The OM is a time tested body size that is comfortable to play and versatile for any style of play. We upgraded this one to the Huss & Dalton OM-C adding a cutaway and deep body and built it with a great combination of Western Red Cedar and Figured Australian Blackwood. The Cedar top vibrates easily and needs very little energy to produce a sweet, loud tone. Perfect for fingerstyle playing this guitar reacts wonderfully with a pick as well.
Added tasteful features tie the whole guitar together. Features like the Rosewood binding, Abalone Pearl rosette and stingray fretboard inlays and the Blackwood headstock overlay accentuating the Pearl logo make this one classy delectable collectable.
Tonewoods
Australian Blackwood, which isn’t black at all, is not related in any way to African Blackwood. African Blackwood which is a Rosewood and is indeed black. Australian Blackwood is in the Acacia family, the same as Hawaiian Koa and looks very similar. Acacias are found around the Pacific rim and and have a similar dry, reflective tone, kind of a mix between Mahogany and Maple. This one has the perfect example of Premium grade Australian Blackwood with lots of flame and mesmorizing silky dimension.
About the OM-C
OM-C stands for orchestra model cutaway. The venetian soft cutaway adds ease of access to the higher register for more diverse playing options. The deep body build adds more bottom end and low mid range as well as more volume. The 4 5/8″ deep body adds 1/2″ to the depth at the bottom bout (regularly 4 1/8″), and still feels a comfortable size. The orchestra model was the largest build of guitar in pre-war times being the concert/ stage instrument of choice till the larger 12 fret dreadnought body of the 1930’s came along. It is still the body size of choice for many players and is having a resurgence in recent years. Many dreadnought players are finding a home in the comfortable orchestra model. The midrange is found appealing to round out a collection where larger body instruments reign.
