15M is the absolute sweet spot. An incredible achievement.
Thank you for your personal analysis, helpful info. 🙂👍
I agree...I have many guitars...this one is perfect!
Now, if one store has it , try the 000 15 sm and i promise it will knock you off the chair straight away again😉
I have one from 1994 it is still my go to guitar and i cannot live without it
Went to a local guitar store and bought this to upgrade from my fantastic entry level Yamaha. Totally recommend this. Beautiful sustained tone throughout.
$1299 and worth it.
I've been eyeing this guitar for years and just picked up it from my local guitar center yesterday. I am 100% pleased. It's everything I thought it would be and more! Such a beautiful guitar!
Man, you made me want to learn the “Blackbird”, what a beautiful song and you played it perfectly. I’m planning on buying a 00015m too, thank you.
His picking is very different then what Paul played originally, but still he sounds awesome. But check out Paul's picking technique for Blackbird, Justin Guitar has a good explanation and Beatles Vocal Harmony
Lovely guitar (full disclosure, I'm just watching because I'm lusting after one), and I was pleasantly surprised by the little snippet of Bert Jansch in the sound demo section! He's so rarely heard these days, but has always been one of my all time heroes.
...and Jackson C Frank to boot! Clearly a man of taste! :)
Ya great guitar player.....
I got myself a Gibson g-45 for Christmas this year ( and it’s absolutely beautiful and sound great) but this looks and sounds like it’s going to sit under next Christmas tree 😃
Same here !!!
Have you picked one yet?
I got the G-45 as well and I’m thinking about the same deal this Christmas!! Haha.
Hey man! Did ya get one for Christmas this year 😁
G45 is loud when fingerpicked but 00015m is way more complex and round, warm and sexy sound
I purchased a 00015m last week, wonderful guitar, can't put it down.👍
Do you find the 1 11/16 width nut too narrow for fingerstyle? I prefer 1 3/4. Not sure why martin didn't do that
@@sasquatchlife8836 1 3/4 would be better for fingerstyle no doubt, personally I'm used to 1 11/16 on my other guitars so no real issue with it.
I bought this model guitar around 10 years ago while visiting the Martin guitar factory in Pennsylvania. They charged me about $900. Price has gone up since then. This model guitar was basically unknown back then. Now it has a decent following. It deserves the recognition since it sounds so good.
@@sasquatchlife8836 Thanks for mentioning nut width. I need a smaller nut width so this guitar would be good for me. 5 ft. tall, small hands. I’m glad Martin makes more than 1 nut width!
Just want to say I bought a used (mint) one about 7-8 yrs ago, after watching some CZcams videos. I am lucky to have the wonderful small collection I've put together over the decades, and tbh, my guitar buddies go more apeshit for this guitar than anything I have. I bought it from a shop that specializes in bluegrass instruments. The original owner traded it in on a spruce-top Martin after less than a year of ownership. I've owned a couple of other Martins, and a Collings (which I still have). I have never played an acoustic that sounds so even in it's response. The workmanship is faultless. Cannot recommend this highly enough.
George Martin was said to be a big fan of mahogany top guitars for recording.
Back in 1970ish I bought a 1937 Martin 0-17 for $20 I was 16 years old. It was the best guitar ever in the 1930s Martin used all hide glue and Adirondack braces on all their guitars which gave it a punchy sound
Well i just sold my first born and cleaned out my savngs account and bought one.....this review made me feel better about the purchase.....thank you for the reassuring and great review
How’s it going so far? Worth the purchase?
How’s it going so far? Worth the purchase?
It’s the mahogany top that does it.
That’s it. I’m back on finger strumming. I’ve always been more comfortable with it, after seeing this awesome playing, I’m sticking to it.
They are the best sounding 000 guitars made by anyone...sweet intimate and warm. Just truly great guitars and so good everyone has tried to imitate it...but none have the mojo soul of the Martin 15's! Martin has been making for 80+ years...just so good you can't put them down.
I went into a guitar shop once and played every guitar that stood out to me on the walls and this one sounded and played better than any guitar I found even better than some of the 4k$+ ones.
I love these. Wish I still had mine. I toured the factory and asked about the satin finish. They simply don't buff them. That's why yours is getting shiny. You are doing the buffing!
Picked up a used one today. Ordered a OOOJRE from my dealer, never came in, they had a used one of these. Picked it up, played it, and brought it home!
The irony of a £1400 guitar being based on 1930s depression era guitars
Ha, indeed! Although it's still depression era pricing by Martin standards 😂
@@wilsonguitars2724 it is a lovely looking guitar
before china making cheap stuff, instruments used to be pricey but very good quality. Like the ES 335 they were ~200 bucks, which is actually the roughly the same price in todays money (~3K)
Inflation exists
More bling doesn’t improve the quality of a musical
instrument. The best violins on the market have designs centuries old. And compared to one of these very well made and sounding acoustics are not exactly overpriced.
Definitely my dream guitar! I've been saving a while for it, can't wait to own one
Wow. That guitar really sounds incredible! Maybe I’ll have to add one to my collection.
I got mine in Nov/2020 after a long wait because covid had just got in full swing . I love this guitar. I am 63 from Newfoundland Canada and mine cost me $2023.99 Canadian but worth every penny IMO. I hate putting it down :)
That sounds incredible. Absolutely incredible.
Nice to hear a Bert Jansch (Jackson C. Frank), tune, however briefly.Thanks.
Got one too, absolutely LOVE it! You should hadve added one weird but absolutely fantastic detail which is the SMELL of it! It smells of a mix of chocolate and caramel and that makes you want to eat your guitare 😍 Just make sure to keep it in its box, mine still exhudes the gorgeous smell after 13 years 😉👍
True! I bought mine beginning of November. Got COVID and lost my smell around Thanksgiving. Just today I’ve been able to smell this beautiful guitar again! 2021 is looking up!
@@rockhopper01 😳 Glad your sense of smell has come back... Enjoy your new guitare (got a Tonewood Amp for Christmas and it just sounds a-MAZ-ing on it! 😍)
Yes the smell!! Often forgotten best part. Even my Mexico built DRS1 (Sapele) had that insanely sweet aroma as did my 000-18 that you’re talking about, I can only imagine the smell of the 000-15m. I really want another mahogany 000 someday.
It's true, it really does smell of chocolate, it's the first thing I noticed when I bought mine used about four years ago. Gibsons have a lovely smell too, but not chocolate
If I could play one like that I would definitely own one
I’ve been a Strat man for 40yrs I’ve recently purchased a Martin 00015m streetmaster. I absolutely love it.
Been thinking about getting one, is it worth the money?
@@leonchalita2169 I got mine used but mint for £1000. I think it’s worth every penny, I did have a top end Taylor some years ago BUT prefer this by a mile. This plays any style & sounds beautiful. Hard to walk past it without playing it.
@@col145 I’m sold lmao
I love seeing well played and maintained guitar!!
Needle of Death!❤ and THANK YOU for actually strumming it hard.. exactly what I wanted to know, and surprisingly difficult to find a good demonstration of that, especially on small guitars (and with the clipping/compression of your mic it sounds great!)
Not meant to be slammed on. Fingerstyle baby
I was on the fence between this and a taylor 314. Yes, the taylor sounds perfect plugged in, but the marting won as a balanced accurate instrument. D'addario phosphor bronze light gauge highly recommended
I love the 000 15m. Had to sell mine as the neck was too thin. I wish I could find one with a thicker neck.
000 15 sm is the right to go, wider nut
I played this guitar today for the first time. It has great reviews everywhere. I didn’t love it. I thought there were several others that sounded and played so much better.
Thank you for sharing your talents! Just what I wanted to hear, as I am trying to decide which Martin would meet my 'sound' expectations.
I’ve played one at my local GC and it sounded good. I might keep an eye for a used one to join my Taylor.
You can get a Harley Benton cla-15m all solid mahogany guitar for 233 plus shipping to the USA. I love this Martin but took a flyer in the Harley Benton. It’s surprisingly amazing. Sounds and plays as well as my Taylor’s and this particular Martin. Different finish as it’s less matte than this one. Amazing wood, mahogany is
Bought this guitar as my first guitar. I love it!!
It is what a guitar should be. Sounds great and not too brash. Looks old right out of the box. And small enough to be very comfortable to play. If you like a wider nut, the SM model is where it’s at.
Just ordered this guitar today, upgrading from a GS mini koa. Only guitar I ever ordered without even playing it. But your video, along with the 50 other ones I saw gives me assurance I did the right thing. The sound out of this thing is beautiful. Much appreciate the review, thanks a lot🤘👏
how is your gs mini, and compared to the martin?
@@ttvklu I love the mini, have no complaints whatsoever. Sound wise, it's just as loud as the 00015. The Martin has a warmer, more mellow tone, just enough bass without it being overpowering. So much fun to play. Only prob with the 00015 is that it's opened my eyes to the world of Martin guitars. Kinda want a D18 or OM28 now lol
@@one11won what sounds better between the two?
@@leonchalita2169 GS Mini's brighter/louder. 00015 sounds more mellow/warmer. After having it for a year, I lean towards 00015. Easily the best sounding guitar I've ever owned. No regrets whatsoever.
I’ve played both. Minis sound is just less, all round. & it’s quite clear. I also left with the Martin 00015m
That thing about the gloss being applied over time of ownership is something I noticed on a Fender Sonoran mini Mahogany I purchased just shy of two months ago. It has a Sapele neck and on the first to fifth fret it's faded and yet the satin finish has become polished from the oil of my palm. Kinda cool to see it wearing in cause it my daily player I can take with me in the car.
I have an all mahogany Walden grand auditorium and I really like it. If I decide to go upscale, I would like to have an 000 -15M Martin.
Great video and playing! I agree wholeheartedly. The only guitar that can be better than that is the 000-15sm 12 fret. More warmth and roundness.
Sounds great!!!What strings are on that? I have a 2010 model. Lately I've been enjoying the martin Retros.
Nice reminder of Bert
I love Martin Mahogany guitars......beautiful in it's simplicity....and amazing tone. WOW! That one is has an especially great tone.
If they were not a mahogany family substitute such as sapele or silo you may feel better about paying 1500 for your “ mahogany “ guitar. Buy the sapele version for 899!
@@Pikearea I agree completely.
And every year it sounds better and better... mine is from 2006 : It's a wonderfull :D
And if you want an advice : the Elixir Strings are the best for this guitar !!
I agree about the strings, use the 11's on mine.
Does no one use 12’s these days?
Hey I agree on the Elixir strings. I have several Martin guitars and the difference with the Elixirs is pretty amazing
@@tsega60 I use 12s!
Wow! Was that a Bert Jansch song you played at about 4:00 min into the clip? Great stuff, love this guitar so much
I picked that up too. That is indeed a Bert Jansch song - Needle of Death.
Great playing. That is a fantastic sounding guitar. You might want to check out the Godin Fairmount in Mahogany. It is a contender to rival this Martin 000-15M, and at half the price. That would make for a cool review video if you can get one to review. Cheers.
I just got this like 4 days ago..i think its incredible...best sounding guitar i have ever owned.
@@joebloggs8636 which did you get?
Needle of Death?! Too cool. :)
Best bang for your buck for sure, it’s so smooth and plays so light…
Went into guitar guitar to buy a new Martin. Walked out with a 1999 pre-owned 000 15M. 😎
I 100% agree. It is one sweet sounding guitar.
Spot on about the guitar man. I just got one recently and it's the best purchase I've ever made I think, I'm actually kind of mad I didn't save up the cash 20 years ago for a guitar this good
Omg, I was just playing Blackbird on my 00015sm and this popped up!
The Mexican made one is also awesome i have the OOO-RS1, now called the OOO-10e i think. Oh and its half the price
That grinding, rich, textured low end..yummy.
I'm torn between this or the 000-15sm, I just love the slotted headstock on the sm. Great sounding guitars both, though.
The SM is also a 12-fret neck joint. You lose a little upper fret access (which is rarely needed if you aren’t playing a cutaway anyway) but it moves the bridge closer to the middle between the sound hole and the end block, so it moves the top better and generally has more projection, and a different tonal balance.
@@ZacCostilla That was my main sticking point. I opted for the SM in the end. My only regret is that I wish it was loud enough to play on the street with my folk band. So I still use my Breedlove dreadnought for that.
That was really cool while you were strumming the treble strings had an effect like a harmonica was playing in the background not sure if it was the recording or a true effect either way that guitar does sound really good especially for finger picking. I may have to pick one up!!!
Sounds amazing! I've been trying to test one out at the local guitar store, but it seems like they fly off the shelves so fast you can't try them!
I really enjoyed this vlog.
very good and fun to play guitar , i have a D-18 and 000-15m and there both awesome in their own way
I sold this guitar years ago and regret it. Looking to buy it again.
Put retro monel strings on it and impossibly it becomes even more impressive
I guess it's a matter of taste because I spent 2 hours trying all the Martin's yesterday and found most of them to have way too much resistance on the neck compared to my Taylors
May I ask what song you are playing at 3:51? I know I've heard it before but I can't put my finger on it.
Bert Jansch - Needle of Death
@@GiliamDokter Wow, thank you so much! I knew I've heard it before.
You can tell it's really resonant....when you just touch the top.
Great video! Thanks man, I’m off to buy one 😅
My matte finish Taylor is the same for the finish. All glossed up and polished where my hands brush it
I've had a 00-15 for 10+ years, absolutely loved it, till I got it refretted.. They didn't do a good job, shame as I've barely picked it up since.. Came back with deep sanding marks all down the neck and plier marks all around the fret ends.. Another shop managed to hide it for me and got it playing better but still not as it was..
Damn they should compensate you for the fuck up
Does someone know the song at the very beginning of the video? I would love to learn it. Heard it many times before but the name slipped my mind. It is driving me mad for days now...
Hi Peter. It's "Blackbird" by the Beatles. Thanks for watching!
Off course it is! Thank you so much
I'm very tempted. Looking at the 000-10e too... the 15 is nearly twice the price... is it worth it?
I think you sold me on it. Does the body seem pretty tough? I am a tad worried about getting a solid guitar and knicking it up. This one will live in the case when not being played though.
It's a thin finish for sure, I but belt buckle rash in mine very easily, but its not something that bothers me personally.
Sounds great!
I just walked in the guitar center and pulled this guitar off the wall and started playing it. 20 minutes later I bought it on Amazon 0% financing 18 months. Lol thanks Bezos
Hey, does the 00015m have a place to put a strap on the body or will that have to be added later?
Mine came with hole drilled for it, the button was in an envelope in the case
@@rockhopper01 i love how people ask questions..you answered...and no reply back....normal now.
Stuck between this one and a Taylor AD27
I have bought a D-15M and a 000-15M both new 2020 models and after professional setups the saddles on both were so low they basically needed a neck reset. Absolutely ridiculous coming from such a renowned name like Martin. If you are going to buy a Martin do yourself a favor and save for the higher end models.
Were they in need of a set-up intonation wise or to get the action where you wanted it? To me if the saddle was that "low" after the set-up then the action had to be pretty low (which I prefer anyway) to begin with. If a luthier did a set-up on both to me that would mean dressing the frets, maybe some truss rod adjustments, and perhaps sanding the saddle and (sometimes even the nut). I may be overlooking some other things. That would still be the main things that would be addressed. Well, the Martin 000-15 StreetMaster which to my understanding is the same as the 000 model you mentioned having (except for the difference in finish and not having a pick guard) so it should not have an adjustable truss rod either as the street master OOO does not. With that in mind I'm thinking that a neck reset which is a major undertaking should not have been needed to account for the height of the saddle. The only way a saddle is going to become lower is to sand from the bottom of it. Why not just buy a new saddle and if you want it lower just sand a bit from the bottom without getting too carried away which sounds like your luthier might have mistakingly done. I'm sure you had to pay that luthier quite a chunk of change and it just makes me wonder why someone would do this to a customers guitar and then turn around and recommend a neck reset which would do absolutely nothing for the saddle and may allow for a steeper angle for the neck in relation to the body of the guitar and allow for such a lower saddle height. Couldn't that screw up the intonation? Again, I'm not criticizing at all. I'm just trying to understand what you said occured in your comment and why it happened.
@@hambone2740 What I mean is the action on them new was so high that even after a setup the action was still high and no more saddle left to drop. Basically needed the neck reset straight from the factory. My luthier actually recommended I get rid of it and try for a "third times a charm" approach because the action was so high. But aside from the neck needing reset I really liked the guitar a lot and I took a risk and said screw it I'll sink money into it and at least it will be what I want in the long run and be a really great guitar hopefully. He did the normal setup first which obviously wasn't enough and then he did the neck reset and took off the price of the setup for me. The first D15 I got rid of for the exact same reason. But I still have the 000 and its a nice guitar now after all that money sunk into it. And yes my D15 and the 000 has adjustable truss rods so maybe the streetmasters are a bit different, I'm not sure haven't had one of those.
I know what you mean about the wife thing...I love my 2020 000-15M Streetmaster. Do you still have this guitar 2 years later!
I love what you played starting at 4:48. What is that?
Which song do you play at 4:47?
Beautiful sounding guitar!
I’ve been wanting this guitar but I’ve been hesitant because I’m needing something that’s somewhat loud. Does it project the sound good?
You could buy a D15, its bigger and fuller. However, as far as im concerned mahogany isnt the king of projection.
if you want loud, then you want the dreadnought version, which is the D-15m. Got mine in 2011. You won't go wrong.
Nice vid. What gauge and brand strings do you keep on it?
Info interesting but the blackout screen is not
I cant decide between D15m or 000-015m
Mahogany makes a dreadnought sound very thick, I find that a smaller body keeps the bass and the volume in check. A mahogany OM have the warmth a spruce top dreadnought have it in my opinion, while being a more comfortable guitar to play.
@@jwebb6352 out of the ones he mentioned? the 000, it has a full size scale and has a medium sized body. Absolutely great guitar.
And btw nice playing too
Love mine
what brand of strings do you have on this guitar? Thanks
Hi, Martin standard 12 gauge strings, thanks for watching
Would this be good for playing fingerpicking ? And for playing alone ? Enough volume ?
Get your hands on the 000 15 sm and you ll never want to play with something else😊
Did you have it set up or is it straight out of the box?
Just got mine literally 4 days ago...action is perfect..i was surprised...but happy..love this thing.
Is there an electro acoustic version of this?
What would you do if you wanted a guitar strap on it?
What type of strings do you like on that?
Thanks
Martin is such a woody word. Taylor is a bit of a tinny word, wouldn’t you say, my old chap?
No truss rod?
What's the song at 4:50?
What strings do you have on it?
Hi Cathleen, I always tend to use Martin standard 12s
Says he doesn’t like ornate guitars but owns a J200....🤔
Uhhhh...do ya think THAT may be the reason Sherlock.
Zo risk your mariage to by a guitar like this? You look nervous.
Too much talk
Martin 000-15 is the most generic sounding acoustic tone to me, it sounds like the commercial folk music that’s played in Starbucks