Blind Test: Martin OM-28 vs HD-35 | Can You Hear The Difference in Body Shapes?

Today, Chris and Cooper are wondering if you can hear the difference in an OM body shape and Dreadnought body shape without seeing them! Obviously we can all see and feel the difference, but can the listener tell the difference? Check it out!
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[@Runoratsu]

Both those guitars sound amaaazing, but the OM… whoa. So woody, and rich, and just all around wonderful. The first few notes on her blew me away. I’ll probably still get myself a Furch sometime soon, but those Martins have always been and will always be close to my heart, since I first heard Clapton on his on the Unplugged album.

[@danherrick5785]

Where did you learn/hear/play a Furch? I just recently got one - awesome guitar!

[@Revansstuntdouble]

Hey, I would really love to see a jam between Cooper and Chris. I think that would be a lot of fun. Great video is always. Keep it up.

[@JKlasen]

I have the OM 28. Years ago had cam OM 21 I had to sell. Dreadnaught too big for me and my finger style. You two are just terrific. Fun, too, but very very informative. Thanks.

[@stephensmith799]

Man, that’s a surprise. It shows the importance of the player to guitar connection. First guy IS an OM player and the second totally a Dread player. They each pulled a different sound out of the same guitar, both times. This is a Player Comparison more than an Instrument Comparison. Revaluation to me.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

I really enjoyed this episode, much better than comparing a dread against another dread. I’d like to see more “shape” comparisons.

[@justinray9895]

Love the videos! You can definitely tell a big old martin dreadnought. Great comparison guys!

[@peterbonanno846]

Love this. And love you guys. Great team.

[@flightbyrd]

This was great! The idea for solid wood vs laminated would be awesome to see.

[@robertdievendorf3312]

Great comparison! Also, really nice playing by both of you.

[@slpc30]

I just love these videos !

[@davidgreenhalgh3946]

Great video. In awe of your dedication. Can't think of a more beautiful way to spend a life.

[@olavurjhansen]

Great videos guys

[@Andy-M.1833]

This OM sounds awesome, your playing is pleasure to listen as always 😁😁👍

[@scouser2230]

I have played a D35 for over thirty years and love it, but I would also love to own a Martin 0M28 and an OM18. They all sound wonderful, and the differences in tone must definitely be appreciated and celebrated.

[@JKlasen]

oh it’s a great idea and executed. Very interesting and helps train our ears

[@paul_sebastian1154]

Really like the idea of comparing solid vs laminate, layered etc blindfolded.

[@1olddoggie]

Yeah I heard it too. I loved this video!

[@PaulGAckerman]

I could tell that was a difference but I have no idea how to tell which was which. This was a fun test to watch.

[@soultylive]

Very cool and instructive bench! Love the dreadnought when fingerpicking, just wonder about the ease of use between both size?

[@uvp5000]

Back about a decade ago (August 29, 2022 today), I was learning about different acoustic guitars. Despite some understanding, my knowledge was, at best rudimentary. I played either a Martin OM or OOO (I didn't pay attention to which) and was blown away by the resonance, responsiveness, and sound. Sometimes, an OM is just the right tool for the job, and I'm a Jumbo/Dreadnought lover. If I can, I'd love to pick up an OM body shape. My compliments on the blind test and video: I had fun watching.

[@davidshaw5979]

Beautiful sound from both guitars absolutely lovely melody what was it called?. Great video guys, please keep up the great work . kind regards.

[@yusufjona7173]

Yes a good idea.........Keep them coming!

[@77guitarts22]

Great idea, I would think the more volume and bass of the dreadnaught would give it away...but true enough a good OM would sound big also, but in a different way

[@cowanstark5840]

Interesting! i bought an HD-35-well exactly 35 years ago but I moved to more fingerstyle playing and got an OM-21about 5 yrs later which became my go-to guitar. I just found the OM to be better balanced for my style but sooo much more comfortable to play. I

[@mylerism]

Soo it's the bracing not the three piece back that affects the sound of the HD-35, right Chris? LOL Love the rumble of it. Gotta get me one

[@JohnShalamskas]

Strings also make a large difference in the tone. I like to use Martin Retro strings on my HD-35 because their strong treble response complements the bass response of the HD-35.

[@ernieme101]

when Cooper played it was pretty easy to tell the difference , when Chris played it was a lot harder .

[@johnwashburn3793]

I have two similar guitars in different sizes. One I acquired since this video. Both are Martin guitars and each is Adirondack over mahogany, a D-18GE and a CEO 7 (so, a dreadnought and a 00). I love them and play them more than any other that I have. I truly play the smaller guitar a bit more but I really appreciate the dreadnought more because of the 00. One is sweet and the other is a beast.

[@batman48195]

A 000 to OM comparison would be good to do. Short scale vs long scale and/or 12 fret vs 14 fret.

[@nicolen.9642]

Great idea! I have a 000-15M. Dreadnoughts too big. Chris with the mask is priceless...😅. Let's see if my ears are tuned... oh... Well, the dred has more volume, no surprise, but they both are sublime, to each his own...🎶🎶🎶

[@tadpoleinnit2643]

I loved this.

[@donmartin3356]

Well done. I have both of these guitars

[@iambusybox]

And which one is more favorite for you?

[@donmartin3356]

Both are great. I like which ever one I’m playing. 😊

[@praski149]

This is the first one of these blind tests where I could really hear the difference. I want a D-28 MD so bad.

[@texhaines9957]

What about comparing a 000-28 modern Deluxe to a dreadnought without a torrified top? Ever try a short scale 12 fret D-28?

[@Thekarlskorner]

Interesting differences. Both players sound amazing, however the HD 35 sounds brighter. I just played a D28 at the local Guitar Center and heard the sound of a higher end Martin. I am considering trading up from my Martin MMV I bought ten years , to an HD35. Each guitar has its own personality within it's design, so hard to think which it better until I try the HD 35 vs the D28, vs the MMV in the same setting. Thanks again for these well thought out comparison videos.

[@thomasecallaghan1111]

Chris was on mischievous form - very funny and lovely playing!

[@johnlord1399]

I was surprised how much I like the OM-28!

[@robertwallace8533]

A comparison in top wood Engleman Spruce and Sitka. Dreadnought deep and warm. OM beautiful too.

[@robertnewell5057]

A lot of people suggest that 3 piece gives a stiffer, more reflective back. There's no doubt that a stiffer back gives more reflection, but is that because of the 3 pieces - I doubt it. There are loads of 2 piece back guitars which have very reflective backs. Martin certainly introduced them for practical reasons, not tonal ones. Nice playing, by the way, and for me, the HD had a warmer tone with more integration between the notes; more separation on the OM. I have an HD35, but I certainly would love an OM as well.

[@rinzan28]

The hardest blind soundtest ever😂😂

[@martyc4906]

Both sound great, but I was surprised how much I liked the OM better.

[@ronmoore1219]

To my ears, the dreadnaught was deeper and more “soulful” than the OM. It was equally as beautiful, but brighter and “lighter”. I want both. Great head-to-head. I love these vids. Excellent demo pieces to showcase the tonal ranges. Great job, thank you.

[@willernst]

Both is the only logical answer.

[@artrogers3985]

Good stuff - do the solid body test please

[@deborahmcalister3936]

Chris got da moves!

[@jonmurphy776]

He should play the same guitar for both tests then we could get a good laugh when the guessing game starts 😂

[@EdgarLopez-pv8co]

I would love to see/hear a comparison between a gs mini and a full size taylor to hear what exactly is lost aside from volume by going down to a smaller guitar. Other ideas would be gauges of strings and similar constructed guitar but from different brands

[@stoneglad]

There is no contest between GS Mini VS full-size Taylor! I have the GS Mini and the 414-R, and while the GS mini is fun and easy to pickup and play while sitting on the couch or in the bedroom, it actually sounds pretty bad! The 414-R sound’s simply amazing!

[@GomansGuitar]

It sounds good,I want to know what is the microphone you use for recording ,please!

[@ratwynd]

I own a Martin D35, D16e and OOOM. Each has a very different quality as you illustrate here with these 2 professional grade Martins. My OOOM is good but somewhat thin sounding, although crisp and clean and plays very well. Good for camping and such. Not stage grade. The D16e is my go to for lead style picking or when I want to play in a mix. It is crisp, articulate, well balanced and has smooth but not overpowering low end. Plugged in it is awesome. The D35 is straight up acoustic, no plug. Crisp clean highs, clear mids and booming full bass. A cannon with clear, crisp high end punch when you call it up or go up the scale. I have lusted for one since I first saw the originals in the 1970s vintage models. Love the 3 piece back. It is well dressed without the overly done flash of the D41 or D45. All are of great quality for their price level. Once you get to the '28' trim level, you don't get better sound, just different tonal quality. Anything above is mostly just more flash except maybe some custom shop stuff. Just my 2 pesos worth of opinion.....

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

I have a D35 and recently got a DJr 10e. It's balanced, has good projection and is fun to play but sounds anemic when compared to my D35 acoustically. However, it sounds pretty good plugged in and I' ve done some open mics with it just fine.

[@ratwynd]

@@TheSingingDoctor325 000M gone, never got played. Replaced with D12-28, a guitar I have been wanting for years as well. My D16e fits the space of your D-10. So the Martin lust is fulfilled for me. For mahogany tones the J-50 fills the spot. I don't really pay a lot of attention to acoustics when in a shop these days.

[@donfedor6549]

I have a D35 and it really thumps your body. I love it

[@johnwashburn3793]

This does two things for me: I truly appreciate my D18GE, and I really desire an OM. Thanks.

[@Wammus85]

I definitly learned how to wear my mask properly today.

[@danielplaysvioli]

You guys HAVE to try some Larrivee guitars

[@cliffordgwekwe9853]

It will be interesting if you do the same kind of video like om 28 vs a cheap dreadnought.

[@stefan77.]

Thank you very much, I enjoyed this video. What is he playing, starting at 9:34 ? I'm not able to copy it from looking at the video.

[@travisdosch1921]

Huge difference. I know the OM sounded good, but compared to the dread it was kinda thin and not dynamic to my ear. Of course had the d35 not been in the video I would have thought that was a really good sounding guitar. You could see it in Chris’s reaction on the first note of the D35…. Like, oh ok yeah that’s what that is.

[@charlesmcgowen7238]

Years ago I bought an old beater of an HD-35. It sounded better than any guitar I've ever heard, but it's previous owner was a chain smoker and the thing had an awful stench, like an ashtray full of butts. So I traded it off, and I still regret it.

[@christopherwester]

Do they have the same size strings ??

[@hangdogit]

I have both models, although a D-28 Brazilian with standard bracinsg I think, instead f the D-35 (the D-35 is beautiful of course, but a little misleading in that the 3-piece back is due to a SHORTAGE of Rosewood, nit a model upgrade as is more typical of Martin naming.) The Dreanaught is simply the best overall -- richer, deeper, fuller sounds due to its larger size. The OM is smaller and lighter, an advantage for smaller people to play.

[@endoffate5475]

Guys thats way too easyyyyy.. You need to make d28 vs hd28 or something, you guys are around these guitars all day, make it a challenge! hehe

[@doremind1]

I'm a singer songwriter with a middle tone focused voice, between 1800/2500 and 3800/4500 hz) i think I'm getting a d35 (from 2013, almost ten years old) because it will go better with my voice. I'm not sure what ten years do to the wood but they say it becomes more focused and lose the muddiness. Thoughs?

[@herbmichael5053]

Love the sound - I have a 000-28 it doesn’t play as sweet as either - could be me though.

[@1funkybasslady]

Great, fun comparison, but there was absolutely no doubt which was which. The HD was so much warmer, fuller, deeper and "sweeter" on the top end. I always find it interesting that folks always talk about OO, OOO and OM are "finger style" guitars, but my ear always goes to the D body for every style of music - and especially for finger style. Only thing is that if not careful, the low end can overpower the upper notes. Both of these guitars are wonderful! BTW, would love to see this kind of comparison between 00, 000, OM and 0000 (M) body guitars.

[@TheBusinessman33]

I just bought a Martin HD 35 a few months ago. It is worth every penny. 🎸

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

I just got a D-35 last week - incredible sound, esp when playing Neil Young

[@GabrielCafa]

What is the song that the second guy played?

[@SowbellyRods]

Did they have the same strings? Or one Medium one Lights?

[@jonnynevada8915]

The 35 has so much more volume and tone and bottom end .. I guess that’s why it costs more 🤷‍♂️

[@jaymanley3198]

The mids stand out on the OM and the dread sounds slightly scooped in the midrange.

[@johnsanabria3279]

I have am OM guitar I found by a dumpster in my apartment complex. I could tell the difference between the OM and the dreadnought because the OM resonates louder and longer after the song is played. The dreadnought has a warmer but more enclosed sound and doesn't resonate to the length that an OM does.

[@akhsavar]

what a mic for guitar you use here?

[@anthonyb2334]

The OM sounds wonderful, but the dreadnaught blows it away for full range sound. But….. I am an OM guy, so if I had to choose, I go for the OM…..unless I can have both.

[@angelaclifton7609]

So what was the very last guitar Chris played? To me, it topped the other two! It sounded lovely! :)

[@dariobalcazarcollazos9834]

Jason Mraz Signature Model. I loved it too.

[@softsouthernknight]

The D-35 has a hand sanded top and that makes a big difference.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I wish Martin would offer them without the aging yellow toner 🤦‍♂️. I like the clear natural finish they used to have. You see the wood in it’s natural color and it changes with time just like we do

[@tomangus3637]

The OM28E that I have purchased has got a natural and is Sitka Spruce with a VTS (which’s amazing 🤩)

[@mikepalethorpe]

There are some options out there - custom authentic too is all natural. But yeah. I don’t get the fake yellow

[@iambusybox]

I've got HD-28 and love it. But is seems that OM-28 is more sutable for fingerstyle.

[@jorisArt]

How can you not love the warmth and full spectrum sound of the HD35? It’s my choice and the clear winner for both playing styles.

[@emilloffler1216]

I have a Martin OM28V and definitely would prefer a MartinHD28.

[@shawnsnow6413]

I couldn't tell on speakers, but how do you not play a single G-run?

[@stevedowler2366]

Ok, I heard the definite diff between the 35 and the 28 with Cooper playing. And with Chris playing, there was also a noticeable diff. Also the 28 is much more suited to Chris' finger style.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

I got the dreadnought at the first strum

[@jimmyolsenschannel6263]

The guy with the longest hair thinks the Viking-Celt talks a lot.

[@blakebruner6173]

All due respect, I wish you would have compared the OM-28 to a D-28. Their wood quality is supposed to be equal. To me the HD line sounds like when you click on the Mega Bass on CD and Cassette players, or a Boom Box. I know you chose HD-35 because of the bracing. It has an artificial booming quality to it. Most OM & 00 series have that small box sound that always sounds cheap and that the back & sides are plywood laminates. But Martin whole wood guitars never do. They sound like non boisterous Dreadnoughts. Pick playing, of course points out the shallower sound of non Dreadnoughts. Light plecking will also allow for the two to sound more similar. We all play with too much force. It's from all the passionate air guitar playing we do! Thanks for the demo. I always enjoy the technical info you include. As well as ad on info like pointing out that the D-35's 3 piece back is aesthetic only.

[@jackorbit7258]

Did they both have the same strings?

[@mickymillersson4376]

If there was, by some magic, a 000 that sounded like a dread I'd buy it in a heartbeat

[@nathanmiller9785]

Check out Larrivee OM-09. Much bigger deeper sound than the Martin OM body size styles.

[@martinrosschou]

10:08 those squeaks are really in contrast to what is being played, such a shame. I know it's hard to train the technique to not squeak, but it doesn't take 10.000 hours, usually doesn't even take me an hour, mostly a few minutes. It is a constant practice though.

[@deborahmcalister3936]

Hey Cooperage wearing plaid like Mike Watt.

[@TankWoods]

So you wear them on your eyes, Good for you . Ho Ho Ho merry Christmas

[@maximumaverage]

Come on guys 2 EZ. Put some skin in the game Chris!

[@eurly93]

Dreadnought was WAY less articulate for light touch finger picking than the OM-28. OM-28 didn't have the power on strumming though. Honestly you can use either guitar to play a wide variety of styles, but the OM will be slightly more versatile at the end of the day by virtue of being that 'goldilocks' size

[@el34glo59]

OM blew the dread away finger picking

[@flylippfantom8425]

What's prewar bracing?????

[@Ravenscaller]

Next time hide the person playing so we have to guess. There really is a Martin sound. It comes in different flavors.

[@patrickmorgan4006]

Or you can do as I did and close your eyes. I am not usually the best at these blind comparisons but I knew the D-35 immediately both times.

[@Ravenscaller]

@@patrickmorgan4006 I did too.

[@Dan-bj2qs]

The D-35 has NON-scalloped bracing. So they are not the same. The OM utilizes scalloped bracing. To my ear, there really is a big difference between scalloped and non-scalloped bracing ON THE SAME BODY. It’s really not a fair comparison with two different bracing structures on two different body sizes. Other than that correction, I really really like what you guys do. Please keep doing videos like this. Thank you.

[@everettsykes4944]

The D-35 does have NON-scalloped bracing. But this is the HD-35 (Notice the 'H'). It has 1/4" scalloped bracing, just like the OM-28.

[@flylippfantom8425]

What's the big deal about herring bone?

[@jefferp]

I have a D28 that sounds like Taylor made it and a Taylor that sounds like Martin made it…….to my old ears.

[@walterstreet1467]

The dreadnought was deeper in tone, would the Taylor GT be good against it

[@startreker8591]

Always so braced to blah a lot it’s the top braced😂❤

[@markstrain8989]

who is that masked man?

[@muhammadrifkiali2030]

should be hd 28

[@brianellis15]

They picked the HD-35 because they use the same size top bracing.

[@angelg8445]

Yea there are some that don’t actually seem to have much patriotism these days and won’t wear a mask properly, unfortunately that’s why we can’t get to the end of this pandemic. Good lord Cooper has some excellent crisp chops! Really helps to bring out the tone. I love my CS Martin and love acoustics.✌🏽Chris sounded pretty good too…😉

[@Zed.90]

skip the talking ... we all can read specs we wanna hear the guitar. ...