Martin 000-15 vs. 000-15S?

[dwerlin]

So, I'm browsing around the Martin 15 series guitars, and I'm kind of wondering what in the heck justifies a $300 price difference between the 000-15 and 000-15S?

 

They're both 000 body styles, with the S being the sloped shouldered and only having 12 frets free as opposed to 14 frets free on the non-S model. They have different tuners, but they're both the same scale length and both made out of the same woods...

 

...so what makes the 000-15S so much more? Is there a real difference in sound between these two guitars?

[bsman]

...so what makes the 000-15S so much more? Is there a real difference in sound between these two guitars?

 

I wish I knew. I once fell in love with a 000-15s, but the price was just more than I could justify at the time, so I instead got a Tacoma EM9 for less than half the price. I still sometimes think about that 000-15s at Gryphon...

[AndrewGG]

Economy of scale perhaps? Maybe the 000-15 sells so many more than the 15S that the price can be kept lower?

All I know is that my 15S is a great sounding guitar.

[Freeman Keller]

A wide necked 12 fret slot head will automatically have $300 worth of mojo.

[AndrewGG]

A wide necked 12 fret slot head will automatically have $300 worth of mojo.

 

That's so obvious, Freeman; how come I never thought of that?

[Freeman Keller]

That's so obvious, Freeman; how come I never thought of that?

 

Not to mention that the larger upper bout on the 12 fretter should sound different, altho I'm not sure I could hear it. However, if you want to try, the Podium has clips of both (there is a link in the Links of the Annex).

[moctzal]

I've A/B'd them and there is a difference in tone.

Also I believe that all of the 15S guitars are all Mahogany (not sapele).

Slotted headstocks add to the costs of production.

The bridge sits in a difference place in relation to the soundhole and lower bout, this is thought to increase bass response.

And you'd have a guitar without those two banjo inspired 13th and 14th frets.

I personally think that the extra $300 would be well worth it for the reasons above (my own and others').

[dwerlin]

 

I've A/B'd them and there is a difference in tone. Also I believe that all of the 15S guitars are all Mahogany (not sapele). Slotted headstocks add to the costs of production. The bridge sits in a difference place in relation to the soundhole and lower bout, this is thought to increase bass response. And you'd have a guitar without those two banjo inspired 13th and 14th frets. I personally think that the extra $300 would be well worth it for the reasons above (my own and others').

 

 

Interesting (and thanks for the reply!)...so the 15S is supposed to have more bass response. That might make it worth the extra $$. As far as wood construction, on Martin's website it lists both the 000-15 and 000-15S as using either mahogany or sapele.

 

I've never had a slotted headstock guitar...is there any benefit to that type over the standard tuners found on most other guitars?

[moctzal]

I stand corrected on the back and side material.

I took a quick look at the specs and the 15s has a 1 3/4" nut and the 15 has a 1 11/16" nut.

 

I haven't found any advantage or disadvantage as far as tuning stability goes on a slotted headstock.

I've had to tune just about every guitar I've own every time I pick it up.

[Whalebot]

The 000-15s vs. the 000-15. I've owned both and I love the 000-15s. Great sound and responsiveness, cool to look at, mojo by the boatload. Play em' both and buy the s, you won't be sorry.

[AndrewGG]

 

The 000-15s vs. the 000-15. I've owned both and I love the 000-15s. Great sound and responsiveness, cool to look at, mojo by the boatload. Play em' both and buy the s, you won't be sorry.

 

 

Couldn't say it any better myself; my only regret is that I didn't buy my 000-15S sooner!

 

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Gibson Advanced Jumbo '02

Gibson SJ200 '05

Martin 000-15S '06