Martin OM-21 vs OM-28 - What's the Difference??

Almost identical, the OM-21 and OM-28 from Martin are 2 popular models, but is the herringbone trim, fretboard inlays, and bridge pins worth the extra $450 on the 28?? And do these features affect the tone. Watch the comparison and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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[@anthonyb2334]

I’ve been watching your channel for years but missed this one. I’ve been considering one of these two models and going back over your video was very helpful. Thank you

[@hobiecat901]

I am considering an Om, thanks for the review.

[@leejuicy]

Given their essentially identical construction, wouldnt the tonal difference just be between individual guitars rather than the model? I really hope one day people will do comparisons scientifically ie fourier analysis of waveforms followed by grouping analysis

[@uria702]

Yup. No two pieces of Spruce are going to be the same density, thickness, etc. Any two guitars, even if built in the exact same specification will sound different. I also suspect having the binding on the top dampens the sound a bit.

[@artfulalias3984]

People in the comments claiming they can hear the difference over their phone speakers 😶.

[@bluesmau69]

marvellous both...but maybe i prefer the OM 21 model....it seem to me it has a warmer sound....and i love this aspect.

[@ericcross7863]

Man, Martins are just magic

[@gibby6904]

I'm not crazy about the new pickguard shape on the Oms....I really liked the teardrop and this appears to be a cross between the teardrop and the 000 pickguard...

[@lovewalruss]

Nice thanks

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

Nice review and performance!! Both are great tone. I own OM-28 standard and love it. Singing with OM is the best for me. I am 171cm, so I like thin depth body of 000/OM.

[@jessewoollen-danner3754]

It’s called a volute. It used to be a reinforcement for the joint when the headstock and neck were separate chunks of wood. They kept it after they changed over to one piece heel and neck. Purely aesthetic purpose these days.

[@quintonking9960]

Thanks Jesse! For the record, we typically have no idea what we're talking about :)

[@jmdbb]

It actually feels different when fretting in the first position. One of the reasons the neck on the HD-28 feels better in my hands vs the one without the volute on the D-18. The D-18 feels flatter and a little more awkward to me. So not quite just aesthetic.

[@dtf-productions6134]

This is true but I imagine the volute reinforces the headstock on the solid necks even still

[@jessewoollen-danner3754]

@@dtf-productions6134 it does. Some. I build my guitars still using a volute. I wouldn’t know the actual amount as it’s probably not really quantifiable, but it would have to be some just by a mass to shear strength ratio. I mostly think they just look cool and showcases a luthiers ability to do something that requires skill. Though Martin hasn’t carved a neck by hand for probably 30 years.

[@dtf-productions6134]

@@jessewoollen-danner3754 Agreed and thank you! I actually prefer non hand carved necks for a sense of conscious consistency in their dimensions however. that way you get the type of neck you aim for every time and people know what theyre getting.

[@dori4567]

I own the 21, it was an expensive impulse buy that I have not regretted! I do have to admit I slightly preferred the sound of the 28 but I would still buy the 21 to save the extra few hundred dollars. The 28 is also a little fancier but that does not matter to me that much to me . Either is a fantastic choice .

[@uria702]

The only differences are aesthetic. Personally, I prefer the traditional bare bones look of the 21.

[@Neal_Sporin]

I love my plain Jane! @@uria702

[@Neal_Sporin]

I bought a brand new OM-21 in 1998 from the now defunct Acoustic Roots in Jenkintown, PA. Back then, the fingerboard and bridge were made of rosewood. I've been playing it for 25 years now. I absolutely love the tone, which is, of course, better than ever! I also love the plain Jane looks and the rosewood appointments-- I prefer simple design aesthetics. I had the bridge slotted many years back and switched to solid ebony pins. Yumm!

[@DavidMBeckingham]

Would one not find a similar difference in sound between two 21s? Or between two 28s? I don’t understand why the comparison in they’re essentially the same guitar. Do the details change the tone as much as a different piece of wood? I fell in love with a 21 (sonically) the other day but the 28 does look nicer.

[@elvismemphisgs]

OM 21 SOUNDS BEST

[@terryadams3489]

I listened several times(the very begging of the comparison) and I thought the OM 28 had a little more clarity, hi's,mid's, and lows very balanced. But then........what do I know? Thank you , I enjoyed it al!

[@travisgoodman9633]

What is difference between the OM series vs the D? Like an OM-18 vs D-18? Or OM-28 vs D-28?

[@musicvilladotcom]

The OM (Orchestra Model) and D (Dreadnought) are two different body shapes. Other specs should be the same on 18, 28 etc....

[@mikehoehn1475]

What strings are on em ?

[@Simon-df2ku]

tried two 21's and two 28's today. the 21 was warmer and thats the one i came away with.

[@Atlanticmoonsnail]

Stephen Foster, "Oh! Susanna", "My Old Kentucky Home"... The Father of American Music a son of Pittsburgh, PA (I'm not a Pennsylvanian just sayin'...). Great song choice but, Irish??? Foster. Nice demos and good information as always. Thank you.

[@Baile_an_Locha]

And it’s certainly not a jig, which would have 3/4 timing.

[@rob7601]

Love my om21 I couldn't justify the extra cost at the time.

[@billyellow4849]

Well and I thought I was the only guy who got my kid to put grip tape on my tortoiseshell picks!

[@tannercopeland188]

What was that first song he played?

[@davidmc8478]

Tanner Copeland , oh susanna

[@Jeff-mn7cl]

OM 21/28 or CEO 7?

[@CustomTele52RI]

The tonal difference between a given OM-21 and a given OM-28 is of the same order as the difference between the difference between any two OM-28's in my humble opinion and experience. Play a few and one will speak to you - or maybe ALL of them! I'm intrigued by the newer SC-28 / SC-18 models - or perhaps even the SC-10E for $999 (made in Martin's Mexico factory) but I'm keeping the OM-21 regardless :o)

[@slbolfing56]

Weird, but the 21 seemed warmer & the 28 brighter. Listening with eyes closed could tell difference. Still, you could probably pick out a different pair of guitars and get opposite results! That's why you have to the shop and play them!!!!

[@seandelacruz3792]

I thought they are just same tonewood with different binding or design?

[@jefffenton211]

What was the song he played in the ending comparison?

[@quintonking9960]

Hi Jeff - thanks to the KZbin algorithm, just circling back here after all this time - it was a butchered version of Paul Simon's "Was a Sunny Day" - thanks for watching and sorry so, so slow responding!

[@soofitnsexy]

@@quintonking9960 u rock!!!!

[@patricklundquist9869]

@@quintonking9960 Sounded like an excellent Hawaiian slack key version (minus the slack)

[@brunonjezic6208]

Why do they sound so different? I always wondered does binding influences movement of the top on some way

[@draygamez7180]

Bruno Njezic Bunding has absolutely nothing to do with tone

[@soofitnsexy]

everything affects these ....they sound very different

[@scotthobson5359]

They sound so different! Both have a great sound though

[@deanc99]

Binding has nothing to do with tone. Martin hand-finishes the scalloped bracing on these guitars - and although they’re theoretically identical, Martin usually has their more-experienced builders work on the 28s.

[@fernandofernandezescalante2554]

Oops stumbled upon this just now, when I’m scouting for an Om-21… I’ve already owned both the Eric Clapton 000-28 (until my wrist gave away) and got me a Reimagined 000-28 (which comparatively sounded out of gas) and have lately settled for an HD-28 and a D-18. But my point is I’ve done some research and I may be wrong finding out CF Martin apparently use better quality woods proportionally to the level of the guitar, being Herringbone one step above (such the case of both OM and 000 28’s). Hence the slightly noticeable difference in sound and volume… or not maybe not 😂

[@John-wr6yo]

Take the little round dot of black velcro,and put the corrugated side on your pick. Then put the fuzzy little round dot on your upper pick guard. It is hardly noticeable and it is in a very convenient place when you need it as you are playing. It is convenient ,quick and you know where your pick is at all times,and it makes a secure gripp.

[@shawnchaudry733]

Is the bracing inside the same on both?

[@musicvilladotcom]

Yes, same for both.

[@craigsounddesigner]

@@musicvilladotcom and what is that? 1/4" scalloped forward shifted for reimagined series??

[@Felixheintzenberg]

What is the last song he plays?

[@quintonking9960]

Hi Felixheintzenberg - sorry for this very, very delayed response - it was a butchered version of Paul Simon's "Was a Sunny Day" - my mother used to play this album on repeat when I was a child, so all of these songs are seared into my early memories - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaucoGaqm56fo80

[@algomez04]

OM 21.

[@alessandroformenti1010]

Same woods, construction and scale lenght but to my ears the 28 sounds a little bit more "focused".

[@quigley4440]

pick out another OM 28 from the rack and it will also sound different. No two guitars from the same model will, or should sound the same. It's wood - and every slab cut is different with grain tightness, etc, so it will make a slight difference in the sound. That's why it is best to go to a store that has a bunch of guitars, to find the ONE.

[@fpm_j2_12_muhammadkhuluqin4]

@@quigley4440 agree 101% i've done like that. the conclusion is when i play the mahogany back and sides the sounds is from 1 - 10 different sound and when i play rosewood back and sides, its sounds from 11 - 20 different sound, so u have to go to the store that has many stocks of the guitar that you chase.

[@JS-ei1zk]

om21 better I think thanks!!

[@calebkim2275]

6:09

[@gazoregon]

I believe the red dot pins are Liquidmetal, not plastic.

[@musicvilladotcom]

The pins on the new Modern Deluxe series are indeed Liquid metal with a red dot but these two guitars feature plastic pins.

[@olivierbasile7809]

Om 21 better for record i have both.

[@soofitnsexy]

do you recommend it??

[@olivierbasile7809]

@@soofitnsexy om 28 est plus agréable pour jouer(je ne sais pas pourquoi)mais om 21 est plus précise à l’enregistrement mais ce n’est que mon avis(mon om 21 est de 2016 et om 28 2017 )donc je pense om 28 pour grattage et om 21,pour picking Il faut essayer mais aussi enregistrer pour pouvoir écouter et comparer vraiment au retour du magasin Bonne musique Que Dieu vous benisse

[@soofitnsexy]

@@olivierbasile7809 gracias

[@calebkim2275]

5:44

[@vvalendo]

Why am I even here… I can’t afford either of them.

[@jaime4022]

Same reason I'm here, I guess. But I'm worse, as I can't even play the guitar.

[@dionst.michael1482]

You need to change up the reviewers

[@tcoudi]

none, can´t afford either of them. i just got back to playing after 10 years and got myself nice all solid washburn orchestra. enjoying it so much. and since it was sale, i paid for it 450, which is the difference between 28 and 21 :)

[@xxGrayWolfxx]

Two guys just tolerating each other. Seen this before at the local guitar shop.😂

[@xkguy]

volute is the word you seek....

[@mikezuckerman521]

The OM-21 sounds brighter/clearer to me, more towards mahogany...OM-28 tad muddy sounding....imho. Krik out.

[@DS-nw4eq]

Mahogany has a darker tone. Rosewood is brighter.

[@soofitnsexy]

totally different sound the 21 was deepr the 28 pingier

[@blonchie4724]

Om28 is out of tune on end comparison

[@guitarsarebest6565]

Please Acoustic Letter, set Quentin free...can't he do these reviews alone? Why have the other guy scowling and rushing him as he's speaking about the guitar's characteristics? I've watched quite a few of these and this has often been the case.

[@gregorycarpenter]

I think the banter is a good thing... It gives the reviews a social setting, plus Paul is a great guy...

[@johnoconnor4984]

I think these guys are epic together. Don’t go changing

[@quix0tedon186]

Be sure to attach pickups to guitars sold in Korea. Money goes in twice. Did you know? Can I sell without pickup for a lot of money?? // 마틴기타는 한국에서 엄청나게 비싸게 팔고있다. 한국에서는픽업이없는기타는사용하지않는다. 타브랜드기타는 모두 다 픽업이달려있다. 참고하세요. //

[@quix0tedon186]

마틴기타는 도대체 왜 그렇게 비산거요? 한국에만 오면 엄청나게 값으로마술을부리고 있는데 당신들 그런사실 알고 있나요?