minorkey
C.O.G.
Too many instruments, too little time
Posts: 2,992
My main instrument is: hurting my fingers!
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Post by minorkey on Apr 23, 2022 12:11:02 GMT
I do like the projection and warm bass tones of my dread but I think the OM style is much easier on the eye; its a pretty style of guitar and if money were no object (oh if only) I would probably get a guitar in that style. Is there much of a volume difference between the two styles? I imagine the OM would be able to project, the O standing for Orchestral. Which came first?
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Post by surfguy13 on Apr 25, 2022 6:54:14 GMT
Not sure which came first, suspect the OM but could well be wrong.
In terms of which is a better guitar I think they're fairly difficult to compare. One the hand the sound is quite similar as a good OM will give you masses of volume and projection, and the scale length is the same, but they really do feel very different to play. I love both but as I only now have one guitar these days I have gone with an OM as, for me, it covers all the basses better. However, a round shouldered dreadnought would be my firm choice for a second guitar.
Yes, the OM projects amazingly well, as does a dreadnought, but an OM seems to have a slightly more articulate sound? However, must stress that these are very much personal views!!
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Post by malcolm on Apr 25, 2022 18:51:17 GMT
The first dreadnought guitar was the 12 fret Ditson 111 made by Martin in 1916, it was originally intended to be a Hawaian style guitar. The Ditson company went out of business during the depression.
The 14 fret OM didn't appear until the early 30's as far as I know, prior to that all guitars were 12 frets to the body.
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Post by dreadnought28 on Apr 26, 2022 23:58:24 GMT
The OM arrived in 1930 as an instrument to cut through in a band situation, it was the jazz era. Hence Orchestra Model = OM. Early OMs fetch a lot of money. A friend of mine sold one from 1930 for $72,500 US!
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