Martin 000-28EC vs OMJM - Eric Clapton vs John Mayer!

[@paullanier8280]

My ears think the OMJM has a tone I like . Both are wonderful sounding guitars . Both artists have contributed to the music industry and helped many folks in their time of need. Thanks to both of them !!!!

[@pietersmidt8593]

I have the OMJM and absolutely love the guitar!. Clapton was my hero and inspiration when I started playing guitar at 14.. I ended up playing professionally until my early 30's . I put the guitar in it's case after a gig on evening and it ended up there for 30 years. Now in my early 60's John Mayer actually inspired me to start playing guitar again last year. I happened on an acoustic version of "Queen of California" on utube and I am hooked again. They are both great players one is a generation ahead of me and the other one behind , but equally inspirational for me!

[@Michael-bm8hi]

I believe that the OMJM has not the typical dove tail neck joint and the nut width is narrower (and it comes with a pick-up)

[@michaelmcinnis911]

Martin website lists the OMJM with a "simple dovetail" neck joint, so you are correct.

[@ZacCostilla]

The Meyer seems like more of a strummer, and the Clapton seems better suited for finger picking, bends, and such. The difference I hear is that the Meyer is a little louder, and has a little more to end brilliance, and the Clapton is a touch more subtle. But they both sound amazing.

[@scouser2230]

In addition the Clapton model has a 1.75 nut width, which I prefer, over the narrower Meyer model. I personally would prefer a mix of these two models, with the 14 frets; however, with the wider nut width.

[@AnthonySG0113]

I play in an acoustic group.., and I love these reviews!

[@davidkillian215]

Molly Tuttle!

[@Raphyes]

Great video! Hey there’s another new Martin guitar that I do not see a lot of reviews that’s Martin 000-28 Brooke Ligertwood. Thank you

[@andmondson8260]

Got the EC for the shorter scale and V neck, so nice to play and will stay with me until the end of time.

[@tonato17]

yeah man those instruments are not to be sold. I learned the lesson by selling many instruments I now regret. Enjoy your guitar and make great music with it

[@LindaLooUK]

I think I prefer the sound of the EC as it sounds a little more mellow and rich probably because it's short scale.

[@Iamnickdude09]

To answer the question, without Clapton there might not be a Mayer- so while John can clearly do more than Clapton can do now or before, you've got to give credit where credit is due to the OG

[@scottyschade]

As much as I like John , I don’t think he could carry playing the Layla album with the passion that it takes like eric did …maybe we’ll see it one day

[@todddammit4628]

That logic would mean that any comparison between two musicians from different eras automatically goes to the one that came first. There would be no Clapton without BB King. There would be no BB King without T-Bone Walker. So I just don't see the rationale. Technically John Mayer is superior. John Mayer is a better vocalist. John Mayer is a better songwriter. John Mayer has had more radio hits.

[@prasanthselvadurai3450]

@@todddammit4628 Clapton's vocals are honestly better than mayers

[@G_Demolished]

@@prasanthselvadurai3450 No they’re not, and Clapton would be the first to tell you.

[@TAYLORFAN50]

​@@G_Demolished- Uh...Wrong. 🙄

[@texhaines9957]

What about the Music Villa Custom Shop OM? Maybe all sold, but would be a good comparison. John's concerts to help rebuild were great. The Engelmann Spruce is also grown in NW Montana, although a lot comes from Canada. Thanks Quinton and Paul

[@ProfessorJM1]

Ooo, good one...my two favorite boys, no joke. Great thought, and thanks, gentlemen. Three guys Clapton was in awe of, (we all know other great players who he didn't mention, but for the purpose of this...) Hendrix, Vaughan, and Mayer...that's bringing it full circle, if you ask me.

[@DJWRailroad]

As usual, great vid, demos. Doc Q, thanks for bringing much needed attention (for the displaced locals) to the devastating Yellowstone/Gardner Rivers flooding.

[@vanessacai]

I have both and l love them ! 🥰

[@austingal9869]

I played an EC signature model. Sounded great but the v shaped neck and the 1.75 nut were awkward for me. Thus the JM with the 1 11/16 neck and low profile are appealing.

[@michealofloinn2539]

I’m with Quinton. Play anything you pick up👍

[@Jasper_Yay636]

Slow Hand has a long time of his clean living. Semper Fi. JMOM good fella. Appreciate generosity and expediency.

[@jesusistheonlypowerful6017]

I like the clapton one, mayer is too aggressive for me. I like the sweetness of clapton. The clapton sound is so open

[@gratefulz6035]

EC is a monster and no one can play Robert Johnson like he can, john Mayer is a absolutely fabulous guitar player I think his sound is nice and smooth and like electric on glass, very very bright due to his silver oval cables and power jacks makes his sound too bright and I loved the aggressiveness he had playing but with playing w the dead he went to a very very sweet sound, I like both sweet and sour not just sweet and Jerry had it all sweet, sour, spicy and snappy and the idea is not to copy but to take as inspiration of the hero’s we love and make our own sound, the way we hear it. That’s the thing that Jerry made a point of just playing the music and not letting it die if u can play it play and play what u feel and hear and just have fun because this is all of our music !

[@sbolfing]

Doesn't the OMJM have the simple dovetail neck joint vs the standard dovetail on the 000-28EC?

[@richardsutton8706]

Interesting comments. The contest here should be between their acoustic guitar line not between them as players. If we are comparing them as players ...John Mayer is now a better player but Clapton in his prime was hard to beat.

[@jjmuni]

I’d prefer the shorter scale, JMs Pickguard the Clapton neck and I don’t like the bling around the soundhole of the JM…

[@startreker8591]

Very similar I got one of these but without signature it does not add to the tone

[@MINNAZONA]

John Mayer, his guitar/music knowledge is great!

[@grantdurst7875]

I’ve had the opportunity to play both and for me hands down the OMJM. Just can’t get around the V-neck

[@markreams3192]

I really like Cooper Greenberg. Although not a super star his playing is in that realm. He’s a super star of Alamo Music Center! Your competition!😂

[@shawnsnow6413]

Would have been nice to hear a standard om 28 in the mix

[@TimMilliken]

Tommy Emanuel is the greatest living acoustic guitar shred master. Also Mike Dawes, Luca Stragnoli.

[@G_Demolished]

I’m taking David Grier.

[@TimMilliken]

@@G_Demolished respect. So many great pickers. Thanks for turning me onto another one.

[@johnheffner7275]

I bought a 2005 000-28EC new and always had a dull low E string about halfway up the fretboard despite string changes and trips to the luthier. Anyone else with this issue?

[@lloydloar1]

I had this same problem with my 2011 000-28EC until I had the neck reset (I bought it new too). It's now a completely different sounding guitar. BTW, Martin paid for the neck reset.

[@Randorita]

The EC has a little more bass than the JM, to my ears. I have played an EC, but have never tried a JM. I would take a EC, because of the neck. Best guitar player right now is JM. EC ten or fifteen years ago, absolute best. EC has some hand problems that hurts his ability. Will always be my guitar hero. SRV was great, but gone too soon. Billy Strings had to be good, or he couldn’t use the name. Maybe Molly Tuttle will inspire a new wave of women players.

[@craigdiamond5518]

The Mayer has clearly more mid-range (and the appearance of 'balance'); the Clapton retains more high end (and forgiving any failure by Quinton to avoid variation in picking) and 'scoop' and is a bit louder.

[@tinman8014]

I have the Clapton model. I’d describe the difference as the opposite of this! But we all hear things differently.

[@craigdiamond5518]

@@tinman8014 Of course! And no two of the "same" instruments are the same either, which complicates any comparison. I was going by this particular Music Villa 'duel' . Opinion appears mixed in the comment thread - so there is no correct answer without running these through a freq analysis, which still doesnt explain what we hear. I cant afford either and stick with my vintage D-35 and O-16 NYT - neither of which sound like these :)

[@baybae92]

That’s what I’m hearing too.

[@inlovewithguitars]

Might sound heretic, but I think as a guitar player John Mayer is hard to beat.

[@Tee-mq2zn]

This is quite relevant for me as I part exchanged my OMJM for a Lowden last year. No doubt about it the OMJM is a very good guitar but I didn't think it was as good as my 000-18e. Tbh, I should never have bought it but its a beautiful and well made guitar and it did sound very good in the shop. However, the nut width does make a difference (I've got biggish hands) and normally stick to 1 3/4 necks. Another great video but this time my vote goes to the EC. As ever, try before you buy!

[@edhalbach9550]

It's art, not sports. They're both great artists. I do like the tone and playability of the 000-28 better. I played both 2 weeks ago and loved them both, but went home with the 000.

[@SingSurfStrum]

John and Quinton Jam ……mind blown. Make it so

[@colasgraveline870]

Molly Tuttle and J.P. Cormier are definetly worth a listen. I know that would like to hear them play together.

[@soofitnsexy]

they are fantastic

[@AchillesWrath1]

The Clapton sounds a little more sparkly. The Mayer sounds more mellow and buttery. They are very close though and both sound great.

[@keithskelton2287]

I own the 00028 ec My hero is Eric but I also like John Mayer he is great Robbie Mcintosh is also very good My generation I guess ✌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@deanmcbride8747]

Great video's guy's. It's got to be Billy strings and his guitar playing. Martin guitars must be gutted that Billy got a Preston Thompson guitar. I do fancy owning a D-BA model but cost £13, 000. I'll stick with my Martin d 42 for now. Best wishes Dean 🇬🇧

[@gratefulz6035]

Jrad is the next, Tom Hamilton jr. And Scott Metzger. Scott just released a acoustic album, listen to his live performances he’s been around for years just under everyone’s nose.. greatest Rythme and lead player in my book living right now and best shredder is Tom Hamilton jr. Just listens to morning dew from jerrys 80th birthday event lol… his playing is almost scary, Jerry is the real deal but he would love to play w these gentlemen without a doubt.

[@BobK5]

What strings and gauge do they each have?

[@michaelvarney.]

Dump the thumb pick for the Mayer songs.

[@davecruickshank7660]

They both sound incredible,,,but the Eric Clapton had a little more,,,,,, Ya, that's the sound.

[@johanntay8541]

Molly Tuttle

[@289hipo]

Both of them are top notch players, shouldn't be trying to rank "best" or "better", just different styles - enjoy them both👍 Imho I would rank Jeff Beck over both of them in regards to talent, innovation, & creativity, on top of the fact that his skill & technique are at least as good as theirs.

[@acurabby]

Numbers in total sold since 1995 is hard to beat and catch up to Johnny. You just gotta be the first and the rest is history in the most signature sold in history by Martin = Clapton is God.

[@darkclouda320]

Both great guitar players, no doubt about that. Clapton is exponentially more influential.

[@RobinDaelman]

000-28ec sounds deeper and brighter to my ears here.

[@martinvanburen3124]

After demoing many Martins smaller body guitars, i went with OMJM due to it’s more narrow string spacing and low profile neck and it had a pickup. Unfortunately, I surprisingly ran into some issues with it and wound up selling it. Everybody went wild for the small body Martin after seeing Clapton on his MTV special. Big shot in the arm for Martin guitars. John is a great player and songwriter but Eric Clapton; now your talking about one of the original guitar legends whose impact extends beyond the guitar - sorry John.

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

"We sell them both, all the time", I can hardly believe that given what they cost and given that there are plenty guitars from different brands that do the same and are economicaly a more sound investment, you must be a real fan with plenty of money to burn to buy one of these is my honest opinion.

[@gbc77000]

I just picked up the EC from a guy on Craigslist, for $1,500. Deals are out there if you're vigilant.

[@vallesvaldez]

Clapton, he always makes me pick up the guitar.

[@BaronsDuju]

Love you guys, but you hardly touch on the massive differences that make this guitar unique? As far as I know, it has an even slimmer neck than the usual reimagined low oval, it has a narrower string spacing too. These things are super important to people like me.

[@daverenick5830]

Who's the better guitarist? Apples and oranges. But I still have an answer. There are a lot of players who have a particular thing they do, a specialty as it were, that Clapton can't do. John Mayer's fingerpicking technique over chords is not anything Clapton is renowned for. Like B.B. King always said he just couldn't play slide. But, and this is a big butt, Clapton's genius has proved itself almost endlessly in a career now spanning two CENTURIES. When it comes to improvisation on the fly, and seemingly limitless abilities at creativity in virtually any genre, it's EC all the way. He fronts symphonies, scores movies, traded licks with Pavarotti, at home with country, bluegrass, rock, blues (where he's a gifted prodigy), and on and on. he has an overarching talent. Santana calls him the Arch-Angel of guitar. He has added so much to the lexicon of the blues that there are thousands or millions of players using his riffs who have no idea that Clapton is the author. In fact his style is so all-present that sometimes you can't even be sure if it's him on what you are listening to. Like the English language itself, we use all all the time and don't wonder if it's Chaucer or Shakespeare etc. who coined the phrase. So, yeah, JM is a gifted wonderful player, and a lot more then flash in the pan, (an expression that probably came from old gold mining, not Clapton) and he's also quite creative, but Clapton is the great Grand Master. He's the Segovia of Blues, and has incorporated everybody and every genre into his play, like Freddie Kruger eating souls. JM has more technique, more idiosyncratic technique, especially on acoustic but, IMO, Clapton , like Hendrix, is a one time on the face of the Planet phenomenon. There are players who are faster, or better at certain styles, Paco de Lucia, Segovia, etc......But EC hits sweet spots others don't even know exist, and he keeps doing it, decade after decade. Actually, the only other guitarist I think, had this ability with sweet spots was Clarence White. And you could justify an argument that Rice or Skaggs etc. is/was "better", but in the end, in the weird alchemy of soul with the challenges of the instrument, judgmental criteria have to be carefully defined. When you try to compass the totality of a career, at least compared to the evolution of JM, who I consider great because the soul he merges with technique is great, more then his technical skill, still, Clapton's way out front by miles. In the final measure, it isn't about technique, it's about great music, and whatever you have to do or have inside you that gets it there. If a person is gifted with that enormity of soul, and then finds the technique to EXPRESS it with the material of a physical instrument, then you get a Clapton, or a Mayer or a BB or a Wes Montgomery or a Segovia. Ask the identical question of someone in 30 years, who can examine that new totality, and we'll see how JM fares.

[@raymondjones7773]

Joe Bonamassa is a great acoustic player.

[@Fronz05]

Thanks guys, another great comparison video. Please take a listen to Corey Heuvel as an Acoustic Shredder. He does amazing things interpreting new voicings on covers and also creating his own music. He has been doing a 3 hr livestream every Friday from 5 - 8pm EST since Covid hit and they are a great way to showcase his talents. Fronz

[@dalesearcy5734]

Molly Tuttle is another one to watch out for.

[@lolzordierofl]

its just a marketing guitarre anyway. fan guitarre. they are both the same and sure its a rly good guitarre. its more about which person u like more

[@CaptainOfMyBurden82]

Marcus King!

[@ARTUROSIERRALOPEZ]

Mayerneis

[@themayor6836]

Clapton all day long

[@scouser2230]

Although I would love to have either artist’s talent, I have to say that Eric Clapton would be my vote for the better guitarist.

[@scouser2230]

Acoustic Letter, I am acknowledging my prize.

[@G_Demolished]

Eric thinks John plays better. I’m taking it from the source.

[@alexandermatthewsmusic]

I loop with an x series 000 coz it's like sheeran only proper size... So you bang on it and stuff but talking about the "chopsticks" I literally laugh every time I see those guitar drummers spending half the song banging and tapping on the thing.... Anyway

[@ComicKish]

Yamaha

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Clapton is GOD - remember that!

[@ludomirsteinbruck9376]

I heard from a martin dealer that the John mayer one sounds dreadful

[@johnheffner7275]

Maybe less talk guys. I listen to your feed daily but this one a bit too much talk. More playing next time. Less hero worship..this is about the guitars.

[@JohnDoe-xr5is]

V-neck....deal breaker for me.

[@senorpapasfritasconqueso]

Tim Henson is the next

[@cugir321]

Don't play the chinese knock off.

[@Billsingsong]

Way too much talk you just play the damn guitars

[@michaelk7194]

I have both on 000-28 and OM-28.. didn't like the 000-28ec, the neck was fatter than the 000-28. of the 2, the 000-28 is used more for chording with leads, where as the OM-28 chords and finger style. The shorter scale and sleeker neck of the 000-28 makes 3 fret bends easy, much harder on my hands on the OM-28. Tone wise the OM is a little warmer due to the small differences in the wood bracing (thicker) and longer scale. Both I play over my D-28 and my M-36 and 00-28..next will be 000-42!