There’s nothing quite as sweet as an all-mahogany guitar. They’re warm and rich, dry and woody—just right for any style of music. When you combine all-mahogany construction with a small 0-body, the result is an inspiring songwriter, sweet fingerpicker, late-night strummer, and ultimate couch favorite all in one.
Although some prewar examples exist, the Martin 0-15 was only offered in large quantities in the post-war era (1948-61). At this time, Martin Style-15 was almost identical to Style-17 with gloss or non-gloss finishes very hard to differentiate. Even though the 0-15 has a lower bout that is only 13-1/2" across, don't let the small size fool you! The 0-15 packs nice projection and a well-rounded voice. Its output is softer than a Spruce-top guitar, and the all-mahogany construction lends an overall sweetness and subtlety to the tone.
This 1949 Martin 0-15 is a guitar you'll want to pick up every day, and the combination of a comfortable body size and rich, nuanced tone will make it hard to put down. Thanks a professional neck reset, new frets, and a new bridge/saddle, it plays like a brand new guitar. It is in good structural condition, thanks to various repairs: the top seam and back seam have both been re-glued; there are two repaired top cracks and one repaired back crack at the edge of the center strip; there is a repair on the treble side; and, there's a small repaired crack on the bass side. All of the repair work is stable and was done properly and professionally. From there, the ebony nut is original, and the original tuners still hold tune nicely and the original tuner buttons have been replaced.
This 1949 Martin 0-15 has a well-balanced, pronounced voice that sounds much bigger than you might expect from a small 0-body. It has the worn-in feel and mojo of a well-loved vintage instrument, but thanks to all the setup work, it plays to its full potential. Low action, proper intonation, and every note rings out clear and true. The neck carve has a comfortable soft V shape, and there's some interesting wear along the back of the neck that feels just right.
This 1949 Martin 0-15 includes a good-quality hardshell case.