OM / Dread recommendation for a dry / vintage sound without too much overtones

[fingerstyle_me]

I'm looking for a 000 / OM / Dread guitar that would have a dry / vintage sound without too much overtones / sustain. : it would be for light strumming.
I was thinking to Sitka / Mahogany guitars like Yamaha Red Label FS5/FG5.
What would be you recommendations ?
My budget is 1500 EUR max.
Thank you

[LAPlayer]

I would play as many used J45s until I found the one.

[Belbein]

Originally Posted by fingerstyle_me

OM

Sorry to be stupid, but I'm not familiar with this abbreviation. I'd think "Octave Mandolin," but that seems incorrect on an acoustic guitar forum. Help?

[warfrat73]

Originally Posted by Belbein

Sorry to be stupid, but I'm not familiar with this abbreviation. I'd think "Octave Mandolin," but that seems incorrect on an acoustic guitar forum. Help?

Orchestra Model... it's one of the Martin guitar designations. Same body size as 000 but longer scale (well... usually longer scale).

[jmhill]

I think some of the new Sigma models might fit your budget and sonic expectations.
SDM-SG5
SDM-SG6

[kizz]

I have an old Finnish Landola Mini Jumbo from the late sixties, full laminate, but well built and extremely resonant. It's a V66 buffalo and if you're looking for old vintage/dry sound, they can be found cheaply around. In general, you can buy many old used guitars besides "the usual suspects" that have what you are looking for, so just go and search the used market and try some.

[PeterD18DK]

Originally Posted by fingerstyle_me

What would be you recommendations ?

Best OMs I have owned are Furch.

[BlueBowman]

Sounds like you are describing my Larrivee OM (Sitka/sapele). Dry, crisp, articulate, and heavy on the fundamental. Check out the Larrivee zombie thread that’s making the rounds in this general section for more information. It’s all about the Larrivee sound.

Lotta guitar for the money, and your budget is in the ball park if you buy used. Even their entry level guitars are great (mine is an OM-02, which has the scalloped hybrid bracing). It shines both fingerpicked and flat picked. I always recommend playing before buying, too.

[fingerstyle_me]

Originally Posted by PeterD18DK

Best OMs I have owned are Furch.

Yes I have owned Furch Vintage 2 OM, great guitar but very « modern » sounding.

[seannx]

Martin 00-18, the older the better
Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class

[jamf]

Martin 000-17 comes to mind (or maybe a 000-15?)

You could probably get a vintage Guild F30 (or D-25/35/40) for around that if you're ok with the narrower nut

[LukeE]

A 000-18 scratched my itch for that kind of sound. Perhaps a shade north of your 1500 Euro budget. But used examples can be had at about (or just under) $2000 in the US.

[Proclaimer888]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxALdZamQDILook and play a Gibson J35 satin finish....used. Sould be in your budget.

[SalFromChatham]

Martin D-15
Gibson J-35 used
Martin 000-18 used
Martin D-18 used

Double your budget and go Hummingbird and never look back.

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by kizz

I have an old Finnish Landola Mini Jumbo from the late sixties, full laminate, but well built and extremely resonant. It's a V66 buffalo and if you're looking for old vintage/dry sound, they can be found cheaply around. In general, you can buy many old used guitars besides "the usual suspects" that have what you are looking for, so just go and search the used market and try some.

Yep.... Something made from plywood with a set of monel strings will get you "dry". If you want to buy new, then have a look at the Blueridge BR-40 (a D-18 copy with laminate mahogany back and sides). Probably 600 euros or so. Or the Sigma range. You should find both makes quite widely in Europe.

Also play some of the cheap Yamaha FG800 series guitars as well as the Red Label FG3/5 and FS3/5 you mentioned. Yamaha factory fit 80/20s. Old 80/20s or monel strings will "dry" a timbre.


Let your ears tell you what you like, not the price tag or headstock logo.

To our American friends: It is difficult to find second hand (or new!) US made acoustic guitars in most European countries. And the price for a used standard Martin or Gibson would generally be beyond the 1500 Euro max the Op has stated.