Martin's Greatest Hits? Eric Clapton vs John Mayer Martin Acoustic Guitars shootout!

Having spent some time with an Eric Clapton signature model - the 000 28 EC - recently, I've been keen to explore more artist models by The Martin Guitar Company. I was very happy to hear that my friends at The Guitar Showroom had just taken in an OMJM, one of John Mayer's signature models for the uninitiated. This would give me a chance to compare the two!
To the untrained eye these instruments are pretty much identical: we have rosewood back and sides, spruce soundboards and mahogany necks that join the body at the 14th fret. But there has to be more to it than that right? In this video I take a look at what gives these two very similar looking guitars such distinct personalities.
If you enjoyed this video please do drop me a super like
Until next time, stay tuned
Michael

[@dalgguitars]

Loved the "veritable wonder land" text for the JM guitar neck. Great fun video, thanks so much!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you DALG!

[@BrianTruesby]

Masterfully done, as usual! The description of the long scale having more “shine” is brilliant.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you sir!

[@justinlouismusic]

Nice playing! Thanks for the vid.

[@leelossi1257]

2 great guitars played by one great player!! Thanks a lot Michael

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Lee!

[@mrodriguez4879]

Sending LOVE from Philly! Thank you for your awesome content!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much!

[@acousticsoul9256]

Lovely comparison Michael, and nice play!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you!

[@MrGuitarMan335]

Great job, fella. Great vid!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much!

[@richardbartleet9694]

Thanks Michael. Both very similar but preferred the sound of the JM model. Would definitely own either.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for watching Richard!

[@douglasfan2]

If I remember correctly, one is Sitka spruce and the other is Engelmann spruce

[@MichaelWatts]

That is correct!

[@whythesadface]

That's a large source of difference.

[@The_History_Man]

That helps to explain the difference in tone. I was baffled by the idea that half an inch on the neck could make such a difference by itself. A great video and I definitely prefer the warmer tones of the Clapton model.

[@ianchatfield8135]

Massive fan of your channel just done a re run of your visits to gruhn guitars.Did you buy the dread you fell in love with that’s one of my favourite vids ever all the best mate

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Ian! Sadly that is George’s personal guitar and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. I am relaxed about that…

[@lhvent]

I recently got an LS6 from Yamaha. As I age, I felt I needed a smaller guitar. I just love the way an L Series plays. The Martin models are stellar. Great review.

[@752brickie]

Yamaha is no guitar to be laughed at !! The L series are simply AMAZING !!!! There are no dealers near me . I have to travel 90 miles to get to a dealer that would have the L series. I have bought two guitars from Maury's Music in Coaldale PA and he is an amazing guy to deal with !!! If tou are ever looking for a Martin or Blueridge he is the go to guy ! I live in Western PA several hundred miles from him : I ordered my guitars one day and got them the next !

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks for the comparison. Did they have similar strings? I'd suggest Tommy Emmanuel Martin Phosphor Bronze strings, light gauge on both for a comparison. Personally, I like the 000 as it fits my voice better: I am not a shredder.

[@pauljenkins2501]

Interesting video. Thank you. If my premium bond ever coughs up a significant sum, it would be the Clapton edition guitar that I would be seeking....

[@mariodriessen9740]

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have found the best sounding 000-18 I’ve ever heard. Harmonically rich, warm, punchy, sweet and delicate or roaring like a lion. It will do most things I love in the sounds of a great acoustic guitar. I thought I was covered, having the 000-18 as my main guitar, but also a beautiful J-45 when I need that brutal power that is so evenly distributed throughout the whole frequency spectrum, or a D-28 to accompany my voice, especially when it’s strung with fresh string so a bit of that metallic character will shine through, which is something I really like. And then there’s this little 00-15m that keeps giving me songs with its sweet like honey soft, almost whispering voice. I have the quirky stuff like a nice shimmering 12-string, or a Nashville tuned parlour…, I even had an 8-string baritone for a while. I really did think I was covered. But that Eric Clapton model (or maybe ‘just’ a regular 000-28)… I think THAT’S the guitar that would perfectly fit with my 000-18. In that EC model I could hear the wonderful sounds I didn’t even know I missed. This is putting me in an extremely difficult situation. And the stupid thing is the fact that I wanted to buy the 000-28, but I was told the D-28 was a better alternative option for me. I listened. Maybe I shouldn’t have. I’m afraid this will cost me a lot of sleep. 😖 O, I wouldn’t complain when someone would gift me an OMJM. But I did prefer the 000-28EC. Not JUST because of the sound, but also the slightly shorter scale length and the shape of the neck. Fun fact: somewhere in London there’s a wall with the handprints of lots of famous rock musicians. It was weird, because I tried to see if I could find a famous guitarist whose hand would fit mine. Clapton and I had the exact same hands. It was almost scary. But because of that I can totally understand why I would love the shape of the neck of his 000-28EC. 🤚🏼

[@Dan-bj2qs]

Casimi’s made of Unobtainium and Kostals made with ethically-sourced Narwhal horn are a treat for us mere mortals to hear when played by a maestro like you. But thanks even more for this video: These two guitars sound fantastic, and any Schlemiel like me can buy one. Indeed, my Martin 000-42 Modern Deluxe (very close to the EC) has become my favorite daily driver. Thanks for showing us just how good these guitars can be if we play them as well as you. And I am convinced I can do just that, if I continue practicing for only one or two more lifetimes.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Dan! I love pretty much all guitars and it’s a pleasure to pontificate about them. There will be more unobtainium soon I promise!

[@CameraLaw]

A year or so ago, I walked into a local music store and picked a random Martin off the wall for a strum. Is was fantastic. Turned out to be the EC. Next picked up an OM, as I’m a 25” guy, but still could not stop thinking about the EC. Still think about it.

[@MichaelWatts]

I too am haunted by the memories

[@brunolalanne9106]

When buying this guitar shape 10 years ago, I tried both, found the OMJM excellent for fingerpicking but saturating too quickly when strumming (Englemann ?), liked almost everything in the 000EC except the neck, finally bought the plain 00028 / more versatile imho (can handle fingerpicking and strumming) and robust due to a different bracing and way cheaper. Ended up tuning it half a step up.

[@ywtcc]

The larger bridge spacing is interesting to me. Seems to me that this is the kind of acoustic an electric player would get if they're working on their fingerstyle. An electric with larger string spacing might accomplish the same task. Tough to find outside the custom shop, though! (Larger string spacing should also help electric tone - better string separation.)

[@calebbhawkins]

I have a 00-28 and it’s like a lovely mini EC model. The neck is a tad thin for my tastes though and it may get offloaded to get a used EC model. But it’s been loads of fun! Still think my favorite guitar I own is my 0-18 strung with Monel Laurence Juber strings. It’s just incredible!

[@MichaelWatts]

Very cool!

[@davidlewis2055]

Got a om type hand-built by Richard Meyrck a Rhossili it's wonderful ,got a pair of Martin dreads but actually like the 000

[@JDmuso]

I’m super blessed to have both (after lugging around all the heavy gear in big chain guitar store stock room and buying them at a discounted price) and let’s just say I wouldn’t want to have to give up either because both have their own sweet feel and sound and partially because I broke my back to get them haha! You’d be happy with either one :)

[@JDmuso]

The only thing I would specify is that the OMJM has Engelmann Spruce, which you might already know :)

[@xetexuk12]

I've played an Eric Clapton before and it was quite amazing for feel and sound. I haven't played a John Mayer. Nice review MW. 😊

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much!

[@chris5222]

Nice work, I have an OM-28 and an 00-18V. I think that it is scale length that makes the difference. I like my OM-28 but tried a used 000-42 at Guitar Guitar just before they become absolutely unaffordable and I still can't stop thinking about it: beautiful warm tone and brilliantly easy to play

[@chris5222]

*became

[@MichaelWatts]

It’s obviously calling your name Chris!

[@cugir321]

Love the depth of the Clapton....ho humm for the JM

[@ChiliMcFly1]

I own the OM-28v beautiful model.

[@BreadLightPray_EWFMgtr]

✅ good review ❗ have the Martin OOO-42 Stnd ; ⚠️ generally won't buy any 25.4"+ scale length acoustics anymore , cause I don't like to play them at concert pitch , too high , too much tension ; 24.5" _ 24.9" is quite suitable and even then I often don't tune them to 440Hz cause I can't sing along comfortably at that pitch and the significant difference in the way concert pitch feels ⁉️🤔

[@752brickie]

I have both bodies on my Martin's. I prefer the OM over the 000 ! I do not do much string bending but on the OM I do not have any issues from what I see though it is slightly easier on the 000 !

[@auntyflo-fv1oc]

To my surprise I preferred the EC, surprised because I always loved longer scale guitars.......hhmmm! Thanks Michael. appreciated.

[@MichaelWatts]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@shane5022]

The biggest difference with the scale length is how they take to drop tunings. I love my 000 but the low E starts falling apart when it's tuned to D (forget about C) even with a 56 gauge. You can also create a short scale on an OM with a capo and drop tuning.

[@MichaelWatts]

That is a very good point Shane!

[@christianboddum8783]

I bought a OMC28E instead of an EC model based on the tightness as I needed that for rhythm playing (same scale as the JM).

[@honnaconna7312]

I’ll take either 🕺🫶

[@Jason_Music]

Know your enemy? Hahaha I never thought you'd throw that in as a demo on an acoustic 🤣

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah man!

[@barnseyb6031]

I ashamed to say, I can't really tell any difference 😅 I must say tho, they both sound great in your hands Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Barnsey! No shame there at all - they are tonally rather similar

[@ellenrik]

Well thanks for the review, don't think I can afford either one but if I had to choose then the Eric Clapton would be the one for me. Nice playing!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you @ellenrik! Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidthebiker2955]

I know you've covered this before and I apologize for asking...but what microphone or microphones are you using? The recording sounds phenomenal!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much David! I use a pair of Gefell M300 small capsules and have done for decades. There’s no substitute for experience.

[@davidthebiker2955]

@@MichaelWatts Well now I know what to get. Thanks!

[@jimmyolsenschannel6263]

If the only difference between an OOO and an OM is scale length, with the former measuring 24.9" and the latter at 25.4", then how come the Blueridge OOOs are 25.5" long? Also, what about the John Renbourn signature Martin, isn't he much more influential as an acoustic guitarist than the two you are mentioning here?

[@Taylor314ce]

Do you own the Taylor 314ce 50th Anniversary that you reviewed?...it sounded so good for fingerstyle

[@MichaelWatts]

I don’t I’m afraid - it was just here for a review for guitar.com

[@Taylor314ce]

@@MichaelWatts I know that Martin guitars sing in almost like a human voice way....but Taylor guitars are special too... and I think that you really did give them a good nod. Our 1st solid wood guitar that we could afford here is a 314ce so we appreciate hearing you play the guitar that we have too. Thanks!!! Now we want the 50th Anniversary one.

[@smauclement]

Any diffference of soundboard spruce for these 2 guitars?

[@MichaelWatts]

Actually there is - the Clapton is Sitka and the Mayer is Engelmann. Interesting how little difference that made…

[@jim4588]

2:35 made my morning. 😂

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha good!

[@douglasnelson3569]

Love to Rage 😍

[@MichaelWatts]

As do we all

[@radioking]

12 fret OM is pretty hard to beat

[@MichaelWatts]

That is true!

[@cfreeman5631]

The EC sounds better to me.

[@JAGProductionss]

Thers a shawn mendes model as well

[@MichaelWatts]

There is.

[@kelvinpell4571]

Rather have a Turnstone!

[@MichaelWatts]

Then I have good news! Rosie can make you your own signature model!

[@danherrick2310]

the "warmer" sound of a short scale comes from picking position. if your pick (or fingers) are in the same spot relative to the saddle, then they are closer to the nut on the short scale than the longer scale. If you move your fingers close to the nut on the longer scale one, it will sound warmer. longer scales don't make brighter instruments. example: cellos are not brighter than violins, and baritone guitars aren't brighter than regular guitars.

[@MichaelWatts]

I've lived with this comment for nearly a week now. If it is an elaborate troll then I commend you. It is genius. If, however, this is a genuine hypothesis then I don't know where to start other than to gently point out that if you were to tighten a violin string to concert pitch over a cello scale length then you would indeed hear the difference. The same is true of a Baritone guitar... Cellos are not brighter than violins due to the fact that they are tuned significantly lower. I hope that helps. As for your point on hand portion - you're sort of correct but not for the reasons you think. Anyway - thank you for watching!

[@danherrick2310]

@@MichaelWatts letting comments bother you for a week and then responding pedantically? i'm sure you'll make it.

[@marcelomiranda1081]

Yeah! Longer scales means brighter and shine.

[@monkeysweeperguitar]

Not to be a cheeky monkey, but John Mayer is Gen x, not a millennial.

[@MichaelWatts]

Or indeed a Xennial. Not that it really matters of course…

[@monkeysweeperguitar]

@@MichaelWatts Hmmmm… I don’t know how I feel about that term. Being the same age, I’m not sure if I would want to fall in the category of something that sounds like it was a new medication (they all start with Zs and Xs hahahaha). But yeah… totally doesn’t matter hahahaha

[@MichaelWatts]

@@monkeysweeperguitar I’m the same age too and I’m dealing with it!

[@monkeysweeperguitar]

@@MichaelWatts Lol

[@nuendo2496]

They call him John “Meh” Mayer……

[@MichaelWatts]

I’m sure he’s delightful