Meet the Guitars
Bourgeois Touchstone Vintage OM
Bourgeois has built a reputation for crafting boutique instruments, and their guitars often sit in the $7,500+ range. The Touchstone series, however, brings Bourgeois’ renowned craftsmanship to a more accessible price point. This series results from a unique collaboration between Bourgeois and Eastman Music, leveraging both companies’ strengths.
- Construction Process:
- The tops are hand-selected, built, and voiced by Dana Bourgeois in Maine.
- These tops are then sent to Eastman’s factory in Beijing, where the rest of the guitar is completed to Bourgeois’ exacting specifications.
- Once finished, the guitars return to Maine for final setup alongside Bourgeois’ high-end models.
- Specifications:
- Top: Old-growth Alaskan Sitka spruce with Adirondack bracing.
- Back and Sides: Indian rosewood.
- Neck: Slim profile with a satin finish, featuring a slightly narrower nut width of 1-23/32″.
- Appointments: Herringbone purfling, black-and-white rosette, and ivoroid bridge pins.
- Hardware: Schaller GrandTune tuners.
The result? A lightweight, balanced guitar with impressive projection and tonal clarity, suitable for everything from strumming folk ballads to intricate fingerstyle pieces.
Martin OM-28 Standard
The Martin OM-28 is a benchmark in acoustic guitars, revered for its timeless tone and classic design. It’s part of Martin’s Modern Deluxe series, which combines vintage techniques with modern innovations.
- Construction Process:
- Built entirely in the U.S., the OM-28 showcases Martin’s meticulous craftsmanship.
- The Modern Deluxe series blends traditional methods (like protein-glue bracing) with cutting-edge materials, such as titanium truss rods and carbon fiber bridge plates.
- Specifications:
- Top: Adirondack spruce with scalloped X-bracing.
- Back and Sides: East Indian rosewood.
- Neck: Slim profile with an asymmetrical curve, designed for comfort.
- Appointments: Flame maple bindings, Liquidmetal bridge pins, and retro open-gear Waverly tuners.
- Hardware: Gold frets with 50% copper content.
Sonically, the OM-28 delivers a focused, bright tone with taut lows and exceptional headroom, making it a dream for recording and live performances.
Side-by-Side Sound and Playability
Tone
Both guitars excel in tone, but their characters differ significantly:
- Bourgeois Touchstone OM: Offers a refined and polished sound with even string-to-string balance. Its lows are warm and resonant, while the highs are clear and articulate, making it versatile across genres.
- Martin OM-28: True to its lineage, the OM-28 has a classic, old-school tone. It emphasizes high-end detail and a tight, bright response, ideal for players who love that unmistakable Martin chime.
Feel
- Bourgeois: The slightly narrower nut width and satin neck finish provide a sleek, modern feel that’s comfortable for both fingerstyle and flatpicking.
- Martin: Its asymmetrical neck profile caters to players transitioning from electric guitars, offering a speedy, ergonomic grip.
Projection and Dynamics
- Bourgeois: The Touchstone OM delivers robust projection and a rich dynamic range, handling alternate tunings beautifully.
- Martin: With its Adirondack bracing and modern materials, the OM-28 offers unparalleled headroom and dynamic responsiveness, making it perfect for heavy-handed strummers or precision fingerpickers.
Value for Money
The Bourgeois Touchstone OM is a game-changer, bringing boutique-level quality to a broader audience. Priced significantly lower than Bourgeois’ standard lineup, it offers exceptional value while retaining the craftsmanship Dana Bourgeois is famous for.
The Martin OM-28, while pricier, represents the pinnacle of Martin’s innovation and tradition. Its flawless build and refined tone justify its higher price tag for those seeking a long-term investment.
Final Thoughts
So, which guitar is right for you? Here’s the breakdown:
- Choose the Bourgeois Touchstone OM if: You want a modern take on vintage tones with top-notch craftsmanship at an accessible price.
- Choose the Martin OM-28 if: You crave that iconic Martin sound with cutting-edge features and a luxurious playing experience.
Both guitars are exceptional instruments that any player would be lucky to own. For me, the Bourgeois Touchstone OM edges ahead with its refined sound and innovative collaboration with Eastman, but the Martin OM-28 remains a classic for a reason.
