Dreadnought or OM

Universal8 · July 2020

I’m still looking for the right one but I’ve been wondering if I should broaden my horizons when it comes to body shape. I only really play at home or jam with a mate. Is a dreadnought overkill ? Would an OM size do the trick ? I only use a pick , if that makes any difference.

Winny_Pooh · July 2020

You really need to try them, it's a matter of taste rather than volume.

A rosewood dread tends to generate more low end, but that doesnt mean it sounds louder.

Some OMs have wider nuts for fingerstyle players.

mgaw · July 2020

OM may be a more comfortable option, also more versatile...I love dreadnoughts but ended up going back to OMs purely for the ease and versatility.

Perhaps more importantly look at the style of music you play

earwighoney · July 2020

Most things can be played on most different shapes of acoustic guitar, but IMO for an acoustic guitar ergonomics are the most important aspect for playability.

Try a few different ones out to find which one suits you the most.

ICBM · July 2020

Purely personal taste. I'm a little guy who plays mostly fingerstyle, so by all accounts you would think that I would choose an OM, but in practice I just prefer the deep, more open sound of a Dreadnought. I have had a really good OM as well (Martin OM-21) which I did love the sound of, but the neck was too wide for me - OMs are more commonly found with wide necks than Dreadnoughts are, although you can find examples of each the other way round. I don't find the body size of a D a problem, in fact I like Gibson Jumbos as well.

Schnozz · July 2020

I like to play with a thick pick so a Dreadnought really does it for me.

I have an OM as well that's easier to play on the couch with fingers/thin pick, but the Dread is where it's at for me - As ICBM says, it's a more balanced sound.

Universal8 · July 2020

Thanks for the reply’s. Size of the guitar isn’t an issue ( I’m 6’ 4” ) , it was more a case of volume. I’ll try and play some, though not that easy without appointments.

monquixote · July 2020

I got a Martin OOO recently and that's a cool guitar for someone who plays mostly electric and doesn't want to be super loud.

I think the scale is a bit shorter than an OM.

Kilgore · July 2020

I'm mainly a fingerstyle player and gravitate towards 000, OM, 00 etc.

I don't find dreads uncomfortable as such, just a bit awkward. Bout and waist size isn't the issue, it's the depth of dreads that I don't like.

earwighoney · July 2020

Universal8 said:

Thanks for the reply’s. Size of the guitar isn’t an issue ( I’m 6’ 4” ) , it was more a case of volume. I’ll try and play some, though not that easy without appointments.

Volume and body size do not always correlate as one might expect, one of my smaller guitars is the loudest guitar I own.

Aside from the dread and OM, there are other body sizes eg a Grand Auditorium which will have the same width lower bout as a dread but a more curved body shape and a higher waist.

TheBigDipper · July 2020

It's not just the volume a guitar will make when you play it in a certain way. It's also the way it responds to your playing style.

My Brook Taw (sort of OM sized, 24.5in scale) loves being played gently and sings out when I do. Strum it hard and the quality of the sound degenerates fast without it getting much louder in the room.

My L'Arrivee L-01 (sort of Jumbo-sized, 25.25in scale) loves being strummed hard and sounds good when I do. Not quite so delicate or responsive when played with the fingers, although it's alright, just a bit flat sounding.

Teyeplayer · July 2020

I really think you need a good one of each. I always find it amazing that guitarists routinely have multiple electrics but then don’t do the same with acoustics. There’s as many bases to cover in the acoustic camp.

Redlester · July 2020

If you are able, go to a shop with a good range and try the guitars that take your fancy. Take a friend if you can so they can be a second opinion, but also play guitars for you to hear as well.

Sounds like you’re after a blend of the right sound for you plus playability plus comfort. Don’t be surprised if you end up with a Dreadnought though. A good one is surprisingly versatile.

malcolmkindness · July 2020

The OM body shape is the most versatile, so if you only have one guitar this would be the best choice.

ICBM · July 2020

malcolmkindness said:

The OM body shape is the most versatile, so if you only have one guitar this would be the best choice.

That seems to be a common opinion, but I disagree.

A good Dreadnought will do everything an OM can *and* has a bigger sound for heavy strumming. That's why I have one.

earwighoney · July 2020

ICBM said:

malcolmkindness said:

The OM body shape is the most versatile, so if you only have one guitar this would be the best choice.

That seems to be a common opinion, but I disagree.

A good Dreadnought will do everything an OM can *and* has a bigger sound for heavy strumming. That's why I have one.

I'm largely in agreement, IMO there seems to not be as much appreciation for the straight braced Martin D18/28/35's of yesteryear but I think there are some of the most versatile instruments out there, aside from being superb for heavy strumming as one might expect they are great for fingerstyle playing as well, being the instruments of choice of some highly regarded fingerstyle players like John Fahey & Michael Hedges.

I have a very lightly braced OM which is a delightful guitar for playing fingerstyle, but not a great guitar for playing with a pick.

sunshinewelly · July 2020

for me the OM shape is definitively more comfortable to sit down and play - if its good enough for Clapton (000 but same body size as OM) and Mayer then its good enough for me

I am 6 foot 2 and fine dreads a bit uncomfortable

Redlester · July 2020

Years back I used to think that ‘small body= a picker; dreadnought= a strummer”.

What changed my mind was getting seriously into playing and listening to some great players. Davey Graham in the 60s? One of the finest pickers ever and mostly all on a Gibson J-50. Lots of John Renbourn’s fine earlier work was played on a Guild Dreadnought. Another of the finest pickers ever is Ralph McTell, and he’s a J-45 man!

Then there’s Bert Jansch, a great player of 000 and 0M models until the mid 70s but who played a Yamaha dreadnought so beautifully for years.

It really is horses for courses, which is why I have found shopping for an acoustic when I’ve done it a long but enlightening process. I find everything about acoustics extremely subjective, which is why it’s good to chat about them on forums like this, but you can’t beat getting your hands on one and really trying before buying. Possibly easier said than done with Covid-19 ongoing of course, but potentially worth the effort.

Let us know when you get something you like!

Epsilon · July 2020

Spoon or fork? Depends what you want to do with it.

Cranky · July 2020

I'll never understand the argument that smaller bodies make for better fingerpicking. If anything, their inherently reduced bass and overall volume suggest the opposite. I get that they can be more comfortable to hold, especially for those with shoulder pains and whatnot, but personally I just can't enjoy the thinness of a OM. It's all about the dreadnought for me.

For me, the primary thing to consider are tonewoods and scale length. Mahogany is usually warmer with a deeper bass and more subdued mids and highs. It's supposed to make for a better rhythm acoustic, good for singer-songwriters, good for country, blues and bluegrass. Rosewood is a better acoustic for rock music, for lead playing, etc because of it's penchant for brighter tones that'll cut through a mix. Maple is supposedly the brightest yet, though I've not played a maple acoustic.

Some swear that Adirondack spruce tops are better than Sitka spruce. Solid cedar tops sound pretty remarkable to me, as well.

These days there are some substitute woods because of environmental protections: walnut is starting to replace rosewood, sapele replacing mahogany. I had a Gibson spruce-walnut combo for a spell, it was rather bright and I liked it but I sold it for reasons explained below.

A shorter scale will also make for something a little brighter and, in my experience, faster action. But it's also my experience that a short scale (like many Gibsons), especially with a thinner neck, can be difficult to quickly change chords on because of the reduced space for fingers and some extra strain on the grip. So if I only had one acoustic, I wouldn't have a shortscale because I find rhythm playing (my favorite aspect for an acoustic) difficult for prolonged periods even though I think they sound perfectly nice.

ICBM · July 2020

Cranky said:

Maple is supposedly the brightest yet, though I've not played a maple acoustic.

I would say maple is not so much bright, as very even across the frequency range. I’ve never come across a true Martin-type Dreadnought in maple to compare with a D-28, but I have a Gibson Dove which is very balanced from deep lows to clear highs. The neck on that is also maple though, which does affect the sound.

ToneControl · July 2020

malcolmkindness said:

The OM body shape is the most versatile, so if you only have one guitar this would be the best choice.

disagree

ToneControl · July 2020

I'd worry more about the soundboard, and would recommend a Jumbo as a default option
If you are playing with a plectrum, get a spruce top, not cedar
I won't cover the less common soundboard woods unless you are thinking of any

spruce has more dynamic range, and is (especially adirondack) harder to "move" than cedar.
Therefore spruce is recommended for plectrum players, cedar for fingerpickers
But of course, you can still use either

malcolmkindness · July 2020

ICBM said:

malcolmkindness said:

The OM body shape is the most versatile, so if you only have one guitar this would be the best choice.

That seems to be a common opinion, but I disagree.

A good Dreadnought will do everything an OM can *and* has a bigger sound for heavy strumming. That's why I have one.

I have one too and it is excellent, but I also have smaller bodied guitars which are more comfortable to play and generally have a more balanced sound. An OM is a very good compromise if you are only going to have one guitar.

malcolmkindness · July 2020

Redlester said:

Years back I used to think that ‘small body= a picker; dreadnought= a strummer”.

What changed my mind was getting seriously into playing and listening to some great players. Davey Graham in the 60s? One of the finest pickers ever and mostly all on a Gibson J-50. Lots of John Renbourn’s fine earlier work was played on a Guild Dreadnought. Another of the finest pickers ever is Ralph McTell, and he’s a J-45 man!

Then there’s Bert Jansch, a great player of 000 and 0M models until the mid 70s but who played a Yamaha dreadnought so beautifully for years.

It really is horses for courses, which is why I have found shopping for an acoustic when I’ve done it a long but enlightening process. I find everything about acoustics extremely subjective, which is why it’s good to chat about them on forums like this, but you can’t beat getting your hands on one and really trying before buying. Possibly easier said than done with Covid-19 ongoing of course, but potentially worth the effort.

Let us know when you get something you like!

These great British players from the 60's generally played any guitar they could get their hands on, there wasn't much choice in those days and what there was was very expensive. Bert Jansch didn't even own a guitar for many years, he just borrowed one as needed, then had a handmade John Bailey (small bodied) for several years before settling with Yamaha.

Davy Graham often played a flamenco guitar or even an arch top!

John Renbourn played a Franklin OM for many years and then a Bown OM until his death.

One of my favourite players Duck Baker, usually plays a flamenco guitar or a Fylde Gordon Giltrap model.

Ralph McTell and Wizz Jones are the only ones I can think of who have consistently played their Gibsons.

We really are spoiled for choice nowadays.

Universal8 · July 2020

Redlester said:

Let us know when you get something you like!

I’ve narrowed it down to 2 dreadnoughts. A Martin D18 and a Furch Vintage. I’ve played both in the past and really like both ( one is mahogany, one rosewood). I think you definitely get more for your money with the Furch but the Martin is still tempting.

earwighoney · July 2020

Universal8 said:

Redlester said:

Let us know when you get something you like!

I’ve narrowed it down to 2 dreadnoughts. A Martin D18 and a Furch Vintage. I’ve played both in the past and really like both ( one is mahogany, one rosewood). I think you definitely get more for your money with the Furch but the Martin is still tempting.

Fine choice. Either one will be a winner.

I'm considering getting the Furch OM counterpart later this year. If you do get the Furch Vintage Dread, please report back your thoughts!

earwighoney · July 2020

malcolmkindness said:

Redlester said:

Years back I used to think that ‘small body= a picker; dreadnought= a strummer”.

What changed my mind was getting seriously into playing and listening to some great players. Davey Graham in the 60s? One of the finest pickers ever and mostly all on a Gibson J-50. Lots of John Renbourn’s fine earlier work was played on a Guild Dreadnought. Another of the finest pickers ever is Ralph McTell, and he’s a J-45 man!

Then there’s Bert Jansch, a great player of 000 and 0M models until the mid 70s but who played a Yamaha dreadnought so beautifully for years.

It really is horses for courses, which is why I have found shopping for an acoustic when I’ve done it a long but enlightening process. I find everything about acoustics extremely subjective, which is why it’s good to chat about them on forums like this, but you can’t beat getting your hands on one and really trying before buying. Possibly easier said than done with Covid-19 ongoing of course, but potentially worth the effort.

Let us know when you get something you like!

These great British players from the 60's generally played any guitar they could get their hands on, there wasn't much choice in those days and what there was was very expensive. Bert Jansch didn't even own a guitar for many years, he just borrowed one as needed, then had a handmade John Bailey (small bodied) for several years before settling with Yamaha.

Davy Graham often played a flamenco guitar or even an arch top!

John Renbourn played a Franklin OM for many years and then a Bown OM until his death.

One of my favourite players Duck Baker, usually plays a flamenco guitar or a Fylde Gordon Giltrap model.

Ralph McTell and Wizz Jones are the only ones I can think of who have consistently played their Gibsons.

We really are spoiled for choice nowadays.

Agree. The choice for guitarists be it acoustic or electric is the best it's ever been, great guitars available at any budget,

Also, Davey, Bert & John were some of the finest guitarists of all time for creativity, expression and technique - the more familiar I become with their work the more my appreciation for it grows.

sunshinewelly · July 2020

What's the equivalent of a yamaha LJ size

It's bigger than my martin Om18 but not as big as a dread. It's very comfy. Definitely more bottom end than my 018.

I assume there each manufacturer has a middle ground between their dreads and Om models

Schnozz · July 2020

sunshinewelly said:

What's the equivalent of a yamaha LJ size

It's bigger than my martin Om18 but not as big as a dread. It's very comfy. Definitely more bottom end than my 018.

I assume there each manufacturer has a middle ground between their dreads and Om models

The LJ is like a Gibson Jumbo I think

FunkyGibbon · July 2020

I have a 00, OM, and dread’. In my experience, the differences are more around the combination of timbers and construction/bracing than size per se. I could live the rest of my life with any one of them. If you’ve got it down to 2 dreads I suggest you find out which sounds most like the guitar in your head. Most people have a rosewood/ mahogany/ other timber preference. I think it’s useful to know what your preference is or whether your taste is wider that a single primary tonewood and based on the combination of the top + back & sides.

The 00-25 is a noodle on the sofa blues box. The OM-28 gets played for other people to sing to in church. The D-18GE is the guitar in my head and is equally astonishing whether strummed, finger-picked or flat-picked.

I’m 5.4” and also, in my experience, the comfort of the body size is impacted by how you hold/position the guitar. I always use a strap, even when seated. I’ve recently been wondering about an OM-18GE abd whether it might be a more playable size over the next 20-30 years.

I’d also comment that I have been pleasantly surprised by the +ve difference the extra 1/16 of an inch at the nut makes with 1&11/16 vs 1&3/4 for my older hands. I play rhythm and finger style mostly.

IME, you really need to play the different sizes and wood combinations to find what works for you sound and feel-wise. I spent 2-3 years trying to identify the guitar in my head (which turned out to be a D18) but the first Martin I bought was the 00-15. Play lots of guitars and buy the one which won’t let you leave without it.

happy hunting!

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