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My last three guitars have been OM's and I am really liking them, however, I want to try something new.  I have seen a lot floating around here about SJ's and I am leaning in that direction.  Does anyone have an opinion about how these two styles compare?

Lets say we had an OM and an SJ built out of similar materials, how would they stack up as far as things like volume, projection, balance, bass..........you get the idea.

Thanks,

Nate

Bump

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My take on the differences between the two. I have always thought the SJ projected better, was a bit louder and fuller with more low end, where as the OM was a more "focused" guitar, has less low end, but better balanced, more intimate if you will.

For the SJ,I think its what you would expect for a slightly larger deeper body.

I am exaggerating the difference's here, either guitar sounds great in its own right, but for comparison sake that is what I have noticed. Its a give and take, all be it a very small one.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I agree on the effects of different internal volume between the two.

Consider also that these models have different scale lengths... a significant contributor to playability as well as string tension.
SJ = 25.4"
OM = 24.9"

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I think Lance discribed the differences perfectly. I would add... if I could
only have two guitars it would be these two! An SJ would be my choice if I
could only have one.

Long

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JJ, you are correct for some Om's but mine are the same, both get 25.4

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

traditionally OMs were 25.4, 24.9s would be designated 000, at least by Martin on the same body shape - there were anomolies, but this is general concensus I think.

As for the comparison, I would say the SJ (although I have never built that exact shape, I ahve others that are 16 in the lower bout) would be a fuller sounding guitar, assuming the OM is 15 inch (again, mine are 15 3/8, but still there is that subtle difference)

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

OM vs.000...I don't think I'll ever understand that designation fully!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I would think in terms of how the guitars would be used. The OM is generally reguarded as an ideal fingerstyle guitar but can be great in other styles as well. In an OM I think overall string to string balance and focus are more highly revered for fingerstyle playing than sheer volume. I like these guitars in rosewood. I can't recall ever seeing one being used in a bluegrass setting though.

The SJ might not be a fingerstyle players dream guitar, but could be used in many styles of playing as well. I think of big fat chunky chords when I think of these guitars. I recently played a truly GREAT one that was offered for sale (for the first time since it was new) and purchased from a woman who's recently deceased husband bought new in the forties. A dealer friend of mine, (who runs archtop dot com), snatched it up immediately and adopted it as one of his personal guitars. He knew at the first strum! And, it is in excellent condition. After a neck set and set up, it is one of those guitars that is hard to put down. Everything sounded good on this old mahogany guitar!

I've been on an OM building kick in the last few years and now I want to build some SJ's.
When it's all said and done and all built and strung, it's a guitar that realizes the potential of its heritage that turns me on the most, no matter what model it is.

Thanks, Todd...If that's Martin's official proclamation, I need to write that down!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Todd is correct! 1 3/4" nut, 25.4" (actually 25.34") scale, 14-fret neck join = OM. Remember, it's not rocket surgery!

There's something else to consider in the OM/SJ faceoff, if you're performing or recording "au natural." I've never heard any steel-string body style that sounds better in front of a microphone than the OM/000. Its balanced sound just comes across better, and there seems to be less of a problem with feedback in live situations.

Depends on what SJ model you are considering?

Is this the OLF SJ, Olson SJ, Guild SJ or Gibson SJ?

Olson SJ and Martin 000/OM size is VERY similar.

Hesh mentioned the "comfort" of the guitar and said that the SJ was not as comfortable to him as an OM.

I would think that this depends on a couple of factors.

The SJ's do not generally have a very good designation and none of the relatively well known SJ's are the same sizes.

See the Olson SJ is 15" at the lower bout and 4-5/8" at the tail
The OLF SJ has 15-7/8" at the lower bout and 4-1/2" at the tail
The J-185 has 16" lower bout and 4-7/8" at the lower bout
Kevin Ryan makes a 15-1/4" lower bout and 4-5/8" at the tail, he designates it as a grand concert though not an SJ, the scale is 25.7"

So you can see that when you say SJ, there are a couple of different models being considered.

I would think that the true SJ would be the J-185 and everything else is a different builders version of the same basic body shape, not necessarily the size.

Olson's SJ is basically the same sizes as an OM/OOO but for the depth.

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Hey John, I see we are on the same wave length

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson