Martin OM-28 Standard Vs OM Custom

[@jasonhorton1659]

I found that Guitar A generally had more crispness and clarity in each example. Guitar A also had a brighter tone, which I don’t typically gravitate towards, but I think it suited the instrument in this case. Between the two, I’d go for Guitar A.

[@smandez2023]

It is really up to you Aaron, I liked them both.

[@patsysmith8030]

Swings and Roundabouts. I kept changing my mind about which one I preferred with my eyes shut. At first it was B, then A then I was totally confused. It was a bit like cutting up a cake and eating it all to see which slice tasted nicer! In the end I preferred the custom shop one but then if you were playing out to an audience in a restaurant they would never be able to distinguish one from the other sound wise. They both sound like Martins! In this situation listening with my EarPods I would agree with you BUT they both sound and look really nice.🎶🎶🎶

[@thomasmoore3822]

A seems brighter and sounds very good. B sounds good in some of the clips and looks better. I would go with the custom shop. I have a custom shop Om28 with vts and GE adirondak bracing. Mine is fantastic. I always wanted an om28V. I think thats the top om28

[@bobehughes67]

Great video! Thanks Aaron, that was just the comparison I was looking for! Btw, have you heard any new updates about the 20th anniversary John Mayer models?

[@aaronshortmusic]

I think we will see the OMJM soon and then the 45 and I will probably compare them to the custom 28. They need to smoke it for them to be worth it. Especially since the standard series is a viable option.

[@smarteagle100]

Hi Aaron! Great comparison, and I really liked guitar A. How can I get my hands on the OM custom with these specs? Thanks.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks! You can approach a Martin dealer and order an OM-28 JM spec guitar.

[@smarteagle100]

@@aaronshortmusic Thanks! How much did you pay for it? Is it worth the extra penny over the omjm?

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@smarteagle100 It’s about 50% more. I would say it is but I would also look for a great sounding OM-28.

[@caseyholford]

A has an interesting effect while strummed of almost sounding like there’s a double in there. It has a kind of loose shimmery quality, pretty neat, but sometimes maybe a little too bright for my taste when you were really digging in. By contrast I thought the fingerpicking on A sounded very big, round and expressive. Whereas B sounded less flashy to me overall but balanced and dependable on both picking and strumming. I would describe it as a very “usable” acoustic guitar sound. If this was going to be more of a recording guitar I would go for A. If it was my all rounder for gigs, recording, jamming etc I might go with B.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Great observations!

[@johnwashburn3793]

Aaron, such a tough spot for you to be. If only all of the world's problems could be solved in such a manner... On first strumming example, I preferred B.I pretty much preferred A on the rest. I typically play Adirondack over mahogany, so keep this in mind.

[@swampscott2670]

B for me. It’s what I expect an OM to sound like. They call it the “standard” for a reason. More “stable” mids and bottom that I prefer.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Every standard series Martin sounds way different in tone to each other though. That one had a big bottom end which was cool. I sold it on and kept the custom and another custom which is standard spec exactly and also sounds different again lol.

[@swampscott2670]

@ ​​⁠yeah, the never ending quest 😂 I recently picked out a standard OM-28 that sounds similar to the one here. Love it. Works great for recording and live so far. And then they change over time. Part of the fun. Great video comparison.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@ Exactly. They change over time as well lol. Thank you.

[@gair1944]

Guitar B lows and low mid are darker and dare I say somewhat congested or muddy. Guitar A is more balanced. I would bet guitar B is the OM28 and Guitar A is the Custom with Englemann top.

[@aaronshortmusic]

You got it!

[@staleyexplores]

I liked b better except the last clip or sound sample (edited comment..)

[@aaronshortmusic]

???

[@kevinbaird2527]

Prefer A first guitar

[@martinellick11]

Prefer guitar A. Sounded more open, less compressed and with more chime and harmonics…

[@BobDorfman]

A