Advice from Martin OM28 owners

billyboy1962 · #1 01-15-2019, 04:40 PM

After months of indecision between an OM42 and an OM28, I’ve finally found the one. Yes, I’ve gone for a brand new OM28 reimagined. I love my 23 year old HD28 but wanted a new OM that would age with me

I’ve travelled 260 miles to play it and test it out today and boy oh boy it really speaks to me. Perfect in every way...I’ll stop gushing now

My question is about strings. I tend towards 13 gauge JP nickels or Elixir Nanoweb PBs on my HD28 and my Taylor 814ce. Will this gauge be overkill on the OM28? It comes with 12s and they’re fine but I’d prefer 13s if I can get away with it. The height of the high E at the 12th fret is 1.75mm and the low E is 2.25mm (my preferred spec for this guitar). I strum, flat pick and finger pick in roughly equal measure

Thanks for any advice. No fighting please

I’ll post some photos next week

Goodallboy · #2 01-15-2019, 04:45 PM

Good for you for traveling and doing it right. Saves a lot of disappointment.

Stevien · #3 01-15-2019, 05:08 PM

13s will not hurt the guitar at all. So try them & the 12s, & see which deliver the tone you want. Enjoy!
Steve

lowrider · #4 01-15-2019, 05:19 PM

I have an OM-18 not a 28. It's a different guitar I know, but it's a BEAST with 12's.

With 13's it might pin me to the wall!

SWRM4 · #5 01-15-2019, 05:24 PM

Sorry to hijack the thread, but wondering if you can compare/contrast your OM28 to your 814ce. I have a 2015 414ce but want to upgrade to an OM. Exclusively a fingerstyle with nails player. Considering Martin, Collings, Bourgeois etc. However, many Martins I've played sound a little "dull" or dark compared to the Taylor bright chimy sound. I know this is a distinct difference in the brands. The Collings sound best to me so far given they're on average brighter, but I haven't been able to play a lot of Martin OMs other than 18s (and a 15 which I know will be darker). Thanks in advance.

DanR · #6 01-15-2019, 05:41 PM

I've had my OM-28 for over 6 years and I have always preferred medium light gauge (Martin SP Phosphor Bronze) with a 12.5 E string. I also finger pick and flat pick at about a 50/50 ratio.

Tony Burns · #7 01-15-2019, 06:33 PM

Love my '06 OM28v ( yes the vintage model ) i was looking for something that was sensational that wasnt a Dread -
Congrats to new owners of the New OM28 !
now you know what the rest of us have been saying for years !

Parlorman · #8 01-16-2019, 07:57 AM

You may find that the .13’s overdrive the top on the OM. it doesn’t hurt to try them, but if you find you’re not getting the clarity and balance between bass, mid-range and trebles that OM’s are known for, go lighter.

Congratulations on the NGD.

ManyMartinMan · #9 01-16-2019, 08:12 AM

On my 28 I do as I always do. I take my favorite strings, DR, D'Addario, Pearse, Elixir and compare them to the factory (new) Martin strings. Once done I use the ones that sound the best on that guitar. If I purchase another 28, I don't assume the strings on the first will be the best for that guitar so the evaluation begins again.

billyboy1962 · #10 01-16-2019, 10:05 AM

All great advice so far guys. Very helpful and much obliged x

kathyson · #11 01-16-2019, 11:15 AM

I use a mixed set. Medium Bottoms and light tops on my OM. Specifically, D'Adderio EJ or EXP 19's. I'm sure one could mix any number of gauges and many do. Mediums on my Dred though.

Mad Rose · #12 01-16-2019, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parlorman

You may find that the .13’s overdrive the top on the OM. it doesn’t hurt to try them, but if you find you’re not getting the clarity and balance between bass, mid-range and trebles that OM’s are known for, go lighter.

Congratulations on the NGD.

+1...

For me, 13's take away from the clarity of an OM, esp for fingerstyle.
I've even tried Martin MSP-4150's (med/lgt), but always come back to 12's.

Mr. Paul · #13 01-16-2019, 11:52 AM

My experience is with the OMJM model which is essentially just an OM28 with a skinnier nut.

I had the unique experience of playing two OMJMs side by side that I thought sounded nearly identical. One was strung with EJ16s, the other with EJ17s. I thought the one with mediums sounded noticeably better on both the low end, top end and in between.

shekie · #14 01-16-2019, 12:12 PM

I own an OM-28 from 2017 and have tried a number of different strings on it. The ones I've liked best so far are the new Martin Authentic Acoustic Lifespan 2.0 in their 12-54 gauge.

When I purchased my guitar, I was told the guitar could handle medium gauge strings, but the dealer (Music Emporium) felt light gauge strings sounded best. Other strings I've tried have been D'addario EJ-16's, John Pearse 600L's, D'addario EXP-16's and Martin MSP 4150's.

The new Martins (M540T) feel very nice on the fingers, have a nice balanced sound without exaggeration of base or treble, and I didn't have to wait a week for that jangly phosphor bronze new-string sound to go away. If I have one minor complaint with them, it's that the string tension is arguably a bit higher than some other strings I've tried, so they felt a little stiff initially until I got used to them.

IndyHD28 · #15 01-16-2019, 12:13 PM

I have one smaller-than-dread in the House. It’s job is to play quietly on the couch while others are sleeping. So light strings are a must. Plus, no matter what strings you put on it, it will never be the cannon that these Martin dreads are. So, set it up for different use.

BtW, it’s probably going to get traded for an OM MD.