Martin 00-15 or similar models?

[nellsalot]

Hi everybody, I'm a serious young guitarist looking for my first steel string (I've played electric and nylon before now). I am hoping that I can get a great guitar, one that I will be fully satisfied with as my only acoustic guitar for many years. I don't have tons of money but I'm more interested in getting the right guitar and waiting and saving up if necessary, than getting a guitar which I will be limited by tomorrow.

 

All that having been said - I was initially turned on to the concept of the smaller Martins by Steve Howe who is my favorite guitarist and treasures his 00-18. Seeing as I am small with small hands and would be playing a lot of Steve Howe-style music, a smaller guitar appropriate for lead and fingerpicking seems like a perfect choice. However, I just stumbled over the 00-15 on the net and it sounds intruiging and is considerably less expensive (it seems to be listed around $750 in many places but people seem to be getting it for $500). Now I know you "get what you pay for", but how well does this guitar compare to higher end 00 and 000 Martins, specifically an 00-18? Is it really $1,000+ better? Also, what are the differences between those models and related ones in terms of sound?

 

Also, I once played a Taylor and it was amazing. That was a long time ago and I don't know what model it was (and it was $2,000) but how do you all find the smaller sized Taylors compare to the Martins? What are the pros and cons? Are there models by other companies I should look at?

 

I have not had a chance to play many acoustics in stores (there're no stores around here, though I'm moving soon, and I haven't been "in the market") and will try and do so once I have some good leads on what models to pursue and enough money to get them, but I'd like to know where to start and if it's possible that a guitar under $700 could be what I'm looking for, in which case I would buy it very soon (I probably couldn't afford $2,000 guitar for a year or so).

 

If anyone could answer any of my questions and give me advice I would be really grateful. I am operating only on research and instinct and certainly could use some advice. I'm really craving a great guitar!

 

P.S. I said I play fingerpicking (truthfully, hybrid picking - the pick on the bass notes and the second finger on the melody) but I also plan to play plenty of rock/pop rhythm guitar and I've heard the smaller guitars aren't as good at that, is there such a thing as a guitar that does not compromise either end of the spectrum??

[d28andm1911a1]

00-15 is a great little guitar.

Plain on looks but beautiful on sound.

Going internet price for new should be around $600-650 and used around $500.

I finger pick or flatpick mine. I would like a little wider string spacing for fingerpicking but it fingerpicks fine.

 

I play a D-28 ('76) 00-15 ('02) and a custom McCormick 00 ('03) and only the Mac gets played more than the 00-15

[kwakatak]

That's a good call. I also have small hands but found that wider necks are OK if the profile is right. I like the following models which are similar in body size but have 1.75" wide necks at the nut:

 

Larriv

[jerry_picker]

I have a 000-15 (somewhat larger body, but same idea). It is a fine guitar at any price, but at $600-650 with HSC, it's a real bargain.

[Mattface]

I like 000 bodies, but I seem to LOVE mahogany tops. I've tried the Larivee OM-03 in the past, and liked it, but didn't love it like I do My 000-15. Recently I had the pleasure of playing the mhaogany topped Larivee OM-03MT, and I LOVED it maybe even more than my guitar, but it's hard to say.

 

Anyway the thing with little mahogany topped guitars is, you either love them or you like them. Try one out, and see what you think. you may find them supeiior to more expensive spruce topped guitars for your tastes as I do, or you may at the very least find theat they sound great if not better than spruce topped guitars, at least not $1000 worse.

 

The 00-15 is a great guitar. Let your own ears decide if it is right for you. you should also try the 000-15 just to see how you feel about the difference in tone, and you should consider Lairiveee's OM-03 series which are also a great value in either mahogany or spruce top.

[nellsalot]

Thanks for your comments, guys. I will definitely keep them in mind.

[Guitar Adoptions]

 

Originally posted by kwakatak That's a good call. I also have small hands but found that wider necks are OK if the profile is right. I like the following models which are similar in body size but have 1.75" wide necks at the nut:   Larriv

[LosBoleros]

I just love the 000-15 for its feel and sound. I also recomend the 12 fret as apposed to the 14 fret because it has a richer body sound. (And I like the look of a split head-stock)

[Mark Nason]

I have a Martin 00-15 that I love (it's my main guitar)

 

I found it used online for $450 w/ HSC (that included shipping!)

 

So keep a look out and you'll find what you need!