Martin OM-42: Premium Orchestra Guitar

Table of Contents

Introduction

Martin Guitars was founded in 1833 by C.F. Martin and has been a leader in acoustic guitars for over 180 years. The Orchestra Model (OM) series was first introduced in the 1930s, designed with a smaller body size compared to dreadnoughts while still providing balanced tone across all registers.

The OM-42 stands today as the flagship of this series, featuring premium tonewoods and impeccable hand-crafted construction. It’s revered by professional musicians and collectors for its incredibly rich and articulate sound. The combination of solid Sitka spruce on the top and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides gives the OM-42 a beautifully complex voice. It’s equally suited for intricate fingerstyle playing as it is for rhythmic flatpicking.

Many consider the OM-42 to be the pinnacle of acoustic guitar achievement, with virtually unmatched projection, sustain, and dynamic range. It has defined the orchestra model category and set the standard for all high-end steel-string acoustics.

Martin OM-42 Specifications

The Martin OM-42 has a classic 14-fret Orchestra Model body shape with a total length of 24.9" and a width of 15.3" at its widest point. It features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. This combination produces the balanced and nuanced tone the OM-42 is known for.

The neck is constructed from genuine mahogany and topped with an ebony fingerboard and bridge. The fingerboard has a radius of 16" and features 20 frets. The nut width is 1 11/16", providing comfortable string spacing for intricate fingerstyle playing.

The headstock houses vintage-style open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs. These are the same machines found on vintage Martin guitars. The bridge and nut are made from bone, with a compensated long rock beveled compensated saddle for proper intonation along the fretboard.

Overall, the materials and appointments on the Martin OM-42 are of extremely high quality, showcasing the best of traditional acoustic guitar craftsmanship.

Sound and Tone

The Martin OM-42 is revered for its incredibly articulate and balanced tone across the entire frequency range. The solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides produce a rich, complex sound with sweet and warm overtones in the low end, detailed and clear mids, and sparkling but never harsh highs.

The combination of woods is crucial to the OM-42’s iconic sound. The lightweight and strong spruce top allows it to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent volume, dynamics, and projection. Meanwhile, the dense rosewood back and sides add depth to the bass notes and contribute to the guitar’s singing overtones and sustain. The scalloped X-bracing further allows the top to resonate fully.

Compared to smaller-bodied parlor guitars, the OM-42 has much more bass response and fullness. Yet it still retains the focused midrange that makes parlor models ideal for fingerpicking. When played side-by-side with booming dreadnought acoustics, the OM-42 has a more balanced and articulate voice rather than the dreadnought’s emphasis on low-end power. Overall, it’s an extremely versatile guitar that can handle various techniques from delicate fingerstyle to aggressive flatpicking extremely well.

Playability and Feel

The Martin OM-42 has a comfortable and highly playable feel thanks to its modified low oval neck profile and expertly set up action. The neck shape provides a smooth, hand-filling grip that accommodates various playing styles from intricate fingerpicking to strumming chords.

The string spacing at the bridge is a roomy 2 1/16 inches, giving your fingers plenty of space between the strings for accurate fretting. This allows for complex chords and single note runs to ring out clearly without unintended muting. The action from the factory comes set up low and fast, with very light string tension over the nut and saddle.

The fretwork on the OM-42 is impeccable, with smoothly finished frets that don’t have any sharp edges to catch on your hands. The ebony fingerboard feels smooth and fast during performance. Overall, the OM-42 is a very comfortable acoustic guitar that you can play for hours without fatigue, whether sitting or standing. The contoured body shape conforms nicely to your body, unlike some more boxy acoustic designs.

Between the easy-playing neck, comfortable body shape, and expertly crafted components, the OM-42 rates highly in terms of playability and feel for an acoustic in its class. It’s built to be played and enjoyed for a lifetime.

Pricing

The Martin OM-42 carries a premium price tag, though one that is justified by the quality of materials and workmanship. Brand new models purchased from an authorized Martin dealer generally retail between $5,499 – $6,499 depending on options selected.

Used and vintage OM-42 models can vary widely in price based on their age and condition. Well-kept examples from the 1970s and 80s tend to sell for $3,000 – $4,500. Vintage models from the 1950s and 60s in good condition can fetch $4,000 – $6,000+. Rarer early examples from the 1930s (known as the "pre-war" era) are highly coveted by collectors and can sell for well over $10,000 in some cases.

Over time, the OM-42 has proven to hold its value incredibly well and can even appreciate as a collector’s instrument. Models that are kept in excellent condition and retain all original components have significant investment potential. The OM-42’s reputation, quality craftsmanship, and scarcity make it a relatively safe investment compared to other acoustic guitars. While no investment is completely risk-free, the OM-42 has a high probability of maintaining or increasing its value over the long term if properly cared for.

Martin OM-42 vs Other Models

The modern Martin OM-42 has some key differences from the vintage OM-42 models made in the 1930s that are now highly coveted by collectors. While the vintage models featured Brazilian rosewood back and sides, the modern OM-42 uses East Indian rosewood which imparts a slightly different tonal character. The neck profile on vintage models also tends to be more rounded compared to the modified low oval on the new OM-42.

Compared to other Martin orchestra models like the 000-28 and 000-45, the OM-42 has a slightly larger lower bout for more bass and projection. The 000-45 does feature rosewood back and sides like the OM-42, but has a Sitka spruce top rather than Adirondack spruce, producing a brighter tone. The 000-28 has mahogany back and sides which creates a more mid-range focused sound compared to the bassier OM-42.

Some alternatives to consider from other brands include the Taylor 812ce which has a Grand Concert body shape and Lutz spruce top. It provides crisp highs and excellent articulation. The Gibson J-200 produces a deep, booming tone thanks to its large body and maple construction. For an orchestra model more akin to the vintage OM-42, the Collings OM2H with Adirondack spruce and Brazilian rosewood is a top contender. While the OM-42 remains the standard bearer for orchestra models, these other guitars offer unique voices within a similar design ethos.

Ideal OM-42 Players and Uses

The Martin OM-42 is best suited for discerning fingerstyle guitarists who appreciate the nuances of its balanced and articulate tone. The scalloped bracing gives it enough volume and projection to be used in small ensemble playing, making it a great choice for folk, Americana, roots, and singer-songwriter performers.

Many studio musicians favor the OM-42 for its ability to record beautifully across a variety of genres. The focused midrange cuts through a mix, while the warm rosewood bass adds depth without getting muddy. It’s a versatile acoustic that sounds refined whether played softly or aggressively picked.

On stage, the OM-42 has enough presence to be used with light accompaniment or as a solo instrument. The comfortable neck profile and low action setup allow for intricate fingerpicking during long sets without hand fatigue. The OM-42 is a reliable workhorse guitar that can handle the rigors of touring while still capturing the nuances of a player’s technique.

The OM-42 has a timeless appeal making it popular with collectors and vintage enthusiasts. Models from the 1930s in good condition can fetch prices over $100,000 at auction. While the modern OM-42 may not appreciate as quickly, it represents the pinnacle of Martin’s craftsmanship and has excellent resale value. Overall, it remains an icon for the discerning player who appreciates history and pedigree in a premium musical instrument.

Pros and Cons

Standout Benefits

Iconic rich, balanced, articulate tone from premium solid tonewoods like Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood
Impeccable attention to detail and craftsmanship you expect from a top Martin model
Buttery smooth playability right out of the case thanks to the comfortable neck and low action
Excellent projection and volume that cuts through in both stage and studio settings
Highly resonant and responsive, allowing for intricate fingerstyle playing
Extremely high resale value due to its collectability and Martin’s reputation

Potential Downsides

Very expensive, with a retail price tag of $5,499 and up for a new model
Vintage and used models still demand premium pricing of $3,000+ in good condition
The bright, articulate tone may be too much for some players looking for a mellower sound
The wider 1 11/16" nut width may take some getting used to for players with smaller hands
Does not come with a pickup or electronics like some other high-end acoustics
Large body not ideal for younger players or smaller-framed musicians

Conclusion

The Martin OM-42 stands out as one of the finest acoustic guitars available today, showcasing the pinnacle of Martin’s craftsmanship and tonewood selection. Its all-solid wood construction with a Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides produces a beautifully balanced and articulate tone. The scalloped X-bracing allows the spruce top to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent projection and volume that can cut through in both recording and live scenarios.

This hand-built instrument delivers an extremely comfortable playing experience as well, thanks to its modified low oval neck profile and 2 1/16" string spacing at the bridge. The fretwork is immaculate, providing silky smooth playability even during extended practice or performance sessions.

For discerning players and collectors seeking the ultimate in quality, the Martin OM-42 represents an iconic acoustic that will provide a lifetime of rich, nuanced tone along with heirloom-level craftsmanship. It deserves a 5 out of 5 star rating and our highest recommendation. This is a dream guitar for seasoned fingerstyle players, folk/roots musicians, and other artists who appreciate the history and prestige of the Martin brand.