Martin 15 Series Reviews | Acoustic Guitar Player

The Budget 15 Series Martins

May 21st, 2008 by Mike

D-15 Soundhole The '15' series of all mahogany guitars are a great way to get a first Martin. They are plain, some say ugly, but are certainly distinctive and a definite conversation opener. They look back to the mahogany series first made by Martin in the early part of the 20th century and popular with the bluesmen. They sound great and play really well. There are eight basic models in the range: D-15 dreadnaught, DC-15E cutaway dreadnaught, D-15S 12-fret dreadnaught, J-15 Jumbo, 000-15 Auditorium, 000-15S slotted-head Auditorium, 00-15 Grand Concert, and the BC-15E acoustic bass. Each guitar has a black and gold herringbone rosette decal, and a tortoiseshell-colored pickguard. The seams of the body are a neat fit without bindings and the fingerboard and bridge are genuine East Indian rosewood. The tuning machines are an enclosed chrome type with chrome buttons. The satin finish gains an attractive patina from use, and the 'A-frame' cross-bracing brings out the rich sound inherent in mahogany.

Most of the model have a 25.4" scale length, 14 frets clear, and 1 11/16" nut. The exceptions being the D-15S and 000-15S, which have a wider 1 3/4" nut and 12 frets clear; great for fingerpicking or fingerstyle. The BC-15E acoustic bass has a 34.15" scale length and 1 37/64" nut. The E models have Fishman Prefix Pro electrics. All come with a hard case, so don't get charged extra if buying new!

And of course they are handcrafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania...

My favorite model was the 000-15S, but I play fingerstyle. Each model has its place and its fans. You can usually find used 15 series guitars on EBay, here are the ones listed now: