Martin OM-28 - any competitors?

[highvibrational]

Hello,
I love the deep Martin tone and am about ready to plunk down for an OM-28. But, before I do so, I would like to know of any other brands and models that I that might surprise me and maybe even change my mind. I know nothing of Eastman or Larrivee. Any ideas? Thank you.

[mattd]

If it's Martin tone you want then it's hard to beat a OM-28.

[EverettWilliams]

What’s your budget?

There are different OM-28s and, depending on what you have to spend, people who arguably build better Martins than Martin.

[highvibrational]

Originally Posted by EverettWilliams

What’s your budget?

There are different OM-28s and, depending on what you have to spend, people who arguably build better Martins than Martin.

My budget is 2000-2500 for something used. I realize I could get a VTS for more, but I don't think I'll be going that far up. What has a better Martin tone than a Martin?

Thank you.

[Basalt Beach]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello,
I love the deep Martin tone and am about ready to plunk down for an OM-28. But, before I do so, I would like to know of any other brands and models that I that might surprise me and maybe even change my mind. I know nothing of Eastman or Larrivee. Any ideas? Thank you.

I would suggest you demo; 1)Bourgeois OM, 2)Santa Cruz OM, 3)Collings OM & 4)Huss & Dalton OM as one of them may very well surprise you. These are fairly well know "boutique" builders. If you are in driving distance of Lexington, MA, "The Music Emporium", you would likely find the Bourgeois, Collings, and Santa Cruz in stock along with the Martin so you may demo each one all at once.

Best of luck in your journey.

Edit: I was typing the above as you were posting your budget. You may still demo these makers, however you would only find them pre-owned in your budget range.

[leew3]

by way of affirmation, I can't think what might compare to the OM-28 in that price range.

[gfirob]

You will find a lot of folks large and small build OM's and for me it is the most versatile guitar going. I went from a Martin OM-21 to OM-28 to OM28V to OM-42. But it really isn't about the maker, it is about the guitar. Some of the OM-42's I played before I bought one were not in the same league as the winner. Small builder, Martin, Collins, you should just keep trying them out. Hard to beat a good Martin though. Not hard to beat a bad one...

[zmf]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello,
I love the deep Martin tone and am about ready to plunk down for an OM-28.

Save up for a Bourgeois rosewood OM.

Watch out. I've played some poor OM-28's. Ones that make you think "you gotta be kidding".

[dspoel]

Originally Posted by zmf

Save up for a Bourgeois rosewood OM.



Watch out. I've played some poor OM-28's. Ones that make you think "you gotta be kidding".

I read this kind of comments more often here and I keep wondering about how much of this “poor quality” or even “duds” is due to poor setup or dead string? Not meaning to deny there are monday morning specimens out there...

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello,
I love the deep Martin tone and am about ready to plunk down for an OM-28. But, before I do so, I would like to know of any other brands and models that I that might surprise me and maybe even change my mind. I know nothing of Eastman or Larrivee. Any ideas? Thank you.

Just curios....
How long have you been playing amd how much experience with Martins do you have

The reason I ask is many folks I know, including my self thought they wanted one sound only to discover that it was not the sound they thought they wanted, or they tried another brand and got hooked.
This comes after years of playing and developing a sense of what you really like

However if you know for sure that Martin is the sound you want then why look else were.

Happy hunting

[llew]

I have a CS OM-28 Sitka VTS that I like a lot. Only non-dread I own. I have a 000-28 Deep Body Adirondack on order for my wife (thank you Jon!) and I'm looking forward to trying it too.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

Hello,
I love the deep Martin tone and am about ready to plunk down for an OM-28. But, before I do so, I would like to know of any other brands and models that I that might surprise me and maybe even change my mind. I know nothing of Eastman or Larrivee. Any ideas? Thank you.

Only a Martin is going to sound like a Martin. Eastman and Larrivee have different voices, and in the case of the Eastman, it's a short scale (more like a 000 than OM, despite the model names).

As others have pointed out, there are plenty of brands out there that may be to your liking. Sometimes the most difficult part is finding stores to play them.

[Gmountain]

Originally Posted by highvibrational

My budget is 2000-2500 for something used. I realize I could get a VTS for more, but I don't think I'll be going that far up. What has a better Martin tone than a Martin?

Thank you.

You can get new in that price range

[dukebrot]

Agree that new in that price range is possible and I know that's true with the OM-21 - which is a very, very similar guitar to the OM-28 but without some of the bling and one I would definitely consider.

I just found this site - which I love for Martin comparisons:

http://www.martinrep.com/specwizard.html

Dave

[zhunter]

000-28...Martin?

hunter