C. F. Martin OM-21 Steel String Guitar, 2012

The Martin OM or Orchestra Model design appeared in the 1930 catalog though the first six were built during 1929, and has been built in various forms. The C. F. Martin OM-21 uses ’21’ level appointments – Indian Rosewood back and sides, single layer binding, and Ebony for the bridge and bound fingerboard.

The OM design fits between the full size ‘D’ body dreadnoughts, and the smaller, rounder single or double ‘O’ b body guitars. The body size and proportions are very similar to the triple-O ‘OOO’ models, with the difference being in the neck. The OM’s scale length is half an inch longer and the fingerboard often slightly wider, targeted towards finger-stylists who need a little extra space.

The C. F. Martin OM-21 has been built as a regular model since 1994. This example dates to 2012, and is in very nice condition with quite minor wear, and bearing the slightly tinted ‘ambertone’ finish on the Sitka Spruce top. The back and sides are Indian Rosewood, the neck and blocks are Mahogany, and the bridge and fingerboard are Ebony. The body and neck have a single layer of black binding, and the neck sports small Mother of Pearl dot position markers.

This guitar had been fitted with a soundhole pickup which has been removed, so the tailblock is already drilled for an endpin jack. We normally recommend the K&K Pure Mini passive transducer system for guitars like this, but of course it’s up to the player.

Overall, this is a very nice guitar, in clean condition with light fretwear and well maintained. It sounds like it has been played, open and detailed but with presence and well-represented lows and mids.

The original hard shell case is included.