Well...NGD

[Telliot]

Welp, I finally indulged my love for 12-fretters with slotted headstocks and came home with this. It’s a few years old (they’ve been discontinued), and it’s nice and open; very full-sounding, with a 1.75” nut. I went back and forth between this and the 000-15sm, which is all mahogany. The -17 has a sitka spruce top and is a bit brighter than the -15. I normally prefer darker acoustics, but felt the lows were muddier on the -15.

Here’s my dilemma, and it’s probably a trite one: This is the newest guitar I’ve owned in a long time. I was bitten by the vintage bug years ago, and this feels and looks so new!

I keep wondering whether I should sell it and find an old ‘40s LG-2, or something along those lines. I know it isn’t the same guitar as this, but it’s got a similar sized body and nut width. There’s just something about old guitars that inspire me.

All that said, this really is a fantastic guitar. It’s easy as hell to play, records well, and its compact size is extremely comfortable. I find my dreadnaught to be tiring after extended playing periods — this thing is very manageable. Definitely a good couch guitar.

If you haven’t tried one, I highly suggest finding one to play. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Like most new acoustics, having it properly set up, saddle and all, made all the difference in the world.

[Larry Mal]

That's fantastic, if it wasn't for the slotted headstock I would totally get one of those.

Don't worry about it being new, it'll open up with you over the years, it's a journey you are on together. Or something.

And yeah, I don't get the all mahogany guitars at all. I see people love them, and I have never played one I liked at all.

Congratulations!

This is a great acoustic guitar forum.

[zhivago]

Wow! This looks amazing!!! I love the inlays...they look like the ones on mine

Totally with you on the smaller size feels just right. I am real tired of the dreadnought size.

[i love sharin foo]

Gorgeous!

I used to look down on anything that wasn't vintage. By now though, if something feels and sounds right, then I can get past it being new and shiny. If that one sounds half as good as it looks, then I think I would easily be able to make do with it being new and all.

[marqueemoon]

That's fantastic, if it wasn't for the slotted headstock I would totally get one of those.

Don't worry about it being new, it'll opien up with you over the years, it's a journey you are on together. Or something.

And yeah, I don't get the all mahogany guitars at all. I see people love them, and I have never played one I liked at all.

Congratulations!

This is a great acoustic guitar forum.

All-mahogany guitars rule.

The one aspect of this one I don’t care for is the sunburst, but it’s otherwise right up my alley.

[Telliot]

Thanks, guys. I know slotted headstocks and sunburst acoustics are controversial, but I don’t mind either. Considering how many burst acoustics you see from the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, it seems like a natural thing to me. I’ve had this guitar for roughly 2 weeks. I wasn’t sure I was going to keep it, but it’s quietly forcing itself to be played.

[mediocreplayer]

Why is this in the 'Other Instruments' section? It should join all of Larry's acoustic NGDs in the Non-offset section.

I have owned several 15 Martins, including the 000-15S and a D-15S -- the latter is the guitar that I have probably regretted selling the most -- a 12-fret dreadnaught! But it was unreasonably big. I have also played the 000-17S.

This is a bitchy post considering this is an NGD, so I apologize in advance, but I find the 000-17S to be fairly bland and uninspiring. One of the most boring acoustic guitars I have played. I would pick any of the Taylors 712 or 812 over it in a second (they also exist in 12-fret slotted versions). I also confronted myself that the reason I am keeping the 000-15S is that it smells incredible, but otherwise it too sounds fairly boring and plays meh and you can reproduce the dry tonal qualities with dead strings on most guitars any way.

Lastly, I'm as anti-vintage as possible. I never understood it to begin with -- why would someone want an old guitar instead of a new one? I guess because the wood has opened up? So to see you even questioning whether you should replace this with a vintage version makes me scratch my head. If it is still an option, I'd say consider ditching the 000-17S for a 12-fret 812. If you want to compromise between old and new, consider the 00-18V, which is the best acoustic guitar Martin has ever made imo if you are not bothered by the mod-v neck.

But if you do none of these things, congrats! Looking forward to hearing it on your beautiful songs!

[Ursa Minor]

Screw that guitar!

LOOK at that sitting room!

[Pepe Silvia]

Screw that guitar!

LOOK at that sitting room!

Haha, I came here for the same comment.

[Shadoweclipse13]

Screw that guitar!

LOOK at that sitting room!

Haha, I came here for the same comment.

Same!! I want a vintage chair like that

Love the acoustic though! I'm not a fan of bursts on acoustics either, but this burst is classy and somewhat muted, which fits it right. It gives off a very 40's vibe to it, so that's perfect. Probably saved some money not having to pay for a 40's vintage too

[NickD]

All-mahogany guitars rule.

Yes, yes they do.

I have a 00-15SM and it is the only acoustic that I have ever really bonded with, mostly I buy them, play them a bit, but they always come second to the electrics. I'm a bit contrary when it comes to acoustics though, I prefer strings that are the same gauge as my electrics, and I don't like dreadnoughts at all.

And happy NGD Telliot, it looks lovely

[wproffitt]

I'm loving it! I dig on the slotted headstock. Never mind the haters! I'll have to check one of these out as the GAS builds for a new acoustic. I've also given serious consideration to an LG2, but finding several that I can actually PLAY first so that I know what I'm getting into is going to be tough.

P.S.- I also covet your sitting room.

[shadowplay]

Congrats, i had a go of a similar one recently and I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was surprisingly absorbing and good sounding. The house is looking bonny too.

D

[Larry Mal]

Congrats, i had a go of a similar one recently and I'm not sure what I was expecting but it was surprisingly absorbing and good sounding. The house is looking bonny too.

D

Yeah, right? It was with some trepidation that I put up pictures of my banjo in my own modest domicile today, compared to Todd's place, I live in a hovel.

I thought that maybe it would fit the banjo aesthetic, like maybe my apartment looks like the kind of place that a person who played the banjo would live.

And I know that myself nor the rest of my Larry family has the discipline to have a nice, uncluttered place with clean lines like what the Todd family has. So I'll just admire from here.

Todd, does this one have the 1/4" scalloped bracing and such?

[Larry Mal]

I'm loving it! I dig on the slotted headstock.

I only dislike them because I wouldn't be able to put locking tuners on that guitar. I think they look fine. I'm just a moron who can't change strings after 30 years so I put locking tuners on everything so that I don't have to get frustrated.