Martin OOO-15 SM

Warblington · August 2022

I've been after a medium sized guitar recently.I've been looking at the Atkin OOO Essential (non available to try) then I stumbled across the Martin 000-15. The 12 fret slotted headstock version appeals because of the wider nut as I play exclusively finger style . I can't find a single store that has one in stock ,especially not locally and as such can't try one out.I've seen the YT reviews but they typically vary in content ,playing ability and recording expertise.Does anybody own one or have you had the chance to play one? I know Mahogany is usually a more subtle ,warm sound but what are they like for responsiveness, volume ,projection etc.Any thoughts or ideas would be welcome and thanks in advance.

Mellish · August 2022

@Warblington ; - have you a GG or PMT within range?

I'm not saying they'll have one but they can order in from other branches.

Ideally you need at least two to try, allowing you to compare

EDIT: your profile says both stores are on your doorstep so have both get a couple in mate.
PM sent

Warblington · August 2022

Mellish said:

@Warblington ; - have you a GG or PMT within range?

I'm not saying they'll have one but they can order in from other branches.

Ideally you need at least two to try, allowing you to compare

EDIT: your profile says both stores are on your doorstep so have both get a couple in mate.

Hi,
I’m pretty much round the corner from GG in Birmingham. I’m on their email notification list once they’re in stock. I did call them but they were unable to say when any stock was expected. I went on a similar waiting list some weeks ago for the non slotted version.They require a 10% deposit to guarantee you secure one but I’d rather try them first.

Mellish · August 2022

Martin will just ship. They don't tell the store (in this case GG) what models are on the way. The shipment arrives and it is what it is

This is according to GG staff

Shadow · August 2022

Off topic, apologies, but too good a chance to miss... I'm visiting GG in Birmingham on Monday. Do you know if they have on-site parking?

Mellish · August 2022

@Shadow ; Yes mate, they do

Shadow · August 2022

Cheers @Mellish ;

TheMadMick · August 2022

I wonder about trying. You may remember the Martin D16GT for sale a while ago. I bought it, had it fitted with a pick up and set up.

When I bought it, I did so "on trust" as the strings were shot and the instrument hadn't been played in years according to the seller. When it came back from the luthier, it didn't sound brilliant even with new strings and a set up. I've been playing it on and off for quite a while and all of a sudden a few days ago, it opened up. Planning to play it this Sunday in church as the man with the big jumbo isn't well and won't be there.

I've also noted someone say that Martins are very variable. I wonder if that's not much the same thing? They haven't been "run in".

Funny business this guitar trial thing?

Mellish · August 2022

@TheMadMick ; - brother you can say that again!

I had exactly that with a Gibson Hummingbird standard. The tone was meh when I bought it. It sat in its case listening to my other guitar and banjo and (no kidding) within a month it had somehow developed a lovely, full tone.

The fool in me sold it and there's not a day goes by that I don't regret it

Andy79 · August 2022

Just find one and buy it. For a finger guy the 000-15sm is bloody fantastic. All the mahogany Martin Guitars are worth every penny. I’ve had a few and they are constantly great

Maybe just buy a used one. Mahogany takes a while to break in.

Warblington · August 2022

Andy79 said:

Just find one and buy it. For a finger guy the 000-15sm is bloody fantastic. All the mahogany Martin Guitars are worth every penny. I’ve had a few and they are constantly great

Maybe just buy a used one. Mahogany takes a while to break in.

Just what I wanted to hear! I’ve scoured the retailers and the usual used sites. Nothing out there atm but I’m watching.

Andy79 · August 2022

Be patient they will come. Also look out for the West side customs, they also have a wider neck

Warblington · August 2022

Andy79 said:

Be patient they will come. Also look out for the West side customs, they also have a wider neck

Great, I’ll take a look at them.

GTC · August 2022

I had one of these (left-handed) from new and I wasn't particularly impressed and eventually sold it on. I think I'm in the minority. My local tech, Dino, loved it and never really forgave me for getting rid of it. BTW - I'm a gentle fingerstyle player who plays classical most of the time.

On the plus side, it is the nicest smelling guitar I've come across!

Warblington · August 2022

GTC said:

I had one of these (left-handed) from new and I wasn't particularly impressed and eventually sold it on. I think I'm in the minority. My local tech, Dino, loved it and never really forgave me for getting rid of it. BTW - I'm a gentle fingerstyle player who plays classical most of the time.

On the plus side, it is the nicest smelling guitar I've come across!

Thanks for your input. Like you , I’m predominantly a classical player and who plays fingerstyle on a steel string. I’ve placed a deposit with GG in the knowledge that I’m not obliged to keep it if I don’t like it. There are just so many alternatives out there and it’s a tricky business finding the ideal guitar.

Mellish · August 2022

@Warblington ; - that's why, as some have said, try every acoustic in your price range.

Ideally, ignore the brand. GG won't mind that cos you're not committed to anything at all. Your deposit would simply roll over onto your final choice. Or you could claim it back if you wanted to

Warblington · August 2022

I went to GG a few weeks ago. Their acoustic section used to be massive it is now limited since they merged the acoustic and electric shops into one.It is mainly Taylor’s and high end Martins and Lowdens. There is also a limit to the number of short scale 1.75” nut guitars in the shop, especially in my budget.They didn’t have a single Atkin in stock.I will consider other options while I’m on the waiting list.I played a range of guitars at Express music in Coventry but nothing grabbed me apart from a Collings which was out of my budget.I’m trying out a Martin OOO-16 Streetmaster this week.Not overly keen on the finish but the specs look ideal and the reviews are positive.

Mellish · August 2022

@Warblington ; When I was at GG (about three months ago) I tried an Atkin Essential D and D37 at the Birmingham store. Did nothing for me.

Tried a Lowden 20 something. Much better but something going on with the 6th string side of the nut that I didn't want to get into. In the end, I bought a Dove Original.

It might be worth a trip to PMT

Warblington · August 2022

Mellish said:

@Warblington ; When I was at GG (about three months ago) I tried an Atkin Essential D and D37 at the Birmingham store. Did nothing for me.

Tried a Lowden 20 something. Much better but something going on with the 6th string side of the nut that I didn't want to get into. In the end, I bought a Dove Original.

It might be worth a trip to PMT

I probably will if I’m not impressed with the OOO-16.

rustneversleeps · August 2022

Pm sent.

Andy79 · August 2022

@Warblington ;

Warblington · August 2022

Thanks Andy,
I saw this and contacted this guy and discussed the possibility of selling his guitar without the pickup as I don't need it etc. Since then I've been contacted by and had a good long chat with a fellow Fretboarder who also has one of these guitars.Unfortunately he also lives too far away for me to go and check it out which would be a 240 mile round trip.What has emerged ,that I wasn't aware of ,is that the depth of these guitars is not the 4 1/8 in I expected them to be like the OOO-18.They are 3.5 ins.I've decided to find one closer to home and try it before committing to buy from anyone a long distance away.I am looking for as big a sound as I can find for the gentle fingerpicking style (nails only) that I play.I'm not looking to go over a OOO size or below a OO.I'm fairly certain one of these will emerge within a reasonable distance of Birmingham although I am now looking at alternatives with a greater body depth.

Shadow · August 2022

@Warblington you might have seen my thread about my trip to Richards Guitars in Stratford-upon-Avon. It might be worth looking at what they've got in stock. I know they've got an all mahogany Furch. You can book a 2 hour slot with them and try any guitar that takes your fancy.

Warblington · August 2022

Yes I did see your thread and enjoyed reading it.Unfortunately ,some time ago I asked the proprietor for his best price on a guitar in terms of a price match with a leading retailer. He went off on one and although he did later apologise (i won't go into detail) I had heard enough never to do business with him.What I am going to do though, is look beyond my preconceived ideas of the only brands to go for.Thanks anyway for the heads up and I'm pleased you found a great guitar.

Shadow · August 2022

Ah that's a shame, they stock guitars which can be hard to find elsewhere. I'm aware he can be pretty forthright shall we say, and has upset others though many have had a great experience. I didn't see him at all while I was there. Good luck!

terada · August 2022

My advice would be to hunt a couple down to try. I bought a 00015 through the first lockdown and can't speak highly enough about them. Such a great instrument. After getting it set up by feline it got even better. Not bad looking either...

Warblington · August 2022

Shadow said:

Ah that's a shame, they stock guitars which can be hard to find elsewhere. I'm aware he can be pretty forthright shall we say, and has upset others though many have had a great experience. I didn't see him at all while I was there. Good luck!

Thanks,

Warblington · August 2022

terada said:

My advice would be to hunt a couple down to try. I bought a 00015 through the first lockdown and can't speak highly enough about them. Such a great instrument. After getting it set up by feline it got even better. Not bad looking either...

Yes they certainly are handsome guitars.I am prepared to travel to try one out but the two above examples are in Bishop's Stortford and Southend which is too much of a hike from Brum.

Pjon · August 2022

I was playing one of these 12 fret all mahogany Martins last weekend. It belongs to a friend, so I spent quite a long time playing it over a couple of days. It really was very nice. He's recently had it setup, so it played very nicely, albeit not massively better than my Cort, which is about half the price. Having said that, I'd be happy if I owned the Martin.

scanbran · August 2022

I had a Martin 000-15SM for a while. Lovely guitar, but I didn't bond with it and sadly moved it on.
A good friend of mine bought an Atkin 000 Essential from GuitarGuitar Glasgow at the weekend, and I got to play it at length in store. What a superb guitar it is - great, mellow sound and very comfortable to hold and play. It does retail at almost twice the cost of the Martin though, but I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Warblington · August 2022

I have a WTB ad for the Atkin OOO Essential languishing in the classifieds.I'd love to acquire one albeit a used one.I've seen one but it has a pick up and is a bit top heavy on price for me.I keep looking.I have been looking for something in the interim to 'fill the gap' and ended up on the Martin trail. I appreciate your experience with the Martin and I guess I'll never know until I try one out.

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Martin OOO-15 SM

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