TME Vlogs: 1933 Martin OM-18 VS. Collings, Borges & Brondel

When we had a fantastic 1933 Martin OM-18 in the shop, we couldn't resist doing a little shootout with some of the guitar-o-sphere's most sought after replicas (and a Collings OM1A Traditional for good measure, since it's arguably the modern era's most sought after production version of what Martin was doing in the 1930's). TME staffers Andy and Ian chat about the differences between the 1933 OM-18, a Borges, a Brondel, and the Collings ... and let you HEAR the differences both in the room and on a nice microphone.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Longer demos of each guitar can be found here:
1933 Martin OM-18: • "Behind Blue Eyes" on ...
Julius Borges OM-18: • Julius Borges OM-18 Go...
Brondel OM "The 18": • Brondel "The 18" @them...
Collings OM1A Traditional: • Collings OM1A Traditio...

[@RockinB23]

The Martin and the Borges sound best to my ears. Fun video!

[@themusicemporium1177]

Thanks!

[@mariodriessen9740]

They all sounded great. I loved the last piece where the different guitars blended in one after the other, only to find out that the dryness of the old Martin has something 'magical that can't copied (apparantly). But the Brondel had something magical as well. What a beautiful sound!!! Stupid comparison, but I'm a sucker for a good peated Scottish Islay Single Malt Whisky. The Brondel was like a Lagavulin. It takes a second and you have no idea what to think of it and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you're wondering through the twilights on a beautiful unknown path in a fairytale-like forest and the colours get bright and unexpected and the sounds are sweet and there's absolutely NOTHING that could scare you. O the Brondel..., o Lagavulin. I'm in love! ❤️

[@robinedmunds7082]

Excellent video guys. Also enjoyed the multiple renditions of Behind Blue Eyes at the end.

[@themusicemporium1177]

Thanks so much!

[@alexcorll90]

They all sounds great. The Borges gets closest to the original Martin tone. The Collings is nice and bright and clear. With time it would probably sound closer to the others.

[@danholabaugh6299]

Very nice work. It was hard to pick up the differences with the room mic, but your descriptions were spot on when the close mic sound came. Looking forward to more of these.

[@themusicemporium1177]

Thanks, Dan! We have some more in the pipeline.

[@rileysump3913]

Super fun! Thanks guys. Got a Collings OM1 personally. Fun chance to have the 33 OM on hand. Well done!

[@themusicemporium1177]

Thanks, Riley!

[@dales6301]

After the Martin, the Brondel sounds wonderful to me and it's really pretty close.

[@themusicemporium1177]

Indeed, the Brondel is a great sounding guitar and really satisfying to play

[@BradyBjj]

where would you put the OM1AJL on this spectrum? Perhaps a bit less bright than the OM1 AT?

[@themusicemporium1177]

Less bright, yes, largely due to the 'Vintage Satin' finish. The guts of an OM1A JL and an OM1A T are essentially the same; but the OM1A JL will have a different neck carve (assuming it's the standard 1 11/16" variant of the model) and the Satin finish. Using nickel strings would tame some brightness as well. But at the end of the day, it's a Collings; and our guess is you'd hear a very similar voice with some subtle differences.

[@neilrichardkelly]

Martin, Borges, then the other two...

[@kinnjohn]

The Martin is more "velvety"? Is that an adjective..?

[@belascialoja4812]

Yes.

[@themusicemporium1177]

I think we've used it a time or five!

[@steveb9325]

Collings

[@edgerat]

Play them blind and I imagine the comments would be different 😃

[@themusicemporium1177]

Maybe, maybe not :)

[@el34glo59]

Idk about that

[@maryshelleydinner]

I wish they all had nickel strings. It’s very distracting.

[@brandonkennedy5420]

Cool video but the constant pronunciation of Martin as "Mar- IN" is driving me nuts.

[@chrislong5392]

Came here to say this, too. A pet peeve of mine, glottal stops are really distracting to my ear.

[@sgtmac62]

If you looking for a Martin- buy a Martin. They make it. Right now. Lots less.