Wayne Henderson - Deep Bodied Mad / Adi OM42 (Now with pics!!)
After many years of very patient waiting I've finally got to the point where Wayne will be building a guitar for me this year - I feel incredibly lucky and privileged and I know it will be an instrument to enjoy for ever.
My dilemma is that I'm now not certain what to ask Wayne to build for me - I always thought the OM42 was the guitar for me, but I'm becoming increasingly tempted by a D41. I've probably got a small time window to request a change to my "order", so I'm looking for some constructive input from friends on this forum to help clarify my thinking. What would you go for? Many thanks! Cheers, Andy |
What music do you play?
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What about something right in between the OM and D body sizes?
A HJ-41/42? Have a look at Martin J-14 specs. They call it a jumbo but it's actually a 0000 body with 4 7/8" dred body depth. Here's a picture of my Martin JDP2 which has the J-14 body and unusually, a slot-head. Comfortable. Plenty of depth for tone. Handles all playing styles with ease. http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...psapjxatzc.jpg And this is the rather rare HJ-28 http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...psl7vpoem7.jpg |
While an OM and a Dreadnought share a common a common 25.4" (645mm) scale length, they are quite different guitars in their timbre and purpose. So as others have suggested, it really depends on how and what you like to play vs. what we think. Additionally, just look at some differences in their size:
Nut Width: 1-3/4" (44.45mm) vs. 1-11/16" (42.86mm) Body Length: 19-3/8" (492mm) vs. 20" (508mm) Lower Bout Width: 15" (381mm) vs. 15-5/8" (397mm) Depth at End Block: 4-1/8" (105mm) vs. 4-7/8" (124mm) I suggest having a conversation with Wayne regarding what is a better fit musically for you and perhaps comfort wise. My $.02 Quote:
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Congratulations!
I've long been on Wayne's wait list, but haven't been keeping in contact with him, so don't expect to see an instrument any time soon, if ever. Wayne also builds a Nick Lucas-inspired model, which would be my choice. Of course, as others have mentioned, the music you play and your conversations with Wayne should be the definitive factors in your decision. Please do keep us posted. |
Hi Folks
Thanks for the quick responses! In terms of playing style. it's pretty varied - I like to play fingerstyle a lot of the time (James Taylor type stuff etc....) but I also like to bash out the big singalong chord songs sometimes - depends if I'm on my own or in company - I also like to play a hybrid of these two styles with a pick when I'm gigging - melody lines within a bigger soundstage etc.. Really just looking for the ultimate all round guitar in my Henderson - it's not going to be a collectors item, (I'm too old for that nonsense!) - I just want to decide on the perfect all round compromise guitar for all situations, and I know there's a bit of dream chaisng in that statement. Do I go for big robust dreadnought totally out there sound, or try for a tad more finesse and control with an OM?? |
I find OMs and guitars in the 15" to 15.5" range to be the best all 'rounders. To me a dread is a bit more of a specialist, leaning toward powerful styles of play.
Just my $0.02 worth! :) |
I'm not sure how one even gets on Wayne's wait list. Who knows how many people are on there and how long it would take. And when or if your time will ever come up.
If I was next in line, I'd probably go OM or a 000. There are so many powerful dread guitars out there, I think there's more magic in a smaller body guitar from an in demand luthier. It's not that hard to find loud and powerful dread guitars. I think it takes a bit more talent and skill to make magic out of smaller guitars. You could even do a deep body OM to bridge the gap between the two. |
I have both a Martin J40 and an OM (Santa Cruz).
The Martin Jumbo is indeed a very versatile guitar. It will handle most things well from strumming to flat picking, from country blues to even celtic finger style. It has that lush sound you associate with a Dreadnaught but with something extra about it. Mine has been retired from gigging for about 15 years but I recently dug it out for rehearsal and performance as my main guitar went in for some minor repair work. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed really playing with this again. If you are a strummer or claw hammer style player this would make a lot of sense. The OM will have more focus and probably a greater clarity on individual strings. It won't have the overtones but it will have punch. With modern pickups this might be the only guitar you need. My idea would be the neck of my J40 on my OM. The neck of my OM could be a little wider and certainly chunkier. For me, a small jumbo would be ideal — and that is what I commissioned last time around. the depth of a jumbo has a lot going for it in a more focused design but it is uncomfortable for me — a Manzer wedge sorted all of that out! |
OM-42...
The Om is more versatile... Plus its lovely. So, sell it to me if ever you dont bond w/ it lol Seriously :) |
Ask about an OM with Dreadnaught body depth.
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My Kinnaird F-1 is an OM with Dread depth. Comfy and balanced with clarity. HUGE bottom end, FAT trebles and it barks at the moon. Mine is EIR/Sitka. fwiw. This is an extremely versatile guitar.:up: I used to love dreads. Played them exclusively for 15 years. |
Definitely OM! I see more Henderson dreds on the market when they infrequently come up, but I don't think I've ever seen a Henderson OM for sale.
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I like this idea too. I have 00 with dread depth and that guitar can do near anything. |
The best modern made D I've played was a Henderson D42. I play mostly fingerstyle and I generally dislike dreads. It was sensational for fingerstyle and everything else. I liked the OM of his I got to play, but I LOVED the dread.
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http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...psci9c8ig9.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/...psok5fidnz.jpg
Once again, the Martin J is a 0000 body with 4 7/8" dread-like body depth.... handles ALL playing styles with ease! The Martin M is also a 0000 size body but with shallower 4 1/8" body depth. Not a real lot of difference between a 'J' and a deep body OM. |
Thanks again to everybody for opinions and input!
I've just got off the phone with Wayne -we've agreed on an OM42 with approximately 3/8" extra body depth. Interestingly, Wayne told me that he has built a guitar to this specification before, and he confirmed that it added much more bottom end, volume and clarity and told me it was a good idea! Now I just have to start counting the sleeps until June..... |
Congratulations! I think you made an excellent decision - especially since Wayne liked the idea and has done it before. I don't think it's a good idea to take even an excellent luthier out of his comfort zone. Be sure to post pics and sound clips if possible!
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My final dilemma is over the colour of the top - I was planning to leave it natural but Wayne tells me that a lot of people like to have a stain in the lacquer to give it a more vintage appearance... Again, thoughts appreciated!! |
I kind of like the pre-aged stain idea. Wayne's guitars seem more vintage than modern, so giving it a slightly aged look appeals to me.
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What woods did you decide on?
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Wayne builds a powerful OM so that's a great choice
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I think you just let wayne do what wayne wants and you come out with one hell of a guitar.
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Congrats !!!
Congrats on arriving at the actual cue to build. If you don't mind, how long did you wait and could you speak to the value of calls vs pies vs antique gun leads in the wait time associated with your order.
Sounds like you got a hybrid body size which could be the best of all worlds. My EJ Henderson dread (built from Wayne's 12 fret dread mold) has also proved to be very versatile and responsive, so I was going to comment that there wouldn't be much of a loss or compromise with a dread for finger style playing. Sounds like you got it covered though ! A June dead line puts delivery at the festival ? I'm planning on winning the raffle and avoid the wait. Hope to see and hear it there. John |
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I don't understand your second sentence properly - I'm from the UK so maybe not familiar with some of your colloquial English. Anyway, I waited 11 years or so with regular calls, postcards etc. to let Wayne know that I was still alive.... I'm highly delighted with the hybrid solution I finally arrived at, and with the woods I've chosen and wayne's talent and magic I am anticipating that this will be my dream "once in a lifetime" guitar. Yes, I'm travelling over to the festival in June. A nice long weekend in the sunshine listening to some great players and some great music - oh, and collecting my guitar!! Doesn't get much better than that.... |
John is alluding to the fact that Wayne has, in the past, been known to respond positively to trade for guns, old guitars, or really good dessert. :)
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