If you’re wondering if Martin 000-15SM is a good acoustic guitar or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique model. It’s a really popular all-mahogany guitar, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Martin 000-15SM offers an undeniably high quality. It certainly looks, sounds and feels like an instrument from the higher shelf. It’s a perfect choice for all singer-songwriters who are looking for a stunning, warm-sounding instrument!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the 000-15SM model so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specs. Additionally, we’ll try to spot the biggest pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well.
Specs & Pricing
Martin 000-15SM is a high quality acoustic guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists. In fact, this is one of the coolest all-mahogany acoustic guitars that you can currently find on the market!
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides. There’s also a comfortable modified low oval mahogany neck and an easy-playing East Indian Rosewood fingerboard. This is a big advantage of that guitar – it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
The sound of this guitar can be described as warm, mellow, dark and rich. It’s a perfect choice for all fingerstyle players out there! It’s just difficult to beat the natural sound of an all-mahogany Martin guitar. No matter what you play – it sounds fantastic.
What’s important, Martin 000-15SM comes with an included hardshell case. This is a big advantage, because it saves you a lot of time. On top of that, it’s really durable and it offers a high level of protection, so you can be sure the this guitar will be safe inside of it.
When it comes to pricing, just like any other high quality Martin model – this isn’t exactly a cheap guitar. However, considering how unique and well made it is, it’s definitely worth every cent. It doesn’t seem overpriced at all!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Martin 000-15SM is suitable for guitarists of all levels, so it doesn’t really matter whether you’re an advanced musician or not. I’m positive that all guitarists will notice and appreciate the uniqueness and high quality of that model.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive model, most of the time it’s used by passionate and intermediate guitar players.
It is also worth mentioning that the all-mahogany construction makes this guitar sound really warm, so it’s a perfect choice for all lovers of fingerpicking. Of course, it also sounds fantastic during strumming, but the 000-15SM is a particularly good for fingerstyle playing.
Additionally, this guitar is perfect for recording.
If you’re a singer-songwriter and you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar to record your next single or album with, choosing the 000-15SM will be an excellent choice.
Undoubtedly, this guitar is designed for guitarists who know what they’re looking for. If you’re searching for the best gear on the market, this is the way to go.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that unique model. Although it’s not cheap, it’s definitely worth it. This guitar is truly one-of-a-kind!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other acoustic guitar, Martin 000-15SM has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal! However, you don’t have to worry too much about the potential flaws of that guitar. It seems very clear that it has far more pros rather than cons.
Pros
- Warm Tone
- Beautiful Finish
- Comfortable Neck
- Compact Size
- Case Included
Cons
- High Price
There are a lot of things that can be considered as huge advantages of the 000-15SM model – it has the feel, the looks and the sound. On top of that, it comes with an included high quality case. Honestly, it has everything you need!
Still, it seems that the high price is the main disadvantage of Martin 000-15SM. I think that it’s the biggest obstacle that may stop quite a lot of guitarists from actually getting this model from themselves. On the other hand, it’s understandable. The best gear on the market is never cheap!
Despite of the high price, I’m positive that the advantages of that guitar outweigh its disadvantages. It’s a wonderful instrument which exceeds all the expectations – and it’s flawless in every aspect. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Martin 000-15SM vs 000-17SM
A lot of guitarists who are searching for a high-quality acoustic guitar often can’t decide whether they should choose the Martin 000-15SM or the Martin 000-17SM. Which one of them is actually better?
Well, the truth is that both of these guitars are fantastic. However, while the 000-15SM has the all-mahogany construction, the 000-17SM has a solid Spruce top. It definitely makes it sound different!
It’s difficult to clearly determine which one of these models is better, because it all depends on your own personal preferences. Personally, I’d stick to the 000-15SM, because I just love that pure acoustic tone of an all-mahogany guitar.
Still, I’m sure that a lot of you will choose the 000-17SM instead! It’s a fantastic guitar too, there’s no doubt with that.
Here’s a really good video that compares the tone of both of these guitars – feel free to check it out below.
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the sound of Martin 000-15SM or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a big deal! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic acoustic guitars that also deserve a lot of attention.
Of course, choosing a brand new acoustic model will heavily depend on the size of your budget and your own personal preferences when it comes to sound, neck shapes and tonewoods. Here’s a few other acoustic guitars that you should definitely check out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Takamine GD11MCE. This is a really cool all-mahogany acoustic-electric guitar which offers a fantastic value for the money. Perhaps it isn’t as unique as the 000-15SM, but it’s still a perfect choice for both beginners and more intermediate players. And since it’s an acoustic-electric model, you can easily use it on stage for live performances!
Alternatively, you can also check out the Takamine GX11ME Taka-Mini. In comparison with the previous model, this one is a bit smaller – it’s a 3/4-sized guitar. Thanks to the compact size it’s a perfect choice for beginners and especially kids and teenagers. If you just want to casually play the guitar while sitting on the couch from time to time, this one will be perfect for you!
Also, if you’re searching for a good and reliable classical guitar, you can also consider getting the Cordoba C5. This is an another fantastic instrument which exceeds all the expectations. On top of that, it’s way more affordable than Martin 000-15SM!
FAQ
Where is Martin 000-15SM manufactured?
Martin 000-15SM is manufactured in the United States.
How many frets does the 000-15SM have?
The 000-15SM has 20 frets.
What’s the radius of the 000-15SM?
The radius of 000-15SM has 16″.
Where can I find out more about Martin guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of acoustic guitars, check out the official website of Martin.
Summary
As you can see, Martin 000-15SM is a really unique acoustic guitar. If you’re looking for a high quality small-bodied guitar, you should definitely consider getting this particular model. There’s a very high chance that you’ll immediately fall in love with it!
What do you think of the 000-15SM model? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like: