Build Quality:5 out of 5 stars
Hardware:5 out of 5 stars
Sound:5 out of 5 stars
Value:4.9 out of 5 stars
Average:5 out of 5 stars

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Martin D-15M

Pros:

  • Comfortable
  • Amazing looks
  • Great construction

Cons:

  • Apart from the price, I really doubt you will find a problem with this guitar  

With over 175 years of experience, you can say with a certain assurance that Martin is a giant in the guitar market, innovating and exceeding all expectations for quite some time. That is why whenever I am reviewing or researching a guitar with a Martin logo on it, I know this is going to be a winner. Their Martin D-15M pays homage to the 1940 models in design as well as sound and is one of the best acoustic guitars under 1500.

Build

D-15M is a dreadnought model with top made from solid genuine Mahogany. The neck. as well as back and sides are also made from Mahogany making this model all-around mahogany that enhances the balance and sound on this beauty. It also features an A-frame-X-bracing and dovetails neck joint for rigidity. The construction allows this model to be lightweight and comfortable even in a beginner’s hand while the tonewood enhances the woody, beautiful sound.

Hardware

Martin has equipped this baby with some top-notch stuff including a solid East Indian Rosewood fingerboard with diamond and square inlays. You also get a nickel open-geared tuning machine and a Rosewood bridge. The nut and saddle are made of compensated white bone. This model also comes with Martin SP Lifespan Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge strings which are the perfect medium between light and heavy gauges, making this guitar even more comfortable for beginners. Needless to mention, you can change the strings in a second but I doubt you will need to, at least for a while. And the finish is satin, giving this model a simple and elegant look.

Martin D15M Sound

When you are choosing a guitar, especially if it is your first one, you are most probably on a budget (unless you are lucky) so Martins usually tend to be outside the comfort zone, budget-wise. If you are a total newbie you might also think: why should I pay twice as much for a guitar if I can just go with a, say, $500 model? While in most cases true, I think you have to experience Martin yourself, go to a store, try playing it (or you know… listen to it on youtube if you are hundreds of miles away from every possible store) and you might change your mind.

Martin D-15M, like most Martin models, has an astounding sound that people rave about. The mahogany top gives it a crisp tone and great volume, complemented by the mahogany back and sides. Rich, vintage, woody sound will take you back in time (well I doubt you are that old to go back to the 1940-1950s but still).

This model has amazing projection and balance and, needless to say, will last you years and get better with time (if there is a place for improvement).

Conclusion

When it comes to a lot of things, especially guitars, I always prefer to go for something not too flashy or complex. Martin D-15M offers that and more. The elegant design, simple, yet durable, and functional construction create a beautiful-looking guitar that sounds astounding. D-15M looks like it has traveled in time from the mid-20th century and landed on your lap with zero scratches, sounding like the most beautiful thing you have ever heard.

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