❌ SOLD ❌ Santa Cruz OM Orchestra Model Guitar, 1997

The Santa Cruz Guitar Company was founded in 1976 as one of the first ’boutique’ builders, and the OM Orchestra Model has always been popular, given its consistency and versatility.

Built during the early part of 1997 at the company’s shop in Santa Cruz, California, this OM Orchestra Model is in very clean, cared for condition. Similar to a Martin OM-28, it is built with Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany for the neck, and Ebony for the bridge, bound fingerboard, and bound headplate. The top, rosette and backstrip all sport Herringbone pufling.

FOr hardware, vintage Kluson-style tuners with metal buttons are at the head, and an L R Baggs pickup set with Stealth tuner is installed. The tuner is only visible to the player, on the lower treble inside of the soundhole.

This guitar is in great condition and plays very well. OM Orchestra Model guitars are tonally very even, representing all harmonic sections well without letting any take over – they aren’t boomy, or shrill. This makes them ideal for fingerstyle, and they are usually built with slightly wider fingerboards, as this one at 1.75 inches.

A TKL Hard Shell case is included.

Here is part of  what the Santa Cruz Guitar Company has to say about the OM Orchestra Model:

“In the 1920’s, the Orchestra Model was originally intended to be a large guitar capable of being heard over other orchestral instruments, hence the OM name. Although it fit the bill, its relatively large body was soon eclipsed by the mighty dreadnought. Fortunately, the OM had secured its place in history as a powerful and versatile voice for public performance.

Santa Cruz was among the first modern builders to reintroduce this now smaller bodied favorite at the beginning of the Eighties. Our practice of combining the most desirable attributes of old and new, rather than copying, made for a very successful introduction of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company to a whole new audience. With some irony, this acclaim encouraged the venerable originator of the OM to reintroduce the model to their line. Eric Clapton’s historic performance on the debut of MTV Unplugged set us on a course for another 25 years of success with this now perennial favorite.

The OM is delightfully versatile. Our OM players range from blazing flat picker James Nash to John Mayer and Elvis Costello. The Santa Cruz Guitar Company OM provides clean, loud mid-range and trebles that are complimented by a slightly predominant bass. Deeply appreciated for fingerstyle and contemporary flat picking work, the OM is our number one request.”