OM Recommendations please

[hotroad]

I am looking for a OM size acoustic. I will be using it in gigging with a good condenser mic placed in front of it. The style I play is rhythm with cross picking using a flat pick. The guitar accompanies my vocal for solo performances. I have little experience with OM guitars but would love any ideas on ones that give good balance, strong string to string clarity for flatpicking and enough emphasis on the highs to not get muddled up with the bass.

[Shadowfox]

Furch, Collings, Martin would be my short list.

[MHC]

Do you have a budget range?

[fishstick_kitty]

You just described every OM . I personally like mahogany back for vocal accompaniment (better, more even EQ....stronger fundamentals)...but I see that you have rosewood dreads. Considering your stable, the OM-28 or OM-21 both work.

[kendallhadden]

Originally Posted by fishstick_kitty

You just described every OM . I personally like mahogany back for vocal accompaniment (better, more even EQ....stronger fundamentals)...but I see that you have rosewood dreads. Considering your stable, the OM-28 or OM-21 both work.

I sure have a nice OM-28 that would be great for him.

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

Furch, Collings, Martin would be my short list.

That says it all, except what your budget is.

If you are concerned with resale value, and you have the expandable income then a you can’t go wrong with a Collins or a Martin. If playing you are buying sight unseen make sure you get a good return policy. If your budget is limited then you can get just as much guitar for less $ with a Furch...IMO

[Fresh1985]

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

Furch, Collings, Martin would be my short list.

+1 on this, the new re-imagined martin series sound and look fantastic. Furch are also excellent, never played collings but they will cost the most unless you can get a good deal on a used.

[jrb715]

My choice as a vocalist, I own both mahogany and Indian rosewood OMs, is Collings. I slightly prefer the rosewood OM.

They're pricey, but, obviously to me, worth it. There is of course a world of other options, and you'll undoubtedly be getting them through this thread. If I weren't playing Collings I would be playing Bourgeois or Huss and Daltons.

Many here play Martins, which also can be very good.

[Shadowfox]

Also, in response to another thread about burst, look at this killer Deep Body OM with Padauk Rosette and Burst:

https://twitter.com/furchguitars/sta...39872652709889

[hotroad]

Yea, that Furch is awesome and I like that they made the body a bit deeper on the OM.

[Aaron Smith]

Martin is the standard by which all others are compared in this category. That doesn't necessarily mean that they would be the best for your needs, but I would start the search with an OM-18 or OM-28 and expand from there.

That said: when you describe your needs, I immediately think J-45.

[mikealpine]

Probably a controversial suggestion, a Rainsong H-OM. I'm a rhythm player/singer and my Rainsong never fails to get a mention for how nice it sounds, let alone how cool it looks (if you like that look). The near-impervious nature of the guitar makes it a joy to bring to gigs. No matter the temp or humidity outside, or inside where I am playing, the neck never moves and the tuning is ridiculously solid.

[thomasinaz]

A Larrivee OM-40 is hard to beat. They sound and play great and don't cost near as much as they should.

[fixedgeardad]

OM mahogany custom from LA guitars it pretty sweet

[boombox]

My favourite OM of all I have played: Collings OM2H, no question. I can't say 'best' as what is great to one is not necessarily to another.