Suggestion for setting up my Martin 00-15

[TexMexMike]

I've had my 00-15 for about 2 months now. Have really been enjoying the heck out of it! I plan on getting a Pro Set-up in the next few weeks. Any suggestions on saddle material, end pins etc? At first I thought that the saddle and/or nut desperately needed to be lowered. My poor electric fingers took a beating! But after 4 weeks or so, it felt about right. I am afraid if the action is lowered, it may affect the tone. So, I will most likely keep it about the same or lower no more than 1/32 or so. My playing style is mostly flat-pick, strum and then fingerstyle. Probably 60%, 30%, 20%.

This will be my first acoustic to have a set-up done on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My thanks in advance!!!

[nothin but the blues]

Hey Mike,
Glad your enjoying that new Martin... :thumbsup: (Don't you love the smell of that Mahogany?)

As for Nut/Saddle material I would certainly recommend Bone for both. Bone is the prefered choice of many players (most higher end guitars come with bone nut and saddle also). I believe your 00-15 comes from Martin with a Corian Nut, and a Compensated Tusq Saddle. You should notice a real nice tone difference switching over to bone nut & saddle. It should also help improve sustain.

The action is really going to be up too you. Don't worry about lowering the action in terms to changing the tone, if you feel you'd be more comfortable with a little lower action, then def. go for it. Just be sure that your strings of preferrence (i.e. lights, meds. heavy. etc) are on the guitar when you bring it in for the set up. They will set it up accourding too the type of string you use, so it is not recommended to change string thickness after you've had the setup done. Should you decide to move to a heavier gauge string later on down the road, it would be best to have a new Saddle/Nut carved up for you.

Def. find the best Luthier you can in your area. They will also level your frets, and set your intonation, so you want to make sure you have a credible luthier (not a Tech at Guitar Center for example). If you are able to find a good Luthier, you will not believe the difference in your guitar when you get it back. You will fall in love all over again... 10 fold.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. :thumbsup:

[TexMexMike]

You are sooo right about the smell of Mahogany! Wish they'd can it and sell it! :Loco:

I have tried several types of strings so far: Martin 4100 sp lights. The ones it came strung with. Sounded good, but were plenty broken in by my friend and his buddies at the local GC. (My 00-15 was thier favorite "player" and why I got it :guitarist ) Elixer nano-web extra-lights. Lasted about 15 minutes before I took them off. Too light and didn't have "my" sound. I much prefer the feel of a non-coated strings. And last, but not least Addiario EJ 16's. These have been my favorite. I am tempted to try EJ-17's, but I am not sure if mediums would be recommended for the 00-15. I don't want to have a bowed top down the road! Any others I should try out?

As far as saddle/nut material, bone or FMI seem to be the way to go. FMI might be the best for my tastes. From what I have read, it is a bit more balanced in tone. Either would be an improvement over the Tusq/Corian combo, I am sure. Have you ever had a chance to play simular guitars, one with FMI and the other bone? How did they differ in tone? Prefferences?

When it comes to end pins, I have tried the original plastic, Tusq and Ebony. Ebony seems to be the ticket so far. I would like to try rosewood and bone, eventually.

As always, thanks again for all of your advice!!! :thumbsup:

[nothin but the blues]

Mike,
I do have some suggestions for you string wise. Here are my personal favorites, give them a try and let me know how you like them!

Martin Phosphor Bronze Lights (This is the string I use almost exclusively)

Martin SP Marquis Phosphor Bronze (This is a new string from Martin, I am test driving them now, great string thus far)

Martin Fingerstyle SP Bronze (Another new string from Martin that I am test driving, I love them thus far.)

Back to the Nut/Saddle question. I have played on Acoustics with just about every variation of Nut/Saddle/Pin you can think of. My personal preference as mentioned is Bone all the way around.

However FMI or FWI also helps the guitar in the same areas as Bone. End pin wise I usually say if you want "warmth" go with Ebony. If you want "clarity & sustain" then go with Bone, FMI, or FWI.

Generally Bone, FMI, or FWI Nut/Saddles will add punch, clarity, and sustain to the over all instrument. It really comes down to personal preference of course as to which one sounds best to you. I remember playing a guitar set up with FMI and it sounded a little to chimey for me. But, if memory serves me correct it was on a Maple.

You should notice a nice difference no matter which route you choose to take. I played around with it a lot as well, until I finally realized that Bone nut/saddle/and pins gave me the sound I desired. :thumbsup:

[Jossy]

Bone, plain and simple.

Saludos.

[TexMexMike]

Thanks . Looks like "Bone It Is!" Played a friend of mines HD-28V w/bone nut and saddle today. Later we went to the GC and happened by a HD-28V with a corian nut and macarta saddle. What a difference! Hearing an A/B comparison really sells changing to bone!

[nothin but the blues]

Thanks . Looks like "Bone It Is!" Played a friend of mines HD-28V w/bone nut and saddle today. Later we went to the GC and happened by a HD-28V with a corian nut and macarta saddle. What a difference! Hearing an A/B comparison really sells changing to bone!
Figured you would see it my way :Loco: hehe!

That HD28V is a beast too... even stock, but so much nicer with bone replacements. Actually, to me the D-28, HD-28, HD28V's are the best Dreads you can buy. Your friend has a beautiful guitar.

I'm sure you will be very pleased with the outcome on yours too! Don't forget to let me/us know how you like it after your set up! :thumbsup:

[TexMexMike]

Yeah, I was very impressed with the HD-28V's tone and feel. It has a great neck. I liked it soooo much, that I am having a very difficult time deciding between a 000-28V or the HD-28V as my next Martin! Wish I could have both :Loco: