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Old 06-08-2021, 02:22 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Default My Second Acoustic: The Martin OM-42

In case you haven't read it, check out this thread first to understand my background and preferences as a guitarist.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=603479

So after almost a year with my 000-28EC which I absolutely love, I decided that my next Martin would be the OM42. I simply love this body size and since I already have a 000 type Martin, it only made sense to buy an OM type now.

I found a N.O.S. 2017 "pre-reimagined" model for a great price and bought it. I must tell you that I live in Europe and over here it's definitely not that easy to try a Martin, let alone a "40 style" OM/000 or D type, so first thing I made sure was that there is a trial/return period.

I will post pics and a review when the guitar arrives sometime next week, but in the meantime I would absolutely love to read your experiences/impressions with your OM42 or with your OM type Martin in general. What you like or even don't like about it, string recommendations etc.

Pics are a must too!

I want to keep this post short, but I will be adding further questions and thoughts derived from my 6-month research before I finally decided to buy an OM42 later on in this thread.

Thanks in advance for any input and/or advice, I appreciate it.
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Old 06-08-2021, 04:27 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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That’s an awesome guitar but did you keep the other one? To me they would sound too similar to keep both.
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Old 06-08-2021, 04:29 PM
egordon99 egordon99 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosewood99 View Post
That’s an awesome guitar but did you keep the other one? To me they would sound too similar to keep both.
An OM (regular scale) and OOO (short scale) can feel (and sound) very different.
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Old 06-08-2021, 04:50 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosewood99 View Post
That’s an awesome guitar but did you keep the other one? To me they would sound too similar to keep both.
The 000-28EC "ain't goin' nowhere"... It sounds great and I plan on keeping it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by egordon99 View Post
An OM (regular scale) and OOO (short scale) can feel (and sound) very different.
This is my understanding as well. I'm the first one to admit that I don't have that much experience with acoustics, but from my research I think that an OM is roughly like a Strat (tension-wise and overall "brightness") whereas a 000 is like a Les Paul (again tension-wise and a little bit more mellow sounding)

Very rough comparison, but that's my understanding. I may be writing bollocks though, so correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old 06-08-2021, 06:37 PM
darylcrisp darylcrisp is offline
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the 000-28EC tends to have a darker warm tone, the OM-42 has a brighter articulate tone, imo. i love them both, the mod V neck doesn't work for me or i would own an EC. always preferred the low profile neck shape on the older OM-42s, not sure what yours will have(maybe the performer neck shape) as i think maybe they changed slightly-but i could be wrong on that.

these are going to be two "different" guitars that don't duplicate the other. i think you made a great choice. the whole 42 series rocks.

love the 42 in these Hillsong acoustic songs, Nigel is a monster player of anything guitar, that 42 really shines in his hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiYq7dAYrd0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9fTw9MLKAo
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Old 06-09-2021, 04:16 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Thanks @darylcrisp! I can definitely understand why the mod-V neck is an issue for you. I have large hands, but still, sometimes when I'm playing barre chords for too long I have to revert to Hendrix-style chording to avoid thumb fatigue.

As for the neck of the OM42, I couldn't find the full specs of pre-2018 OM42s to compare to the specs of the re-imagined models, but as far as I know the new OM42s have the so-called "Modified Low Profile" neck vs the "low profile" of older models made from 1999(?) up to 2017. I could be wrong though, so please correct me if that's the case. Moreover, from what I understand it's the less expensive series that had most of the specs changed, as opposed to the 40 series. Again, I could be wrong...
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Old 06-09-2021, 06:43 PM
Bluenose Bluenose is offline
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I fingerpick and right now I'm using GHS thin core mediums on my OM18A. Any monel string is good. D'addario Nickel Bronze is definitely worth trying.
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Old 06-09-2021, 07:04 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Thanks for the suggestion Twiddle I'll definitely try them.
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Old 06-10-2021, 02:59 AM
Scotso Scotso is offline
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NICE!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 06-10-2021, 11:27 AM
DebbieE DebbieE is offline
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Those look like great guitars. One I've always wanted but I've never been able to try out. Enjoy it!
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Old 06-10-2021, 04:21 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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@Scotso @DebbieE Thanks guys!

I am very curious how this particular example will sound... I've never played an OM42 before.
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  #12  
Old 06-13-2021, 05:32 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Not a single pic yet. Maybe OM42 owners are a little bit shy?
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Old 06-22-2021, 07:40 PM
Peacemaker Peacemaker is offline
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Arrived today. I'll go into more details later on, but let me say this: I am astonished by the sheer clarity, projection and loudness (yes, loudness) of this guitar... It vibrates so much it feels like it's almost a living thing. It is unbelievable.
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Old 06-23-2021, 07:36 AM
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chasingchet chasingchet is offline
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congrats..that is one of the finest guitars in the world. looking forward to your NGD complete with pics and all the fun reviews
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Old 06-24-2021, 06:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chasingchet View Post
congrats..that is one of the finest guitars in the world. looking forward to your NGD complete with pics and all the fun reviews
Thank you! I will upload some pics and a review during the weekend, for now I'm trying it and comparing it to my 000-28EC. The 42 came with Martin MA540 strings, so I put a same set on my 28 to be able to draw meaningful conclusions.(although I prefer the 28 with 80/20s to be honest)
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