Martin D-15M Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Martin D-15M is a mid-range all-solid wood acoustic guitar that combines many of the features found in Martin's more expensive models in an affordable package. Part of Martin's Road Series, the D-15M has a modern and slightly streamlined shape while retaining many of the design elements that Martin is known for, like a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides.

With its solid tonewood construction and modified low oval neck, the D-15M delivers the balanced tone and comfortable playability that Martin acoustics are famous for. Though not as ornately appointed as Martin's more costly models, the D-15M focuses on providing great materials and build quality. It's an excellent choice for players looking for an all-solid wood Martin at a reasonable price point.

Appearance

The Martin D-15M dreadnought acoustic guitar has a simple yet elegant look, with a solid mahogany top, back and sides. Mahogany is a fairly dense tropical hardwood that provides a nice balanced tone. The top has a smooth gloss finish while the back and sides have a satin finish, which allows the wood's natural grain to show through beautifully.

The binding along the top and back is made of black Boltaron, which has a similar aesthetic to ebony binding but is more durable and resistant to cracking. Overall the D-15M has a very traditional dreadnought shape with no frills, perfect for players looking for a high quality workhorse acoustic with understated visual appeal.

While the Martin D-15M has a classic, minimalist design, some players prefer acoustics with a bit more visual flair. For example, the Dean Guitars SA FOLK E VB acoustic guitar has a vibrant blue burst finish on the top that really makes it stand out. The blue hue gradients from a lighter sky blue in the center to a deeper navy around the edges, creating a eye-catching ombre effect.

In addition to the blue burst top, the SA FOLK E VB also features mother-of-pearl vine inlays along the ebony fingerboard and bridge, plus abalone rosette and purfling around the top edge. The back and sides are made of flamed maple with a transparent finish to show off the wood's striking grain patterns. Overall, the Dean SA FOLK E VB has much more ornate decorative appointments compared to the plainer Martin D-15M.

The visual design of an acoustic guitar is an important factor for many players. While the Martin aims for simplicity and tradition, the Dean aims for flashy artistic flair. The choice comes down to personal taste and what kind of aesthetic best fits a guitarist's personality and stage presence. For those who want their instrument to command attention visually, the Dean SA FOLK E VB is a great option. The Martin D-15M is better suited for those who care more about tonewood quality and craftsmanship than eye-catching looks.

Sound Quality

The Martin D-15M produces a bright and balanced tone that projects beautifully. The mahogany back and sides provide warmth and richness to the sound, while the solid Sitka spruce top offers excellent clarity and articulation in the midrange and treble.

This acoustic guitar has impressive sustain and resonance across all registers. The notes ring out with a sweet, singing quality. Strumming rhythm parts sound full and vibrant. The D-15M is very responsive, with clear and even tone from low to high.

Whether fingerpicking or strumming, the dynamic and nuanced sound allows guitarists to play soft and delicate or aggressively attack the strings. The balanced EQ gives space in the mix when playing with other instruments.

The Martin D-15M delivers a bright and balanced acoustic guitar tone suitable for various musical genres and playing styles. The mahogany and spruce tonewood combination provides a lush, well-rounded sound.

The Martin D-15M is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality acoustic guitar with bright, balanced tone. However, there are many other great options on the market as well. One to consider is the Fender CC-60s, an affordable dreadnought acoustic guitar known for its warm, rich sound. The CC-60s features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck for bright mids and lows. It has a smooth satin finish that lets the wood resonate freely. The guitar projects well when playing live while also recording nicely in the studio. The Fender CC-60s delivers great bang for the buck with its impressive tone and playability. While the Martin D-15M may edge it out in absolute quality, the CC-60s is an excellent value choice for those shopping for an acoustic on a budget.

Playability

The Martin D-15M's excellent playability is one of its main strengths. It has low string action right out of the box, allowing for comfortable fretting and easy chord changes. The Modified Low Oval neck profile will feel natural to most players, neither too chunky or too thin. The neck width is a roomy 1 3/4" at the nut, providing ample space for fretting notes. Whether you have small or large hands, you'll find navigating the neck quite comfortable. The short 24.9" scale length reduces string tension, making it an easier guitar for beginners to press down the strings. Experienced players will also appreciate how the D-15M plays with ease right up to the 15th fret. Between the low action, slim neck, and short scale length, playability is truly one of the D-15M's best attributes.

Hardware

The D-15M comes equipped with excellent hardware that enhances its playability and sound quality. It features open-geared chrome tuners that are buttery smooth and hold tune reliably. The nut and saddle are both made from Tusq, an artificial bone material known for transferring vibrations efficiently. The Tusq nut promotes accurate intonation, while the Tusq saddle enhances resonance and sustain. Overall, the high-quality hardware components on the D-15M complement the solid woods and craftsmanship that define Martin guitars. The tuners, nut and saddle all integrate seamlessly into the instrument's design while providing practical benefits to performance and tone.

Craftsmanship

The D-15M is built with Martin's signature high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. It features a hand-rubbed, satin finish that gives the guitar a smooth, natural feel. The finish allows the wood to resonate freely, contributing to the D-15M's full, balanced tone.

The neck joint utilizes Martin's patented dovetail design that provides superior stability and sustain. The dovetail joint allows the neck to seamlessly transition into the body for a strong, seamless connection. This provides excellent transfer of vibration between the neck and body resulting in better tone, resonance and sustain. The dovetail joint is an example of the careful craftsmanship that goes into each Martin guitar.

Tonewoods

The D-15M features all solid tonewoods that give it a balanced and well-rounded sound. The top, back and sides are made from solid mahogany, which has a warm and rounded tone that works well for rhythm playing. Mahogany has excellent midrange frequencies that give nice clarity to chord voicings and picking patterns. It also has good bass frequencies that provide a solid low end, though not as booming as rosewood. The end result is a very balanced and playable guitar that sounds great for fingerpicking and strumming. While the mahogany construction makes this more of an "all-around" guitar compared to spruce/rosewood models geared toward projection, the D-15M still has plenty of volume and dynamic range for its size. Overall the all-mahogany body produces a versatile and rich acoustic tone.

Electronics

The D-15M features Fishman Sonitone electronics, which are designed to accurately reproduce the natural acoustic sound of the guitar. The Sonitone system uses an undersaddle transducer and soundhole mounted preamp with volume and tone controls.

The undersaddle pickup captures the guitar's top vibration and strings, producing a balanced and natural amplified tone. The preamp provides volume control, a phase switch to prevent feedback, and easy access to a tone control for shaping the EQ. There is also a tuner out jack for connecting to an external tuner.

The Fishman preamp has a very clean and transparent sound that doesn't color the original acoustic tone. It's a simple but high quality system that amplifies the guitar's natural voice. The volume and tone controls allow you to easily dial in the right mix for performing live.

Overall, the electronics are unobtrusive and well-suited for amplifying the guitar in live scenarios or recording in the studio. The Sonitone system preserves the inherent sound of the all-mahogany D-15M.

Pros

The Martin D-15M provides great value for an all-solid wood acoustic guitar. While not the cheapest guitar on the market, the materials and construction quality make it well worth the price.

The D-15M produces a very impressive sound, especially considering its affordable price point. It has a balanced and clear tone across the tonal spectrum - nice warmth in the low end, good articulation and clarity in the mids, and crisp but not overly bright highs. Both fingerpicking and strumming sound excellent on this model.

The mahogany back and sides offer a pleasing warmth and resonance. Paired with the solid Sitka spruce top, the D-15M delivers the balanced, nuanced tone that Martin guitars are known for. Many reviewers and players comment that this guitar sounds as good or better than more expensive Martins.

Cons

The Martin D-15M has a few minor drawbacks worth noting. Firstly, some players feel it lacks a bit in the bass response department. The mahogany back and sides don't produce quite as full and booming of a low end as rosewood or other tonewoods might. The bass tones still come through, but they are focused and tight rather than deeply resonant.

Some guitarists might desire more robust bass response for certain genres like blues or rock. However, others appreciate the balance and clarity the D-15M provides across the frequency range. It really comes down personal preferences and playing style.

The midrange-focused bass can make it less ideal for those who want a booming dreadnought bass for flatpicking or aggressive strumming. But it's versatile enough for fingerstyle and works well in a mix with other instruments. Overall it's still highly capable in the low end, just not as bass-heavy as some other comparable models.