Martin Custom Shop OM-28 Ziricote with High Altitude Swiss Spruce With Case

Truetone Music was invited to Nazareth, PA for a very special visit. We had the chance to spec out guitars to be custom built by Martin. We were also thrilled by the prospect of being able to hand select our own wood at the factory, aided by Custom Shop representatives and tonewood experts.  That began a relationship that has continued for multiple custom runs over a number of years.

We knew we wanted to represent an interesting variety as far as models and exotic woods, but we also wanted the guitars to sound as best they could, never sacrificing tone for bling.  This Martin Custom Shop version of an OM-28 with Ziricote and High Altitude Swiss Spruce is a true example of that theory coming together in the best possible way.   It's a simple move to make - essentially a classic OM-28 with a unique pairing of wood, made with the best materials and craftsmanship from the top luthiers at the Martin Custom Shop.

The wood we chose for the back & sides is what really stands out - it's Ziricote, one of our favorites tonewoods.  Obviously, it's stunningly beautiful, which you can see in the photos.  The grain is truly something special.  We hand-selected this exact spread - even as raw wood, it was hard to take our eyes off of it.  Finished, it's even more captivating.  When this guitar arrived, we nicknamed it the Snow Leopard - take a look at the photos and you'll see why.

However, it's not just about the aesthetics - this is a great tonewood.  Ziricote's hearty timbre and enlightening overtones are renowned for their bolstering sustain and beautiful resonance. It's even more distinct than rosewood, granting greater clarity, and that's why we decided to apply it to the OM-28. This tonewood imparts an effusive low-end clarity and resonance, while being bright yet warm. Renowned by classical guitarists, ziricote basks in its rich, booming bass response and alluring shimmering treble. To top it off, it radiates a natural reverb that envelops both player and listener.  We were lucky enough to be at Martin when they had a small selection of highly figured Ziricote on hand, and we were able to pick what we saw as the perfect spread for this guitar.

Another main feature is the High Altitude Swiss Spruce top.   It's considered by many to be the best spruce tonewood available, and we'd have to agree.  It's north facing spruce that is grown slowly under harsh conditions, and has tighter annual growth lines, which results in it being denser compared to other spruce.  It has a glassier sound, projects nicely, and results in a very vibrant and loud acoustic.  There's more clarity with a bit quicker note response.  Swiss Spruce also has a shorter "break in" period.  The sound gets drier as the top matures and settles.  This is a guitar that will surely age well.   It's FSC certified 100%, which adds to its limited availability.  The luthiers at the Martin Custom Shop presented it to us specifically for this guitar, and we knew we had to have it.  

As an added bonus, this Custom Shop OM-28 is graced with European Flamed Maple binding, a finishing touch that we've fallen in love with on Martin Custom Shop guitars.  

The look of the guitar itself would be enough, but the materials, construction and appointments make it all the more special.  In some ways, compared to other Martin Custom Shop guitars we've done, this is a simple design, but it's much more than that.  In the end, it's all about feel and sound - and this guitar has it all.  The grain on the back is especially intriguing.  Be sure to zoom in on the photos, not just to see the wood but also the purfling and other intricate details on the guitar.  

The guitar is finished in gloss, with a satin finished Mahogany neck.  Note that it's an OM-28, so it has the 25.4" scale length, but is still a smaller body (compared to a dreadnought), which is why so many players love this model.  It has Martin’s popular modified low oval with high performance taper, making it very comfortable to play for hours. The radius is 16” with a nut width of 1 3/4”.  It's a very "easy to play" guitar.  Other features included Golden Era Diamonds and Squares Long inlays on the ebony fretboard, a tortoise pickguard, nickel Grover tuners and the modern belly bridge.  It comes with a Martin hard shell case and certificate of authenticity.  

Any OM-28 is going to be a spectacular guitar, but this on a whole different level - that's what you get with a Martin Custom Shop acoustic.  Come to Truetone Music today to experience this amazing guitar, or order right here today.

 

• Configuration: C24-023222
• Body Shape:  Dreadnought
• Inspired by:  OM-28 Style
  
• Base Model Note: Wood Selected by Truetone
  
• Appointment Level: Standard
• Adhesive: Modern Adhesive
• Top Material:  High Altitude Swiss Spruce
• Bracing Material, Top: Sitka Spruce
• Bracing Pattern, Top:  X Brace
• Bracing Pattern Number, Top:  6-A OM
• Bracing Shape, Top:  Scalloped
• Bracing Style, Top: Standard
• Bracing Size, Top: 1/4"
• Back and Side Material:   Ziricote - Premium Upgrade
• Binding Material: European Flamed Maple
• Rosette Style:  3 Ring Bold Herringbone Black Maple Fiber
• Neck Material: Mahogany 
• Neck Profile: Modified Low Oval
• Neck Taper: High Performance Taper
• Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 3/4"
• Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8"
• String Spacing: 2 5/32''
• Tuning Machines:  Grover Nickel V97-18NA StaTite 18:1 Vintage Button  
• Fingerboard Material: Black Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay:  Golden Era Diamonds and Squares Long
  
• Finish Type: Standard
• Finish Package: Gloss Body w/ Satin Neck
• Top Color: Clear
• Frets Clear: 14 Frets Clear of Body
• Total Frets: 20 Total
• Scale Length: 25.4"
  
• Neck Joint: Dovetail
  
• Truss Rod: Adjustable 14 Fret
• Bridge Style: Modern Belly
• Saddle Style: Drop in Saddle
• Saddle Material: Compensated Bone
• Bridge & End Pins: White w/ Faux Tortoise
• Case:  Molded Hardshell