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Old 03-10-2013, 08:19 AM
rmyAddison rmyAddison is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Addison, TX
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The OM-45s, at least in recent decades, were never standard model Martins (as in manufactured every year) like the D-45's. They have been limited edition releases in very small numbers, they are rare. The 1930 OM-45 Roy Rogers Deluxe, along with the pre-war D-45s command ridiculous money, OM-45 Deluxe #1 went for $460,000.

In recent years there were a few runs, in 2008 there were 14 OM-45 Roy Roger Deluxes made, in 2005 there were 29 OM-45 Tasmanina Blackwoods, and there have been OM-45 GE and Marquis runs also, always small batches, mostly years apart, using Martin's best woods.

My guess to the rarity is intential exclusivitity, and price, OM-45s are priced higher than D-45s.

I am lucky enough to have a 2005 OM-45 TB, #23 of 29, flamed curly Engelmann over Flamed Tasmanian Blackwood. The pianolike tone falls somewhere between rosewood and mahogany, and it is louder than my rosewood and mahogany 000/OM's. OM-45s get premium inlays, some have headstock torches and hand carved gold tuners.

To me they are Martins finest, both as wonderful examples of craftmanship/materials but also amazing sounding instruments. It's been 4 years since the last run, I think there were less than 100 OM-45s all told in the last 10 years. Martin may be due to sping the next OM-45 run, my guess would be Madagascar or Amazon Rosewood, and I will be in that line.....

Here is my 2005 OM-45 TB, #23 , it is NOT for sale. The orignal case was an Accord Carbon fiber.

Alternate torch over Tasmanian Blackwood, hard carved gold Waverlys






Flamed curly Engelmann top, never seen a top like this; uber tight in the center, perfectly bookmatched but the grain snakes in the middle then gets tight again, looks 3D and on fire if you change the light angle





Flamed Tasmanian Blackwood, a cousin to Koa, wonderful harmonics/overtones




MY OM-45 TB is only eight years old and has appreciated nicely, but to me it is a daily player, goes on gigs, and has a very unique lush sound that is wonderful for fingerstyle, but a little too much for my flatpicking.

If you see a Martin OM-45, any run, and can afford the price of admission, buy it!! You will have amazing instrument that will appreciate..........
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Rich - rmyAddison

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Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany
Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar
Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar
Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29)
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