So, as some of you might remember, a couple of months ago I got a Merrill OM28 in Honduran/Adirondack. I almost gave it up because I had an overly-zealous local guitar tech who tried to alleviate some slight buzzing (it was new so that's not uncommon) and, without my asking him to, he shaved down and changed the shape of the saddle. This really hurt the sound of the guitar. (Warning: if you own a Merrill be aware that a lot of the magic of the Merrill seems to come from the shape of the saddle, so don't let someone work on that unless they understand how the Merrill works.) I sent mine back to the Podium, they made a new saddle, and I actually considered a couple of Bourgeois OM's and others while I waited for the Merrill's return.

When I got the Merrill back, and I began to play it, lo and behold, the sound I have been searching for for years, that old, dry, vintage, dark, rich, Martin sound, came through in spades. The OM almost sounds like a vintage D28. I've been searching for a small guitar with enough bass to handle heavy strumming. This is it. Period. It's still new, and it sounds 50 years old. It's even woody, with Honduran and Adi. There is a magic in this guitar. I love Collings, I love a lot of other guitar makers' work, but if you're someone who can't play the bigger guitars, but you want to get enough bass, darkness and that old Martin vintage sound, this is absolutely it. I know I'm repeating what a lot of other people have said, and it's thanks to many of you who pointed me to the Merrill that I now have what I've been searching for. I will always have a Collings. Bourgeois really blew me away too. But the Merrill is everything I could ever need in one guitar. I can't overdrive the top. It takes anything I throw at it. And it's so wonderfully understated in its looks. Pure classic simplicity.

It takes a lot of class to be ok with not putting your name on the headstock of a guitar you made, especially one this good, but the burned-in name of Merrill on the back makes it even more timeless. Sorry to gush, but honestly, this thing has made me play again. I'm even toying with the crazy idea of giving him a brother in the form of a Merrill OM18 someday. Anyway, just wanted to put this out there for those of you who can't play a dread and want an OM that is dead-on vintage Martin tone with the build of a small-shop. I'm sure Jim's dreads are unreal as well, but this is the only OM I've ever played that actually does sound like a mini-dread in its presence and bass. BTW-I am using John Pearse Medium/Lights and they seem made for this guitar.

The search is over.

sparky

I sure would like to give your merrill a try
You and I seem to have the same taste in sound and playing style.

Sparky, Congrats on getting your Merrill set up the way you like it.

I have a new Merrill OM18 Custom w/hide glue that I absolutely love. It has a warm percussive feel that I've never found on Collings OM and is the finest fingerstyle OM I have ever played. (Of course I've never played a B&H, Borges, pre-war Martin OM, or many of the other high end OMs out there.)

In terms of heavy strumming, however, I have not found it to sound like a mini-dread as you state above. Perhaps this is partly due to the differences between a mahogany & rosewood OM. Still, it strums well for a guitar with a light build & low action and I'm very happy with it.

Your post gives me a jones for a rosewood OM... (must resist!)

Papi, happy to have you play it. Pirate, congrats. My guess is the Honduran Rosewood might give it that darker bass, but I'm no expert. Would love to hear yours too. What do you think the hide glue does for the sound? I've been hearing a lot about hide glue lately. Congrats yourself.

Having never played a Merrill OM18 without hide glue I am unable to give a comparison. In fact, this OM18 is the only Merrill I've ever played! No doubt I've read some of the same hide glue info that you've read.

The OM18 Custom actually has super bass response, especially for a new mahogany/adi OM, and it really shines when played with bare fingers. It is incredibly warm while at the same time possessing a sweet, twangy tone. Because of the low action setup I've considered adding a shim under the saddle to give it a bit more space to shine when strummed hard. Perhaps it would then turn into the "mini-dread". Actually, in terms of strumming, I've adapted to this guitar by developing more finesse. I'm used to playing Collings dreads and have tended to push them hard because of the dynamic volume possibilities. The Merrill OM18 does fine when strummed with a more refined touch & finesse.

Still, it's just a month old so I'm focusing on playing the beans out of it to help break it in. Too bad we're not closer to each other, it would be great to compare guitars.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: piratejab,

Good for you Pirate. That saddle might be glued in, but a good guitar repair person can get it out. And for everyone reading, I don't mean to say my OM is a dread. It's just that it's the closest I've ever come to hearing a sound that big in an OM. Almost everyone claims their OM is a mini-dread, which is total BS. Bill Collings doesn't claim that because his OM is what he wants it to be, beautiful and balanced. But this Merrill has all the bass I've always wanted from an OM. This is the first time I'm not playing an OM and wishing I could play a bigger guitar. I know you'll love yours. Play on!

Mfstout, you must be mistaken. You can't have the ultimate mini-dread, because I have it right on the stand beside me The McAlister OM28 Vintage Series. Deep rich bass that you feel in your chest (yet no tubby quality to it). Volume that fills the room when you want to let it rip. And rich, driving tone when you let loose on strumming. And this with light strings!

OK folks, who out there feels they've got the ultimate mini-dread? Say it loud and say it proud.

Tom, heard about those. Nothing but good stuff. I think David Crosby is a big fan. Rock on.

My Franklin OM Braz/adi IS the ultimate mini-dread; I've got a Merrill OM 28 Honduran Rosewood/Adi coming in the next few weeks. We'll see how it stacks up.

Tom: surely you jest (I know: don't call you Shirley). the Alien. Lays waste to everything in its path, but in a genteel way, with a kind of aristocratic omnipotence. You know: elitist. tom

Dr. B, I think you're going to love it. I'm using Pearse new mediums on mine and it's unreal. Tom, I'd love to hear that alien sometime. Sounds amazing. Rock on y'all.

sparky

mfsout, there's another forumite who took delivery on the Alien's younger brother about three months ago. I believe I paraphrase him accurately in saying that the legend is not myth but fact. There are now three Blazer Henkes OM28 brazilians in America (one in Connecticut, two in northern California) and three others in the world. If you're ever near sonoma, call me and you can play the sucker and find out for yourself (once you pass through the metal detector, get past the guard dog, and place a security deposit. but the guard dog is a labrador retriever, so how hard can it be?) tom