Martin 15 Series: 000-15SM vs 000-15M vs D-15M Comparison

Chris McKee goes through the specs and the sounds of the entire Mahogany 15 series for a side by side comparison!
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D-15M: store.alamomusi...
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[@mxpoly1]

The 000-15M is one of my favorite guitars regardless of price range. It has this beautiful midrange that even higher price guitars cant compete with. Everyone should have one in the arsenal.

[@joshwallace2183]

Bought one of these also... sweetest guitar I have ever owned

[@imannonymous7707]

Ya I like em too...played one couldnt get it out of my head since

[@shorttime1351]

Damnit I bought the D-15m and am already regretting not getting the 000-15m

[@hobiecat901]

@@shorttime1351 I do not think you went wrong.

[@C_L_Thomas]

Almost 4 years after you posted this review, I've been watching everything on You Tube and reading everything online and I finally purchased the 000-15SM. I've had it a week and I love it. I think they are all great guitars but the 12-fret fills a spot that other guitars just can't fill. Thanks so much.

[@gui-texzan7477]

That 12-fret with the slotted headstock sounds great.

[@sipath]

I bought the D-15M about 2 years ago. Best guitar I've ever played. I love it!

[@SS-hm2ex]

I just bought the DM-15 Incredible instrument Wonderful addition to my collection Contemplating thinning out the collection simply because this guitar fills so many of my needs. Wow!!!

[@AnotherSixStringerChannel]

15SM for me. I actually bought one after checking many videos, yours was great, thanks! (and the guit is beyond awesome!)

[@shawnsnow6413]

I love hearing you play. Half of your demos are on my playlist so I can rewatch steal your licks.

[@AlamoMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@58DRMart]

Thanks for the comp. To my ear the 000-15m has a more mellow tone where the SM seems to have more projection with perhaps a tad less body resonance making it sound a bit louder, perhaps brighter.

[@Ravenscaller]

You aren't wrong although it's harder to hear online than in a store. I like the SM sound but the regular M neck. You can't have everything. I ended up with a 000-17SM which I dearly love.

[@rodneysnextchapter615]

​@@Ravenscalleris the 17sm louder than the 15sm ?

[@marcscordato4385]

12 fret satin finish hog top with a slotted head stock everything I love in a guitar the 00015sm is a fabulous guitar at any price but at $1,500 bucks it’s a steal

[@rodrigoktz]

2.000 bucks now lol

[@zororosario]

000-15SM for me is the sound that is worth saving $ to BUY!

[@AlamoMusic]

The 000-15SM is an amazing guitar. We have more arriving soon.

[@praski149]

If the the 000-15SM didn't exist the others would be impeccable and peerless guitars.

[@ryansutter4291]

Should do one on the 16's and the 17's. I feel like these Martins are SoOooOooOOooOOooo underrated. The 15, 16, 17 series are just my Favorite Martins. They have a lot of mojo and spirit about them. They each have their own little eccentricity and personality. Sure the 18, 28, 45 are soooooo nice but they are almost museum piece nice. I own a 00-15 Mahogany, a Special 16 Rosewood and a Backpacker and I love all 3 of them for what they are, just a joy to play.

[@ashwanthjerry2210]

back from the future !! u guys are still doing great !!

[@lamar1423]

I got the 000 15sm about 8 months ago and it is amazing.

[@paublasi2083]

All of them are nice, but the SM has something special.

[@letempsenboite4939]

Pau Blasi absolutely for me the SM is magic 🤩

[@ralex3697]

Nicer than the M, nicer tone

[@ronpetersen2815]

Yes it does

[@timnewman1172]

It is the effect of the 12-fret design...

[@GaryBeason]

I've had my D-15 since 1998, which I bought for $500. I love the tone on it, especially after 20 years of aging. Even on this demo, I find the D-15 has a richer, deeper tone that really appeals to me. The satin finish has given way to shine all along the neck and on the top front and side where my arm hangs. But I recently played the 000-15M while the shop worked on my daughter's guitar. I didn't care for the Streetmaster finish, but man, I loved the feel of the 000-15M. I'm 5' 8" and chubby, so, while not uncomfortable, the D-15 can feel big. I was so infatuated that I've been thinking about selling the D-15 and buying the 000-15M. (I've not the talent or money to justify both of them. :) I'm not great sometimes at hearing differences among guitars when I'm playing them in a store. But this video confirmed the tone difference that I thought I heard in the store. The 000-15M isn't bad . . . I just like the deeper and more rich sound of the D-15. I'd probably regret selling my D-15. I wish I could have the D-15 sound on the 000-15M body size.

[@1funkybasslady]

I'm late to this party, but I thought I'd add my $.02 anyway. I'm surprised you didn't consider the 000-15SM. It has the smaller 000 body, but because of the 12-fret construction, the bridge is placed closer to the lower bout of the guitar than the bridge placement of the 000-15M. Between this factor and the slotted headstock which provides a more acute break angle at the nut, the overall sound of the 12-fret is very full with more bass response than the 000-15M. In other words, it is close in sound to the D-15, so you get that depth you are looking for in a smaller body guitar.

[@cleancarrotsound6803]

Speaking of the 12th fret, THAT is where you should point the microphone to avoid all that boominess and muddy mids. That would put those beautiful guitars in the best light sonically. The soundhole is the worst thing you can point a mic at on an acoustic. :)

[@bcc1955]

That would certainly distort comparing a 12 fret to 14 fret guitar

[@BabyBoomerChannel]

Well done. Thanks for doing this. Similar comparison videos are very useful for the online buyer

[@carltonholderjr]

I've had my D15m now far almost a year and I love it .

[@nellatrab]

The 000's got it all! Remember Chris, that most hog guitars midrange will project & penetrate the human ears much better than spruce tops, despite headroom. I played a custom hog topped guitar with rosewood back and sides a few years ago, very interesting. The thing about headroom is moot, when you reach any acoustic guitars high volume distortion it won't matter, as you've said loud volume does not make the tone better. The all mahogany guitars are very richly toned and the 000 over the boomier D is perfect for stage and recording...problem with the SM is that wide nut is good for cowboy chords, but those of us who play up the neck may find the traditional 1 11/16" nut is best. As for the wives tale that mahogany guitars are best for blues, or even that blues players preferred them is nothing more than a tale. The only bluesman I can think of who played a mahogany top guitar was Lightnin' Hopkins who played a Harmony H165. This is the archtypal "blues" guitar - a concert size slothead 12 fret ladder braced, all-birch Oscar Schmidt-made Stella with a dyed hardwood fingerboard. They were just cheaper and were accessible by mail order! Harmony's, Stella's Gibsons, Washburns and Martins etc used all mahogany on many of their higher priced but least expensive acoustics. Some of the Gibson's even had plastic bridges. Most of the really cheap guitars were birch topped as well and sounded very muted. As some of the great blues players gained popularity and made more money they bought and played more expensive spruce topped guitars from the makers in the 30's- 50's. Many of those old guitars were also ladder braced, which gave them a unique tone. Here's something that people always overlook about "true mahogany" (not sapele, khaya, utile) guitars are more resistant to humidity changes that spruce topped guitars. They are also stronger and easier to repair if need be.

[@willgo7898]

SM ... awesome tone, altho in fairness, noticed clipping in the 000-15M and D-15M.

[@adamdoran235]

I really love the one that isn't distorting...

[@autistichead8137]

Played 000-15M Friday, picking it up Tuesday.

[@marcscordato4385]

I’m trading in my beloved Taylor 324 for one of these. The Taylor is clean and crisp but the Martin is rich and warm . Love the Taylor but I want to change it up.

[@sc12100]

I had the same experience. My first "expensive" guitar was a Taylor GS5E. Very nice guitar, but once I started sampling Martins - I switched camps and own three Martins currently and the Taylor is gone. Taylor sound nice, but they're very bright. Martins sound warmer and have more of a complex tone compared to Taylor.

[@closingtheloop2593]

I literally did the same thing. The 324ce just had too much compression. Was a good strummer, but lost alot of dynamic range.

[@toddflowers8052]

Definitely the SM !

[@kevinzki21]

^ so all of them?

[@zementobetonga]

The 15sm perfectly Supports the natural compression sound and is the one i finally choosed. Actually i wanted to build in a LR Baggs Anthem but i just can‘t hurt my precious.

[@librariantea]

I have a 0015m and am a huge fan. The D15m though on this video sounds nice. Def has a bit of that dreadnaught base going on.

[@charlesmcgowen6562]

I enjoy your playing Chris, and your reviews are the best.

[@abd-ix5qd]

Can we put medium string on 000-15SM? Can it handle the tension for long without destroying the belly bridge or neck

[@celestelongway7315]

Nice acoustic intro playing AMC! You've got some soul AMC Chris M. More playing next vid please. Thumbs up from mtw in LA!

[@DavidGriffis]

Got a deal on the 000. New model has electronics. Nice comparison. But it sounds like the sound is clipping from time to time.

[@renshimarek]

Super film ! :) ...the topic is always up to date..."Old love never rusts"

[@kdrake777]

If you have a Martin 000-15 Special with spruce, please a comparison with the mahogany soon!!!

[@Sharakomusic]

I owned the 00015sm and it was beautiful but you could not play it loud, it was too light and airy and would sound really distorted and it accentuated the string buzzing..

[@AnimalsGirlful]

love the d15m :)

[@rosslynemrys5829]

I have a 00015sm and it is a beautiful guitar. 😍

[@nige2410]

....love the SM

[@gcahill51]

I've have owned all 3 of these models. The 000-15M was my favorite in terms of tone--it was fun to play fingerstyle blues on it. But eventually the narrower 1 11/16-inch nut got to me so I sold it. Next up was the D-15M. Never got in the groove with it; the tone was very compressed and it lacked volume. The neck creaked, like it hadn't set. Anticipating neck problems I sold it. Finally I purchased the 000-15-SM. Interesting guitar. 12-fret with a 1 3/4-inch nut, so it's easier on the hands for fingerstyle folk and blues. But after just a few months the action went to hell and it needed a complete $500 neck reset. Martin graciously agreed to cover the work under warranty (look closely at the Martin warranty, it's rather vague). I probably wouldn't buy this guitar the way it plays now. I hope that once I replace the Martin Retro nickel strings with Martin silk-and-steels it will settle down (bear in mind, slothead necks are a pain in the ass to change strings on). Of the 3, I would recommend the 000-15M with silk-and-steel strings. That was a real tone machine and I loved playing it. I might buy another, I'll just have to learn to love that narrower neck.

[@simonpierce9983]

ANTICIPATING NECK PROBLEMS I SOLD IT. and THAT is why you never buy used acoustic guitars! lol. I can see the listing now. "Plays like new!! Hate to sell!"

[@BabyBoomerChannel]

Dude - YOU should be doing reviews. Great input! Thanks. What do you think about the -18 series?

[@yothisiselmo]

damn, this has me scared to pull the trigger on one

[@jaredwood5973]

$500 reset for a bolt on neck?

[@Darltornjacket]

I love my D-15, 000-15 and J12-15. Looking for a J-15 All sound great imho.

[@tomkeagy3648]

Thanks for that! I’m working on selling my base so I can get a Martin 000-15 SM ✌️

[@MIES071]

@ Alamo Music Center: Which guitar has the advantage on paper over the other, the Taylor 12 fret 322e of the Martin 0015sm. Can't decide which one to choose. I prefer fingerpicking.

[@daviddouglas7950]

Hey Chris, Would you happen to know if the lrbaggs I beam under bridge pickup will fit between the braces of the 000-15 m? Thanks a lot , Dave in the Adirondacks

[@Wyocaster]

From this video I liked hte sound of the SM a lot. The dread didn't sound very good to my ears.

[@ezraestrada4992]

Slotted head stock for OOO -15 would be great!

[@Patrick_B687-3]

Apples to apples, the slot for me.

[@bratacus3]

I own a D-15 - love it.

[@cayoung2053]

Have the DM 15 and love it!

[@user-uz5ov4me3q]

The 000-15m suits my fancy , why ? Because I just bought one on eBay 😊😊😊

[@GUITARTIME2024]

d15 has fuller sound

[@andreadoerner2680]

I like the sound of the sm 15.

[@TheDennzio]

Wish Martin made a OO-15sm.

[@CureRadio]

I love the D15M

[@gregbaker3701]

Matt Mcfarren I’m torn between getting the D15M or a Taylor 317e. I’m sure I’ll know after I play them at the local guitar shop

[@Christian-oi7sd]

@@gregbaker3701 did you end up getting one?

[@gregbaker3701]

@@Christian-oi7sd I went in to buy the 317 and ended up getting the 224ce Koa Dlx after playing it. There is something special about the 224!

[@Christian-oi7sd]

@@gregbaker3701 that is such a beautiful guitar I think I woulda picked that one over the 317 too you also save a little bit of money on it

[@mrshiney2]

Yeah I got the SM. It really is a couch guitar of the highest order. The smaller body and 12 fret neck really lend it to finger picking. If you start whaleing on this guitar with a pick you are going to be disappointed.

[@terrymattingly6843]

Put Retros on it. The strumming sound is more even and it can take more force, INMO

[@danielcassidy4857]

I love my 000-15M.

[@judithking4581]

Love the 15 series. Have not been able to find many demos and reviews on the new GPC 15me streetmaster special though. It plays and sounds nice so picked one up on sale with a trade in using an my octave mandolin. Would be nice to have more info. Anyone else ?

[@aaronhuffman6417]

I love my GPCME 15. It's my favorite guitar with the D15M in second place

[@telemon52]

sm for sure

[@lokilaufeyson3983]

Idk if it was becouse there seemed to be less clipping durying the dreadnot or if its becouse it sounds a bit brighter but im pretty sure i like it the most

[@randydurham9928]

000-15 really shines with finger picking.

[@crankyboiy]

Anyone know if martin has cutaway 12 fret all hog model? Preferably 1.75" nut width or higher

[@tcbradford]

Just bought the 000 15 M

[@stevenespinoza7735]

my fav is the 000-15m

[@jonwright8236]

great video, great explanation of guitars of different woods, cool

[@ADEker]

the mic did not represent the sound verry well, and you forgot the 00015M Streetmaster !

[@imannonymous7707]

It's the 00015m man at least for me...the streetmasters neck a lil more comfortable...but I just think a hard shell case and trad old school finish....its the best deal and it sings. I can relic on my own

[@glennjones6004]

I own a 000-15 and love it but it is best for delicate play and fingerpicking. The narrower neck is problematic for me with large hands and being a bassist as well. Today, I will be shopping and playing a lot of Martins to find a better fit for my hands. I'm keeping the 000. Can't replace that sound.

[@Steven-zg5bq]

the slotted is the best!

[@sniggity]

The very last one you played sounds best. But the one you like, that sloped shoulder has a great sound, too. Only thing is, is that SM is an expensive little bastard. zZounds want $1699 for it !

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

sniggity That is the standard street price...

[@sniggity]

muscles662988 Yeah, I know. I actually bought one for my dad last week ! He loves it !

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

sniggity Sweet! I want one as a secondary guitar haha.

[@gcahill51]

I'll sell you mine for $600

[@rosslynemrys5829]

I bought a 00015sm for 1500 and now it's going for 200 more, because it's Martin, they get better.

[@ronpetersen2815]

What does the slotted headstock get one? Any function other than cosmetic? Is it any harder to change strings?

[@rosslynemrys5829]

It is slightly harder to change the strings as I am not used to it but there's a good KZbin video on how to do it. I am not sure if it makes a difference in the sound, it probably does. That being said, it is a gem of a guitar!

[@usualsuspect5173]

It changes the angle of the strings coming off the nut,... It changes the tone

[@fakestreamedia5309]

Trying to decide between the D15 and the 000 15m , loved the sound of the D15 but the neck felt stiff and terrible with high string action.. was this a lemon or is it just a tougher guitar to play?

[@diezelvh4133]

All Martins are a little tougher to play and will bring out your flaws. Wanna play better...play a Martin.

[@normliwanag5685]

Have it set up the way you like it

[@jameswestervelt6808]

The D-15M sounds dark, even on the high notes.

[@TheULMOnaut]

The thing about all mahagony guitars is, I have the feeling they tend develop into way warmer sounding guitars after a few years and they sound nothing like when they are new, but I might be wrong. Any stories abou this phenomenon?

[@andreadoerner2680]

What is the difference in sound between the 0015 and the 00015?

[@rosslynemrys5829]

More base in the 000

[@KP11520]

Actually, put a decent quality LDC out 12" or so where the neck meets the body on a 45 degree angle towards the sound hole. Best results for a one microphone recording dynamics. And of course a quality preamp as well. Whatever you used was a waste of time for you and all of us.

[@matthijsruhrup8869]

Gimme that 000-15 SM ... 000-hh màààn... fine warm sound!

[@louis6720]

well explained. thanks, sir.

[@davideprimo5824]

❤️MARTIN 000-15SM MAGIC GUITAR 🧙🏼‍♂️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@mr.kilpatrick2991]

love the SM but 12 fret models drive me nuts in a bad way...cant do 12 fret models of anything...it took me years to move away from cutaway - which I did - but 12 fret no thanks/

[@lorenzo4210]

Not sure if it was my speakers but the D-15m samples were clipping.

[@scottbrewer8000]

D15m. Talk about a blues machine!

[@leonheart7576]

Hi, is there videos comparing D-15M to Gibson G45 or J45 or J15?

[@johnoffutt898]

They all sound different. Dreadnought D-15m has most bass. Then the 000-15sm has little less bass with equal mid-range. Then the 000-15m has equal bass,mid-range and treble. I would use the D-15m in strumming with a band. I would use the 000-15sm in strumming with a band. I would use the 000-15m strumming in a band plus fingerstyle either solo or with a band. Depending upon your experience and style of music you prefer you can not go wrong with any of these guitar's.

[@teashea1]

very well done

[@teodelnorte]

Great vid guys, thanks!

[@jonwright8236]

oh man the sound is beautiful off these ,

[@Beizeiten78]

Maybe try not clipping the mic level when reviewing sweet acoustics. Shame.

[@8dioproductions]

Guess you don't like distortion! ; )))

[@BabyBoomerChannel]

Blame the guy who set the mic levels

[@simpeable]

Yeah it is clipping, to much input gain.

[@MrStingray1985]

I thought that was just me, glad it's not

[@ariobintangnugraha1916]

No man, it's a new generation of acoustic guitar with built in distortion

[@GOG223]

The SM looks like fun to play. The DM-15 has a nice sound too but looks to big to play comfortably while seated. Didn't care for the 000-DM sound as much.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

i play dreads seated and i'm 5'8..no prob

[@sleepy4x]

That is exactly what I thought.

[@sleepy4x]

Refering to what GOG223 wrote.

[@padmarley]

I just bought 000-15 M. Would you recon a K&K trinity pro systems, LR Baggs anthem or Fishman Infinity for this? Help! :)

[@JayValorMusic]

LR Baggs Lyric hands down.

[@padmarley]

oki :) so I bought it!!

[@JayValorMusic]

Sweet! i think youll love it!

[@danherrick5785]

@@padmarley 4 years later - do you still like your purchase? (Also can you play very loud with it???)

[@padmarley]

@@danherrick5785 I still love it. It doesn’t play very loud like a spruce guitar. But very balanced across all frequencies and warm. The mahogany aroma still comes though the sound hole as if the tree was cut yesterday :)

[@thestingrayes813]

Why do you like the 00015 sm best?

[@michaelp8856]

You are the Professor man - thanks

[@whateverhappens1140]

Thanks for the review of the equipment and not showcasing-even though I can tell you can rock!

[@adgevers9652]

I prefer the sound of the 15SM 12 fr.

[@angkit216]

D-15m Just bought it for my church

[@dylanthomas7443]

Chris I was doing some research on which Martin to buy and I think you have helped me to decide on the martin 000-15SM ---- Is it true that the ``12 fret us much easier to play for older people and begginers?

[@teodelnorte]

12 fret is easier to play, yes, but it is specifically for fingerpicking. Not so hot for strumming. The 00015m is great at both and the D15 also

[@sc12100]

Here's a stupid question hopefully someone can answer. Why is the 000-15m not called an OM-15m? It has the same scale length at 25.4" as an OM normally would. A 000-28 has a 24.9" scale length compared to the OM-28 which has the longer scale. I also know that the 000 and OM body are identical. So whats up with the longer scale lengths on the 000-15 series? Can anyone explain this?

[@BobK5]

Good question 👍

[@Pablo-sr5bx]

I know this question is old, but even though the Martin OM and 000 share the same body shape and scale length. The OM has a 1 3/4'' nut width, and the 000 has a 1 11/16'' nut width. Martin made both a 000-15m and an OM-15. However, the OM-15s are much rarer than the 000-15m. I think this is because, at one time, the OM-15m was only offered thru Martin's custom shop.

[@sc12100]

@@Pablo-sr5bx so I found out the reason. First thing, the standard 000 and OM have different scale lengths as I mentioned - OM being 25.4 and 000 being 24.9. Now the real reason the 000-15M is not called an OM is simply due to it not being a true OM either. The OM had 1/4 inch forward shifted scalloped bracing and the 000 has 5-16ths standard bracing. The 15 series has the mortise and tenon neck joint and that also changes the bracing to hybrid. So the only thing that resembles an OM on the 000-15M is the scale length and longer neck. But under the hood, it’s more similar to a 000. All in all, the 000-15m (15 series in general) is really its own thing and shouldn’t be compared to the standard series when it comes to specs. I found this out on the UMGF.

[@rickthomas9278]

Love my D 15m !

[@vicpnut1]

15 m ha richer low end , which I wouldn't have thought . I have the 15 m and I hate to admit it but the 15sm was a fuller tone in this vid...

[@sherlenspankyhorn4680]

Why did you get distortion on the biggest guitar?

[@roysmith6094]

If I had to buy TWO Acoustic Guitars that would be great for my life and good to pass down to my kids, what would those two be? Brand doesn't matter.

[@C0Apyru]

Hey, could you shed some light on mahogany top guitars(say, the 000-15SM) for percussive fingerstyle? I've read somewhere that mahogany tops are easier to crack than spruce and there's not a lot of information out there in terms of tone either.. Thanks in advance!

[@AlamoMusic]

I haven't found them to be any more fragile when properly cared for. I don't think the mid range rich tone is very suited to percussive tapping though. - Chris

[@ronpetersen2815]

I was very seriously thinking about a Martin Clapton Signature (000-EC). But for a chubby, old, retired guy wanting to try and play some blues I'm thinking a 000-15M might serve me well enough and save some $$$?

[@lp7064]

I just played both of those guitars today. The EC is beautiful and sounds good, but the thicker V neck isn't for me. The OOO-15M plays much easier for me and sounds fantastic. I'd go with the 15 series.