If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between 00 vs 000 guitar sizes, you’ve come to the right post!
And if you want to know more about Martin Guitars, the manufacturer who established these guitar sizes, and how they compare to another top acoustic guitar manufacturer, check out my Martin vs Taylor article! Let’s get to it!
Martin Acoustic Guitar Sizes and Shapes
Acoustic guitars may seem like pretty simple instruments.
And although they’re very accessible, there’s more to them than you might think.
For instance, the instrument’s construction and size changed a lot during the 20th century.
As a result, we have several different designs and sizes today.
If we were to look into all of the Martin guitar sizes, the list would look something like this:
- Parlor
- Dreadnaught, plus a variant of it called round-shoulder dreadnaught
- 0, also known as “concert”
- 00, also known as “grand concert”
- 000
- OM, also known as the “orchestra model”
- 0000, also known as “M,” and it’s not that common
- Auditorium
- Grand Auditorium
- Jumbo
- Travel-sized or small-sized
- Classical or Spanish
Bear in mind that all of these variants differ not only in body but neck design as well.
There are also some very similar variants here.
For instance, 000 and OM have identical bodies.
However, they differ in scale length and nut width.
Another important thing to note is that these divisions are not set in stone.
You’ll find even more detailed lists.
For instance, some would say that 000 and OM are practically the same.
But for practical purposes, this is the most detailed division that I’m going to list for this blog post.
These guitars differ in body shape and size, as well as scale length and other features.
This also includes the shape of upper and lower bouts.
Additionally, the bodies of these different sizes will have different lengths, depths, and widths.
As a result of these differences, guitars in different categories sound and feel different.
There are a lot of nuances here, and it would take a lot of time to explain everything in detail.
But I’ll do my best to cover the basic differences between 00 vs 000 in this post.
And for some context about just how deep this rabbit hole goes, here’s a video detailing some of the differences between 000 and OM variants:
00 vs 000
But what we’re interested in here is the difference between 00 and 000 acoustic guitars.
Although at a glance they might seem nearly identical, they have are some slight differences.
Martin 00 Guitars
Like with most guitar shapes and sizes, it was C.F. Martin & Company that came up with it.
So while I may refer to this size as a Martin 00, many other guitar manufacturers also make 00 size guitars. In short, know that the 00 size (and all of the sizes mentioned in this article) are not exclusive to Martin.
It’s just that they were originally designed by Martin.
The Martin 00, or “grand concert,” takes us back to the 1850s.
However, this particular design is known as the size “S.”
The 00 guitar comes with a scale length of 24.9 inches.
Its body depth is 4.1 inches, length is 18.9 inches, and width is 14.3 inches.
Of course, these are specs for Martin 00 models.
Other brands may be slightly different.
But what 00 guitars are famous for is a slightly brighter tone than some larger models.
Nonetheless, they still have a solid projection.
Their relatively smaller size also makes them really comfortable.
For instance, 00 guitars are usually recommended for those with slightly smaller hands.
Martin’s 00 guitars are also popular among some famous players.
This includes Steve Howe of Yes, Gary Clarke Jr., Keith Urban, and Dallas Green.
There’s also the 00L variant, although it’s not that common.
It has a long-slope-shoulder body and a slightly larger resonant chamber.
Martin 000 Guitars
The Martin 000, or the “auditorium,” is slightly different.
However, its scale length is the same, measuring 24.9 inches.
The body length is 19.3 inches, the depth is 4.1 inches, and the width is 15 inches.
Some regard the OM design as a variation of the 000 shape.
It has all of the same dimensions, except for the neck.
The scale length is 25.4 inches and it features a slightly wider nut.
This also impacts the string spacing.
The regular 000, with a scale length of 24.9 inches, is popular among lead players.
A shorter scale length keeps the string tension softer, making them easier to bend.
The tone is also a bit more focused compared to the OM. Meanwhile, OM is a bit louder with a stronger projection.
Nonetheless, 000 and OM are very similar.
Martin 00 vs 000: How Do They Compare?
Both 00 and 000 are pretty common.
However, there are some notable differences between these two variants.
They’re not radical, but they impact the tone and performance.
Both of these have the exact same body depth.
However, the width and the length of the body are smaller on the 00 variant.
This has some impact on the tone.
The size of the soundboard, or the body top, is crucial here.
The 00 variant is a bit brighter and somewhat “thinner” in its output.
In short, it will have a more “piercing” tone with high ends and mids.
Meanwhile, the 000 can give slightly bottom-ends.
With a larger soundboard and body, the 000 can get a bit louder.
The size also makes an impact on performance qualities.
As mentioned, the 00 variant has a smaller body.
This makes it a great choice for anyone who prefers to have a smaller instrument.
You’ll also stumble upon terms like “12-fret” and “14-fret” guitars for both 00 and 000 variants.
This refers to where the body meets the neck.
The so-called “12-fret” variants are older and they’re still made by Martin.
In general, you can assume I’m referring to the more modern 14-fret variants.
The neck meets the body at the 14th fret and they’re larger overall.
00 vs 000 Guitar Sizes: Which One Should I Pick?
Martin 00
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Martin 000
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Description:
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Description:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Scale Length: 24.9 inches
- Body Depth: 4.1 inches
- Length: 18.9 inches
- Width: 14.3 inches
- Sounds a bit brighter
- Great for lead guitarists
- May sound thin
- Scale Length: 24.9 inches
- Body Depth: 4.1 inches
- Length: 19.3 inches
- Width: 15 inches
- Can produce a louder sound
- Great for rhythm guitarists
- Bigger and thus harder to handle
As usual, the choice comes down to personal preference.
But some traits can help you narrow down the choice.
In my opinion, the 00 is a better choice for lead guitars.
Its tone cuts through the mix more easily compared to the 000.
However, the 000 variant can get slightly louder and “fuller.”
If you play chords, or just prefer a bottom-end-heavier tone, I’d suggest a 000 guitar.
Martin 00 vs 000: Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you understand the differences between these two instrument sizes.
If you have more questions about them, please let me know in the comments!
And if you want to learn more about 00 and 000 guitars, check out the following posts:
2 Responses
I have an older 00-100, serial number 186113. I believe it’s from ‘62 or ‘63 but I really have no idea and I cannot find another 00-100 anywhere. There seems to be no references to this model anywhere. It is in very good shape and has excellent intonation. Recording lead with it is quite special.
But why can’t I find any mentions of this 00-100 model? I assume it is not worth much but to me it is irreplaceable. What, if anything, can you tell me about this instrument?
I purchased it from Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island about 30 years ago.
Hi John,
Thanks for the message. I wish I could tell you something about your instrument, but after looking around online I didn’t find anything. That said, stories like this about older Martin models abound! You may be able to contact Martin directly to find out more about this instrument. But because this instrument manufacturer has been around for so long, they have several models that have been lost to history in a sense. Regardless, it sounds like you have a really special instrument on your hands even if there isn’t necessarily a resale market for it.