Post-Martin OM-21 Special blues -

[oldrocker]

Originally Posted by Taylor007

Buya collings om2h and be done. Seriously.

That just might do it. However, at half the price or less, I sure like the regular Martin OM 21 (with the 2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle, which the new ones don't have). I had one and loved it for singing and playing. Very nice sounding and playing guitar--in my opinion, this along with the HD-28 are Martins best guitars in that price range.

[Davis Webb]

Great discussion. Fantastic summary of Martin OM options. Thanks for posting.

[Long Jon]

Woah ! Time warp !

I was just reading another thread and Googled "Martin OM 21" to see info on them.

As often happens it led me to this AGF thread from years ago. So I came back home thru this creaky old door.

Odd thing is it was the OP's one and only post ... Spooky eh ?

[Rosewood99]

My OM-21 doesn't sound dark to me. Maybe that's different from the special? Also I generally put 80/20s on my rosewood guitars. Seems to compensate for the supposed darkness of rosewood.

[joelhunn]

How can tuners possibly change the tone of a guitar?

[JakeStone]

One man gathers what another man spills..

I bought this off a wonderful AGF member several months ago.

[flagstaffcharli]

There's a video of me playing a friend's OM-21 Special that gets floated around occasionally when someone goes to sell one, like when my friend sold his.

I was really impressed with that guitar. I own an SCGC OM/PW. I'd say the Martin had a little less volume, but then it also had never been played as much as my guitar. I thought the tone was on the darker side, but it was a rich sounding guitar that I'd be very happy to own if I could have another guitar.

I also own a Martin D21 Special (the OM's big brother) and I don't think it has a dark tone. Go figure.

I think you've got to play them. Also, strings, picks, nails, etc.., matter a great deal. I play fingerstyle with a natural thumb nail and three acrylic nails. I know I get a much different tone than someone who wears a thumb pick or plays with flesh. Today I was experimenting with a new Blue Chip flatpick and my trusty heavy "Cool" picks. The difference in tone was pretty significant. (The Blue Chip wasn't as bright.) Someone who has different playing technique than you isn't going to get the same results out of a guitar. Take all advice here with a bit of skepticism—including mine.