Martin OM-1

 Recently acquired 2001 Martin OM-1 guitar. The OM stands for orchestra model. It has the following specs:

• Solid Sitka spruce top
• Solid mahogany back
• Laminated mahogany sides
• Indian rosewood fingerboard and bridge
• Catalyzed satin finish
• Tortoise shell pickguard
• Cedar neck
• Body size = 000-14 Fret
• 25.4" scale length
• Width at nut - 1-3/4"
• Body size  19-3/8" x 15"
• Mortise tenon neck joint
• Modified hybrid X scalloped Sitka spruce bracing
• No electronics
• Medium or light gauge strings

1999 was the first year of production, newer models have solid Sapele back and sides and a stratabond neck

Not much to do with this one except enjoy its beautiful sound.

2020 Update

These are a few guitars picked up recently at various places, Guitar Center Brooklyn, Reverb, and estate sale Cleveland. 

The first is a 1954 Gibson LG-3

Relatively good shape, bridge is lifting but overall good condition for its age.

 

The second is a 1940 Gretsch Syncromatic200

This guitar needs a complete restoration rebuild and a few new parts, missing tuners and pickguard. 

 

Third is a 2001 Martin OM-1

In excellent condition sounds amazing. 

Hope to get started researching, rebuilding, and selling guitars again. Very grateful to be able to share with you.

Robert 

New Day

 

After having to move from the shop that I have worked out of for the last ten years I have relocated albeit maybe temporarily into an old house that I am renovating.

 

The sunrise is from the back deck and just for inspiration. Hard not to like waking up to this each day.

 

 

I was finally able to open some boxes yesterday and start rummaging through piles of parts and pieces of projects to see where to begin. I made a new 000 size pattern for the bending jig before I left the shop and have assembled it on the box and it is ready to go.

Need to make a new pattern for the sides to mark and cut them prior to bending, so that is next on the list of things to do.

There are some parts that were picked up earlier this year from the Martin factory just waiting.

Hope to be posting more projects very soon. Stay tuned!

Robert
2015

I'm Back!

 

Hey guys and gals after a long sabbatical from the blog I have returned. Hard to believe the blog has over 8,000 hits from all over the globe. I hope that you picked up some useful information or found what you were searching for.

 

Lets start off with a picture gluing up a back for a walnut and Sitka small bodied guitar that is just getting underway. You can see my process is pretty simple just using old bar clamps with some wedges. Don't forget the wax paper when gluing!

 

 

Then a picture from the Martin Guitar Museum in Nazareth PA where I recently visited (more pictures from here later). Real cool, looks kind of like my shop, or any woodworkers shop for that matter.

 

 

 

Finally a little Cordoba Cadete 3/4 size classical guitar that was brought in with a few dings and the bridge had come off along with needing a new saddle.

 

Hey thanks for sticking around, I hope to be back soon with more updates on some new guitars that I am working on..


Robert
2015

Epiphone EA-250

Just acquired this 1970's made in Japan Epiphone EA-250. Had to pay about $100, but it seemed relatively inexpensive and in OK condition. Have not had a chance to really scope it out yet. Needs some minor binding repair around the neck joint and a pickup. These pickups are called MMK-1 and are hard to find. I might just hot rod it with some new ones if I cannot find a replacement at a reasonable cost, but would like to keep it original. Value in good condition is probably only around $300, but from what I understand pretty popular in Europe?

I will post some more pictures and info after I get a chance to start working on it.

Jointer

Just purchased a used 6" Grizzly g1182 jointer on Craigslist from a very nice guy out in Virginia today. Had to drive about a hundred miles round trip to get it, but well worth the trip. He had recently purchased a larger unit and was selling this one. This will certainly do the trick for me. I hope to save some time (and joint pain) with this tool. My old sweetheart planes are looking at me with disgust though..I still love them and will keep them sharp and on standby. I also ordered a height attachment extension for my 14" Delta bandsaw so that I can do some resawing of wood for backs and tops without having to purchase a bigger saw.

In the meantime I hope to get started on some new projects, and finish up some old things that have been patiently waiting for me. I received a comment from someone asking what happenned to the Bohmann mandolin and sad to say it is one of those still waiting. I promise to get to it along with French polishing the Bubinga dreadnaught and finding a screw for a friction tuner on the Martin uke that does not fit. I am waiting on a 70's Epiphone Riviera that needs some work and will post that as soon as it arrives. I do still have a day job that keeps me busy along with a bunch of other hobbies including brewing beer, gardening, bonsai, and a new one aquaponics (I only have the fish so far). Not to include I will be doing some remodeling of the homestead this spring including new hardwood floors, a kitchen redo and a new deck. I would love to build a greenhouse too if possible..

Thanks for hanging in there, more to come..

Peace
Robert

Karen's Kitchen Stories: On Baking Bread | And the Bakers who Inspire Us

Karen's Kitchen Stories: On Baking Bread | And the Bakers who Inspire Us