A couple of questions about Martins

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MK-Ultra

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Hi all,

I ordered a 000-15, received it, but there was a real, and I mean REAL nasty crack where the top meets the bottom, above the hole for the strap pin. It will be going back to the store, but I am not sure whether or not to replace it with another of this model, or possibly move slightly upward. Funds are not unlimited, so the 000-28EC is out of the question. The next one up would be a 00016GT, but this has the Micarta (plastic) fretboard, which I don't like on principle.

So, the questions would be, who here owns a D-15, 000-15, or a 000-16GT, and , if the latter, how do you feel about the Micarta fretboard.

The 000-15 was really nice, btw, notwithstanding that crack, but it seems a bit light. Anyone else have any problems with their being too fragile?

Thanks in advance,

MK
 
The style 15 guitars are the best value on the market, hands down. And they are much better guitars than the style 16's.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Get it replaced. It is what it is. There are thousands out there and they have stood up fine. They are not too light or too heavy as a model. Follow Martins advice on aftercare and you'll be fine. The damage you have on that one is not common

I like the 15's to work on and to play

As to synthetic material for fingerboards. I've never used any and I don't like the feel of the ones I have played on acoustics. I am am quite traditional in my approach however. They don't seem to have the same feel to but thats me.
 
Light said:
The style 15 guitars are the best value on the market, hands down. And they are much better guitars than the style 16's.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

Hi Light,

Do you see more cracked 15s than other Martin models? A couple of people reviewing them at Harmony Central have mentioned cracks formed with no apparent reason. The 000 I have here right now is light as a feather. I'd like this guitar to last me the rest of my days, and am willing to do everything not obsessive-compulsive to do so.

Do you have an opinion on the synthetic fretboards?

Thanks,

MK
 
i've got a D-15 (had it since 01) and it's a fantastic guitar. i bought it new and it's served me quite well--and records beautifully. i expect to have it for the rest of my life and pass it down to my son.

the 15 series is all mahogany, which is a light yet dense wood, so they're going to be lighter in weight than their rosewood/spruce brethren.

i would think, though, that due to the satin finish they have (rather than the thicker finish on the 28 series, etc), that they may be more susceptible to humidity issues than other guitars. this, combined with the mahogany could certainly make for a guitar that cracks easier. i know i've tried to baby mine. "tried" being the operative word.

i've got a planet waves humidifier in mine (i keep it in the case when not in use) and it does fine. it's belly'd a little bit, but they all do that over time. i previously used a Damp-it, but i didn't like it all that much. seems the planet waves does a better job (which is contrary to what i've heard and read).

i've played a number of martin guitars over the years--15s, 16s, 18s, 20s, 28s, 41s, 42s and 45s.......just about every model there is. i LOVE martin guitars. ;) and i'm with light--hands down the 15s are the best value in acoustics out there these days. i also agree that the 16s i've played have not impressed me that much--especially when you consider their price and the plastic fretboards. although, i've had my socks knocked off by every OM-42 i've played, and i've asked my wife to save up for a custom one for my 40th birthday (she's got a few more years still :D).

fwiw, though, the couple 000-28EC's i've played haven't been all that great. at least, i wasn't overly impressed. YMMV. maybe the ones i've played were "dead" or dried out or something......but i expected a lot more.

i too don't care much for the micarta fretboards--they feel "plastic" to me. and something's weird about the resonance to them, too. maybe i'm a purist, but i don't want no plastic where wood oughta be.

i'd stick with the 15......but i'd get it swapped out for a non-cracked one. :D :p given the location of the crack, i'd wager yours got dropped at some point in the shipping process (or at the store).


cheers,
wade
 
MK-Ultra said:
Hi Light,

Do you see more cracked 15s than other Martin models? A couple of people reviewing them at Harmony Central have mentioned cracks formed with no apparent reason.
Click to expand...


No I haven't. At a guess, they didn't know how to take care of a solid wood instrument. Keep them properly humidified and they will be fine.





MK-Ultra said:
Do you have an opinion on the synthetic fretboards?
Click to expand...



Not wild about them, but the idea of using less real wood (particularly something as scarce as ebony) is a good one. I just haven't found one yet that I like, and more to the point that my customers like.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
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