Martin 000-15M Review

– Tuning Machines

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On this Martin 000-15M, the tuning machines are die cast, made of nickel, and have a open gear design.

• Material: Nickel
• Design: Open gear

One of the most significant aspects of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (or “tuners”).

They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the desired pitch.

Poor-quality tuning machines can lead your guitar to quickly fall out of tune and be difficult to tune.

They can also make it difficult to change the strings, and make the guitar generally more difficult to play.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have a precise and smooth action.

You’d want to look for materials such as nickel-plated steel, or stainless steel, which are less likely to rust.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, which will extend the life of your instrument.

– Pickguard

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The Martin 000-15M comes with a black pickguard with a red tortoise design.

• Color: Black
• Design: Red tortoise

The pickguard is a little piece of plastic or metal attached near the strings on the guitar’s body.

Its aim is to keep the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish while you’re playing.

Most pickguards are made of either plastic or metal, and nowadays maybe even carbon fiber, and there are a few different designs that you’ll come across.

When choosing a pickguard, it is important to consider both its durability and its ability to protect the guitar body from scratches.

It also needs to be big enough and in the right spot to actually protect the guitar body from being scratched by the player’s pick.

As for aesthetics and looks, the pickguard should also complement the overall look of the guitar.

It shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t also be so small or low-quality that it looks out of place.

– Strap Buttons

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For some reason, the Martin 000-15M only comes with one strap button, so you’d have to install the second one if you want.

• Material: Chrome
• Position: Bottom
• Design: Classic

Strap buttons are little metal buttons on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.

One on either side of the body, most guitars will generally feature two strap buttons.

Metal strap buttons should be solid and strong to avoid coming loose over time.

Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for the majority of folks, it’s still something to consider.

Body

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The neck, bridge, and strings are all linked to the guitar’s body.

It also has a hole in it (the “soundhole”) which allows sound to resonate from the inside of the instrument.

The majority of guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).

– Wood

If you’re seeking for a specific tone, you must take in mind the sort of wood utilized for the body of the guitar.

When it comes to the Martin 000-15M, it has a mahogany top with a mahogany back and mahogany sides.

– Finish

The guitar’s body finish is the last layer of protection for the wood.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a satin finish.

It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.

There are different types of finishes to choose from, including the following:

• Polyurethane
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Polyester

Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.

It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.

Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.

Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:

• Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.

• Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.

• Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.

– Colors Available

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The color of a guitar’s body is never an important factor on its overall sound.

It can, however, affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.

Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.

Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:

• Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
• Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
• Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.

– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins

The Martin 000-15M has a standard pin bridge with black-colored ebony pins and a saddle made of compensated bone.

Each of these elements contributes to the tone and feel of the guitar.

For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring string vibrations to the guitar’s body.

The saddle, which is often composed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

There are also several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of pro’s and cons.

The three most common styles of bridges on acoustic guitars are:

• Pin bridges (standard)
• Pinless bridges
• Classical bridge

Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and the simplest to rebuild and replace.

However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.

Pinless bridges are bit less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.

They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.

Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.

They are similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.

Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.

Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.

Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:

• Plastic bridge pins
• Steel bridge pins
• Brass bridge pins

Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they’re also the least durable.

Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.

Neck

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The Martin 000-15M has a neck that’s made of mahogany with a Modified Low Oval shape and an adjustable truss rod.

The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.

The type of wood that’s used for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound since different woods have different properties and impact the way that the vibrations produced by the strings behave.

The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.

Another popular style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.

The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are some of the most critical components of a guitar neck.

Fretboard

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The fretboard is the part of the guitar’s neck where your fingers make contact and press against the strings.

It’s usually made of wood, but it can also be made of other materials like plastic or even metal.

The Martin 000-15M has a fretboard made of east indian rosewood with abalone inlays:

Even though this has always been a big debate, it is generally agreed that the type of wood that’s used for the fretboard can slightly affect the sound of the guitar.

Maple, for example, is a popular wood for electric guitars because it produces a very bright tone.

Rosewood is another popular choice, and it is frequently used on acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, full-bodied tone.

Ebony is yet another popular choice, and it’s often used on guitars that are meant to have a really clean, clear sound.

There are several types of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.

The type of fretboard you choose is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar, the tone of the guitar won’t be significantly different, but the feel of the guitar will be.

Brand Info

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Martin is one of the world’s leading guitar brands, and they’ve been in business since 1833.

They’re known for their high-quality acoustic guitars, but they also make electric guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments.

Martin guitars are used by some of the most famous musicians in the world.

The company offers a wide range of different models to suit every budget and every playing style and is a great choice for both beginners and experienced players alike.

In terms of quality, Martin is definitely up there with the best of them, they use only the finest materials and craftsmanship to produce their instruments.

Review

Martin 000-15M Mahogany Acoustic Guitar Independent Review & Demo