Have you ever found yourself wondering, “00 vs 000, what’s the real difference?”
If so, you’re not alone.
Many guitar enthusiasts, from the fresh-faced beginner to the weathered maestro, have found themselves in the middle of the 00 vs 000 debate.
But fret not! This blog is your lighthouse in the foggy sea of guitar jargon, offering a crystal clear comparison.
We’ll delve into the 00 vs 000 battle.
We’ll be inspecting every nook and cranny (or crook and nanny), from sound projection to body size and even comfort, to give you the knowledge to strike the right chord.
If you want to know more about Martin Guitars, the manufacturer who established these guitar sizes, you can check out my Martin vs Taylor article.
It provides insight into how Martin Guitars compare to another top acoustic guitar manufacturer.
So, gear up and stay tuned!
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’s Guitars
- Dreadnought / 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 Size
- 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 size OM and 000 are practically the same.
But for practical purposes, this is the most detailed division I will list for this blog post.
These guitars differ in body shape and size, as well as scale length and other features like 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 we’re interested in the difference between 00 and 000 acoustic guitars.
Although at a glance, they might seem nearly identical, they have some slight differences.
Understanding 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 Martin originally designed them.
The Martin 00, or “grand concert,” takes us back to the 1850s.
However, this vintage design is known as the size “S.”
The Martin 00 is a tried and tested classic.
It is characterized by a guitar body with a scale length of 24.9 inches, a body depth of 4.1 inches, a length of 18.9 inches, and a width of 14.3 inches.
Of course, these are specs for Martin 00s models.
Other brand makers may be slightly different.
But what 00 guitars are famous for is a slightly brighter tone, despite its smaller guitar stature.
Nonetheless, thanks to the mahogany and Sitka combination, they still have a solid projection.
The comfort provided by the 00s in terms of body size, coupled with their compatibility with short-scale guitarists, makes them an excellent choice for players with smaller hands.
This, along with its compatibility with heavier strings and more compact body size, makes it a superb choice for players who prefer fingerstyle playing.
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.
Regardless, if you want to check out a Martin 00 for yourself, this 00-15M Grand Concert all mahogany acoustic from Guitar Center will do you right.
Exploring 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 size is slightly larger, with a body length of 19.3 inches, a depth of 4.1 inches, and a width of 15 inches.
Some regard the OM design as a variation of the 000 shape.
The body style and dimensions of both are identical, save for the neck.
Here, we find a scale length of 25.4 inches featuring a slightly wider saddle, which consequently alters the string spacing.
The regular 000, with a scale length of 24.9 inches, is popular among lead guitar players.
A shorter scale length keeps the string tension softer, making them easier to bend.
Also, its tone is more focused than the OM, which, with its Indian rosewood composition, is a bit louder with a stronger projection.
Nonetheless, 000 and OM are very similar.
If you want to try out a 000 for yourself, this Martin Special 000 all-solid auditorium acoustic guitar from Guitar Center is world-class.
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 more to the bottom-ends.
The 000 can get a bit louder with a larger soundboard and body.
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 models 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; they’re larger overall.
The Battle of the Guitars: 00 vs 000 Sizes – Which One Should I Pick?
Martin 00  | Martin 000  |
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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
Decisions, decisions.
One common problem for both newbies and seasoned strummers in guitars is the choice between 00 and 000 guitar sizes.
Yes, size Martin guitars indeed come with their own unique set of pros and cons, but ultimately, your preference reigns supreme.
But don’t fret!
There are distinguishing characteristics that can guide you to your perfect match.
Ever noticed the slightly different waist and body width between these two?
It’s not just for aesthetics; it impacts the guitar’s resonance and playability.
My two cents?
If you’re a lead guitarist yearning for a balanced tone that effortlessly slices through the auditory mix, a 00 guitar could be your best mate.
Its smaller body width is ideal for those who prefer a guitar that handles like a dream.
It provides an excellent platform for single-note riffs and scalloping techniques.
Its compact size also makes it a delight for cozy jamming sessions.
On the other hand, if you’re a chord enthusiast or someone who revels in a resonance-rich, bottom-end-heavy tone, consider the 000 guitars.
Its slightly wider waist and larger body width generate a louder, “fuller” sound, ideally suited for chord strummers.
The additional clarity in the lower register makes it an appealing choice for rhythm guitarists.
So, whether it’s the 00 or 000 guitars, find the one that strums your heartstrings!
Your ideal guitar isn’t just about its size; it’s about how well it resonates with your musical journey.
Strumming to the Finale: Unraveling the 00 vs 000 Enigma
Well, there we have it, folks!
I hope this post has untangled the intricacies of the 00 vs 000 guitar size debate for you.
Now let me hear your thoughts!
I’d be thrilled to know your take on this 00 vs 000 guitar size face-off! Drop your insights and experiences in the comments below.
Yearning for a deeper dive?
You’re in luck!
We have several dedicated posts that may strike a chord with you.
Explore The Best 00 Guitar and The Best 000 Guitar to truly immerse yourself in the sonorous world of these two sizes.
Stay tuned, stay curious, and keep strumming!
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.