Martin OM-42 and 000-42 Differences

[leepish14]

They are both great guitars. I have a reimagined OM-28, and a 000-18. The 000 is so easy to play. The OM will is easy, but definitely feels like a big guitar, neckwise. I played both the OM-28 and 000-28 side by side. The bracing is the biggest difference in terms of sound. There is significantly more sustain, chime, and bass on the OM. I like the OM sound better, but the 000 neck is fantastic, and the 000 is still no slouch in the tone category. I don’t know if this translates to the 42s. Good luck. You can’t go wrong with either guitar.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by leepish14

They are both great guitars. I have a reimagined OM-28, and a 000-18. The 000 is so easy to play. The OM will is easy, but definitely feels like a big guitar, neckwise. I played both the OM-28 and 000-28 side by side. The bracing is the biggest difference in terms of sound. There is significantly more sustain, chime, and bass on the OM. I like the OM sound better, but the 000 neck is fantastic, and the 000 is still no slouch in the tone category. I don’t know if this translates to the 42s.

Yes, it translates to the guitars with Style 42 appointments. The abalone encrustation around the top of a 000-42 or an OM-42 doesn’t seem to have any impact on the tone of those guitars, Internet mythology aside. The additional mass that the abalone purfling is trivial.

If it was lead or depleted uranium purfling (if you wanted a glow-in-the-dark model that you could prop up in a stand and find in the dark) would conceivably change the sound of the instrument. But fortunately nobody has pushed the idea that depleted uranium-trimmed guitars SOUND better!

But the additional mass that abalone purfling contributes is trifling.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Shaneh]

The biggest difference for me before the 2018 models change was the neck, v vs low profile. Now both are the same so it is just about scale length for a new one, the pre-2018 feel totally different with the necks. I personally don’t like the thickness of the v neck up the neck.

[Greenstar]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

The biggest difference for me before the 2018 models change was the neck, v vs low profile. Now both are the same so it is just about scale length for a new one, the pre-2018 feel totally different with the necks. I personally don’t like the thickness of the v neck up the neck.

So pre 2018s have a v neck profile? If so, I’m not opposed at all. I have always liked the Martin v shaped necks.

[MrDB]

Originally Posted by Greenstar

So pre 2018s have a v neck profile? If so, I’m not opposed at all. I have always liked the Martin v shaped necks.

The pre 2018 000-42's have the V neck profile. The new OM's and 000's have the same low profile neck.

I have a 2018 000-42 and love it, it's a lifetime guitar. Which one is right for you is a personal decision. Make a trek to a store that has both in stock (not easy to do as style 42 Martins are very expensive) and play them side by side for a true test of what sounds best to you.

I like the short scale for less tension and less "brightness" because I like that string damped thumpy bass for blues stuff. But that might not be your style or preference. Good luck with the search.

[musicman1951]

I would get the 000 - in fact, I did!

I play more fingerstyle, but the 000 has no problem when I use a pick.

I think if you almost never play fingerstyle, or pick with some ferocity, or just like more string tension - you'd be happier with the OM.

[jbeecham]

Others have mentioned that the current models have the mlo neck profiles while the older 000-42 has a model v and the om-42 has a low profile neck. I prefer the older profiles. As for sound and playability I think a picture is worth a thousand words. For the 000-42, picture it being played by Eric Clapton and the om-42 being played by Paul Simon.

Jerry

[Greenstar]

I am talking to a guy about a 99 OM-42. Appears to be the first year back in production for this model. Does anyone have any input about a 99? He says it’s a low profile neck, 1 3/4 nut and appears to have spent a lot of time in it’s case with good frets, original saddle and correct neck angle.

[Greenstar]

This puts a damper on things. He said it was repaired using cleats by a professional luthier. Any thoughts on bracing damage? I’m supposed to get some internal pictures in a little while.

[Greenstar]

Both sides.