What Martin is Paul Simon playing here?

Kip Carter · #1 12-08-2014, 08:04 PM

Undoubtedly a custom version ...body is throwing me off. Love this rendition of this song!

PTC Bernie · #2 12-08-2014, 08:13 PM

I think it's an OM42PS, or some variation thereof.

Coach Jim · #3 12-08-2014, 08:22 PM

Love Paul Simon. Love that rendition of that song. The Martin was a signature Paul Simon guitar OM probably a 45 style. I sure someone wil know the exact model.

Yrksman · #4 12-09-2014, 04:33 AM

OM42PS 1997 original plans for 500 to coincide with his office at Suite 500 in the Brill Building 1619 Broadway NY NY. Dick Boak offered him am OM and a 0000 to try and he picked the OM. Some slight variation in the neck profile. He has or had 7 of them and they had Fishman Matrix II pickups installed the last time I enquired. 223 made in all. From memory list was $8050 with street price around $5000.

Sitka/EIR

The standard OM42 came later. The original dates back to 1930.

Joe McNamara · #5 12-09-2014, 05:21 AM

Duplicate post

Joe McNamara · #6 12-09-2014, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yrksman

OM42PS 1997 [I]Some slight variation in the neck profile.[I] Sitka/EIR

IIRC, the neck was very different from any other Martin OM available at the time. Simon's is 1 11/16" @ the nut. Every other Martin OM was at least 1 3/4" at the nut, with some very early instruments @ 1 13/16") The taper of the OM-42 is noticably asymmetrical as well. HTH
Joe

Silly Moustache · #7 12-09-2014, 05:27 AM

Intrigued - thanks to Chris for the info.

Joe, 1 & 13/16" nut width? How? what? Where ? I could play one of them!

Could you also explain the asymmetrical aspect - I don't quite understand. Best,

Andy

Kip Carter · #8 12-09-2014, 08:11 AM

Thanks guys... I guess I have something else on my wish list then!

zhunter · #9 12-09-2014, 10:15 AM

I had the opportunity to play one of these way back when they came out and it was a very good guitar. Priced out of my range but, in the timeframe it was issued, it was one of the first new guitars that really impressed me in a long time. I am not a bling fan and it seemed a little heavy on the pumpkin tint but otherwise very good.

hunter

Yrksman · #10 12-10-2014, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe McNamara

IIRC, the neck was very different from any other Martin OM available at the time. Simon's is 1 11/16" @ the nut. Every other Martin OM was at least 1 3/4" at the nut, with some very early instruments @ 1 13/16") The taper of the OM-42 is noticably asymmetrical as well. HTH
Joe

That is very interesting Joe. I have had two over the years, the first (214) I got in January 1998 through Paulus Music (sadly long gone) in Jacksonville, Florida. It was the last one left at the factory. (You got ne some of the special picks through Dick) Having never had a Martin OM I didn't notice the nut width. I did like the taper on the neck a lot though. Several contributors on here have played that guitar, Wade may recall it. I should never have sold it! (An offer I couldn't refuse due to circumstances at the time). I bought another on the used market over here but it wasn't as good. As a close friend bought the first one we were able to compare them. I sold that one on without regret but I would buy back 214 if ever my friend decides to part with it, sadly very unlikely.