Help me decide: 000-18GE or OM-28V - Page 2

Glennwillow · #16 06-10-2014, 09:07 AM

Both the OM-28V and the 000-18GE are really good guitars and good values, I think. If you flipped a coin, heads for the OM-28V, tails for the 000-18GE and made your decision this way, you would probably be happy, regardless.

Do you like mahogany backed guitars or rosewood? I tend to like rosewood, but many like the clarity and lack of metallic chime with mahogany.

Do you like short scale (24.9" on the 000-18GE) or longer scale (25.4" on the OM-28V)? The short scale is a little more comfortable to play if you don't have big hands, but the longer scale has slightly higher string tension to create the same notes and so sounds a little more punchy. For fingerstyle playing, a lot of people like the softer sound of the strings on a short-scale guitar.

Do you like the mod-V neck on the 000-18GE or the shallower neck on the OM-28V? I prefer the shallower neck but I still own a guitar with the mod-V neck. I just adapt.

If I were in your shoes, I would play a bunch of Martins at a guitar store just to get a feel for what you like in answering the above questions. Otherwise, you could just flip that coin and see what you get. Back about 45-50 years ago, that's really how most of us bought guitars. We had no idea what we were doing and we simply got used to whatever it was we bought and learned from that. And there's nothing wrong with that approach. Sometimes too many things to think about just makes things too complicated.

What did I do with that coin?....

- Glenn

se7ent7 · #17 06-11-2014, 02:41 AM

Thanks guys! I appreciate every one of your inputs here!

rmyAddison, I was leaning toward the OM-28V but your post threw me a bit. Having owned both, your post carries much value to me, also because blues and bare fingered fingerstyle is becoming my main pursuit.

I do think the OM-28V will do that quite well too though... :-/

I do only have the capacity for one traditional "high-end" Martin, so I guess I'm still leaning very slightly OM-28V. The adirondack top and bracing of the 000-18GE entices me though, from everything I've heard. If the 000-18GE had sitka, I would probably go for the OM-28V much easier.

Ok, so let me state some "features" I'd like (some are contradictory):

Loud ringing guitar
strong fundamental
complex overtones would also be nice
clarity
But with some warmth
strong powerfull bass
fat ringing trebles
Should do Fingerstyle blues very well, but also decent strummer ala Neil young and folk strumming. A bit of a vintage D-28 tone in there, but I think both of these would (the OM-28V probably more so).

Some of these are ticked better by the 000-18GE and some better by the OM-28V.

Haha, seems like I need one of each. Oh crap

dirkronk · #18 06-11-2014, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by se7ent7

Haha, seems like I need one of each. Oh crap

Yep. (Cue l-o-n-g evil laugh here: Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaaaa!)

llew · #19 06-11-2014, 06:43 AM

That's a tough call but with either guitar you have a winner? I still have a 000-18GE and probably should have kept my OM-28V as well? I think you already stated the obvious answer...get both!

se7ent7 · #20 06-11-2014, 07:05 AM

I think I've found the solution!!

I buy the OM-28V, cause it's a classic and a bit more versatile...

And then, after not too much saving, I buy one of these:

(I like the sound in these clips more than many 000-18GE clips I've heard)
Adirondack over mahogany with golden era specs!

OldGuitarGuy · #21 06-11-2014, 07:11 AM

And I agree with Jim. Because I now own his OM-28V. And I'm glad he didn't keep it because I probably would not have come to love the sound, the tone, the playabiity and the beauty of the OM-28V. I visited the Martin factory last fall and played several high-end Martin guitars. None of them surpasses the exquisite qualities of the OM-28V. I will own this guitar until the day I pass from this existence.

Treenewt · #22 06-11-2014, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by se7ent7

I think I've found the solution!!

I buy the OM-28V, cause it's a classic and a bit more versatile...

And then, after not too much saving, I buy one of these:

(I like the sound in these clips more than many 000-18GE clips I've heard)
Adirondack over mahogany with golden era specs!

While I agree that those Eastman's sound great, they don't hold a candle to the 000-18GEs I've had the privilege of playing in person. Perhaps that's the issue...it's so hard to tell via a video. When it's in your lap, and you hear it and feel it, it's a different thing.

You can't go wrong with the OM-28V, or the 000-18GE, though. Amazing guitars. You'll be happy either way, I'd wager.

se7ent7 · #23 06-15-2014, 04:15 PM

Ok, so I found a 000-18GE to try locally - and it was one of the best acoustics I've ever played, so lightly built and resonant, it was brand new but sounded like an vintage guitar.

The dynamic range was godlike!

The only other acoustics I've played "in this league" also had adirondack tops, so maybe that's my answer?

I played a HD-28 recently and felt nothing for it. And since the OM-28Vs are sometimes described as mini dreads, maybe I won't like them so much then?

kiva238 · #24 06-15-2014, 06:02 PM

Every time I play Adirondack over mahogany I remind myself what I like in a guitar. So simple and fundamental. It is always a palate cleanser!

NevadaPic · #25 06-15-2014, 06:14 PM

I have owned examples of each over the years and have extensive playing time with them. It's hard to beat a 000-18GE all things considered.

llew · #26 06-15-2014, 07:06 PM

I played my 000-18GE for the first time in a while (OM-18A taking most of my lap time?) and I remembered why I bought it originally. Great guitar and maybe a better fingerstyle guitar (at least for me?) than the Authentic. My 000-18GE is so responsive and articulate.

se7ent7 · #27 06-16-2014, 07:43 AM

Thanks guys, that does help... Even more towards the 000-18GE now

llew · #28 06-16-2014, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuitarGuy

And I agree with Jim. Because I now own his OM-28V. And I'm glad he didn't keep it because I probably would not have come to love the sound, the tone, the playabiity and the beauty of the OM-28V. I visited the Martin factory last fall and played several high-end Martin guitars. None of them surpasses the exquisite qualities of the OM-28V. I will own this guitar until the day I pass from this existence.

I'm just glad it got a good home! One of the best sounding guitars I've owned...and a beautiful set of rosewood on that back!