OM Shootout - Martin OM-28 vs Bourgeois/Eastman Touchstone

A "just for fun" comparison of two great guitars with similar specs - the Bourgeois/Eastman Touchstone Vintage/TS and the Martin Standard Series OM-28. Both guitars are the same size and scale length, with Sitka Spruce tops and Indian rosewood back and sides. they are also similarly priced. What kind of difference do you hear?
Recorded with Shure KSM32, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Logic Pro, no additional processing.
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[@bradh.689]

Both amazing guitars!! Bourgeois has more clarity and note separation where the Martin has that typical Martin scoop that leaves you wanting more.

[@el34glo59]

Wanting more as in wanting more of that Martin sound? Because they don't leave me wanting a different guitar

[@lion9171]

The om28 Is the winner. No dubts. All the notes are clear. Dispite of its body shape, the sound is rich and deep. Beautiful.

[@IzitAllGoUnder]

In this comparison the Bourgeois has a noticeably superior, sharper clarity and tonal separation. The OM28 sounds a bit muddy by comparison. Thanks.

[@el34glo59]

Doesn't make it better. Martin could make sharper sounding notes. Not what they're known for. Martin sounds better to me. Has soul. Warm. I like the bourgeois, just not for me

[@richurro20]

@@el34glo59 it actually does make it better.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

The age of the spruce and type of spruce also makes a huge difference.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

​@@richurro20no it doesn't make it better

[@worldwide1376]

I just love the way the Cadd9 sounds on the Martin.

[@worldwide1376]

That is exactly what I wanted to say. To my ears, the two guitars sound pretty similar aside from that Cadd9, which I find more pronounced on the Martin.

[@el34glo59]

Did you just answer yourself

[@iannicholls7476]

I think the Martin had a slightly fuller, more rounded tone.

[@michaelmcgill-nt3ku]

I would say much fuller sound. I wanted to like the Bourgeois more because the Martin company is a shadow of itself, and Dana ia nice guy. But having worked as a sound engineer, I would use the Martin on lovely full instrumentals and the Bourgeois as an instrument I can fit on a full song with many tracks. Rosewood guitars don’t always record well on multitrack songs without significant eq. Mahogany generally records more easily. The Bourgeois has its place and might be used on a fairly complete mix. Rosewood Martins are both loved and hated because they tend to be very full. For picking at home on the couch I would prefer the Martin, but the strings will likely start sounding muddy sooner than a Bourgeois. On bluegrass stages the Bourgeois tend to work very well. I know Ricky Skaggs was always a big fan. Vince Gill is a super Martin fan, but more so of the vintage(he has good things to say about the Gruhn Custom Sinker Mahogany guitars. I wish I could be like Vince and buy one or five of every Martin

[@el34glo59]

​​​​@@michaelmcgill-nt3kuA shadow of itself? Martin is making some of the best guitars they've ever made in history other than the pre-war hour and maybe the 50s, this is the best time you can buy a Martin. Idk where you're getting your info from. They're literally making the best stuff they have in decade Sinkers are okay but not for everyone and remember Vince Gill says that because he's helping George Gruhn Style guitars

[@hobbs7794]

om28 strings look and sound like they've been around a while compared to the Bourgeois newer fresher set.

[@SoundPursuit]

I prefer the Martin tone on this demo by a wide margin.

[@c70man]

I purchased an Eastman Om-10 and I sold my Martin OM-21. To my preferences there was no comparison in brightness with a rich bottom. The 21 was too muddy in comparison. In this comparison the Martin is quite quite a bit warmer than the TS. Love the clarity of the TS, but its hard to walk away from Martins extra bottom. If I could afford it, I'd own both.

[@marcrichards8547]

Yep...what @bradh.689 said. The TS almost sounds a little like a Mahogany guitar...more mid-bite. I appreciate the vids..not a lot of places you'd find both guitars in the same room.

[@1deadtoe707]

This is way a shoot out should be done. To me, the touchstone had more projection, and was a little brighter. I personally prefer the touchstone.

[@vyvynylification]

That Martin warmth tho... I prefer it for individual chords but as soon as he starts strumming a song, I prefer the bourgeouis/eastman

[@jonas6588]

Ganz klar klingt die Martin um welten besser und ich bin definitiv kein Martin Fan, wollte mir eine Bourgeois kaufen, aber das hält mich jetzt davon ab.

[@pcbif]

Hi Ian, thanks for a great comparison. I have a general question. How do you find OM's as strumming guitars compared to dreadnaughts?? I've always had dreads and am thinking of buying an OM, but I get the sweats when it come to laying the money down.

[@bobaldo2339]

They both have strengths & weaknesses. Surprisingly (to me anyway) the Martin has a clearer top end, IMO. The low end is definitely muddier than the B/E, however. The B/E has more clarity overall. Are they at a similar price point? And, what is the Touchstone's fretboard radius? Eastman guitars normally have a 12"radius - which I prefer over Martin's 16".

[@el34glo59]

Bourgeois sounds great. Martin has that tone tho. Last thing I want is a bright OM. Not my thing. I like warmth

[@elholt7095]

Both sound great. But for me the difference is one is a youngster and brassy while the other is more mature and mellowed. I bet you can guess which one is which. Close in price so it depends on which one calls to you. Thanks for sharing!

[@goodknight37]

Why is the sound hole on the Touchstone so big lol

[@jj339c]

Martin for me.

[@bigknuckle9689]

Martins always sounds so flat to me. I've really tried and wanted to love them, but I can't. Every one I've ever played is just dull sounding to me compared to other guitars.

[@garychen483]

I prefer Martin.

[@boshi9]

Bourgeois/TS sounds way better in this comparison.

[@Timberdam]

So for the same money i can buy a Martin which is an Iconic brand made in the USA by an American co. in Nazareth PA Hmmm ?