Here is a lovely GW Barry OM style guitar from 2007 featuring a Bearclaw-figured Sitka Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. GW Barry has been building for decades, including some time working in Jean Larrivee’s shops in Vancouver and Victoria, BC. His work is top notch, in terms of construction and tonal output.
Orchestra Model
The Collings OM1-ESS is based on the traditional OM – Orchestra Model body design, but with an Engelmann Spruce top and a 24.9 inch (632mm) scale length. The OM body has been favored by performing fingerstylists since its introduction by Martin in 1930 as a 14-fret adaptation of the 12-fret OOO models. Collings builds some of the finest instruments available, and this Collings OM1-ESS, built during 2015 in Austin Texas is an excellent example of their work.
The Boucher SG-41 Studio Goose uses the OM (Orchestra Model) Hybrid body shape, modified to work better with fingerstyle playing. A locally harvested Adirondack Red Spruce top is paired with Brazilian Mahogany to provide clear, crisp tone and immediate response. The neck is South American Mahogany, and Ebony is used for the headplate, fingerboard and bridge. Bindings are Maple with Herringbone purfling.
The Martin OMCPA1 LH is a left-handed version of a cutaway, OM body design in the now-discontinued Performing Artist line. The designation breaks down as Orchestra Model, Cutaway Performing Artist 1 (the 1 refers to the wood and trim selection), and Left Handed. The OM or Orchestra Model body design dates to the closing days of 1929 when the great banjoist migration was taking shape as many players shifted to guitar.
This instrument has sold
MORE →Here is a very nice Collings OM1 Orchestra Model, pairing Sitka Spruce and Honduran Mahogany, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. This example is in very good clean condition with only light wear. The Collings OM1 Orchestra Model draws heavily from the original OM models built in the very early 1930’s by Martin for bandleader Perry Bechtel, but its scale length is slightly longer at 25.5 inches instead of 25.4 inches.
This instrument has sold
MORE →Here is a brand spankin’ new Collings OM2H ESS – an Orchestra Model with Engelmann Spruce top, 24.875 inch Short Scale guitar. Based on the classic Orchestra Model design developed at the end of the 1920s and in the Martin catalog for 1930, the Collings OM2H ESS is pretty much as good as it gets. Collings quality is consistently very high, from wood selection to nitrocellulose lacquer finish, setup and everything in between. These are some of the finest instruments available anywhere.