Martin Dread or OM body size?

johnnykf · June 13th, 2008, 04:08 AM

Just wondered how many prefer the smaller OM size vs the dreadnought? I tend to go with the OM, just so forward sounding and comfy.

paulh · June 13th, 2008, 07:36 AM

I own a Martin Dread, which I love, but it often feels too big. I'd like to try an OM for a few weeks, but I'm sure then I'd have to explain the purchase of yet another guitar.

Tdot · June 13th, 2008, 08:22 AM

I have a dread and a "00", the small bodies are my favorites (OM, 00, 000).

imwjl · June 13th, 2008, 08:24 AM

Hi,

I sold my OM (not Martin) last night and have a Martin 00-18V and HD-28 as my keepers.

Sometimes I think the right slight cutaway OM like a Bourgeois with Adirondack or Sitka instead of the standard Englemann would be the ultimate acoustic.

I do not play finger style exclusively and maybe that's why I find I'm not giving up the HD-28 and the 00-18V is the guitar equiv. of comfort food. The 00 can me amazingly loud and the short scale gives it nice comfort.

There was moment of sadness letting my nice OM go, but there's no way I can part with the two I have. It is especially nice having that bold dread in a crowd and so sweet to have that small 00 at other times.

The 00-18 has its roots in the late 1800s and the HD's style came along in the early 1930s so I think I didn't need to waste this time and disk space to explain why they're my keepers.

;)

Colt W. Knight · June 13th, 2008, 08:32 AM

I play mostly Bluegrass type stuff on my acoustic, so I pretty much need my Martin dreadnaught. However, I wouldn't mind having a smaller Martin acoustic. Call me a guitar snob or whatever, but I prefer the Martin sound.

hushnel · June 13th, 2008, 09:30 AM

I like the smaller bodies, I have a 00-15 and a 000-15S. I play finger style, never use a pick the dreads are just too much guitar for me.

JackStraw · June 15th, 2008, 06:44 PM

I have a 000 size currently and prefer it to the big D. Martin dreads are wonderful and have their place but the 000 Mahogany is doing the job just fine.

JackStraw · June 15th, 2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackStraw

I have a 000 size currently and prefer it to the big D. Martin dreads are wonderful and have their place but the 000 -18MC is doing the job just fine. I like the shorter scale of a 000 as compared to a OM.

My D size guitar right now is a Gibson AJ reissue.

Bob Mc · June 16th, 2008, 12:10 PM

From time to time I wish the nutwidth and profile were ever so slightly smaller,
but I have an Martin OM21 and highly recommend trying one out.
It features scalloped bracing and solid woods; to my ears warm, full and hummy overtones. Smack a single string lick with a pick and it has good definition, fingers produce blossomy bass nots and rich harmonics.

The model has a slight love/hate following, some including me consider it a real bargain in the line.

Stefan · June 19th, 2008, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

I play mostly Bluegrass type stuff on my acoustic, so I pretty much need my Martin dreadnaught. However, I wouldn't mind having a smaller Martin acoustic. Call me a guitar snob or whatever, but I prefer the Martin sound.

+1 on everything you said! I would also like a smaller Martin to fool around with sometimes. They are more comfortable to play but I need the big sound of my HD-28.

My first Martin was a 000-15 that I sold last year. I miss it´s comfortable bodysize and if I would buy another Martin I would go for a 000-28 or something. I love the smell of rosewood!

Steffey · June 19th, 2008, 07:44 PM

I went through a similar quandary two-three years ago, and there for awhile I thought I'd have to ditch my Martin D-16GT for an orchestra model. They are very, very comfortable, and the sound is so direct, punchy and balanced. I own a 1966 Gibson B-25, which is kind of in the line of the old L series Gibsons. It's a great little guitar -- perfect for blues and what little finger picking I do. However, when I decided to "trade up" on the D-!6, I gravitated toward the HD-28 and the D-35 as opposed to the orchestra size. I think this has to do with a couple of things: I started on a dreadnought, so it's in a lot of ways the most natural-feeling guitar for me, despite its huge size; and also, I just adore that large, chiming sound of the dread. In the end, I went with the D-35 because it spoke most directly to me. And the more I play it, the more it feels like my dream guitar. I know, I know! We all say that...until we test drive yet another one down the line. But I can't fathom the thought of letting go of this one. I suspect down the road I'll probably start looking at the OM or the OOO-28...you know, just for something a little different.

studio1087 · June 20th, 2008, 10:35 PM

I have a Martin Dread and a Martin OM.

I play mostly fingerstyle and I like the wide nut on the OM...the wider string spacing over the sound hole makes my right hand feel smarter. The Body size is very comfy.

I love playing old Neil Young or CSN songs on the dread but the OM is my favorite. I have a Taylor, Larrivee and Rainsong OOO also. I love that size.

June 13th, 2008, 04:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
johnnykf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 403	Martin Dread or OM body size? Just wondered how many prefer the smaller OM size vs the dreadnought? I tend to go with the OM, just so forward sounding and comfy.

June 13th, 2008, 08:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,401 58 Photos	I have a dread and a "00", the small bodies are my favorites (OM, 00, 000). __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

June 13th, 2008, 09:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
hushnel TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Homestead, FL Age: 55 Posts: 35	I like the smaller bodies, I have a 00-15 and a 000-15S. I play finger style, never use a pick the dreads are just too much guitar for me. __________________ Mike in Homestead

June 16th, 2008, 12:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,578	OM for me From time to time I wish the nutwidth and profile were ever so slightly smaller, but I have an Martin OM21 and highly recommend trying one out. It features scalloped bracing and solid woods; to my ears warm, full and hummy overtones. Smack a single string lick with a pick and it has good definition, fingers produce blossomy bass nots and rich harmonics. The model has a slight love/hate following, some including me consider it a real bargain in the line. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

June 20th, 2008, 10:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,591 36 Photos	I have a Martin Dread and a Martin OM. I play mostly fingerstyle and I like the wide nut on the OM...the wider string spacing over the sound hole makes my right hand feel smarter. The Body size is very comfy. I love playing old Neil Young or CSN songs on the dread but the OM is my favorite. I have a Taylor, Larrivee and Rainsong OOO also. I love that size. __________________ JLG Carry On

June 13th, 2008, 07:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
paulh TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southside VA Age: 50 Posts: 46	I own a Martin Dread, which I love, but it often feels too big. I'd like to try an OM for a few weeks, but I'm sure then I'd have to explain the purchase of yet another guitar.

June 13th, 2008, 08:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,127	Hi, I sold my OM (not Martin) last night and have a Martin 00-18V and HD-28 as my keepers. Sometimes I think the right slight cutaway OM like a Bourgeois with Adirondack or Sitka instead of the standard Englemann would be the ultimate acoustic. I do not play finger style exclusively and maybe that's why I find I'm not giving up the HD-28 and the 00-18V is the guitar equiv. of comfort food. The 00 can me amazingly loud and the short scale gives it nice comfort. There was moment of sadness letting my nice OM go, but there's no way I can part with the two I have. It is especially nice having that bold dread in a crowd and so sweet to have that small 00 at other times. The 00-18 has its roots in the late 1800s and the HD's style came along in the early 1930s so I think I didn't need to waste this time and disk space to explain why they're my keepers. ;)

June 13th, 2008, 08:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,610	I play mostly Bluegrass type stuff on my acoustic, so I pretty much need my Martin dreadnaught. However, I wouldn't mind having a smaller Martin acoustic. Call me a guitar snob or whatever, but I prefer the Martin sound.

June 15th, 2008, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
JackStraw TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 17	I have a 000 size currently and prefer it to the big D. Martin dreads are wonderful and have their place but the 000 Mahogany is doing the job just fine.

June 19th, 2008, 07:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
Steffey TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Shoreline, WA Age: 47 Posts: 27	I went through a similar quandary two-three years ago, and there for awhile I thought I'd have to ditch my Martin D-16GT for an orchestra model. They are very, very comfortable, and the sound is so direct, punchy and balanced. I own a 1966 Gibson B-25, which is kind of in the line of the old L series Gibsons. It's a great little guitar -- perfect for blues and what little finger picking I do. However, when I decided to "trade up" on the D-!6, I gravitated toward the HD-28 and the D-35 as opposed to the orchestra size. I think this has to do with a couple of things: I started on a dreadnought, so it's in a lot of ways the most natural-feeling guitar for me, despite its huge size; and also, I just adore that large, chiming sound of the dread. In the end, I went with the D-35 because it spoke most directly to me. And the more I play it, the more it feels like my dream guitar. I know, I know! We all say that...until we test drive yet another one down the line. But I can't fathom the thought of letting go of this one. I suspect down the road I'll probably start looking at the OM or the OOO-28...you know, just for something a little different.