Open Box Martin 15 Series 000-15M Auditorium Acoustic Guitar Level 2 197881356330

I've never written a review for a guitar before, but like many others, I felt the need to share my experience with and my love for this instrument. I own a few different guitars, acoustic and electric. Taylor, Fender, Gibson, PRS, and now this Martin 000-15m. This is the best guitar I have ever owned. The sound is warm and rich. The sustain resonates clearly. It puts my Taylor 314ce to shame. The neck is comfortable. It's lightweight and feels like a dream to play. The simplicity of the style and build of this guitar gives it a beautiful vintage look. I'm as much of a fan of fancy inlays and bindings as anyone else, but the simple design of this guitar is gorgeous, and it represents its warm sound perfectly. To give an example of the kind of music I play, I listen to a lot of John Mayer, Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Dylan, Neil Young. I'm able to get a sound and tone that fits these styles of music wonderfully with this guitar, and the sustain allows me to ring out notes clearly for an extended amount of time. The Grover tuners keep this baby in tune for a long time, and unless I'm bending notes like a madman, I don't need to keep tuning it again and again like some of the other guitars that I own. The open back tuners also add to the lovely vintage look. If you're looking for a new guitar, and your budget is somewhere between $1000-$2000, you can not go wrong with the 000-15m. It also comes with a great quality hard shell case with a nice green soft fabric lining inside that protects from any drops or bumps it might endure. I would absolutely recommend this guitar to anyone. It's a perfect 10/10, and if anything ever happens to mine, I'm going right back to the store and buying a replacement, no hesitation at all.

I had a tough time deciding between this and a Taylor AD17. The Taylor was louder (bigger body) and has more bass. The notes didn't ring as nicely as this Martin. The Martin also projected better. It just feels/looks like a more special guitar. The Taylor was nice and felt solid; it just didn't have the it factor. This Martin is a great guitar and I hope to have to for a long time.

I own 6 other high end acoustic guitars and have been playing for 25 years. I have never made a purchase by brand name only. I am also not taken in by bling I.E. pearl inlays, abalone perfling or such. I recognized this instrument line "The 15 series" has a cult following and wanted to see what it was all about personally. It is beautiful in its simplicity, well appointed and plays like a dream. Very lightweight, amazing sustain and clarity of tone and it projects that tone over the entire spectrum. Although it is not one of the "Legacy models" it is an unbeatable model for value and performance. Do yourself a favor and play one....you won't be sorry. I rarely give five star reviews, but this is a stunning.

Best decision I have made concerning my playing. Wow just out of the box it was beautiful. Tuned it and haven't put it down much. I love the feel. The playability. The tone. If this is a low end Martin I really want a high end one now.

The smell of mahogany when you open the case is delightful. Beautifully simple instrument that ticks all the boxes for a lifetime love affair. Plays and sounds amazing right out of the case. Super comfortable neck and body shape. Perfect for sitting home on the couch and strumming or finger picking your favorite classic or personal composition. Really appreciate the satin finish and open tuners. If this is in your price range, it's a bargain. My 6 month old GSD likes it, too.

In my title I described the guitar as a "sleeper." Many folks immediately go for the spruce top. Many folks immediately go for the dreadnaught shape. These sorts guitars are the "norm." This guitar is incredibly understated, yet also incredibly beautiful. But the real beauty is in the tone. The tone of this particular instrument is pleasantly and surprisingly unique. I'd describe the tone as "sweet." Incredibly balanced string to string and across the tonal spectrum, the instrument sings with a lyric quality. Especially suited for finger style or flat picking, it is also a a really nice light strummer, with enough body to cut through a mix, but not so heavy that it will overpower a solo voice. The neck plays like butter, and the body is ergonomically very, very comfortable. The guitar is lightweight — the lightest I've owned, and the appearance is honest. Not flashy, but robust in its color and the smell is incredible! This guitar remains true to the Depression-era guitar after which it's modeled. This is a real Martin. The finish is flawless. The fit is tight. The appointments are sumptuous. The bridge pins and end pin are ebony — not plastic. The nut and bridge are bone. The tortoise shell pick guard is beautiful. The instrument comes with a nice, hard shell case, too — all for less than $1300. This is just a sweet guitar that sort of becomes part of you when you play it. I'm so, so glad I made this purchase. I just bought the guitar a couple of days ago, so this review is simply all about my initial impressions of the instrument, as compared with other instruments I own, or with which I'm familiar (I used to sell guitars, so I've run across many in my time). I'm confident the guitar will improve with age, but out-of-the-box, it's a keeper.