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Description

Experience the harmonious blend of vintage allure and modern craftsmanship with the Martin 00-15E Retro Acoustic Guitar. This exquisite instrument pays homage to the revered pre-War models, offering musicians a taste of history with a contemporary twist. Meticulously crafted, the 00-15E boasts a concert body shape that fits comfortably in your arms, making it a perfect companion for intimate settings and studio sessions alike.

The guitar's all-mahogany construction — top, back, and sides — delivers a warm, resonant tone that resonates with depth and clarity. The satin finish not only enhances its visual appeal but also allows the wood to breathe and resonate naturally, producing a rich, soulful sound with every strum. The neck, with its Modified Low Oval profile and High Performance Taper, ensures smooth, comfortable playability for beginners and seasoned players alike.

Equipped with the Fishman Aura VT pickup system, the 00-15E ensures your sound is as captivating plugged in as it is acoustically. This sophisticated electronic system faithfully reproduces the guitar's natural tone, making it an ideal choice for live performances and recording. Complemented by Sitka spruce "X" bracing for enhanced strength and resonance, and adorned with elegant Golden Era Diamonds and Squares fretboard inlays, this guitar is a testament to Martin's legacy of excellence.

Key Features:

  • Concert body shape with all-mahogany construction
  • Satin finish for a sleek appearance and enhanced resonance
  • Modified Low Oval neck profile with High Performance Taper
  • Fishman Aura VT pickup system for superior amplified sound
  • Sitka spruce "X" bracing for added strength and tonal depth
  • Golden Era Diamonds and Squares fretboard inlays

Product specs

Brand Martin
Model 00-15E
Finish Sunburst
Year 2016 - 2019
Made In United States
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars, Concert Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape 00
Color Family Orange
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Martin 00-15
Model Sub-Family Martin 00-15E
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Martin 15 Series, Martin Retro Series
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Mahogany
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the Martin 00-15E Retro's body and how does it affect the sound?

The Martin 00-15E Retro features a mahogany body, which provides a warm, rich tone with a strong midrange presence. This makes it ideal for fingerstyle playing and genres that benefit from a balanced, mellow sound.

Is the Martin 00-15E Retro suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Martin 00-15E Retro is equipped with an active preamp and an undersaddle piezo pickup, making it well-suited for live performances by allowing easy amplification while maintaining its acoustic tone.

How does the 00 body shape of the Martin 00-15E Retro influence its sound and playability?

The 00 body shape offers a comfortable playing experience with a focused and articulate sound, making it suitable for both fingerpicking and light strumming. Its compact size enhances playability for musicians who prefer a smaller guitar.

What is the finish style of the Martin 00-15E Retro and does it impact the guitar's tone?

The Martin 00-15E Retro features a gloss sunburst finish, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also provides a protective layer. The finish is thin enough to allow the wood to resonate freely, preserving the guitar's natural tone.

How many frets does the Martin 00-15E Retro have, and what is the fretboard material?

The Martin 00-15E Retro has 20 frets and an ebony fretboard, which offers a smooth playing surface and contributes to the guitar's overall clarity and sustain.

Peghead Nation

Peghead Nation

Martin 00-15E Retro Demo from Peghead Nation

Video thumbnail for Martin 00-15E Retro Demo from Peghead Nation by Peghead Nation

Martin 00-15E Retro Demo from Peghead Nation

Peghead Nation

Peghead Nation

Video thumbnail for Martin 00-15E Retro Acoustic by Guitarist

Martin 00-15E Retro Acoustic

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Acoustic Guitar Review: Martin 00-15E  Retro by Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Acoustic Guitar Review: Martin 00-15E Retro

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Video thumbnail for The Martin 00-15E Retro at MaurysMusic.com by Maury's Music

The Martin 00-15E Retro at MaurysMusic.com

Maury's Music

Maury's Music

Video thumbnail for Acoustic Blues on my new Martin 00-15e Retro by Guitar JoLa

Acoustic Blues on my new Martin 00-15e Retro

Guitar JoLa

Guitar JoLa

Video thumbnail for Martin 00-15E Retro by Guitars United

Martin 00-15E Retro

Guitars United

Guitars United

Reviews

PROS

  • Lush, velvety rich tones from the mahogany create a warm, vintage sound

  • Aura electronics with preset options deliver excellent amplification without mic issues

  • Wide 1 3/4" neck enhances comfort for fingerstyle and strumming

  • Impressive resonance and sustain for a small body guitar

  • Beautiful burst finish adds depth and vintage appeal

  • Easy playability makes it a frequent choice over larger models

  • Lightweight and comfortable, ideal for long sessions

  • High volume output without sacrificing tonal quality

  • Built-in tuner and electronics are user-friendly after initial setup

  • Excellent value for a professional-grade Martin guitar

CONS

  • Initial complexity of Aura electronics may require a learning curve

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin 00-15E Retro Acoustic Guitar.

Setup and maintenance

  • The guitar may develop a mystery buzz from the endpin area, potentially linked to a spring in the battery case or loose ball ends at the bridge.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Aura+ system's retro images are noted to enhance sound quality beyond the standard pickup.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The all-mahogany construction provides a rich, dark sound, ideal for players seeking a warm tonal quality.

    Source

Build quality

  • The burst finish on this model is highly praised for its visual appeal, surpassing expectations set by online images.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners describe the 00-15E Retro as having ample acoustic volume, suitable for both fingerstyle and strumming, even though it doesn't have the largest body size.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Martin 00-15E Retro is compared favorably with the Gibson LG-2 American Eagle for its versatility, especially for players who enjoy alternating between fingerstyle and strumming.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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1 star
steve_underhill

Stunning. Positively stunning.

First of all, the mahogany. I absolutely love the lush, velvety rich tones these 15 series guitars create. The low end response is so broad and warm, I find it hard to go back to spruce tops.

Second, the finish. Pictures do not do the burst justice, and if you are in the market but don't want the Retro (WHY?), call them up and order one with the burst finish. It makes an otherwise flat finished top glow with a really gorgeous depth.

Third, the Aura +. Fishman really worked some voodoo into this system. As good as the under-saddle pickup is, compared with the images included with the Aura + system, its as quacky as any acoustic pickup. I leave it on preset 2 and forget it, but it really does fix any sort of issue you've had with amplifying your acoustic instead of using a mic.

Fourth, the neck. This wide, 1 3/4 neck is the bees knees I tell you. fingerpicking feels comfortable and easy, and strumming suffers no drastic change in feel or response. The taper on the neck is low and fast, perfect for sliding around as well as reaching those oddball chords. I can't say enough about how comfortable it is.

Wrapping it up: A 00 Martin with a huge, rich, amplified sound, delicious wood, and a gorgeous finish. Buy this guitar, and it will be your go-to acoustic in almost any scenario.

heliocentric

my #1 guitar

Probably the instrument I'm the most proud of. Although I'm not a very gifted guitarist, the 00-15e retro helps me greatly whenever I'm composing new music.

Artist usage

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See how Hugh Laurie uses Martin 00-15E Retro Acoustic Guitar

Hugh Laurie

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Fry and Laurie

...
Verified via Photo

Hugh Laurie appeared on the cover of Guitar Aficionado holding this guitar and can be found using it in various live performances.

Genre Usage

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