A great review, and spot on. I bought from that company, and the back of mine looks exactly like the one he has. It has a black fretboard. It’s a favorite, although I’ve had it less than a month. I feel that playing shorter scale guitars is easier for me. Everything has been perfect on it. The finish, the action, the sound, everything. I’m very, very happy with it. One thing he didn’t mention is the smell. I guess it’s the rosewood. Maybe that’s why they call it that. It’s a wonderful fragrance when I pick it up and play. Thanks for the great review. Oops! Mine is the 00028. I didn’t see that.
Your 000-28 is virtually the same guitar but a shorter scale length and some other aesthetic differences. But same body shape and tone woods, so your feedback is still relevant!
This is the guitar that I use to record my music and I play it everyday. It's a great guitar, I love it. I was depressed for days when I scratched the headstock near the tuning pegs due to an accident with a peg winder (hate of peg winders still remains to this day 🤣). Great video, Aaron!!!
@@emilnilsson4320 It takes time and a lot of playing but in a few months you will probably hear it loosen up a little. Like everything it depends on the guitar.
@@emilnilsson4320 it's kind of difficult to describe. New guitars have a tightness to the sound. You hear more of the string and less of the wood. Constant playing and time allows the top to vibrate more freely which gives you a woodier sound. It's not something you notice as a day to day change. Record it now and record it in a few years and you should notice a change.
I love the OM-28, I’m still curious to hear a Larrivee OM and a Gibson LG-2 also in the room together to compare.. but also that Dave Matthew’s Rockbridge guitar looks awesome too
Aaron you mention that you would buy an OM28 without the pickup and then install one later. Can you explain why you would do this instead of just having the pickup already installed in the guitar? Thinking of getting one with the LR Baggs Anthem installed as I’ll be gigging straight away with it. Thanks!
That’s easy. When you purchase a Martin with the Anthem installed at the factory it has a battery box built in. It’s very elegant but you don’t need it because the Anthem battery lasts a year for most people anyway. I would rather have the guitar without the battery box in case I decide to use a passive pickup one day.
I have a SC 13 e and loved it. I got the OM 28 and hit it a couple of times and went back to the SC13. I've been playing the OM 28 more and it's slowly moved the SC 13 out and back to the case. I really like the SC 13, but it's not Om 28.
@@aaronshortmusic No, but I already put 3799 in the OM 28 and I don't think I'm going to like it better. I'd have to try one before putting 3000 in the sc 28e. I bet it's nice.
Thank you for the demo, I’ve been curious about these lately. Sounds great and looks great. Between 000 and OM I think the OM is probably the one for me. What a big sound!
After buying a nice 000-18, I went to look at a OM-28, (after watching your video as well as a couple more from Alamo and Musicvilla). It was nice but it didn’t wow me enough to jump at it right away. It’s a very good guitar but so is my 000-18. I then tried an OM-42 and I couldn’t believe how great it sounded. I had Andy at the Music Emporium, in Lexington (check out some their short videos) , play both the 28 and the 42, and we both were amazed at the 42. Someone in the store came walking over to see what he was playing and said wow, that sounded so good I had to check out what it was and of course it was a high end Martin he said. I came home with the OM-42 along with a D18 authentic 1937 aged. I traded in my HD35 for that one. It was a good guitar day. My 000-18 sounds exceptionally good with a light very wide grain top. We thought it might be a Lutz but can’t be sure. Any idea how to tell ? Anyway it’s a keeper so I didn’t trade it for the OM-42. I’ve got 3 Martins and a couple of Yamahas, so I need to stop.
In my experience every guitar is different. You could play an OM-21 against a 45 and prefer the 21. It all depends on the individual guitar. The most important thing is you got a good one, congrats!
I bought an OM-42 at the Music Emporium last year. Went in for a 000-42, but left with the OM-42. Not many places can you play so many guitars of that caliber back to back. Something special about the OM-42s at TME, I tell ya.
@@ChrisJohansonOfficial I owned a 42 briefly and there was something in the tone that just bothered me. We have to find the right guitar for our ears. They are all unique!
In general I'm a Martin fan, but I have trouble with the modified low oval neck having too thin of a profile for my preference. Unfortunately it's been a timeworn standard for years, used on the vast majority of available models, including this OM. That preference leaves me stuck with a select few new models with the mod-v neck profile, or a used Vintage or Golden Era series model.
@@iammatth3w All guitars are different but as I’ve shown before the Engelmann I have is a steamroller. Maybe I’ll compare them again for you but I know what the result will be…
@@88omarz They wanted to do the install as I was one of the first to cover it on my channel and they wanted to make sure it was a perfect installation.
Interesting, this has a lot of punch, sounds more like Adi to me. The top looks similar to my new 000 Cherry, which I suspect is Lutz and not Sitka. I wonder if that's why it has such a punchy tone?
Are you sure Martin was staining the fret board on the standard series? I’m thinking it was just naturally all black ebony, which is much rarer than the streaky ebony, particularly in Cameroon, where most of the ebony now comes from.
I own an OM-28 that I love. It's smaller size is very comfortable and it's got plenty of punch, warmth and volume. It sounds great played with a pick and is equally suited for fingerpicking, which is what I mainly use it for. The EIR B&S give it a darkness that is also great for playing the blues. If you're looking for an OM the Martin 28 is definitely something to not be overlooked.
I bought and OM-28 shortly before watching this. I went in to get an HD-28, and fell in love with the smaller body guitar. I already had a dreadnaught, so I went with the OM for versatility. I totally love it.
I don't want a stained ebony fretboard. The stain always wears off very quickly and then it's really not a good look. I just want some good dark ebony. I don't want stain coming off on my fingers. Martin and these other guitar makers are going to need to start producing their own ebony and rosewood, and stop relying on what's available from worldwide sources.
@@aaronshortmusic The conclusion I've drawn from talking to the Martin people at the factory (I'm from Pennsylvania) is that Martin, as well as the other builders, are simply running out of rosewood and ebony since these woods are CITES environmentally protected. I don't know what the solution is other than accept the "swirly" aesthetic or else develop alternative dark tonewoods.
I’m torn between the 000-28 and the OM-28. I already have short scale and long scale guitars (CEO-7 and HD-28). So, playability wise, I’m fine with both scale lengths. Sound differences would be the only real consideration in making that decision. So you prefer the OM over the 000?
@@aaronshortmusic kinda like also the black ebony, I think if martin dont wanna waste the natural ebony which makes sense theese days they should consider to stain it. I guess they never stained the colour like other manufacturers did.
Check out the Martin OM-28 at Sweetwater (affiliate): sweetwater.sjv.io/1r5oQD
A great review, and spot on. I bought from that company, and the back of mine looks exactly like the one he has. It has a black fretboard.
It’s a favorite, although I’ve had it less than a month. I feel that playing shorter scale guitars is easier for me.
Everything has been perfect on it. The finish, the action, the sound, everything. I’m very, very happy with it.
One thing he didn’t mention is the smell. I guess it’s the rosewood. Maybe that’s why they call it that.
It’s a wonderful fragrance when I pick it up and play. Thanks for the great review.
Oops! Mine is the 00028. I didn’t see that.
Your 000-28 is virtually the same guitar but a shorter scale length and some other aesthetic differences. But same body shape and tone woods, so your feedback is still relevant!
This is the guitar that I use to record my music and I play it everyday. It's a great guitar, I love it. I was depressed for days when I scratched the headstock near the tuning pegs due to an accident with a peg winder (hate of peg winders still remains to this day 🤣).
Great video, Aaron!!!
Thank you for sharing!
I just bought a NEW OM28 in the box. The Ebony fretboard is solid black! There is only one small Ebony streak on the Ebony bridge.
Yes it’s luck of the draw these days which is why I like to choose from photos!
Thanks Aaron. I follow you on AGF too. I just bought a used 2022 model. I love it. Anyways great honest review from you.
Thank you it’s a great guitar. I won’t be posting on AGF anymore so please keep an eye on the channel. Cheers!
I have an OM-21, which is essentially the same guitar with less bling. Great instrument that's opened up nicely over the last 10 years.
I had an OMC-21 briefly it was a cool guitar.
How do I know Wich level my guitar has opened up? I have a 000-28 EC that I just bought, waiting for it to open up but I don't know what to listen for
@@emilnilsson4320 It takes time and a lot of playing but in a few months you will probably hear it loosen up a little. Like everything it depends on the guitar.
@@emilnilsson4320 it's kind of difficult to describe. New guitars have a tightness to the sound. You hear more of the string and less of the wood. Constant playing and time allows the top to vibrate more freely which gives you a woodier sound. It's not something you notice as a day to day change. Record it now and record it in a few years and you should notice a change.
Though I didn’t mind the striped ebony on my CEO-7, oiling the fretboard darkened it considerably and minimized the the striping in the ebony.
Auden Bowman ! an OM of nearly identical spec..comes with a great pick up and half the price..Sound boards are tuned and the workmanship flawless.
I haven’t tried one so I can’t comment but the name always adds value and cost as well of course.
I love the OM-28, I’m still curious to hear a Larrivee OM and a Gibson LG-2 also in the room together to compare.. but also that Dave Matthew’s Rockbridge guitar looks awesome too
Hey Aaron ... Prices vary on this side of the Globe .. asking prices are 4100 in Ireland - 3850 to 4300 in Europe ... 😎🎸
Always the case when guitars are exported. I have the same thing with Cole Clark’s coming from Australia.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for supporting what I do!
Aaron you mention that you would buy an OM28 without the pickup and then install one later. Can you explain why you would do this instead of just having the pickup already installed in the guitar? Thinking of getting one with the LR Baggs Anthem installed as I’ll be gigging straight away with it. Thanks!
That’s easy. When you purchase a Martin with the Anthem installed at the factory it has a battery box built in. It’s very elegant but you don’t need it because the Anthem battery lasts a year for most people anyway. I would rather have the guitar without the battery box in case I decide to use a passive pickup one day.
I have a SC 13 e and loved it. I got the OM 28 and hit it a couple of times and went back to the SC13. I've been playing the OM 28 more and it's slowly moved the SC 13 out and back to the case. I really like the SC 13, but it's not Om 28.
Have you tried the SC-28e?
@@aaronshortmusic No, but I already put 3799 in the OM 28 and I don't think I'm going to like it better. I'd have to try one before putting 3000 in the sc 28e. I bet it's nice.
Thank you for the demo, I’ve been curious about these lately. Sounds great and looks great. Between 000 and OM I think the OM is probably the one for me. What a big sound!
Yeah I prefer the OM myself in general (all guitars sound different).
I’m very interested in this and OMJM, I have heard the OMJM build is very variable
I would go for the standard unless you want the narrower nut.
Is the pick guard point sharp? I’ve heard some reviews that say it will cut them sometimes.
It can happen on any guitar if it comes loose.
After buying a nice 000-18, I went to look at a OM-28, (after watching your video as well as a couple more from Alamo and Musicvilla). It was nice but it didn’t wow me enough to jump at it right away. It’s a very good guitar but so is my 000-18. I then tried an OM-42 and I couldn’t believe how great it sounded. I had Andy at the Music Emporium, in Lexington (check out some their short videos) , play both the 28 and the 42, and we both were amazed at the 42. Someone in the store came walking over to see what he was playing and said wow, that sounded so good I had to check out what it was and of course it was a high end Martin he said.
I came home with the OM-42 along with a D18 authentic 1937 aged. I traded in my HD35 for that one. It was a good guitar day. My 000-18 sounds exceptionally good with a light very wide grain top. We thought it might be a Lutz but can’t be sure. Any idea how to tell ? Anyway it’s a keeper so I didn’t trade it for the OM-42. I’ve got 3 Martins and a couple of Yamahas, so I need to stop.
In my experience every guitar is different. You could play an OM-21 against a 45 and prefer the 21. It all depends on the individual guitar. The most important thing is you got a good one, congrats!
@@aaronshortmusicyou’re absolutely right. I tried a D45 and was surprised it was kind of blah. Maybe another day I’ll try a few more D40 series.
I bought an OM-42 at the Music Emporium last year. Went in for a 000-42, but left with the OM-42. Not many places can you play so many guitars of that caliber back to back. Something special about the OM-42s at TME, I tell ya.
@@ChrisJohansonOfficial I owned a 42 briefly and there was something in the tone that just bothered me. We have to find the right guitar for our ears. They are all unique!
@@aaronshortmusic something strange while strumming ? Or picking?
Hi! I play Both fingerstyle and strumming. Alot of Neil Young, tom Petty, Bob Dylan etc. Do you think OM28 is better than 00028 for strumming?
In theory yes as it has more tension but all guitars vary.
what a gorgeous guitar! congrats!!
Thanks. This one is going up for sale though.
Hi Aaron, is this what Martin call the OM 28 reimagined? Thanks for the advice and demo
Yes that is correct!
My dream guitar, one day I’ll save to buy one
Can’t beat a good OM-28 and HD-28.
In general I'm a Martin fan, but I have trouble with the modified low oval neck having too thin of a profile for my preference. Unfortunately it's been a timeworn standard for years, used on the vast majority of available models, including this OM. That preference leaves me stuck with a select few new models with the mod-v neck profile, or a used Vintage or Golden Era series model.
Necks have definitely gotten thinner over the years. This one is a nice middle ground for me.
You cannot go wrong with the CEO-7 (in my opinion)--shockingly versatile for a smaller-bodied guitar. Play one if you get a chance!
@@erik4683 I owned one briefly. I prefer rosewood in a small body guitar but they are cool guitars for sure!
Hi @aaronshortmusic. Do you still have the Custom Shop OM-28 Engelmann?
Yes I still own it.
How do they compare? I’ve had an OM28 standard since 2018, and have been itching for an OM-28 Englemann custom shop since seeing your vid!
@@iammatth3w All guitars are different but as I’ve shown before the Engelmann I have is a steamroller. Maybe I’ll compare them again for you but I know what the result will be…
The furch vintage 2 OM is more similar to this, and it’s also cheaper than the 3?
I always recommend this one over the OMJM for those sweet sweet Mayer tones.
Me too. It’s actually closer in spec to the original OM-28JM.
Does OM-28 has wider fingerboard? I have a pair of small hands, so I can't really play guitars with wider fingerboard....
@@chestermaton4830 Yes it does. 1 3/4”.
Then if I have to pick, I'll probably go for OMJM😂@@aaronshortmusic
@@chestermaton4830 Fair enough!
Awesome stuff. Did you have sweetwater install the pick up or did you ?
This was actually installed by LR Baggs themselves!
@@aaronshortmusic Ohhh how’s that done 🥹😀
@@88omarz They wanted to do the install as I was one of the first to cover it on my channel and they wanted to make sure it was a perfect installation.
@@aaronshortmusic nice
Interesting, this has a lot of punch, sounds more like Adi to me. The top looks similar to my new 000 Cherry, which I suspect is Lutz and not Sitka. I wonder if that's why it has such a punchy tone?
I wish they would tell us what the wood is but actually in the room the sound is on the softer side with a ton of low end.
Keep making guitar reviews man
I will until I run out!
Are you sure Martin was staining the fret board on the standard series? I’m thinking it was just naturally all black ebony, which is much rarer than the streaky ebony, particularly in Cameroon, where most of the ebony now comes from.
Check out tomorrows video…
I own an OM-28 that I love. It's smaller size is very comfortable and it's got plenty of punch, warmth and volume. It sounds great played with a pick and is equally suited for fingerpicking, which is what I mainly use it for. The EIR B&S give it a darkness that is also great for playing the blues. If you're looking for an OM the Martin 28 is definitely something to not be overlooked.
It’s a great model for sure but it won’t suit every style of music as well as other body shapes.
@@aaronshortmusic Completely agree. You have to know what you’re getting into when you get an OM.
I bought and OM-28 shortly before watching this. I went in to get an HD-28, and fell in love with the smaller body guitar. I already had a dreadnaught, so I went with the OM for versatility. I totally love it.
You got the guitar at sweet water and your shirt at Target. I know because I have the same guitar from sweet water and the same shirt from target lol
I think it’s better than buying a guitar at Target and a shirt from Sweetwater! LOL!
@@aaronshortmusic lol agreed
Why Martin doesn’t make an OM-18 is beyond me! It’s a no-brainer!
They do, i just saw one on Anderons NAMM Martin video
Nope. Not an OM-18.
SC-18E
@@apegrasshoplizardNo that’s not an OM-18. In the same way, the SC-28E is not an OM-28.
I don't want a stained ebony fretboard. The stain always wears off very quickly and then it's really not a good look. I just want some good dark ebony. I don't want stain coming off on my fingers. Martin and these other guitar makers are going to need to start producing their own ebony and rosewood, and stop relying on what's available from worldwide sources.
I’ve played the ‘stained’ Martins for years and they have been fine. I don’t know why they don’t just keep doing what they were doing.
@@aaronshortmusic The conclusion I've drawn from talking to the Martin people at the factory (I'm from Pennsylvania) is that Martin, as well as the other builders, are simply running out of rosewood and ebony since these woods are CITES environmentally protected. I don't know what the solution is other than accept the "swirly" aesthetic or else develop alternative dark tonewoods.
I’m torn between the 000-28 and the OM-28. I already have short scale and long scale guitars (CEO-7 and HD-28). So, playability wise, I’m fine with both scale lengths. Sound differences would be the only real consideration in making that decision. So you prefer the OM over the 000?
I do and I think it will make a nice compliment to the HD-28. Also consider the M-36.
the om28 is not a good strummer, its great when fingerpicked but for strumming I always grab the D size
I think this one is, it depends on the guitar and the style of music etc.
@@aaronshortmusic kinda like also the black ebony, I think if martin dont wanna waste the natural ebony which makes sense theese days they should consider to stain it. I guess they never stained the colour like other manufacturers did.
@@kalleblomkvist4173 Check out my other video. It seems they may be staining it again.
@@aaronshortmusic which video do you exactly mean? Im not sure but I think martin never stained their fretboards.
@@kalleblomkvist4173 ua-cam.com/video/6NE3Wo--ztk/v-deo.html