Best OM acoustic?

[sjm1580]

I absolutely love the om size (or 000) perfect for me. I have a Martin OM21, but find myself wondering what else is available with a more fully rounded sound (if that makes sense), with a little more lower end.

Opinions appreciated, educated opinions most appreciated.

Thanks!

[sevenpalms]

IMHO pound for pound Bourgeois makes as good a OM as any I’ve ever played or owned....miss my old Bourgeois OMC all the time! Not the loudest, but good bottom end with the sweetest most musical tone out there. I’m sure lots of other opinions out there too!

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by sjm1580

I absolutely love the om size (or 000) perfect for me. I have a Martin OM21, but find myself wondering what else is available with a more fully rounded sound (if that makes sense), with a little more lower end.

Opinions appreciated, educated opinions most appreciated.

Thanks!

Do you have a budget in mind?

[sjm1580]

Originally Posted by Kh1967

Do you have a budget in mind?

I should have put that in my original post, but I'm probably in the sub $4500 category, unless something just blows me away.

[Kh1967]

Originally Posted by sjm1580

I should have put that in my original post, butI'm probably in the sub $4500 category, unless something just blows me away.

I might suggest a Santa Cruz OM. You can find one used within your budget.

[sjm1580]

Originally Posted by Kh1967

I might suggest a Santa Cruz OM. You can find one used within your budget.

I've heard they are very good, but are few and far between in my area.

[pagedr]

I have never played an OM that sounded better to my ears than a Santa Cruz. They are just incredible sounding guitars. Bourgeois and Collings are right there with SCGC, but I've never found one that sounds quite as good as the few SC's I've played. They can definitely give you the low end you're looking for.

[gfsark]

I cast my vote for Santa Cruz too. I have a SC 00 Skye which has amazing low end...which is one of the reasons I bought it. Might be a bit above your budget, but I think worth having a sit-down and play evaluation...their OM gets constantly rave reviews. For your budget, it might be worth traveling some distant to evaluate.

[pandaroo]

Based on your search for another OM with fuller rounder tone and better bass than your Martin, I also cast my vote on Santa Cruz Pre-War OM.

[Rosewood99]

No such thing as Best. Depends on your budget, playing style, wood preference and neck and string spacing preferences. Otherwise most of the recommendations are meaningless.

[Wade Hampton]

SJM, before you spend the money on another OM, try this little experiment: leaving your forearm on the top, strum a vigorous first position E chord. Then while the chord is still ringing, lift your arm off the top.

On most good quality acoustic guitars you will hear a marked difference, with more low end response once your arm’s off the top.

If that’s a tone you like, you can put a John Pearse armrest on the guitar and get that fuller tone all the time. That’s why I have Pearse armrests on all of my flattop guitars. It makes a major difference.

Full disclosure: I am an artist endorser for John Pearse strings and accessories. But I use the armrests because they WORK, and do precisely what they’re designed to do. I had John’s armrests on all of my guitars for at least ten or twelve years before he decided to make me an artist endorser.

So give that some thought before you buy another OM. You might already own the OM of your dreams and not really need to add another.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[sjm1580]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

SJM, before you spend the money on another OM, try this little experiment: leaving your forearm on the top, strum a vigorous first position E chord. Then while the chord is still ringing, lift your arm off the top.

On most good quality acoustic guitars you will hear a marked difference, with more low end response once your arm’s off the top.

If that’s a tone you like, you can put a John Pearse armrest on the guitar and get that fuller tone all the time. That’s why I have Pearse armrests on all of my flattop guitars. It makes a major difference.

Full disclosure: I am an artist endorser for John Pearse strings and accessories. But I use the armrests because they WORK, and do precisely what they’re designed to do. I had John’s armrests on all of my guitars for at least ten or twelve years before he decided to make me an artist endorser.

So give that some thought before you buy another OM. You might already own the OM of your dreams and not really need to add another.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

Thank you Wade!

[sjm1580]

Any thoughts on the Martin Authentic 1931 OM?

[Tony Burns]

I have a '06 Martin OM28v -a stellar instrument ,
its only problem is that its a v neck - but it is fine with me
becasue i have big hands -
You can pay more for a guitar -but you wont find better ,
something about the vintage series -
just wish when i had the chance I would of picked up a OM18v
their just as good- but with Hog sound --

[sjm1580]

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

I have a '06 Martin OM28v -a stellar instrument ,
its only problem is that its a v neck - but it is fine with me
becasue i have big hands -
You can pay more for a guitar -but you wont find better ,
something about the vintage series -
just wish when i had the chance I would of picked up a OM18v
their just as good- but with Hog sound --

I have an HD28v and like you am not liking the neck as much.