Martin 000s and whatnot

[Loud Librarian]

I'm looking to get another Martin 000 of some sort for mostly fingerpicking blues stuff, standard and open tunings.

 

I have nowhere nearby to try out these guitars, so it'll likely be ebay once again...

 

I have a 000-15 that I love, it's now set up for slide.

 

I know the 000-15S is highly regarded here - has anyone compared the various Martin 000 models, such as the 000-18, the 000-28, or even the EC signature model?

 

I think I'd be happy with a 000-15S, just fishing for any other opinions.

 

Also, I have played a Larrivee 000-50, which is awesome...but I'd have to sell my Taylor GS to be able to get one - same as if I get a "nicer" Martin. I use the Taylor for fingerpicking "pretty stuff", slack key, celtic, and general strumming, not so much for blues.

 

Sorry for the length, and thanks!!!

[Freeman Keller]

Loud, you are preachin' to the choir, 'bro. I love OM and 000 Martins, and my homebuilt is patterned after a 000-28VS but with long scale. There are two really good FAQ's at the Martin forum discussing differences

 

http://p082.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm19.showMessage?topicID=19.topic

 

http://p082.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm19.showMessage?topicID=26.topic

 

and you will frequently see discussion in the D28 Lounge about the various guitars. One comment I hear frequently is that the Claptons seem to vary a lot between guitars - people say you should play before you buy.

 

There are sound clips here

 

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

 

http://www.thepodium.com/t-soundsamples.aspx

 

but nothing beats holding and playing them yourself. And I happen to agree about the Taylor - my 314 gets alot of action for "pretty" songs - Vincent, Blackbird, Anji, Kottke stuff. But nothing plays the blues like a slothead 000

 

Home grown OM and 000

 

 

Crappy clips

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1518752&highlight=Testing

[JasmineTea]

I don't recommend buying sight unseen unless you buy from a dealer with a good return policy.

 

Having played quite a few Martin OM and 000 size guitars, I'd say bang-for-buck the 000-15S takes the cake tonaly. It's a very warm sounding guitar with a nice full midrange.

[min7b5]

I would say, if your looking at using opening tunings that are primarily lower than standard on a 000, pay attention to scale length. Some are short scale, which for lowered tunings can be a little floppy and lower in volume. The 000GE is pretty amazing, but again it has the shorter scale ( and slightly narrower bridge spacing than the OM) which is a deal breaker for me, but clearly not for others:)

[Freeman Keller]

 

I would say, if your looking at using opening tunings that are primarily lower than standard on a 000, pay attention to scale length. Some are short scale, which for lowered tunings can be a little floppy and lower in volume. The 000GE is pretty amazing, but again it has the shorter scale ( and slightly narrower bridge spacing than the OM) which is a deal breaker for me, but clearly not for others:)

 

 

That is exactly why mine is a long scale - it is tuned down or open most of the time. And I'm partical to wide flat necks for slide and wide bridges to get my fat little fingers between the strings. And a slot just has the right mojo.

[Loud Librarian]

Thanks Freeman for the links, it'll take me a while to check those out. Good point about the scale length...shorter is nice for bending strings, but I do want to be able to tune to open G, D, C, etc. so I think I want the longer scale. Plus, I want to use light gauge (12s) on it.

 

I guess that's one more positive for the 000-15S - longer scale.

[Whalebot]

know the 000-15S is highly regarded here - has anyone compared the various Martin 000 models, such as the 000-18, the 000-28, or even the EC signature model?

 

I own a 000-15s, it is my favorite guiatr. I have owned a 000-15, 000-18 and played all the larri 000's. I like the 15s out of the whole lot.

[Dave Keir]

I recently sold a OOO-28 on ebay, with some regret. The reason I sold it was because a later purchase of an OM-18V got me completely sold on the authority of OMs soundwise and the longer scale / wider string spacing combo. I'll shortly be taking delivery of an OM-28V to get some rosewood back in the house.

 

I said I sold the OOO with regret, and I did. It was/is a fine guitar but it wasn't getting played. It served me well, though, at gigs and in the studio.

 

It's not a loud guitar (compared to OMs) and I think it's lower string tension makes it less that ideal for detuning unless you compensate with a higher action / greater neck relief.

[Loud Librarian]

Thanks all. Whalebot, that says a lot.

[DonK]

Martin 000 lover here! I've owned a 000-28 (man I wish I hadn't sold that one), an 00-15, and an OM-15CE. My fav is the 000-28, but mostly because I really like the short scale. For now I'm very happy with my Johnson JO-27, which is a 000-28EC knock-off: short-scale, 1.75" nut width, v-neck profile, great sound. But one of these days....

[grickie]

I've got a OM-28vr and it is my dream sound guitar, great action and bass that is out of this world, went through about 25+ acoustics over many years til I came accross this. Had a D28, the ooo-15s, and a few others along with some handmade customs....have about 10 acoustics now and I'm selling everything ( but one 12 string, and the OM-28 of course)

 

I would look for one of these used if you can find one. They are 1800-2200 on the used market. the 000-15s was nice but was 60% or so sound wise to 28. Good Luck! I hope this helps

[EvilTwin]

I recently played a Martin OM-21 that was amazing. I compared it to a 000-15 in the shop, which is a completely different beast.

 

I liked the -15, but IMO, the -21 blew it away in every possible way. If you can find one, I highly recommend it.

 

The GAD-30R is really something, too. Yes, it's a Guild. But it honestly sounds as "Martin-like" as any other OM copy I've ever played. And it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

[Mikeo]

I'm looking to get another Martin 000 of some sort for mostly fingerpicking blues stuff, standard and open tunings. I have nowhere nearby to try out these guitars, so it'll likely be ebay once again... I have a 000-15 that I love, it's now set up for slide. I know the 000-15S is highly regarded here - has anyone compared the various Martin 000 models, such as the 000-18, the 000-28, or even the EC signature model? I think I'd be happy with a 000-15S, just fishing for any other opinions. Also, I have played a Larrivee 000-50, which is awesome...but I'd have to sell my Taylor GS to be able to get one - same as if I get a "nicer" Martin. I use the Taylor for fingerpicking "pretty stuff", slack key, celtic, and general strumming, not so much for blues. Sorry for the length, and thanks!!!

 

 

My current Martin guitars are a MC 28 which is basically a Grand Auditorium style guitar, very nice and well balanced, They have the deep sound of a Dreadnaught almost, but have more mids. A very nice choice. Talyor makes the 414 series.

 

I also have 2 Martin 00016's one with a cutaway and electronics.

 

They are very nice, the fret board is 1-11/16 wide you may want the 1-3/4 with. The less wide fret board works better for me.

 

The 000-15 is has a cool vibe, but it's mahogany and does not have the crisp high sound of mahogany. This is not better or worse, it's just different. A 12th fret neck joint should have a slightly fuller tone that a14 fret neck joint too, but that is a compromise on upper fret access, as is a cutaway body is.

 

Ya know I'm a bigger Martin fan than a Taylor fan, but that's neither here or there. Taylor makes a great acoustic.I don't know what GS model you have, but you can really finger pick on any kind of guitar.Do sell willy nilly and kick yourself in the ass a few years down the road.

 

Keep the Taylor, it's well balanced for many styles, and be happy.