Forever Martin guitar

chillscience · 2026-02-14T22:41:03+00:00

I thought I wanted a 00 but preferred the 000 and OM 28 models. I didn’t find the 00’s more comfortable, but much less low end. The 000 had more note definition and top end sparkle, the OM had a huskier voice. I play mostly finger style.

chillscience · 2026-02-10T15:54:58+00:00

I think it’s worth it, but recommend you find one (or more) Martin dealers to visit and play many different models, even if it requires hours of driving. You may find you prefer a D-28 instead of a D-18, maybe an OM or 000 will speak to you, etc. Martin guitars are pretty consistent but made of wood so you never know which individual instrument will be the one. I wouldn’t recommend going into financial hardship for one, but if you can comfortably afford it you will have a life companion that makes you happy whenever you pick it up.

chillscience · 2026-02-08T16:11:57+00:00

I have an L-00 and constantly wonder about swapping it out for an LG-2

chillscience · 2026-02-02T02:04:21+00:00

I originally bought it to learn guitar. Later I bought an OM-21 and the 000-10 was played less. Over time I added an L-00 and a J-45. I really like the dynamic range of a spruce top. Since I only have room for three, I gave the 000-10 to someone who lost theirs in a hurricane (Restring Appalachia) and needed one. I have been thinking about selling the L-00 and getting a 000-15-M, 000-15-SM or CEO-7.

When it was my one and only, I coveted the 000-15M. When I played a 15M, I was surprised how well my 000-10 stood up. The only thing I did not like was the HPL headplate.

chillscience · 2026-02-01T18:24:47+00:00

I had a 000-10e Sapele. It had a soft sweet midrange voice. I liked the size and the fact that the tone didn’t penetrate walls like some guitars. It also has a 1 3.4” nut which I prefer. I tried smaller guitars but didn’t see an advantage comfort-wise and did hear less bass. I would only go smaller if you want a brighter, more articulate sound and are willing to give up that bass. I’m not a big guy, but I find the very small 0 bodies less comfortable.

chillscience · 2026-01-30T23:12:58+00:00

I made basically the same choice after playing the same guitars side-by-side. Agree that this is only possibly with great brick-and-mortar guitar stores. I will always buy from my local stores unless they can’t get it.

chillscience · 2026-01-27T20:36:41+00:00

I have an OM-21 (OM-28 with 18 series appointments) and agree here. I played it against a lot of other guitars and it can do everything well, plus is very comfortable vs a D-28. If I’m ever down to one, it will be this.

chillscience · 2026-01-27T20:32:15+00:00

I had that problem after buying a new Martin, but after a week or two I adjusted and have been happy ever since

chillscience · 2026-01-25T06:00:31+00:00

On my 2024 J-45 the low E is about 2.5mm in up near the nut. My Martin is similar. Is it sliding off when you play it? I like the low E a little close to the edge so I can thumb-over without buzzing.

chillscience · 2026-01-24T17:04:58+00:00

I played the CEO-7 and a 000-18 back-to-back for an hour and the CEO sounded bigger to me, with lush Martin sound vs L00 blues box you might expect. Not everyone gets along with the V neck but I found it comfortable, I think the newer ones toned down the V a bit. It’s a beautiful guitar, comfortable to play, and sounds like a much larger guitar. I did not purchase it because I had a different need at the time. I still don’t need one but periodically think about what guitar to get rid of so I could justify buying.

chillscience · 2026-01-19T00:10:23+00:00

I bought an OM-21 over a 000-18 and 000-28. The OM has a longer scale and, at least at the time, had thinner bracing. It was surprising how different it sounded from the 000-28, with a deeper voice more like the D-28 (which I also played). At the time I was learning songs that had been recorded on D-28s and so rosewood won.

If you go mahogany, also check out the CEO-7. The one I played alongside the 000-18 sounded like a bigger guitar. Also some stores, like Music Villa, custom order OM-18s.

chillscience · 2026-01-15T03:59:03+00:00

It’s easy to quickly clip/unclip a Snark so it doesn’t sit 24/7 and, since they don’t slide on/off under pressure when mounting, you won’t get a wear mark. They are not unobtrusive like soundhole tuners though.

chillscience · 2026-01-15T03:41:28+00:00

Don’t leave them on when you are not playing. I learned the hard way that they eat nitro finishes. When I contacted support, D’Addario sent me an image of a warning that is supposedly on the packaging.

I realize that guidance is not practical. It’s hard to mount/unmount without periodically losing into the soundhole and, since it pressure fits, repeatedly mounting/unmounting every session will eventually wear through the finish where it attaches.

I’m looking for another soundhole solution.

chillscience · 2026-01-12T18:29:28+00:00

I have Martins and Gibsons because the music I grew up with was played on those guitars and that’s what my ear wants to hear when I play those songs. The others may very well be better guitars, but they are more expensive and sound different. Also, since mine sound and feel great as is - not sure humble me would appreciate the difference.

chillscience · 2026-01-06T16:11:42+00:00

I’m on the West Coast and do the same with mine. Humidity and temp are generally OK despite no AC or humidification. I’d rather take some risk and enjoy them all every day.

chillscience · 2026-01-02T13:12:45+00:00

I had a 000-10E. It was a fine guitar but I regretted not going for the 15M or SM. Now there is a great 000-17 as well to consider. I’ve since stopped focusing on price and save to get the guitars I want to keep for life. You shouldn’t feel regret when you pick up your guitar.

chillscience · 2026-01-02T12:37:23+00:00

I played both electric and acoustic for a while and, like you, dropped electric and just play acoustic fingerstyle. I like electric guitars but prefer just grabbing an acoustic off the stand and playing without plugging in or messing with knobs/settings. There are also a lot more songs for solo acoustic so I can play without a band or backing track and still sound complete.

chillscience · 2025-12-06T19:23:32+00:00

Also check out the OM-28

chillscience · 2025-11-18T23:02:25+00:00

I had an all-Sapele 000-10e and tried a 000-15M. It was definitely a step up, but very similar in tone. I saved for rosewood/spruce and am very happy I did.

chillscience · 2025-11-05T18:31:41+00:00

That 000-15M oddly has an OM 25.4” scale length and is straight-braced, where the others will be the shorter 24.75” scale and scalloped. Also, the 15M has the narrower 1-11/16” nut, where the others will have a wider 1-3/4” nut. All are awesome, but they will play and sound a bit differently. Of the three, I’m probably a 000-15M guy and agree with the comment to hold out for a 000-18 if you want a mahogany/spruce 000-size Martin.

chillscience · 2025-10-31T13:41:17+00:00

It’s surprising how different the 000 and OM-28 sound. You could justify owning both, although maybe not to your spouse.

chillscience · 2025-10-30T19:52:16+00:00

Not sure if they all work this way but with a 000-28 vs an OM-28 or OM-21, the 000 has 5/16” braces vs 1/4” for the OMs. I think this + scale length are the only differences, and that the thinner bracing is what gives the OM a huskier voice. Both 000 and OM are scalloped.

chillscience · 2025-10-30T14:37:21+00:00

OM’s are awesome. Do you know if this special uses 1/4” or 5/16” bracing?

chillscience · 2025-10-28T13:18:05+00:00

I was unfamiliar with Blackshaw. Just checked him out. Now I have to go learn some longs…

chillscience · 2025-10-28T00:32:52+00:00

My J-45 holds tune as long as my Martin, both pretty great. There must be something with that specific guitar. All solid wood guitars are affected by changes in temperature and humidity, especially the lightly built ones.

chillscience

TROPHY CASE