OM-28 Comparison at Gryphon Stringed Instruments with Tom Culbertson

[@Kenshen20]

0:23 Martin OM-28 0:54 Collings OM2HMRA 1:25 Santa Cruz OM 1:58 Martin OM-28 Authentic 1931 2:30 1930 Martin OM-28

[@MAFGTR]

Just now seeing this. Great video! They all sound quite nice, but I found myself continually coming back to the Santa Cruz.

[@russellfaque7844]

Me too. That's cool

[@djsunsunboy]

Great video. Another vote for the Santa Cruz, the tone was closest to the Pre war Martin. The Collings sounded a bit tight and bright sounding as my C10 did when it was new, they take a few years to open up, mine has really warm trebles now.

[@TheGrasspond]

great video. wish more dealers would do that. I am a martin man but not this time. I listened to them all without knowing brand and picked the Santa Cruz

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

Really like the sound of the Santa Cruz and the 1930 Martin but they all sound really great.

[@kbtrans]

The more I hear Santa Cruz OMs, the more I ... well this could get expensive :-)

[@James.D]

This is a GREAT video.

[@ricardosotosan2279]

Just watched this video. The Martin om 1930, followed by the Santa Cruz were the best

[@iggyvarkentje]

I really liked Santa Cruz OM, they all sound great but SCGC has something special.

[@fenderjag114]

Loved them all, but it's worth noting that to my ears the Authentic sounded pretty much exactly the same as the 1930. Nice work, Martin.

[@JC-Denton]

Thanks. Mighty interesting. As far as I am concerned, they do sound different to me, but luverly all the same. Don't know, if I would be actually able to tell the difference at all, by merely listening. But then again, I can't play myself, so I might be excused. Cheers, and a happy new year 2016 (we will be a little bit earlier around here) to you all in California... Cheers, Jess

[@bluesysamurainao4557]

Nice!! The tone resonance between authentic and vintage is different, but I think this authentic is very high quality. Is the top on Santa Cruz Adiron? I own OM-28 Standard and dig it. But if compared, mine would be tiny.

[@CC-xt1bw]

I've played all of these myself and own a '31 OM-28 and a Martin Authentic OM-28 as well. Of the non Martins I prefer the sound of the Santa Cruz which sounds ever so slightly fuller with more overtones than the Collings. But to my ear I also like the sound of the OM Authentic for being a well balanced, somewhat more "vintage" sound. That said, in the end, the original '30 OM has an even more delicate sound that any of the other guitars, the closest being the Authentic. It would be interesting to note the similarities/dissimilarities in the materials used in construction (eg. hide glue** vs. modern adhesive, VTS tops vs. standard tops, Rosewood species in backs and sides, Spruce tops, bracing patterns) as differences in these materials and construction processes and designs will likely account for the sonic differences between to four "modern" era guitars. Then, as far as the original '30 OM goes, add to the above factors how much the vintage OM has been played and how it's been stored (temperature, humidity) and these added factors would also significantly contribute to tonal characteristics of the vintage OM. **On a related note, I've heard two identical guitars (same maker, materials, glue built within weeks of each other) constructed at different ambient temperatures and humidity that sounded totally different because of the effect that these environmental variables has on the drying of the hide glue used in construction. Lastly, keep in mind that you're listening to these guitars likely through inexpensive computer speakers which obviously color the sound as well.

[@amazingme1408]

am i the only one who feels the new martin sounded the best:)

[@nodogno]

Nope. I agree Santa Cruz 2nd. I actually think the worst was the 1930.

[@Studio_Papillon]

No you're not:)

[@soofitnsexy]

i watched this a few times...The new OM was right there!! however the sweetness of the original stood out also

[@JoelBiger]

1 - Santa Cruz 2 - Martin OM 28

[@joeblow9931]

yep, santa cruz! Im in the sacramento area, I need to get over to your store sumday and fire up my credit card ;-)

[@sdfswords]

Actually shows how balanced and full an off the rack standard Martin OM sounds against some gold star competition. The Authentic sounded thin, the Collings terribly dry without complexity, like mahagony in fact, the Santa Cruz rich and balanced, but with a big price attached. The current generic Martin OM is a fantastic guitar, and with used OM 21s available for $1800, its a no-brainer play forever instrument that will only improve with play.

[@bandicoot5412]

I'll pick a few up.

[@joem1256]

Not a bad one in the bunch. They all sound a bit different from each other. All three Martins are kinda close, To my cloth ears, the Collings sounds the most different. Of the non-Martins, I prefer the SC a little bit. Of the Martins MAYBE the 1931. Overall? I want ALL of the. LOL

[@giuseppevalboa5491]

Did you use the same strings on all guitars? Different strings may contribute to differentiate the sound significantly. Thank you. Giuseppe

[@SoloEarl]

1. 1930 Martin OM-28. 2. Martin OM-28 Authentic 1931 (in some ways, a little sweeter than the 1930). 3. Martin OM-28 (right at home with the above). 4. The rest, I suppose ;)

[@buffalowick8003]

I am a Martin guy, but the Santa Cruz takes this win. I would say Martin authentic in 2nd.

[@bandicoot5412]

Me too.

[@joeysmitherman6329]

Anyone know the name of the song he is playing?

[@nodogno]

Deep River Blues, Doc Watson.

[@Studio_Papillon]

Martin all the way))