Product Description
This incredibly beautiful shadetop OM is an anomaly, since Martin didn't do any shadetops in 1930. The secret is that the top finish is new, done by TJ Thompson, the restorer known for doing the highest grade restorations of vintage Martins. He says, "I?m a proponent of distressing finishes on (vintage) guitars where appropriate and when needed. This guitar was not originally a shadetop but since it was so messed up (non-original finish was .015 thick, 20% of the herringbone had been replaced with oversize modern version, ivoroid binding was somehow doubled in areas; etc) I agreed to Sunburst it but only if I had permission to color-match it to the six original shadetop OM-28?s that were made in 1931." According to the owner, it had some very unfortunate amatuer repairs, the neck was shortened, had a bad refinish, a funky pickguard, T frets, a gnarled peghead, but sounded great." The restoration was a feat of magic proportions, leaving us with one of the most beautiful looking and sounding vintage OMs. The top finish has a crackled finish, thick with old patina, mild pick wear, a couple of dings - you'd say is was a beautifully aged, used and not abused 100 year old finish. The neck is smallish for an OM because of the way we used to straighten these necks by planing the board. Tone is rich and deep, very open and sweet.
