Description

PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE

We’re proud to present this gorgeous Martin Custom Shop OM-28 that we collaborated on with our friends at Martin Guitars! Starting with the venerable OM model as the foundation, we spec’d out some classy appointments to make this instrument heirloom-worthy – Guatemalan rosewood back, sides, and headstock, a “VTS”-treated Sitka spruce top, and a masterfully-applied Aging Toner finish for a classic vintage look.

For this creation, as always, we kept in mind how the woods would look together, and more importantly, how they would sound together. This one really did come out great in all regards. The Guatemalan rosewood of the body will retain the same warm tonal qualities of regular rosewood, but adds extra dimension and depth with its wonderful caramel machiatto tones, and the bookmatched grain will have you staring at this guitar’s back just as you do the front. The sitka spruce top has undergone Martin’s signature Vintage Tone System (VTS) process to tonally enhance the wood for enhanced resonance, emulating the unmistakable tone of a decades-old instrument.

The classic combination of rosewood back & sides, spruce top, mahogany neck and ebony fretboard is Martin’s traditional combo of tonewoods for a reason – it has been the formula for the most balanced, pure acoustic tonal resonance since the Pre-War era. Along with the OM’s body shape, it will provide more-than-respectable volume, clear and full tone, and have a wide dynamic range conducive to both finger-picking, strummed chords, and single notes. This guitar embodies the quintessential Martin “orchestra” sound – focused, shimmering, warm, and balanced.

For the players here at the shop, the greatest “Custom Shop” instruments combine the tone and playability that a certain model is known for with appointments such as the ones on this one that make it a true one-of-a-kind instrument and heirloom piece. As expected from the Custom Shop of arguably the most renowned and storied acoustic guitar builder in American guitar history, the playability, tonality and build quality are all top-notch.