The Acoustic Guitar Forum - Dimensions of Martin OM and OOO models

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Dimensions of Martin OM and OOO models

I am trying to find out the width (across the soundboard) at the waist and widest point of the lower bout for the OM and OOO models. Does anyone have these handy? I sure would appreciate it. I can't seem to find it on the Martin website.

Thanks for your help.

I've got the lower bout measurements for each, from a table on the MIM forum.
OM lower bout: 15.0 inches
000 lower bout: 15.0 inches (same for 12 and 14 fret models)

The table didn't give the waist measurement but the length of both bodies is 19 3/8, the upper bout width of both is 11 1/4, and the max depth of both is 4 1/8, so for most purposes, it'd be a good bet that the waist is the same.

The OM scale length was 25.4 and both 000's was 24.9.

Hope that helps.

Here is some more interesting info from the Martin Forum: Om vs 000

Since this seems to be a recurring topic, here is a quick analysis of the differences between the Martin 000 and OM models under current production.

Nut Width (includes wider neck and bridge spacing):

OM. All OMs have a 1 3/4" nut width (except the new John Meyer OM, which is 1 11/16").

12-fret 000. All 12-fret 000s have a 1 3/4 nut width or greater.

14-fret 000.
a. All 000s in the Standard Series and below are 1 11/16"
b. All 000s in the Vintage Series are 1 3/4" or greater (000-28VS)
c. 000s in the Limited and Special editions vary by model, but most are 1 3/4".

Scale Length:

OM. All OMs are long scale, 25.4" nut to saddle.

12-fret 000. All 12-fret 000s are long scale except for the Norman Blake models, which are short scale. These models are an exception to the rule, perhaps because they combine a 12-fret neck with a 14-fret 000 size body and are thus one-of-a-kind design models.

14-fret 000:
a. All 000s in the 16 Series and below are long scale.
b. All 000s in the Standard and Vintage Series are short scale, 24.9" nut to saddle.
c. 000s in the Limited and Special Editions vary by model. Most, but not all, are short scale.

Bracing:

16 Series and below: All 14-fret 16 Series and below OMs and 000s have identical bracing by comparable model, i.e., 000-15 vs OM-15. 12-fret 000s have their own bracing pattern.

OM. All OMs in the Standard Series and above are 1/4" scalloped, not forward shifted.

12-fret 000. All are scalloped, not forward shifted, bracing (not possible on that body size).

14-fret 000.

a. Standard Series are 5/16" non scalloped. The 000-28H is no longer listed but was scalloped.
b. Vintage Series: 5/16" scalloped. The 000-28EC is not forward shifted. I believe that the 000-18WG is forward shifted, but it is no longer listed.
c. Limited Editions: Varies by model.
d. Special Editions: Varies by model.

Pickguard:

OM. All OMs have the small “teardrop” pickguard.

000. All currently produced 12 and 14-fret 000s that have a pickguard have the large size (except the new Martin Carthy 000-18, which has the teardrop).

Body Size (inches):

OM and 14-fret 000.
Body Length: 19 3/8
Upper Bout: 11 1/4
Lower Bout: 15
Upper Depth: 3 11/32
Lower Depth: 4 1/8

12-fret 000.
Body Length: 20 7/16
Upper Bout: 10 3/4
Lower Bout: 15
Upper Depth: 3 1/4
Lower Depth: 4 1/16

Headstock:

12-fret 000: Most are slotted headstock, but a few (Jimmy Buffett) are solid headstock
14-fret 000: All are solid headstock
OM: All are solid headstock

As far as tone etc. goes, this subject is of course very subjective. This is a bit of an overgeneralizaiton, but many folks think that the OM has more volume and projection due to the longer scale length, and the 000 has a "Blusier" sound and is easier to play.

As measured on my 000-15:

Waist: 9- 3/8"

Lower bout: 15- 1/8"

thanks guys - I appreciate it.

It is kind of confusing how Randal's guitar is 9 3/8 when it should be 11 1/4 at the upper bout. Did I miss something. I am thinkng of buying a OOOX1 for a beater in place of my big baby thinking that it will be smaller at the waist and lower bout (thus more comfortable for me to play seated "Indian style."

Have I missed something?

Thanks again for your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveman

I measured the waist (tightest point). The upper bout is indeed wider... I have no reason to question the 11- 1/4 as previously mentioned.

Without knowing the exact measurements of a Big Baby, I'd expect any 000/ OM size to be more comfortable for sitting with due to the narrower waist. The Big Baby still has that wider-waist Dread shape, albeit a bit smaller than a full-size dread.

I traded in my Big Baby toward my 000X1 and although in apearance they seem to be the same size the 000 is more comfortable. I use it in the same way, as a beater/easy to sit on the floor with guitar. Hope that helps ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randal_S

I measured the waist (tightest point). The upper bout is indeed wider... I have no reason to question the 11- 1/4 as previously mentioned.

Oh-ok I get it. Sorry for the confusion. I was using upper bout and waist interchangeably. The waist appears significantly more narrow as the big baby is 10.5 at the waist.

Thanks Randal for taking the measurements. Sorry I got confused.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

<del>Bracing:

b. Vintage Series: 5/16" scalloped. The 000-28EC is not forward shifted. I believe that the 000-18WG is forward shifted, but it is no longer listed.
<del>

thanks for this information. i've filed it away for future reference.

[ot]
of interest to no one but me, perhaps, but the 000-18wg is 5/16" scalloped as described, but i find no confirmation in any of the material i've been able to collect on this guitar that the bracing is forward-shifted.

now back to your regularly scheduled thread
[/ot]

/guy