Ben Morgan-Brown reviews the ‘ready worn’ version of Martin’s all-mahogany 000-15
There’s nothing quite like an old, worn and well played-in Martin acoustic from the ‘golden age’. Well, perhaps not ‘nothing’, as the Martin has long realised the desirability of its legendary vintage instruments and in recent years has undertaken a lot of work to produce guitars with as much vintage appeal as possible. Possibly taking it a bit too far for some tastes, is the ‘StreetMaster’ version of Martin’s all-mahogany 000M-15, which, while it doesn’t go to quite the lengths of some of the ‘distressed’ faux-vintage Fenders and other solid bodied electrics that you see, still looks like it has seem some action. ‘Distressed’ they call it. But it’s your choice. If you’d rather your brand new Martin ready to receive your own dings and scratches, that’s fine too, as the manufacturer also offers a pristine version, the standard 00-15M.
Leaving aside its ready-worn image, the 0015-M is designed for players seeking a currently fashionable stripped down all-mahogany acoustic guitar and while it isn’t the cheapest mahogany acoustic you can buy, comes with that Martin pedigree which means it will always hold its value and, as it ages (being a solid wood instrument) will play-in and mature tonally.
Keeping the price down as far as possible, USA-made 00015-M does without without fancy inlays and other detail touches, has a Katalox fingerboard (a central American hardwood) and has no pickup (not a problem – in many ways it’s preferable to add one of your own choosing rather than put up with whatever a guitar maker offers as standard) and comes with a gig bag, rather than a case.
Most importantly, how does it sound and play? Ben Morgan-Brown takes the StreetMaster for a stroll.
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Specifications
Martin 000M-15 StreetMaster
UK Price RRP £1499
Construction: Simple Dovetail Neck Joint
Body Size: 000-14 Fret
Top Material: Mahogany
Rosette: Multi-Stripe
Bracing Pattern: X Brace
Brace Shape: Non-Scalloped
Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
Brace Size: 5/16″
Back Material: Mahogany
Side Material: Mahogany
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval
Neck Taper: Standard Taper
Plek: Yes
Nut Material: Bone
Headstock Shape: Solid with Square Taper
Headplate Material: Mahogany
Headplate Logo Style: Script Old Style Overlay
Fingerboard Material: Katalox
Scale Length: 25.4″
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Number of Frets Total: 20
Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 11/16”
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8”
Fingerboard Inlay Material: Abalone
Fingerboard Inlay Style: Diamonds and Squares Short Pattern
Side Dots: Yellow
Back and Side Finish: Satin
Back and Sides Color: Dark Mahogany
Finish Top: Satin
Top Color: Mahogany Burst
Finish Neck: Satin
Neck Color: Dark Mahogany
Bridge Material: Katalox
Bridge Style: Modern Belly – Drop in Saddle
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/8”
Saddle: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16″
Tuning Machines: Golden Age Relic Nickel
Recommended Strings: SP Acoustic 92/8 Phosphor Bronze Light (MSP4100)
Knob: Cream Plastic
Bridge Pin Material: Ebony
Bridge Pin Dots: None
Case: Soft Gig Bag
Left Handed Availability: Yes
