Comments on: How the Orchestra Model Went from a Flop to Become One of the Most Popular Guitar Types

By: Jared Chaney

Jared Chaney — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 23:04:36 +0000

Great article. I kept looking for a reference to the OM-28/PB introduced in 1993 and signed by Perry’s widow. I’ve heard different numbers produced but believe 94 was the amount. I bought mine from Carter’s Vintage Guitars in Nashville in 2017. This was my first non Dreadnaught and I ask myself, “what took you so long?”

By: Stefan Grossman

Stefan Grossman — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:59:40 +0000

The first guitar Nick Kukich (Franklin Guitars) built for me was a jumbo Brazilian model based on a Prairie State guitar I had. This was and still is a fantastic instrument. It actually sounded as good if not better than the vintage Martins or Gibsons I had been playing. A perfect model for fingerstyle with or without fingerpicks. A wonderful recording guitar as well as concert instrument.

I have owned several of these Franklin Jumbos in Koa and Indian Rosewood. I toured with John Renbourn for years using a cutaway model jumbo Franklin.

I only own one Franklin Brazilian OM which I treasure. It is a wonderful sounding instrument.

Nick’s guitars are special instruments.

By: Theron Brayman

Theron Brayman — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 15:34:18 +0000

Great article — thanks! I was hoping for a little information about the Martin OM-35 model; I have one that was built in 2006 according to the serial number but apparently they weren’t made for many years and they are no longer in the Martin catalog. It has solid rosewood back and sides, three-piece back and is lovely for fingerpicking.

By: James Sliker

James Sliker — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:35:43 +0000

I Have a Martin OM-42, I purchased new in 2003. It’s now over 20 yrs old and sounds better every day. On a recent visit to the bay area, I purchased a Martin 00-28-12 slot head Modern Deluxe from Eric Schoenberg at his shop. His whole shop resonates as you walk down the narrow isles barely brushing by the many older vintage Martin OMs and OOs. I would love to see an article featuring the history of the Martin OO.

By: Fred McGee

Fred McGee — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:14:37 +0000

I have had a Martin 2003 1930 Martin OM18-GE since it was about 2yrs. old. A wonderful playing and sounding OM. I’ve read where previous owners of this model, say that the necks were heavy because of the banjo tuners. They have altered there guitars by adding different tuners. I feel they should have done a little weight lifting and built up there strength, before they ruined a beautiful recreation of one of the very first orchestra models. Thank you!

By: Chris Jones

Chris Jones — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:07:28 +0000

I found a Huss and Dalton TOM this last fall at the Fretted Buffalo in Buffalo NY. It’s the best guitar I’ve ever played. Just an absolute delight. I can play things I never could before. Such an inspiration!

By: Michael Q

Michael Q — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 11:44:55 +0000

In reply to David Z.. Thanks David Z. for the info. Does this mean the early OM's, 1933 and earlier, used an ebony rod to stabilize the neck?

By: Bob Caldwell

Bob Caldwell — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 22:59:33 +0000

I have a 1993 J-40. IIRC, which was described to me as an OM guitar with extra depth, especially in the lower bout. I wonder if it should be considered an offshoot of the OM, or are there other substantial differences? BTW, I consider the J-40 to be Martin’s finest guitar.

By: David Z.

David Z. — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:23:12 +0000

Great article–thanks for publishing it! A couple of minor corrections. It was in March of 1931 and not in 1932 that the OM pickguards were changed from the small teardrop to the larger “standard” size. The change pre-dated the switch from banjo to standard tuners, which happened in August of 1931, so there are quite a few transitional OMs that have banjo tuners and the larger pickguard. (Dates are courtesy of “Hutton’s Guide to Martin Guitars 1933-1969.”)

And the name change from “OM” to “000” was at the start of 1934, not in 1933. The next big change was in August of 1934, when the scale length of the long-scale 14-fret 000 was shortened to 24.9″, t-frets replaced bar frets, and the ebony neck rod was replaced by a steel t-bar.

Finally, based on interviews with Eric Schoenberg, Dana Bourgeois, and TJ Thompson, David Gansz estimated that Schoenberg Guitars built approximately 300, not 195, Soloist models in collaboration with Martin. http://www.gansz.org/David/Guitars/Schoenberg/1991-1994.htm

Thanks for the opportunity to comment and thanks again for the excellent article.