REVIEW OF NEW ATKIN OM ESSENTIAL GUITAR

coolehandluke · March 2022

Just thought I would add a feedback on the site to help anyone that is interested in the Atkin OM Essential guitar I purchased two months ago.
It is always hard to buy blind when you have to trust the person making the guitar and you and cannot try it before purchase due to being left handed. I decided on an Atkins after trying and owning other brands. I tried several Martin guitars, I own a high end Eastman, and a high end Furch. I have also owned two J45's.
The Build quality of the Atkin is very high, much better than all the others. (just my opinion). The mirror finish is exceptional and everything is as it should be for a 3K guitar. I like the 45mm nut width neck with the full C shape feel, and the action and set up whether by luck or experience, perfect.
I really like the extra room on the bridge which is really apparent with finger style playing since that little bit more space between the strings is very apparent and helpful.
I read some where that the guitar is not as good for chord playing , but I find it great with chord work as well.
I love OM size guitars, but the sound quality of this one is fabulous. I appreciate each guitar is different but this guitar is everything I hoped for. It has a full rich played in sound that far exceeds anything else I own or have tried. It actually make my Furch sound and feel like a toy, (and I never thought I would see the day when I said that).
If I was told to just keep one of my guitars I think this would be the one.
It is always an emotional risk getting a guitar made for you but I have no regrets, and I would do the same again.
Alistair was really helpful and I could not fault him, be it that you really need to phone rather than rely on him answering e mails.
My own view is that it is better than the Martins I tried, but in fairness, all three I tried had major issues which made them get sent back.
if anyone is thinking of ordering one, I can only say that they were very helpful and they did cater for my requests on neck size, body and neck finish and a volute on the rear of the headstock. Another very important point for me is the limited lifetime warranty in the UK.
I hope this helps.
(ps I have no connections with the brand and have never met Alistair)

bertie · March 2022

what do you consider to be a "high end Furch" ?

Ill re-phrase that, which model do you have ?

I have an OM33 SR, and its "good" but I wouldnt call it high-end, the Atikin looks very similar (barring the mahogany v rosewood) and at twice the price..............its a lot .(well twice what I paid Id expect it to be a lot better ) - I cant get on with the V neck, does yours have the V neck ? how does it compare to the Atkin C ? Id be interest to try other OM models (I see the OM37 is a tad over £3k)

EDIT

Ive just listened to the Andertons vid, and the first one Danish Pete is playing sounds very much like my Furch.

Ricjo · March 2022

Great review, Cool. The other they, after playing Atkin J43s and The 43 Reserve, when going to the Martin D18, it also felt like a toy to me’

Am considering putting in a custom order at Atkin. Not sure yet. Is it a case of having to phone them to even get the ball rolling or would an email do the trick, listing all the requirements? And how long from order to delivery? Thanks.

Tannin · March 2022

Great posting @coolehandluke ;

I'm a dreadful window shopper for guitars and although you don't see them in my country on the other side of the world, yes, Atkin is a make I have looked at and thought about ordering. I only ever hear nice things about them but never had the opportunity to see one or hear one, let alone play one.

Looking at their models, most are obviously influenced by the Gibson tradition - model names, body shapes, often scale lengths, and especially all those black sunburst finishes. So tell me this: would you describe them as having a "Gibson sound"? Do they do that classic "Gibson thump"? Or would you describe them as being more in the mainstream, sound-wise?

artiebear · March 2022

Brilliant review, very well though out and articulated.

I love the fact that Atkin are giving yet another option, along with some great UK builders.

Having said that, I just haven't being able to fall in love with one yet ( yep, it's me, not you etc ).

@Tannin having owned many Gibsons ( old and new ), while wanting to love the Atkin interpretations, so far, not for me. They are their own thing. It is still very much try before you buy .

Tannin · March 2022

Thanks @artiebear - it's rather the other way about for me., I don't care for "the Gibson sound" at all (much as many people love it), so it is nice to be told that Atkin guitars plough their own furrow.

artiebear · March 2022

Tannin said:

Thanks @artiebear - it's rather the other way about for me., I don't care for "the Gibson sound" at all (much as many people love it), so it is nice to be told that Atkin guitars plough their own furrow.

I love it, but wouldn't want it to be something I woke to to everyday ( in other areas of my life a similar attitude has got me into a load of crap ). As for a guitar shape, style or woods being enough to make me expect to get something already in my head, it very rarely comes off and sometimes is a terrible disappointment. Sound like you know more than enough to avoid that pitfall too

Had a mate who swore blind that his Collings CJ, 25.5" scale, sunburst was basically a J45 tonally ( mostly based on the shape and the quality of the sunburst )

It sounded pretty much like a Larrivee L09 I have and closer to a Martin dread. Perception goes a long long way.

tomjax · March 2022

Tannin said:

Great posting @coolehandluke ;

Looking at their models, most are obviously influenced by the Gibson tradition - model names, body shapes, often scale lengths, and especially all those black sunburst finishes. So tell me this: would you describe them as having a "Gibson sound"?

I'd say that Atkin have as many Martin inspired guitars as they do Gibson, perhaps more. But either way, they definitely don't have the Gibson tone; they are generally much lighter built, more responsive and brighter than a comparable Gibson. Especially so in the case of the J45 inspired models.

I have two Atkins, an all mahogany OM, and an L1 (Robert Johnson model). They're both fabulous guitars, though I also have a Gibson J45 custom model, and wouldn't even consider swapping that out for an Atkin clone; a good Gibson is a jewel of a guitar.

Tannin · March 2022

Thanks @tomjax

coolehandluke · March 2022

I would not say the OM essential is anything like a Gibson, some of the other smaller models are clearly going for the Gibson vibe though. I listened to their small Gibson version and that sounded great, but I like OM guitars. I found the J45 guitars I had lifeless. Just me. The Atkins OM essential is a Mahogany body with heat cured top. It has a full Rich sound that really brings out everything I like about the wood. Comparing to the Martin 00018 would be wrong since that guitar has not got the treated top, and has a shorter scale. I preferred the longer scale since My Eastman has the other 000 length. I purchased the guitar after comparing the Anderton's videos on both models. I just find the standard OM version a bit more versatile and definitely having a much richer sound (thats the best way I can describe it). It is more Martin ish but for me richer. I desperately wanted a Martin (well just to say I had one really), but comparing both (even though the Atkins was slightly more expensive) I have gone that way. One major factor for me was the string spacing as well, I thought it would not make a difference but it really is obviously better when you try it. If I didn't have the Eastman, and I had any money left (which I do not!), I would definitely be looking at the 000 Atkin guitar. But I will have to wait for my next 60th birthday again!!

Tannin · March 2022

That's a great answer, @coolhandluke. Thank you.

bertie · March 2022

coolehandluke said:

. But I will have to wait for my next 60th birthday again!!

mine's in two years ....................... perhaps that OM37 Relic/Aged might find its way chez bertram

might have to take a trip down the M5 to Execeter.................

https://www.projectmusic.net/atkin-om37-aged-finish-32796-p.asp

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

REVIEW OF NEW ATKIN OM ESSENTIAL GUITAR

Comments