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-   -   Martin 000-28 vs 000-18 vs om-21 (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242584)

oldtiger70 02-22-2012 04:15 PM

Martin 000-28 vs 000-18 vs om-21
 
Havent played a guitar since my 20's, now 68 years of age and retired. I want a guitar I can sit down and play, rest for old bones. I have long slim hands, if that matters. At my age this will be the last guitar I buy, so I want a good guitar that is easy for old fingers to play. Guys any help will be appreciated.

acousticstyle 02-22-2012 04:25 PM

I suggest the martin om21. Its very comfortable, because of the smaller body. It feels a bit like holding a classical guitar. Because of the "scalloping" it has a quick response and a nice warm tone. I'm doing recordings right now and my om21 sounds like this: http://www.david-senz.de/wp-content/...David-Senz.mp3

greetings from germany!
david

andrewbenw 02-22-2012 04:26 PM

The 000-18 and 000-28 are short scale (24.9") and have a 1 11/16" nut width so they will require the least amount of stretching to play.

The OM-21 is long scale (25.4") and will feel a little bit more difficult to play due to the increased string tension. The wider (1 3/4") nut may appeal to you, or it may not.

Another alternative would be the 000-28EC. It has the shorter scale and wide nut. It also has scalloped bracing, which the 000-18 and 000-28 don't have.

Edit: FWIW, I love my 000-28

phxguy 02-22-2012 04:30 PM

I have sampled the 00018 and 00028 and much preferred the 28 over the 18. In fact the 18 seemed rather lifeless to me with very little resonance. Granted I only tried one 00018 so they might not all be the same but I have heard that comment before from other members. If I were in the market and thinking about the models you listed I would definitely try the OM21 before making a final decision as it has the wider nut and that appeals to me.

fongie 02-22-2012 05:16 PM

OM-21 is my choice

May I ask why you chose these 3 guitars?

If this is going to be your last guitar, may I suggest a OM-28V or a 00-18V? Good luck

Bwana 02-22-2012 05:52 PM

OM-21 is hard to beat for us 68 yr olds. I was between the OM-21 and an 000-28EC and in my humble opinion, the only area that the OM-21 did not win was bling.:D

Bwana

oldtiger70 02-22-2012 06:25 PM

Guys, I am appreciating the suggestions!

The Old Gaffer 02-22-2012 06:29 PM

If you are only going to have one of those three, I'd go with the OM-21. I think these are terrific sounding guitars, with all the richness of a rosewood body even if the longer neck scale gives its strings a bit more tension than the 000's. I know that some consider this heresy, but you can always string it with 11's or even (gulp!) 10's to make it play easier. My friend has an OM-21 that sounds terrific and he uses 10's. I have a 000-18 that I really like, but I think the OM-21 sounds nicer. YMMV.

Humbuster 03-06-2012 01:53 PM

I played a new 000-28EC today which was shockingly good!

Gonna decide is it's worth trading/selling one of my Les Pauls.

Life is full of tough choices.

jingram 03-06-2012 02:06 PM

I would suggest an OM 21 special. Very comfortable to play and sounds great! I love mine!:)

frankhond 03-06-2012 02:10 PM

+1 for OM-21. Find a used one from the mid 90's, they sound fabulous. String it with roundcore strings for softer tension.


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