1982 Martin OM 28 Custom

[bho]

Hello,

Do any of you know the story behind this particular model?

I found a little information on the UMGF, saying that Eric Schoenberg ordered 8 custom models in 1982, 4 with Sitka tops, 4 with Alpine spruce tops, and that these guitars kick-started Martin to begin offering OM-size guitars again.

Would love any information you can add.

Thanks.

[JJI]

Call Eric.

[bho]

Hi,

I did a little research and found it interesting so I will share.

Martin stopped making OM style guitars in 1933. But Eric Schoenberg, as a fingerstyle guitarist, felt that the Martin OMs produced from late 1929 through 1933, had qualities possessed by no other guitars. "The tonal wonder of the 1929-30 guitars to me is the explosive response, the full, complete tone from bare fingers. It's a magic thing, like the guitar is alive and kicking, giving back to the musician as much as he [or] she is putting in," he said. The balance, projection, and responsiveness of these guitars really stood out to him.

It was so difficult to find these original guitars in good condition that Eric went to talk to Chris Martin. "It took years of cajoling to get them to make OMs," Eric reported. In 1969 Eric was finally able to order a batch of six OM-28s. They were the first OMs Martin had made since 1933. Then, later, Eric ordered more OMs, convincing Martin to start their Custom Shop in order to build these guitars to specs provided by Eric. Eventually, Martin re-introduced the OM in its standard lineup.

Regarding the OMs ordered in 1982, the first batch of four of these were done with Sitka spruce on two and the other two with European spruce from the Levin factory in Sweden after Martin bought the company. Mine is one of the latter. Apparently Martin bought Levin to gain access to their stock of old, quality European spruce, and Eric says that the ones he produced using the European spruce (about 12 total) were phenomenal in tone and superior to the sitka-topped ones.

Hope this was interesting to folks.

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by bho

Hi,

I did a little research and found it interesting so I will share.

Martin stopped making OM style guitars in 1933. But Eric Schoenberg, as a fingerstyle guitarist, felt that the Martin OMs produced from late 1929 through 1933, had qualities possessed by no other guitars. "The tonal wonder of the 1929-30 guitars to me is the explosive response, the full, complete tone from bare fingers. It's a magic thing, like the guitar is alive and kicking, giving back to the musician as much as he [or] she is putting in," he said. The balance, projection, and responsiveness of these guitars really stood out to him.

It was so difficult to find these original guitars in good condition that Eric went to talk to Chris Martin. "It took years of cajoling to get them to make OMs," Eric reported. In 1969 Eric was finally able to order a batch of six OM-28s. They were the first OMs Martin had made since 1933. Then, later, Eric ordered more OMs, convincing Martin to start their Custom Shop in order to build these guitars to specs provided by Eric. Eventually, Martin re-introduced the OM in its standard lineup.

Regarding the OMs ordered in 1982, the first batch of four of these were done with Sitka spruce on two and the other two with European spruce from the Levin factory in Sweden after Martin bought the company. Mine is one of the latter. Apparently Martin bought Levin to gain access to their stock of old, quality European spruce, and Eric says that the ones he produced using the European spruce were phenomenal and superior to the sitka-topped ones.

Hope this was interesting to folks.

Very interesting, thank you! It is amazing such a perfect guitar design fell out of production for so long, but thankfully recognized by one influential individual who pursuaded Martin to bring it back in our time to the benefit of that company.

[Skydog]

I have one of the Levin spruce models from 1982. Beautiful tone! Fights well above its weight class!

[Guildman]

Eric is featured in last months Acoustic Guitar Magazine. I vaguely had heard the name but wasn't familiar with his contributions.

[bho]

With only 12 of these made originally I wonder how many are still around (and if the owners know the story behind what they have). We should have a gathering of these guitars and owners!

[Skydog]

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by bho

With only 12 of these made originally I wonder how many are still around (and if the owners know the story behind what they have). We should have a gathering of these guitars and owners!

https://imgur.com/gallery/1I4er

[Fred]

This is my idea of the most attractive body shape.

[PUNK INC.]

Originally Posted by bho

Hello,

Do any of you know the story behind this particular model?

I found a little information on the UMGF, saying that Eric Schoenberg ordered 8 custom models in 1982, 4 with Sitka tops, 4 with Alpine spruce tops, and that these guitars kick-started Martin to begin offering OM-size guitars again.

Would love any information you can add.

Thanks.

Yes that’s it the guitar in picture above & I would have loved to have been in that gathering but who ever got mine probably has no idea what they have! My father was a licensed Martin repair man & luthier the story there of the OM gone from 33-82’ is correct fyi I haven’t actually read this whole post!
Yes I owned one my father purchased it in Boston & I traded him a 72’ Martin dreadnought for the Martin OM 82’ custom & yes it was verified by Eric as he did all the custom finishes on them. So oddly enough mine would be almost identical to the modern John Mayer model in terms of all the neck inlays, binding front, back & rosary I don’t know if you’ve noticed that & sadly mine was lost to gods of family drama omg! It was & still is the best acoustic I’ve ever played & was valued around $6-$7,000.00 back in 1995’ but I never would’ve sold it no way! So yeah I’m crying if you had ever played it you would be too! But what I don’t know is if Eric finished them all the same or different but that picture above is identical as far as I can tell to mine so I guess you’d have to ask Eric?

[rollypolly]

Interesting! I recently got an old Levin from the 50s which would have the same spruce top wood, so I guess in a way I have a Martin OM-28 right??

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by PUNK INC.

Yes that’s it the guitar in picture above & I would have loved to have been in that gathering but who ever got mine probably has no idea what they have! My father was a licensed Martin repair man & luthier the story there of the OM gone from 33-82’ is correct fyi I haven’t actually read this whole post!
Yes I owned one my father purchased it in Boston & I traded him a 72’ Martin dreadnought for the Martin OM 82’ custom & yes it was verified by Eric as he did all the custom finishes on them. So oddly enough mine would be almost identical to the modern John Mayer model in terms of all the neck inlays, binding front, back & rosary I don’t know if you’ve noticed that & sadly mine was lost to gods of family drama omg! It was & still is the best acoustic I’ve ever played & was valued around $6-$7,000.00 back in 1995’ but I never would’ve sold it no way! So yeah I’m crying if you had ever played it you would be too! But what I don’t know is if Eric finished them all the same or different but that picture above is identical as far as I can tell to mine so I guess you’d have to ask Eric?

I purchased mine directly from Eric in 2010. He ordered it new from Martin when he owned Music Emporium in Boston.