Tom Sands - apprentice to Ervin Somogyi

[Adamski]

Last year I ordered an OM and a 00 from Tom Sands, apprentice to Ervin Somogyi, and three weeks ago I took delivery of them. I was thrilled at both the incredible build quality and the breathtaking sound.

10 days ago I went to a guitar gathering of friends (all of whom have extensive experience of owning and commissioning high end guitars) all of whom played the guitars. And the feedback was, as I expected, great.

A couple of people said that one of them was the best guitar they had ever played. High praise indeed.

So, mulling it over, I have decided to order another. Tom has selected some lovely quilted sapele for the back and sides...but I have a dilemma.

What should I get?

I figured that an MD would be good, but to be honest I find them a bit big and clumsy (even with a wedge and a cutaway) so I want something smaller.

One option could be a smaller MD. There has been quite a bit of coverage of the new guitar being made by my friend Jason Kostal for my friend Michael Watts and Tom could make me something like that (apparently Ervin has been making a smaller MD for the Japanese market for a while and Tom could perhaps use the mould for that)...but I keep getting drawn back to my OM. It is simply unbelievably good.

So, what does everyone think? Would an OM in Sapele be too close to an OM in Wenge? Would I be better off with a small MD as opposed to another OM?

[AEmanuele]

Sapele is a cool wood. I'm intrigued by this smaller MD though, can you point to any examples of it?

[LouieAtienza]

What has Tom said about the comparison? I don't think Mr. Sands is building guitars based on consensus!

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by AEmanuele

Sapele is a cool wood. I'm intrigued by this smaller MD though, can you point to any examples of it?

I know that Jason Kostal is currently building one for Michael Watts, and I know that Ervin Somogyi has built a number for the Japanese market...but other then that, I know very little!

Originally Posted by LouieAtienza

What has Tom said about the comparison? I don't think Mr. Sands is building guitars based on consensus!

No, in fact I want him to build what he wants to build...but the OM he made me is so breathtakingly good I kind of want another one!

[Jamiejoon]

Does Tom have a website yet? If you don't mind me asking, what does he charge?

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Adamski

So, what does everyone think? Would an OM in Sapele be too close to an OM in Wenge? Would I be better off with a small MD as opposed to another OM?

I've never played a guitar by Tom Sands -- but based on my experience with Ray Kraut's guitars I don't feel there's that dramatic of a difference between an OM and an MD with the same tonewoods.

Of course it depends on how you perceive sound and how you play but for my own style I didn't feel like the MD sounded that much different. What I do like about larger guitars is the deeper "breath" so if I were to order an MD, I'd want the "big one".

Otherwise I own three SJs with different tonewoods and I'm very happy with them. Using a different top wood would certainly bring the most dramatic difference.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

I've never played a guitar by Tom Sands -- but based on my experience with Ray Kraut's guitars I don't feel there's that dramatic of a difference between an OM and an MD with the same tonewoods.

Of course it depends on how you perceive sound and how you play but for my own style I didn't feel like the MD sounded that much different. What I do like about larger guitars is the deeper "breath" so if I were to order an MD, I'd want the "big one".

Otherwise I own three SJs with different tonewoods and I'm very happy with them. Using a different top wood would certainly bring the most dramatic difference.

Thanks Joe, that's very helpful.

[iim7V7IM7]

You should discuss with Tom or measure what he means by an "OM"? Many of Ervin and his apprentices create guitars called Orchestra Models that are longer, wider and deeper than a traditional Martin OM. You might be fine with that instead of ModD which also is an even larger guitar. Here is a quick size comparison below:

------------"Somogyista" OM---Olson SJ---Martin OM-----
Body Length -------19-1/2"------19-3/8"------19-3/8"------
Lower Bout --------15-9/16"-----15-1/8"-------15"----------
End Depth ----------4-1/2"--------4-5/8"-------4-1/8"------

Good Luck...

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by Adamski

...but I have a dilemma.

What should I get?

Hmm, I now have the same dilemma...

It'll either be the OM or the 'full fat' MD though, and I'm leaning heavily towards the MD.

I may be bugging you for another play of your OO and OM to help me try to triangulate...

Cheers,
David

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by Wolfram Slides

Hmm, I now have the same dilemma...

It'll either be the OM or the 'full fat' MD though, and I'm leaning heavily towards the MD.

I may be bugging you for another play of your OO and OM to help me try to triangulate...

Cheers,
David

Mate, you are welcome to play them as often and for as long as you want.

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

You should discuss with Tom or measure what he means by an "OM"? Many of Ervin and his apprentices create guitars called Orchestra Models that are longer, wider and deeper than a traditional Martin OM. You might be fine with that instead of ModD which also is an even larger guitar. Here is a quick size comparison below:

------------"Somogyista" OM---Olson SJ---Martin OM-----
Body Length -------19-1/2"------19-3/8"------19-3/8"------
Lower Bout --------15-9/16"-----15-1/8"-------15"----------
End Depth ----------4-1/2"--------4-5/8"-------4-1/8"------

Good Luck...

Yes...I have one already, so I know exactly the size! 😀

[steveh]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

Using a different top wood would certainly bring the most dramatic difference.

Mau speaks the truth: What about a cedar or redwood top?

You have two fabulous guitars in the OM and 00 and another spruce top and miscellaneous B+S will likely be similar.

Really looking forward to playing those Sands when we next meet for a beer. I have a couple of pals who want to het their grubby hands on them also.

Cheers,
Steve

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

I've never played a guitar by Tom Sands -- but based on my experience with Ray Kraut's guitars I don't feel there's that dramatic of a difference between an OM and an MD with the same tonewoods.

Of course it depends on how you perceive sound and how you play but for my own style I didn't feel like the MD sounded that much different. What I do like about larger guitars is the deeper "breath" so if I were to order an MD, I'd want the "big one".

Otherwise I own three SJs with different tonewoods and I'm very happy with them. Using a different top wood would certainly bring the most dramatic difference.

Originally Posted by steveh

Mau speaks the truth: What about a cedar or redwood top?


You have two fabulous guitars in the OM and 00 and another spruce top and miscellaneous B+S will likely be similar.

Really looking forward to playing those Sands when we next meet for a beer. I have a couple of pals who want to het their grubby hands on them also.

Cheers,
Steve

I know what you're saying, but the two of them are very different...and the difference is getting bigger every day.