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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
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What type of wood is used for the Martin 00-15E Retro's body and how does it affect the sound?
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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.
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Is the Martin 00-15E Retro suitable for live performances?
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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.
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How does the 00 body shape of the Martin 00-15E Retro influence its sound and playability?
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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.
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What is the finish style of the Martin 00-15E Retro and does it impact the guitar's tone?
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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.
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How many frets does the Martin 00-15E Retro have, and what is the fretboard material?
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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.
Videos
Peghead Nation
Martin 00-15E Retro Demo from Peghead Nation
Reviews
PROS
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Lush, velvety rich tones from the mahogany create a warm, vintage sound
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Aura electronics with preset options deliver excellent amplification without mic issues
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Wide 1 3/4" neck enhances comfort for fingerstyle and strumming
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Impressive resonance and sustain for a small body guitar
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Beautiful burst finish adds depth and vintage appeal
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Easy playability makes it a frequent choice over larger models
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Lightweight and comfortable, ideal for long sessions
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High volume output without sacrificing tonal quality
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Built-in tuner and electronics are user-friendly after initial setup
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Excellent value for a professional-grade Martin guitar
CONS
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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
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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
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The Aura+ system's retro images are noted to enhance sound quality beyond the standard pickup.
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Use cases and applications
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The all-mahogany construction provides a rich, dark sound, ideal for players seeking a warm tonal quality.
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Build quality
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The burst finish on this model is highly praised for its visual appeal, surpassing expectations set by online images.
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User experience
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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
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings
207
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.
145
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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