Martin 000-28EC vs Collings OM2h / Sant Cruz OM/PW

[slajeune]

Hi,

I'm looking into OM/000 more and more. Played a Collings that was simply amazing (OM2h). The Santa Cruz that I played was also great. Problem is that they were state side and I can't get them easily here in Canada. There is a used Martin 000-28EC for sale on craigslist. How does the 000-28EC compare to both the Collings and Santa Cruz?

Thanks!
Stephane.

[JimR]

I think you would be well served to look at specific individual instruments, rather than trying to decide on a maker and a model. I've owned both the Collings OM2H and the Martin 000-28EC and the Martin (imo) was a much better guitar (with respect to tone) than the Collings and both of them were very nicely made guitars. That doesn't by any means imply that it's that way across the board with those two models, but that's the way I saw it with the representatives of each of those models that I owned. I can't tell you anything about the Santa Cruz.

[Jeff M]

Leaving the fact that even identically spec'd guitars by these builders sound different....the Martin is a short scale 14 fret model with a modified "V" neck.
The Collins are longer scaled with a rounder neck profile.

You could either love or hate either of these models just based on those factors alone.

Some folks love the Martin EC's. Some don't. FWIW, the EC's have a reputation of being very variable.
Some folks love Collings...others don't. Collings guitars tend to be more uniform.

If you've already found a guitar you really like, I'd try to get that one.

[rick-slo]

Collings play cleaner and have a better treble response than Martins on average. Martins are warmer sounding on average. Santa Cruz guitars fall somewhere in between. Naturally there are guitar to guitar variations and various wood combo that put the lie to such generalizations. Hands on evaluation is always the best way to go.

[Jeff M]

Ignoring the fact that even identically spec'd guitars by these builders sound different...the Martin EC is a "different animal" compared to the Collings and SCGC, with it's short scale and having a "modified V" neck profile.
The SCGC and Collings are longer scaled, with rounded profile necks.
You may love or hate either of these factors.

Generalizations;
Some folks think Martin's tend to sound muddy and bass heavy. Others think they sound rich and woody.
Some folks think Collings sound "tight". Others think they sound wonderful.
Some folks love SCGC's tone. Others don't.

All are top quality guitars. It really just depends on finding the one you like (which it sounds like you have).

[cc132]

Originally Posted by Jeff M

SCGC and Collings are longer scaled, with rounded profile necks.
You may love or hate either of these factors.

Are you positive about this? I checked around online and couldn't find a definite answer, but I would have sworn that the OM/PW has Santa Cruz' typical soft-V neck.

Given the choice of those three sight unseen, I would go with the Santa Cruz first, the Collings as a close second, and the Martin a distant third. They are all spectacular guitars, and this is based purely on my preference in tone. The Collings and Santa Cruz could switch positions easily, depending on the price difference.

[Jeff M]

Originally Posted by cc132

Are you positive about this? I checked around online and couldn't find a definite answer, but I would have sworn that the OM/PW has Santa Cruz' typical soft-V neck.

Yes.
The neck of the OMPW may be classified as a "soft V", but I don't recall disliking it when I owned mine...and I tend to not like "V" necks.

I own a couple of Collings....both necks are more rounded.

Re; scale length.....you can check the Martin. Co. web site, where it lists the specs of all their guitars.
Here is a link to the section on the EC;
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/...g=d&m=000-28EC

Scale length on the EC is 24.9", with a "modified V" neck profile.
Scale length on both the Collings and the SCGC is (I believe) 25.4".
(FWIW, I own a Collings "short scale" OM that is 24.9" that is a fantastic guitar...but again, different builders, different guitars.)

[rmyAddison]

And hey you might as well through Bourgeois into the mix, my personal Big 4 Martin/Bourgeois/Santa Cruz/Collings.

There is no better and my listing above is a generalization of my opinion from warm-er to bright-er, and not to say Collings are modern voiced but they are slightly brighter than the rest, good or bad depending upon your tastes.

I'we owned both the 28 and 42 Claptons, the 42 was magnificent, the 28's to me "vary". Despite the fact I am a Martin guy I would take the Santa Cruz OM/PW of your three, and add the Bourgeois Signature OM (Adi/Mad) to auditions if you can. They're in Maine don't know if that aids Canadian availability or not.

You put 50 players in a room with these guitars they all would get some votes, our opinions are only good for ourselves, your ears is what counts. Might be worth a road trip to do some auditions.....good luck!

[JSDenvir]

You can find all those brands, though not necessarily those models, at the 12th Fret in Toronto. Don't know if that helps or not.

Steve

[Bltprf502]

Oh man... hard to go wrong with the OM/PW. One of the best sounding guits of all time! I have had 5 Cruz's in the past... The OM/PW was my FAVE!!!!

[slajeune]

Hi All,

thanks for all the replies. I know that it is hard to compare different guitars like that. I do understand that sound is subjective (hence all the choices that we have available!).

Since I am in Montreal, it isn't possible for me to go to Toronto to try a few guitars. We do have a Santa Cruz dealer in town but, he doesn't carry a lot of them in store. He prefers to order them. It is hard to commit to a guitar at that price before trying one.

I might try the Martin and see if I like it.

Thanks for everybody's help!

Cheers,
Stephane.