The story goes that the first Martin 000-15M was developed in the ’30s during the great depression, when guitar builders were forced to build stripped down-models that people can actually afford. Impressively, this small bodied guitar is still part of Martin’s production line, many decades after. As the label implies, this guitar features a 000 (triple “O”) body, which is smaller than their standard dreadnought and orchestra shapes but bigger than traditional parlor guitar shapes.
Like the original, today’s Martin 000-15M has bare bones cosmetics to lower the cost, while carrying over the same attention to detail, tonewood quality, playability and tone as more expensive models. Each one is crafted from in Martin’s USA based factory in Nazareth Pennsylvania, so you’re getting an American made Martin with all-solid wood body at a relatively reasonable price.
Speaking of solid wood, the guitar’s top, back and sides are all crafted from solid Honduran mahogany. And since aesthetic embellishments are minimal, the wood’s dark earthy color gives the guitar a simple yet elegant appeal. As expected, the resulting sound that you will get from this guitar is warmer than those with spruce tops, with more midrange emphasis.
The neck is crafted from mahogany, with Martin’s standard 25.4″ scale length and modified low oval shape. The solid east Indian rosewood fingerboard has a total of 20 frets, and features classic “Diamonds & Squares” inlay. Following more modern guitar designs, the neck joins the body at the 14th fret. The guitar features bone saddle and a bone nut that is 1.6875″ wide. The square tapered headstock has a solid east Indian rosewood headplate to match the fretboard.
The guitar features Martin’s A-Frame ”X” 5/16″ solid sitka spruce bracing which improves the structural stability of the instrument, and also helps in the resonance department. Other features include nitrocellulose satin finish, nickel open-geared tuners with butterbean knobs, and solid east Indian rosewood bridge.
Check out the video demo below and see the Martin 000-15M in action:
The Martin 000-15M small bodied acoustic guitar has an MSRP of $1,799, and is currently retailing for $1,460. For further details, you can head over to Martin Guitar.
2 thoughts on “Martin 000-15M”
Ok, so isn’t a parlor sized guitar BUT it really is a gem. I’ve owned many 28 Martins and wanted to try a back to basics model. Now this is my #1 player. It has only gotten sweeter with time too. Every time I play it, I smile with a satisfaction as to the feel and sound. Remarkable for the price paid.