CS Martin OM28 WG EIR (edit - now also 0-18 content)

[guitarman001]

Sound clip (mobile phone recording in store): https://on.soundcloud.com/bDvEdiWa2w1HhFQGJZ

Also similar except for scale length (better demo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlH5L29f7Ow


I swore my next guitar would be another 12 fret but after a lifetime neglecting this brand, I've ended up getting one of the "magic" ones. And I don't say it lightly - this guitar is incredible.

I believe it's similar to the now discontinued U.S. Marquis run (before they switched to Authentics). 1/4" adi GE-bracing under an adi top with wild grain EIR back & sides. Yes, this wood is flat sawn so is inherently less stable but I LOVE it and I take care of my guitars. It also sounded better than other rosewoods (more note separation, more harmonic content) and whether that's down to the wood or this specific guitar, who knows. Plastic binding is meh. Nice inlays, I personally love the streaked ebony fingerboard and think it gives a lot of character. The volute at the back of the headstock looks and feels lovely. The guitar smells amazing - seriously. I'm sitting a few feet away from it now and the smell from the sound hole is lovely. Satin neck which is super nice to the touch and feels good in the hand.

The best thing is the sound. I'd been wanting that punchy Martin sound for a while. The bass notes are full and fat (not plinky) and this thing is balanced for a rosewood guitar, with plenty of mids. The trebles aren't harsh or piercing, instead they are full and pleasing to the ear. I can't emphasise enough how full & fat all the notes are (you get a very real plosive sound as a note is struck regardless what string you play). It can be driven very, very hard and when done so, you are rewarded with a really amazing growl. It's the most growl I've had out of a Martin (I got to the shops every few months to see what's new and always feel bad leaving with nothing... but it goes to show... it just takes that one time--> and playing in person at a shop is invaluable so I 100% believe in supporting them, despite the cost, especially regards Martin guitars). I've always been a mahogany player and never thought I'd get a "bog standard EIR guitar" but this guitar is something else.









I have to say that the custom shop models have always stood head and shoulders above the standard line when I've tried them. They have always felt and sound better to me, and consistently so. I've been going through a phase of wanting that middle ground between mahogany and rosewood but this specific guitar is ticking all the boxes - EIR has the most bass out of just about any wood so I always find other rosewoods (Guatemalan, madi, Honduran) to be a bit of a compromise. I passed up on some custom shop models in past - went in next day to get it and it was gone... so I slapped down the credit card as I knew that at first strum it was the one. I am SOLD on Ge-braced adi over rosewood... I've heard the Boucher equivalent and exactly like the Martin, it brings out a roar similar to mahogany and the adi clears up a bit of muddiness in the rosewood's bass -> it's a good combo.


Comparisons to Larrivee (my fave brand)...
The string spacing at the bridge is narrower so it's a touch tougher for fingerstyle but not as big a deal as I thought it would be.
The Martin OM is shallower and smaller - easier to get a grip on. It has the grunt/growl.
Larrivee OMs are bigger but still comfortable and they get some bass and growl back by doing this.
Whereas Martin has the most punch/growl, Larrivee has a more hi-fi mids/trebles harmonic presence.
Larrivee is more balanced and coupled with the bigger OM box and more complex sound, is probably still my fave all round.
Larrivee 12 frets (with lower bridge placement) retain Larrivee harmonic complexity and add some of the punch similar to Martin (Larrivee 12 frets are a WINNER).

Interestingly, I've passed up on OM18s a few times now.
I'm not convinced "sinker" mahogany is better than regular mahogany (not that they all come with sinker).
I've come to prefer the richness of sitka as opposed to adi when put over a mahogany body.
Mahogany is punchy as it is and I think adding more punch via thinned top / scalloping is a bit much.
So I prefer the quieter sitka, non-scalloped and also bigger body to help those rich mahogany notes swirl around.
--> All this points me to the Larrivee OM05, which I think is still the ultimate OM guitar.
So it seems I like Larrivee for mahogany and Martin for rosewood.

BTW I tried the refreshed 2025 models... as expected, mahogany didn't float my boat (honestly can't believe I'm even saying that) but the rosewood model is pretty good as the GE-style bracing really adds to the sound for the rosewood in particular (it's just missing the adi top).

I also had the chance to try some O models but they didn't float my boat. Larrivee's parlours float my boat so much more with their lower bridge placement which gives a lot richer sound.

Props to Collings whose OM2H was a close second to this Martin.

I am still keen to try an OM10.... (luckily I have my little p-03r JCL special for Larrivee EIR though I must admit the O40R sounds good with a little more bass).
In many ways, this guitar has a remarkably similar sound to my OM05.

--->>> I THINK the Larrivee OM60 has similar forward shifted bracing and with some scalloping going on. I would be really interested to try one of these.

[William2]

That is a very beautiful guitar. Adi is my favorite top wood. That is a great demo by Matt Thomas. I just have such a love / hate opinion of Martin guitars based on their quality issues and their indifference addressing them. Heads should have rolled on that binding thing. I guess that's why I owned their D-15 Street Master, no binding LOL. I do find the different bracing configurations Martin uses fascinating. I wish I could find more detailed information about Larrivee bracing.

[BlueBowman]

I swore my next guitar would be another 12 fret but after a lifetime neglecting this brand, I've ended up getting one of the "magic" ones. And I don't say it lightly - this guitar is incredible.

When things come together on a Martin, it's sure to a make for a great sounding guitar. Glad you found one of the magical ones! I love that lighter streak in the fretboard.

I've always been a mahogany player and never thought I'd get a "bog standard EIR guitar" but this guitar is something else.

I'm also a longtime mahogany fan, but with the passing years, I seem to be opening up to the "rosewood sound." Or maybe it's the rosewood that's "opening up" to me 

--->>> I THINK the Larrivee OM60 has similar forward shifted bracing and with some scalloping going on. I would be really interested to try one of these.

The -50s and -60s have the larger soundhole, which is one of the things that sets them apart from the -40s. That LSH, to my ears, seems to push out more volume in the mids and trebles.

[guitarman001]

I honestly never knew a rosewood could grunt & growl like mahogany but it does and I'm very impressed.

Agree re QC issues - I am crossing my fingers that it'll be ok. I read a post from an ex-Martin employee saying it was the fault of a supplier who changed the chemical make-up of their glue without informing them. The thing I really hope I don't need is a neck reset at any point as my old tech said it can be common for Martin but extremely rare for Larrivee.



BlueBowman, thank you. I guess the "magic" thing is true when you find that one special one (just like the magic when I got my OM02). It was extremely expensive (they always are in the UK) but it's done now.

I like that, how rosewood is opening up to us... I guess I do have my EIR p-03r but I do find that although it sounds fuller on recordings, I love my p-03 mahogany to death. Larrivee mahogany is a joy.

We get limited stock re Larrivee in the UK and probably not the "best" stuff either. One day I'll try an OM60...

[teh]

That's a nice review on your new Martin and I'm glad you found this one and I especially like the fret board on your custom. While I'm not tech savvy, I'm also convinced that Martin's use of 1/4" top bracing on selected models is a key component to the sound they produce. When Martin developed the D-35 in 1965 to use smaller pieces of Brazilian Rosewood for the three piece back, they experimented with different top bracing. The landed on using 1/4" bracing like they used on their 000 models at the time. I took this information from Martin's Technical Reference Guide.

All three of my Nazareth built Martins have 1/4" top bracing and Sitka Spruce tops. With exception of my Moonwood Spruce topped Forum VI and my two Mahogany topped guitars from Larrivee, all of my other guitars have Sitka Spruce tops too. As the old adage goes: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Sitka works for me and I prefer natural aged wood and I am not a fan of torrified tops or relic'd guitars either. I prefer to relic my own guitars and let them age naturally.

Four of my guitars have scalloped bracing and I am comfortable with the effect that they have on tone. My dealer hand picked my 2006 sunburst, scalloped OM-35 at the Martin factory to compliment my 1976 Shade Top D-35 with straight bracing. The OM has balanced trebles, mids and bass while the D-35 has a stronger bass presence. If I could have found an OM-18 to compliment my OM-35 I would have jumped at it. Since I couldn't, I opted to order a custom 12 fret 000 with a three piece mahogany back and sides. A few years back, Martin made a David Gilmour signature model with a three piece sinker mahogany back and sides so I guess I was ahead of my time. All of my six string Larrivees are 12 fret guitars and use different wood on the back and sides (Flamed Maple, Walnut and Mahogany). I worked directly with John when I bought my Forum VI and 00 and bought my Baker T Pro from Matthew in Oxnard.

On the subject of quality control, I've had zero problems with my 19 year old OM or my 10 year old 000. As the original owner, I've had warranty work done twice on my D-35 with zero hassles on either repair. The first was repairing a crack at the bottom of the pickguard that had lifted up and was replaced and repairing the binding on the neck and lower bout. The second repair was for a lifting bridge plate. I've also had all of the frets replaced after 35 years of normal play wear that wa# NOT under warranty.

My five Larrivees (Two from Vancouver and three from Oxnard) all range in age from one year to 21 years old and I've had zero QC issues with any of them. I attribute that to two things.

1) Smaller production totals from Larrivee compared to Martin who just produced their 3 millionth Martin last January.

2) Larrivee Guitars are built and touched by one or more family members whose name is on the headstock.

P.S. My Baker T Pro runs circles around my son's American made Telecaster and was built and designed from the ground up by Matt.

[guitarman001]

I partly want to know the technicals (to inform better decisions) but at the same time just want to remain a player. No reason to not know both. It was nice, though... To just go through all the guitars and resonate with one, not knowing the why.

I love Sitka. I think it is so warm and melds the notes together in a really pleasing way.

Any sound clips of your guitars and what's the story behind the OM35 ... Triple back but does that make it more stable or does it have better woods?

I forgot you had a (black?) walnut Larrivee and I'm envious they're all 12 frets. Though tbh I do also love a good OM.

Agree re torrefaction... And that is heartening to hear regards QC!

I just googled mapped the Martin factory and it looks cool. I'd love to visit that but tops would be Larrivee.

[guitarman001]

BTW if you like the sound of an OM18 check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9uvXTIWYhc

What a demo! I think I prefer the deeper tones of the OM28 but that 18 sounds incredible.

[StringPicker6]

How do you like the Martin neck profile compared to Larrivee's?  I'm a big fan of the larrivee neck, and The Martin modified low oval profile (MLO) with high performance taper feels too thin in my hands. I prefer a more substantial neck.  That Martin sure looks beautiful!

[guitarman001]

I'm out for a Scottish torchlight procession whilst marching alongside a pipe band & bagpipers tonight (first time!) but will compare... I think I found them similar (thankfully no V...) and have to say that I really like the satin neck of the Martin. I've always liked satin necks.

I feel like I've cheated on Larrivee a bit.. I hope I don't regret not getting the OM10.

[teh]

Guitarman,

I really liked the OM-18 video you shared. I need to take the time to sit down and record a couple of short audio recordings of my OM, 000 and LSV and I haven't done that yet.

More details about my Sunburst 2006 OM-35. Martin offered this model in their standard series from 2003 to 2006 and my dealer got this one for me to be a companion to my 1976 Shaded Top D-35. It was one of the last ones built and included the following differences over the D-35:

1) OM versus Dreadnought
2) 1 & 3/4" neck versus 1 & 11/16"
3) Low profile CNC neck versus hand carved C neck
4) Scalloped bracing vs Straight bracing
5) 1935 Sunburst top vs Shaded Top

When the OM-35 arrived at the shop, there was also a natural finish OM-35, OM-21, OM-21 Special and OM-28 plus a couple of Larrivee OMs and I played them all. At the time, Martin offered an OM-21, OM-28, the OM-35 and OM-42 and I felt the OM-35 was a nice, affordable price that I paid $2,000 for out the door. Eight years later, I paid under $3,500 for my custom 000. The OM-35 has an even, balanced tone across bass, mids and trebles compared to the dread which has a stronger bass. 

When I ordered the Forum VI, I was told the back and sides are American Walnut. I'll let someone else who has one chime in with a more concise answer. I'm traveling this week so I'm jumping on and off the forum when I have internet access.

Happy New Year to everyone.

[guitarman001]

I would love to see the demo's whenever you get time.
I really need to sit down and put my proper mics in front of all mine, too...

Yes, the OM-18A video was amazing. Right at the end he plays the same piece as on the rosewood video so it's a good comparison between the two types of wood - it's so hard to pick a favourite. Yesteryear I'd have said mahogany every time but these days I'm appreciating the lows of rosewood and how it fits so well with the voice filling the middle out when accompanying with vocals.

Great spec on your Martin OM and a great price. Mine (today) cost about 4x that. They are very expensive in the UK.

[BlueBowman]

Great spec on your Martin OM and a great price. Mine (today) cost about 4x that. They are very expensive in the UK.

Man, that hurts.

I'm curious if resale in your neck of the woods trends with the 4x, or do they take a huge hit on the used market in Europe?

[guitarman001]

Resale I'd get half back. I'd get 30% for Larrivee (criminally underpriced used)

[guitarman001]

So the Martin neck is a touch thinner. There's a very, very slight V to it. I hesitate in saying that as it's barely noticeable or I might be imagining it.

My Larrivee necks are thicker which I think is good for sound transfer? My fave neck is on my old OM02, the compound radius neck.

I have to say that after a night with all my symmetrically braced guitars (Larrivee & Northwood) the sound is much richer from those guitars. Three Martin is maybe thicker in the bass and has that punch. They're just different. My little p-03r with moon spruce top sounds almost as thick in the bass as the Martin.

[guitarman001]

Ended up also getting a custom shop 24.9" 0-18 (premium sitka / premium quilted Honduran hog).
Light as a feather.
It has "that sound"
Preferred it to the 12 fret (I vastly prefer the way Larrivee does 12 fret...)
It can't really be compared to the Larrivee parlours - different guitars.
Slightly deeper body than other Martins.
Truly, a brilliant guitar.

I really enjoy smaller body guitars. There is a natural compression in the sound which gives the mid-range a unique, characterful voicing.


--> Larrivee still edges it overall in terms of cost, harmonic complexity of the voicing. But I'm glad to have different types of guitar. The Martin custom shop are pumping out some really great guitars.

I am very much looking forward to the 60th Larrivee model....

[StringPicker6]

That's a great looking hog Martin! Congrats!

[BlueBowman]

Looks like you've been bitten by the Martin bug, G-man! I get it; been there myself.

Great looking guitar. Lovely top, and they did great on that bridge. It looks to me like it's made a little lighter than the bridges I typically see on the Standard Series. Maybe a custom shop thing. A lighter bridge can make quite a difference. 

I do prefer Martin's smaller guitars myself. In fact, this 0-18 reminds me of my grandfather's 1956 00-18. Good memories. Enjoy it!

[Rockysdad]

I'm biting my tongue regarding Martin's. 

[StringPicker6]

I maintain my belief that Martins are like Mercedes Benz. People buy em because that's the top tier, and they are indeed marvelous. But Larrivee to me is more like an Aston Martin or Lotus or Maserati. Larrivees turn heads at a pickin' party or open mic night. 

[guitarman001]

Previously only had an HPL baby Martin.

Have stayed away from Martin as scared of belly bulge, neck resets, binding etc. The standards never did it for me (personally).
And the bridge spacing can be a bit narrow (not so on all models...) but it's not AS big an issue as I thought.
I also recently discover they DID do lower bridge placement on some models (Norman Blake). Rare.

Recent custom shop Martin runs are outstanding and I don't say that lightly after 25 years of playing various guitars.
Feels and plays as good as my Larrivee's. Outplayed some seriously expensive Collings and similar.
The sound is just different. Not the same high-end sparkle and harmonic complexity you get from Larrivee but you get that grunt and growl in bass/mids.
 -- the "sound" is sort of like gargling mouthwash lol.... Martin has it in the bass/mids and Larrivee has more of it in the mids/trebles. Very satisfying either way.
The Larrivee OM model (being slightly bigger than a Martin OM) does get some of that grunt back, which is nice.
The OM28 with GE bracing is a beast and has that thrum. I like the girth in the bass/mids (sometimes IRW can be "plinky" in that regard).
This little 0-18 is hog goodness to the max. Seriously rich voice for a little guitar. I've discovered they have quite the fan-base.
If the price for these is a neck reset every 10 years, I'll pay that price, they are that good.
I am relieved I will never have this worry with Larrivee, though...
These custom shop instruments are world-class.
But then... so are Larrivee! And I'd say regular Larrivee are on par with custom shop Martin (well done Larrivee).

I hadn't noticed the bridge before - good spot... this thing is light as a feather as resonates like nobody's business.
I'm glad to own both these brands (plus the Northwoods and incoming Halcyon).
I still wonder about that elusive OM10...

Larrivee sound immensely improves after a good 10 years of play. Couldn't say if same for Martin. But I've specifically noticed Larrivee open up tremendously over time.

I'm still amazed that I preferred the 14 fret to the 12 fret Martin. That was the big shock.
It didn't feel right and sounded tubby. Raising the shoulders of the guitar felt weird.
Listening back to my recordings from the shop, the 12 did have a little more bass depth but the 14 had "that sound" - more bite & punch and also felt better to play.
So it is so important (obvs) to play the specific guitars in question (though I'd have no worries buying a Larrivee blind)
Moving the bridge down (like Larrivee does) is so much better (for me, personally).