Guitars from Martin, Orangewood, and Huss and Dalton. Which one wins in a finger-style competition?

Here I compare a Martin OMC Aura, an Orangewood Mason, and a Huss and Dalton 00-SP. I'm demonstrating them on a few snippets from my original compositions. My fingernails are a wreck from this cold, dry weather so some passages are ragged. I elected not to balance the volume so remember, loudest is not always best. All the guitars were recorded with the same mic position but the Martin is not quite as loud as the other two. The little 00-SP is the loudest of the bunch!

[@mikejackson9842]

For me it's the Huss and Dalton first, then the Martin. For the price, though that Orangewood holds its own.

[@snoozedoctor]

The H&D is a special guitar. The Orangewood does OK, like you say, especially for the price!

[@paulp2033]

Nice compositions and beautifully played. For me in order of preference: Martin Huss and Dalton Orangewood

[@snoozedoctor]

Thanks! My order as well for general finger style use!

[@artrogers3985]

This is the neck cracking dry season Doc. I have a small apartment so I just have one huge humidifier running. Keeps it at a nice 50% humidity most of the time. Glad you had a great vacation.

[@snoozedoctor]

Yeah, it's really dry here. I have a rather large space I'm trying to keep humidified. My studio is about 24 X 14. I keep 2 humidifiers running but can't get near 50%. I keep sound hole humidifiers in all the instruments.

[@artrogers3985]

@@snoozedoctor The sound hole humidifiers should keep that beautiful collection of instruments you have happy. Cheers

[@taab7]

All three sounded so good, but for the gentle soothing type of musical composition you presented, the Martin is the clear winner due to it's warmth. For more lively up-tempo compositions, where there are other instruments, then either the Mason or the Dalton would be my choice as their brighter tone would cut through the mix more efficiently especially in a live performance. I was pleasantly surprised at the tone of the Dalton - wasn't expecting such a nice balanced tone from such a small guitar. As a solo instrument for gentle finger picking music, definitely first place to the Martin and a tie for 2nd place for both the Dalton and the Mason. Would have liked to have heard what these instruments sounded like when being strummed. The Mason is certainly the loudest and probably best suited for live performance in a band set-up for lively up- tempo songs. Thanks for showing string choice. Elixir are my favourite. Expensive in my country, but due to their durability, certainly cost effective in the long run.

[@snoozedoctor]

I'm with you on all counts. I use the Martin for almost all of my softer pieces. The pickup on it sounds amazing too. The E string in this demonstration was too light on all the guitars but it's what I had on hand. Wouldn't you know my 12s arrived in the mail yesterday evening while I was editing. I use the Orangewood when I recording in a band context, strumming, because it's bright and loud and I don't have to EQ it much in the mix. It sounds and looks surprisingly good for the price.

[@marguit71]

Great video Mark.... I agree with the consensus that the Martin sounds the best. I was really impressed with the Orangewood sound and also the Huss & Dalton. For such a small body it has a lot of low end. I would also be interested to hear your thoughts on the ease of playability of these three. I have always loved your OMC Aura..... it's a beautiful instrument and sounds amazing. Yours is the only one I've ever seen.

[@snoozedoctor]

Thanks Paul. The Martin is wonderfully warm and balanced. I'm too surprised with the Orangewood. It is quite bright and sits well in a mix when strummed. Mine is the only OMC I've seen as well. I bought it in 2009 right before a show with Victoria Williams. I was going to rent an acoustic and an amp for the night and saw this on the rack, played it and kept it. Love it.

[@mulberrywood4529]

What wonderfull guitars! I think the Martin OMC sounds most impressive - as if You were playing in a concert hall. I love the Huss an Dalton, too. I'm sure even someone with short arms and short fingers could play some chords on it. Yes! I - for me as an absolute beginner - would prefer the Huss and Dalton!

[@snoozedoctor]

The Huss and Dalton is an anomaly. It's a little cannon. As soon as I picked it up in the music store I knew it was coming home with me. It's extremely lightly constructed and weighs almost nothing. That may have contributed to a couple of top cracks that happened in the middle of summer, so it wasn't a humidity issue. Doesn't affect the sound at all. In my experience, lightly constructed guitars resonate more and sound better, in general. Playing a pre-war Martin OM is like lifting air. Very light guitars.

[@daslous89]

Martin

[@snoozedoctor]

Definitely the one I play the most.

[@taftt3]

All three sounded great. I am surprised at the sound quality of the Orangewood. I am curious what you think of their solid top and solid back and side guitars like the Ava or Sage Mahogany. The Martin and Huss and Dalton are very nice and sound amazing!

[@snoozedoctor]

The look and sound of the Orangewood is surprisedly good. I would love to play one of their solid guitars but haven't had the chance. I considered buying one for the curiosity, they aren't very expensive, but my spouse says I'm over my limit, (which is true.)

[@taftt3]

@@snoozedoctor there always room for one more guitar lol!