The neck's a bit wider than I would like (2 3/8 string spacing, but 1 3/4 nut width so not too bad) but other than that, this OM is amazing. For anyone out there looking for that Collings sound, this ain't it. And that's good. Collings should sound like Collings. But for that old, old Martin sound, this thing rocks. And it's brand new, so I can only imagine how it will sound after a year. I was looking for a smaller guitar with a big sound, you know, that thing that EVERY guitar-maker seems to promise. But this one really does just that. I closed my eyes and almost heard D28. Almost. I worked with Jeff at The Podium. Great gang over there. Great advice. There are a handful of great guitar stores and this is one of them.

Follow up from the post response made to the 000 vs OM. Great choice. Merrill makes wonderful guitars. Wish I could hear up close and personal. Great string spacing. For me 2 5/16 would have been a min and since 1 3/4, 2 6/16 is good.

It's a normal length I presume.

Congrats. Post sound files when you can.

Stuart

i'm envious. a few other forumites have this same guitar, and by all accounts, it's a keeper. congrats.

Played a Merrill OM a couple of weeks ago and it was terrific. Some day I'll have a guitar that sounds like that. Congratulations!

Congrats! Can't wait to play it

Thanks gang. Elambo, you will lay it soon. The funny thing is, this guitar is seriously flat. When the top starts to come up from those strings pulling on it, I'm hoping it goes from Edward Norton to the Incredible Hulk. BTW-I also played a Collings 0002H at guitarworksltd. I'm not a big fan of indian/sitka, but the thing sounded seriously sweet. 1 3/4 neck too which is unusual for that guitar. If anybody's looking...

Seems like there's a lot of nice guitars heading up to Chi-town recently.

(wiping a tear, remembering my days living across the street from the old Belden Deli on Clark Street)

Wasn't that place great! Best corn beef sandwiches in town too.
I used to work as a Chicago Special Police at Columbus Hospital, what a great area to hang out during the early 80's.

i used to like the stand-up bar at the berghof downtown. sauerbraten sandwiches on thursday... and good beer. the acoustic music around town wasn't bad in those days: steve goodman, john prine, ed/fred holstein. all of em played the martin dreads.

quote:

Originally posted by D2H2259:
Seems like there's a lot of nice guitars heading up to Chi-town recently.

(wiping a tear, remembering my days living across the street from the old Belden Deli on Clark Street)

Yeah, there have been several recently.

And the eats are great. Is/Was the deli you're referring to actually called Belden Deli, and is it still around? I pass by that area all the time but the name isn't ringing a bell. I have a new intern that lives really close - might be worth having her bring in a few sand'iches. My last go-to corned beef shop closed its doors a while back and I have yet to find a replacement.

Sorry Michael, didn't mean to keep swerving off the path, but I know that you can appreciate a good Chicago deli as much as the next guy.

Love good guitars. Love a good deli. I have the gut to prove it. Hmm, maybe that's why I can't play bigger guitars...

As I understand it , it was a landmark at the corner of Clark & Belden for many years, but some years ago when I came back for a visit it was gone.

It seems they may have relocated to Western Ave, or some place on Western Ave took the name.

And yes, the name was Belden Deli.

And I also liked the stand-up bar at the Berghoff. (another tear...)
- And Second City
- And the Theater scene (There was a 3-part play called "warp" that was amazingly great)
-And Pizza, esp Giordano's
-and Lincoln Park
--And....