OM size for strumming?

[fenderbender4]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend an OM-sized guitar that works well for strumming too? I'd also be looking for a 1-11/16 nut width. I know the Martin OMJM is like this, but was wondering if there were other options. Thanks.

 

[Beagle1]

Yes, the Martin OMJM is about the only OM size/scale instrument they make with the 1-11/16 nut width. I've got one and I really love that guitar...I play it the most out of all my acoustics which include Taylors, Huss & Dalton, and other Martins. I actually prefer a 1-11/16 nut over the 1-3/4 that is typical on most OM's, even when playing fingerstyle...much easier to fret notes with the thumb and also to do partial barres. I know that Collings will do a 1-11/16 on request...pretty sure that most of their OM's are made with 1-3/4 because of customer preference, but you could do a special order. For that matter, you could always go the Martin custom shop route too. But I don't think you can go wrong with the OMJM.

 

[AerialBoundries]

Check out the Santa Cruz OM's - I owned a 97 standard model (Sitka/IRW) about 5 years ago. I was playing about 80% strumming at the time and I chose it over larger guitars (D, Jumbo) often touted as "better" for strumming - it had a wonderfully punchy tone.

 

[lclyman]

Check out the Santa Cruz OM's - I owned a 97 standard model (Sitka/IRW) about 5 years ago. I was playing about 80% strumming at the time and I chose it over larger guitars (D, Jumbo) often touted as "better" for strumming - it had a wonderfully punchy tone.

+1 on Santa Cruz OM's..

Great all around guitar..!!

 

[Jef Bardsley]

How about a Martin OOO?

 

[Moctzal]

Martin 000-15 has a 1 11/16" nut.

 

[Jahn]

OM has a longer scale than 000 so I've found OM to strum cleaner and punchier.

 

[davess23]

I actually prefer OM and SJ to Dreads for strumming, since the balance usually results in clearer mids and highs. I've owned Martin, Collings and Santa Cruz OM's.

My Santa Cruz OM for the past 14 years is a custom (German/Braz) that has particularly articulate bass, in addition to great balance for chords and great dynamic range. Dread players I've jammed with have commented on how amazed they are that a smaller bodied guitar can project such good bass. I've played several standard Cruz OM's (Sitka/EIR) that also dispay the same nice low end while retaining clarity in the mids and highs.

Collings OM's sound good strummed, too, a tad less bassy and not as "woody" sounding as the Cruz, with excellent string-to-string separation and dynamic range-- they can whisper sweetly but don't get mushy-sounding even when pushed hard.

 

[coldfingaz]

Martin 000-15 has a 1 11/16" nut.

Yup, and it's an awesome guitar. My '03 000-15 sounds better & better every year. Very cool strummer, too. You just won't get quite the same boom or projection you would from a dread, but that's the case with any OM / OOO.

 

[fenderbender4]

I'm looking for a guitar with a Rosewood/Spruce combo.

 

[zztomato]

You can order an om from Collings with a 1 11/16th nut width. I have one and it's the best Acoustic guitar I've ever played in 30+ years. You can't go wrong with a Collings.

 

[RnB]

There's a SP-00016R for sale on Craigslist in Napa, CA. This model has an OM Scale (25.4"), as all 16 series Martin do, but w/ a 1 11/16" nut width. It also has some of the appointments that upper series Martins have...but priced a lot lower & are somewhat sought after for their tone & value. They went for around $2100 list when new & are not produced any more. A great guitar for the price! I have one of it's cousin's, an SPOM-16. Made of Mahogany though & not Rosewood like the 00016R model. Made from '96 for about 8 years I believe?

 

[jads57]

Santa Cruz OM pre war bracing, the best! And I play a Martin OM 21 Special.

 

[solitaire]

The Guild F30 and F40 series are to me the nicest sounding acoustics out there - and don't cost a fortune like a Gibson or Martin or even fancier brands. Quality is all there, though. Just think early Simon and Garfunkel and you're there.

 

[Papajuice]

You can order an om from Collings with a 1 11/16th nut width. I have one and it's the best Acoustic guitar I've ever played in 30+ years. You can't go wrong with a Collings.

I just played an OM1 CA best guitar I have ever played.

 

[Squatch]

For punchy OM's - santa cruz and collings are where it's at for me... i own a santa cruz, but i'd trade it for a collings and then trade back and then trade... u get the idea. They've both got their own thing going on... but i couldn't pick a winner.

 

[Crash-VR]

I have a Santa Cruz OM cutaway RW Italian spruce in a UPS truck on it's way to me right now! I had to buy it without playing it first, but i do trust who I got it from. I've played other similar SCGC's and was totally blown away. I'm tend to be a heavy strummer myself, but with these guitars you just don't have to. They almost make you play lighter because that's all they require to get an amazing full articulate tone out of them!

 

[landru64]

i have a collings OM1 (which i'm probably going to sell as it has a 1 11/16 nut and i've developed a preference for 1 3/4" nuts) and it's the only guitar i've had until recently for the last 5-6 years. i've done tons of recordings with strumming and it has recorded extremely well. i am curious to try the santa cruz guitars but collings are always great...

ps don't discount mahogany. many will argue it records better than the rosewood counterparts.

 

[otterhound]

A 000-18 Martin should do the job . Also try a set of Bluegrass strings . Heavy EA&D , light GB&E . Should help with that punch that you are looking for , even with a 24.9" scale .