FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

During the 1930s, Martin introduced the 17 series, to offer a low cost, quality guitars at a price more palatable during the Great Depression. This series continued through the 1950s before being discontinued. Martin took the Series 17 idea and started a new budget line - the 15 series - at the turn of the 21st Century. These guitars are not true reproductions of the orginals, however, and the only thing in common is the all-mahogany construction. The 12-fret dreadnaught D-15SM was available from about 2001 to 2009, though it was still available as a Custom Shop model afterward. The "M" in the model name denotes mahogany as some D-15S models were made with sapele bodies. The D-15SM uses Martin's mortise and tenon neck joint rather than a traditional dovetail joint. In addition, it uses an A-frame X-brace which allows for more movement of the upper bout. The A-frame bracing uses a large bridge plate and a single tone bar which is a departure from Martin's usual bracing pattern.

 Body:  Hollow; solid 2-piece Honduran mahogany top, solid 2-piece Honduran mahogany back, and solid Honduran mahogany sides

 Finish:  Natural, satin nitrocellulose lacquer

 Neck:  1-piece mahogany, set-in; Indian rosewood headstock overlay with decal logo

 Fingerboard:  Indian rosewood, mother-of-pearl “diamond and square” markers

 Number of Frets:  20

 Pickguard:  Tortoise, plastic

 Bridge:  Indian rosewood with bone saddle

 Nut:  Bone

 Tuners:  Grover Sta-Tite, nickel

 Pickups:  None

 Controls:  None

 Scale Length:  25 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut:  1 11/16 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout:  15 5/8 inches

 Body Depth:  4 7/8 inches

 Weight:  4.1 lbs