Budget OM body recommendations?

[WolfBoy]

Hi,

 

So I'm looking for a backup/travel/couch guitar that I don't need to worry about as much as my Larrivee D-03SPE (which, for my budget - or rather, my wife's vision of what should be spent on a guitar - is a high-end guitar). I'm thinking an OM-style body might be suitable for me so I began looking around. And also, I don't want to spend a LOT of money on it (solid top would be nice, and lam sides/back would be OK).

 

Haven't seen too many out there other than a Samick OM-7 (which looks nice but I haven't found one "in person" to try yet). Any others in or near that price range than anyone can recommend?

 

Thanks in advance!

[AK47]

I don't know the price of the Samick but noticed you are in Canada. Have you checked out the Seagull Folk. They are about the same size and a great buy.

[drnihili]

I'm not an expert on sizes, so excuse me if this isn't right. But Walden puts out several nice sounding models in their GA size. Here's a link to a spruce/rose model. You can click on the link next to "body size" to get the dimensions.

http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/natura/G730.html

 

They also make several other solid top, Lam back/sides models in the GA body shape. With a little care you can find them in the $200 range, sometimes even lower for some models.

[EvilTwin]

I don't know the price of the Samick but noticed you are in Canada. Have you checked out the Seagull Folk. They are about the same size and a great buy.

 

Absolutely.

 

I have a Seagull S6+Folk that I wouldn't trade for anything. It cost me $350, and a comparable Martin (like the 000M I played alongside it -- solid top, lam back and sides, case included) would have costed double. And I actually preferred the 'Gull.

 

I've put that thing through hell, and it's been one of my most reliable instruments. Highest possible recommendation from me.

 

However, the "Folk" body isn't quite the same as a 000. It's relatively the same size, true, but its dimensions are more akin to a "mini Larrivee L-body." It doesn't have the tighter waste of a 000. If that's a must for you, the "Folk" body can't give it (although a mini jumbo might).

 

Alvarez also makes some wonderful guitars in the Seagull price range with their Regent Series. They're worth checking out, and their "Folk" body is exactly like a 000 or OM.

 

The used market is your best friend here, as well. The deals are out there (I found a Tacoma Chief -- a good, small-bodied acoustic -- for $299 used, wish I had pulled the trigger on that purchase).

 

The next step up would be something like a new Guild GAD-30. It'll cost you more, but I think it's worth it (as is a Martin 000-15 or Larrivee OM-03).

[T.B.]

Alvarez RF-20SM - here's a pic and price.

http://www.guitarstop.com/Alvarez/RF20SM.htm

 

You can find this guitar on eBay sometimes half the cost of it's street price. Really nice git ........bang for your buck deal.

 

Trina

[DeepEnd]

The Alvarez RF20SM is $219.99 with a solid mahogany top http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-Regent-Series-RF20SM-Mahogany-Folk-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518724

and the AF60S is $299.99 with a solid spruce top http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-Artist-Series-AF60S-Grand-Concert-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518736.

[guit30]

These Alvarezs are nice , but they are not true 000 size, more like concert or 00, the lower bout is 15 inches. A 000 has the same body dimensions like a dread, but is skinnier and has a narrow waist

Jim

[jeffcoop]

Hi, So I'm looking for a backup/travel/couch guitar that I don't need to worry about as much as my Larrivee D-03SPE (which, for my budget - or rather, my wife's vision of what should be spent on a guitar - is a high-end guitar). I'm thinking an OM-style body might be suitable for me so I began looking around. And also, I don't want to spend a LOT of money on it (solid top would be nice, and lam sides/back would be OK). Haven't seen too many out there other than a Samick OM-7 (which looks nice but I haven't found one "in person" to try yet). Any others in or near that price range than anyone can recommend? Thanks in advance!

 

I've been on a similar mission recently, looking for something I can play when my two small children are around (so I don't have to worry about them attacking either of my USA Guilds) and for something other than a dreadnought for variety. A local shop has the Samick OM-5. I liked it the first time I played it, then went back a week later to give it another test and liked it even more. No, it's not as good as a Guild GAD-30 (or my Guild D50), but it plays well, is comfortable, and sounds much, much better than the cheap Epiphone I'm currently using as my beater. I'm hoping it will be a father's day present next month.

 

I also tried the all-mahogany Samick OM-3, but I prefer the sound of the spruce-topped OM-5.

[Dave W.]

 

A 000 has the same body dimensions like a dread, but is skinnier and has a narrow waist Jim

 

 

From Martin, both 14 fret models:

 

000/OM

Total Length 39 13/16"

Body Length 19 3/8"

Body Width 15"

Body Depth 4 1/8"

 

Dread

Total Length 40 1/2"

Body Length 20"

Body Width 15 5/8"

Body Depth 4 7/8"

[guitarist21]

Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500r. You could probably find one cheap in your price range.

 

Ellen

[PintoMusic]

I don't know the price of the Samick but noticed you are in Canada. Have you checked out the Seagull Folk. They are about the same size and a great buy.

 

Or Seagull's under-brand, Simon & Patrick, has their mini-jumbo body which is a little more OM-ish than the folk bodies.

[tkris]

you might check out the johnson carolina JO series ... comes in all solid version and one with a solid top and laminate b/s ...

 

blueridge also makes OM guitars -- look for models ending 3 -- like the br-43

[DonK]

you might check out the johnson carolina JO series ... comes in all solid version and one with a solid top and laminate b/s ... blueridge also makes OM guitars -- look for models ending 3 -- like the br-43

 

I have a JO-27, all solid wood (rosewood and spruce), Geib-style case, $549 shipped. The mahogany model (JO-26) is a little cheaper, and the laminated back and sides models (JO-17 & JO-17) are cheaper still. They all have the Martin 000 short scale, 24.9".

 

The Blueridge models are nice too, though they have the longer 25.5" scale (very close the the Martin OM scale of 25.4").

[guit30]

From Maurys

 

Martin 000-14 Fret Guitars

 

Total Length 39 13/16"

Body Length 19 3/8"

Body Width 15 3/16"

Body Depth 4 1/8"

[MePeel]

I just got a Walden G570. It has a Grand Auditorium body,

which is just a wee bit smaller than a Dreadnaught. I has a solid cedar top,

and a great tone.

Mel

[WolfBoy]

Thanks for all the replies!! Now I have a lot more to choose from

[Sisyphus2]

Oh and dont forget the washburn F10 -solid top and cheap too

[55gibby]

look at one of these:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/Parkwood-PW320M-GA-Acoustic-Guitar?full_sku=103407482

 

I have one... paid $399 USD. I love the thing. It's a GA body but will keep up with most dreads in volume and is very balanced in tone

[Crossroads@50]

Check out Song Bird Music in Toronto for your Samick om7. There listed price is $225.00 Canadian !!

 

"This is our favourite new acoustic for under $300. A great 'OM' Martin-style acoustic w/ solid cedar top, a bound mahogany neck, rosewood back and sides, 3-piece Rosewood back, Rosewood veneer on headstock, Grover tuners, small 1930's-era OM pickguard, snowflake inlays, abalone binding & soundhole purfling. Plays and sounds awesome!! It's brand new, and it's this price!!!"

 

I have the om8ce, and absolutely love it. nice size and sound and a great price

[Engineer]

I've found that actually finding a store that has the better Samicks to try in Massachusetts is next to impossible. The ones I have contacted have very low-end items in stock, used to have stock but sold out or will order one if you are willing to commit without trying it!

Considering a relatively inexpensive solid wood guitar, I tried the Guild GAD-25 and liked it a lot but then found the Samick D3N was very similar (on paper) and half the price, but have been unable try one. Any views on how these two compare? I suspect the addage that "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is" will apply.

[guit30]

Definitely keep the Waldens in Mind, I like this one

http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/natura/G550.html

 

Alvarez is on the way down, cutting back, not setting up thr regency series no mo

Jim