The Martin OMJM John Mayer Signature Acoustic-Electric guitar represents a collaboration between the iconic American guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co. and renowned guitarist John Mayer. Released in 2015, this guitar aims to capture Mayer's distinctive style and tone within a stage-ready acoustic-electric instrument.

Crafted in the USA, the OMJM combines vintage appointments with modern playability. It features a Grand Performance body shape with solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The neck has a low oval profile for comfort. Electronics consist of Fishman Gold Plus Natural I pickups and an analog preamp designed for tonal purity. With its balance of heritage and innovation, the OMJM delivers the warm, organic sound that has defined Martin acoustic guitars for generations.

This guitar provides exceptional playability, full-bodied tone, and refined aesthetic details - all optimized for John Mayer's musical vision. The OMJM brings together Martin's expert luthier craftsmanship and Mayer's pursuit of tone, inspiring guitarists to create music with richness and nuance. Let's take a closer look at the features that give this signature model its character.

Build Quality

The Martin OMJM John Mayer signature model features a solid Sitka spruce top, solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, and a mortise and tenon neck joint.

The top is constructed from premium grade solid Sitka spruce, which provides excellent resonance, volume and dynamics. Sitka spruce is a popular tonewood choice for acoustic guitars due to its lightweight and stiff properties that allow the top to freely vibrate.

The back and sides are made from solid East Indian rosewood. This tonewood imparts a robust low-mid range focus with crisp treble notes. The rosewood back and sides pair nicely with the spruce top to create a balanced and articulate tone profile.

The OMJM has a rock-solid mortise and tenon neck joint. This non-bolt joint allows for a seamless transition between the neck and body, promoting greater resonance and sustain. The mortise and tenon neck joint is a hallmark of Martin's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and build quality.

Overall, the use of premium solid tonewoods and traditional construction gives the OMJM John Mayer an exceptionally resonant and responsive voice. The guitar's materials and appointments live up to Martin's reputation for outstanding craftsmanship and build quality.

The Ibanez AAD50CETCB Artwood Vintage Series acoustic-electric guitar features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides for a warm, balanced tone. The top is treated with an advanced aging process to replicate the look and sound of a vintage instrument. This guitar utilizes an open pore finish that enhances resonance for a rich acoustic tone.

Electronics include an Ibanez SST Shape Shifter preamp with a built-in tuner for amplified performance capabilities. The SST preamp provides three-band EQ, volume control, and mid contour switch to shape your amplified tone. It can be powered by a 9V battery or optionally wired to an external power supply.

Other appointments include a mahogany neck topped with rosewood fretboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and chrome die-cast tuners. The body binding and rosette provide an elegant vintage aesthetic. Overall, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB Artwood Vintage guitar delivers traditional design with modern playability and amplified versatility.

For more details on this model, check out the Ibanez AAD50CETCB product page.

In terms of build quality, the OMJM leverages premium tonewoods and traditional construction methods to achieve outstanding resonance and musicality. The spruce top is lightly braced for optimal vibration, while the mortise and tenon neck joint provides seamless energy transfer. Similarly, the Ibanez AAD50CETCB utilizes solid spruce and mahogany woods selected for their acoustic properties. The advanced aging treatment allows the tonewoods to vibrate freely as if decades old.

Both guitars demonstrate skilled craftsmanship in their design and material selection. The woods and construction techniques result in responsive, balanced tone and articulate note separation. While the Martin pursues traditional techniques, Ibanez innovates with modern aging treatments and electronics. The guitars match in their dedication to build quality through premium materials and considered construction.

Sound Profile

Martin developed the OMJM by combining several of their top tonewoods and bracing patterns. The result is a smooth, balanced sound that faithfully projects John Mayer's nuanced playing style and vibrant voice.

The foundation of the OMJM's sound is the high-grade East Indian rosewood used for the back and sides. This tonewood has a deep, rich resonance, adding volume and complexity to the midrange. The solid Sitka spruce top brings a lighter, crisp tone that counters the rosewood with added sparkle and articulation.

The OMJM employs Martin's upgraded forward shifted scalloped X bracing, pushing the structural support towards the lower bout. This optimizes the top's vibration and projection while retaining note separation. Compared to traditional X bracing, forward shifted results in a bolder and louder voice.

With its rosewood and spruce construction and specially voiced bracing, the OMJM has a balanced tonal character. Trebles are crisp but rounded, midrange is responsive, and bass is full yet defined. Overall, the OMJM projects a smooth, welcoming voice with vintage appeal. This sonic profile suits Mayer's deft fingerstyle playing and soulful singing.

If you're looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar with great sound, check out the PURE GEWA PS510198. This model features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for balanced tone and good projection. The cutaway body style provides easy access to upper frets, while the onboard preamp and pickup system let you plug into an amplifier or PA system.

Some key features of the PURE GEWA PS510198 include its comfortable C-shaped neck profile, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and die-cast chrome tuners. The slim body depth makes it a joy to play for long periods, while the gloss finish gives it an attractive appearance. The preamp has tone shaping controls for adjusting bass, midrange, and treble response.

When unplugged, this guitar produces warm, textured tones with great resonance. Players praise its balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. Plugged in, the undersaddle piezo pickup conveys the natural acoustic tone accurately. The preamp provides the flexibility to shape your amplified sound.

The PURE GEWA PS510198 is a high quality, affordable acoustic-electric that will serve songwriters, gigging musicians, and hobbyists equally well. It's comfortable to play, sounds fantastic, and is stage-ready right out of the box. If you want classic acoustic tone with modern amplification and playability, check out this model.

The unique sound profile of the Martin OMJM Signature Edition is the result of carefully selected tonewoods and proprietary bracing techniques. When crafting this guitar, Martin aimed to produce an instrument optimized for John Mayer's expressive playing style and wide-ranging musical talents. They succeeded admirably, creating a guitar with vintage appeal that projects beautifully.

The OMJM has a solid Sitka spruce top, which contributes crisp, articulate highs and tight bass. This combines seamlessly with the rosewood back and sides, which lend warmth, richness, and complexity. The end result is a smooth, balanced tonal character suited for fingerstyle playing and soulful vocals.

By utilizing their forward shifted scalloped X bracing, Martin voiced the OMJM for enhanced volume and projection compared to traditional designs. This guitar fills the room with sound centered in the midrange, where vocals and lead playing live. Trebles have sparkle but avoid brittleness, while the bass provides a firm rhythmic foundation.

From lush chord melodies to soaring solos, the OMJM is a worthy companion for musical inspiration. Its vintage-inspired sound and comfortable feel facilitate creative expression. This is a true artist's guitar, ideal for writing songs, tracking in the studio, or captivating audiences live. For players that want to emulate Mayer's diverse style, it's an excellent choice.

The Martin OMJM has a unique voice that sets it apart from other acoustics while retaining the company's classic build quality. For guitarists drawn to its smooth, vintage-inspired sound, it's sure to be a source of inspiration. Paired with John Mayer's top-tier playing and singing, this guitar's voice really gets to shine across various musical settings.

Playability

The Martin OMJM is designed for optimal playability and comfort. It features a Modified Low Oval neck shape that provides a slim and fast feel. The slim taper neck allows for quick runs up and down the neck with ease.

The string action on the OMJM is set low from the factory, making it very comfortable right out of the case. There is no fret buzz or rattle. Strings ring out clearly when fretted anywhere on the neck. The action can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences.

The OMJM feels very comfortable to play when sitting or standing. Its weight is evenly distributed so it balances well on a strap. The contoured body sits nicely against your torso. Overall, the OMJM offers a fantastic playing experience.

Electronics & Controls

The Martin OMJM John Mayer comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics and an onboard preamp with volume and tone controls. This preamp system provides natural amplification and allows you to shape your amplified tone.

The volume knob controls the overall output level sent to your amplifier or PA system. It allows you to dial in the perfect volume for any venue or situation. The tone knob offers contour adjustment, letting you tweak the EQ to suit your preferences and playing style. Turn it up for more brilliance and sparkle, or down for a smoother and warmer tonality.

There is also a discreetly mounted chromatic tuner which is easily accessible when you need to tune up. The preamp runs on a 9V battery so you don't need to worry about cords and cables when amplifying. Overall the electronics provide excellent versatility while retaining the inherent rich acoustic tone of this signature Martin guitar.

Hardware

The OMJM comes equipped with quality hardware that allows for smooth and stable tuning as well as clear and balanced acoustic tone.

Tuning Machines

The guitar features vintage-style nickel open-gear tuning machines with butterbean knobs. These tuners provide precise and reliable tuning stability. The open-gear design exposes more of the gearing, allowing for smooth and easy tuning adjustments.

Bridge

The OMJM has a quality ebony belly bridge for balanced string intonation and enhanced treble tones. The ebony provides a dense bridge material for excellent energy transfer and sustain. The belly bridge lifts the strings a bit higher off the top, allowing them to vibrate more freely. This design contributes to the guitar's clear and open acoustic voice.

Aesthetics

The Martin OMJM John Mayer signature model features a stunning visual design that sets it apart. It has a solid Sitka spruce top, which gives it a light and airy look. The top is bounded by a ring of multi-stripe East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing an eye-catching contrast.

The rosette is made from bold rings of black and white boltaron, which complements the spruce top nicely. The fretboard and bridge are also constructed from East Indian rosewood, with delicate mother-of-pearl dot fretboard inlays, further enhancing the visual appeal.

In terms of finish options, the OMJM comes in a smooth semi-gloss top finish. The back and sides have a polished gloss finish that allows the wood's natural grain patterns and colors to shine through beautifully.

Overall, with its combination of spruce, rosewood, and mother-of-pearl accents, the OMJM John Mayer has an elegant and refined aesthetic that lives up to the Martin legacy. The curvy cutaway body shape gives it a sleek, modern look while retaining the charm of a classic acoustic guitar.

Notable Users of the Martin OMJM

The Martin OMJM John Mayer signature model acoustic-electric guitar has been played by several well-known musicians besides Mayer himself:

• Ed Sheeran - The British singer-songwriter has used the OMJM extensively for his live shows and recordings. Sheeran has praised the guitar's playability and full-bodied tone.

• Jason Mraz - Known for his percussive acoustic guitar style, Mraz played an OMJM on his 2008 album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. He continues to use the model in concert.

• John Butler - The Australian roots rock musician relied on an OMJM for his 2018 album Home. Butler appreciated the guitar's warm low end and crisp highs.

• Zac Brown - The Zac Brown Band frontman played an OMJM on several tracks on the group's album The Foundation. He has complimented the guitar's balanced tone.

• Amanda Shires - The Americana artist has used the OMJM model onstage and in studio. She has said it pairs well with her soft vocal style.

The OMJM's excellent playability, full-sounding tone, and vintage aesthetics appeal to many prominent acoustic guitarists beyond John Mayer. It has become a go-to instrument for musicians in various genres.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Signature model designed with input from legendary guitarist John Mayer, combining his preferences with Martin craftsmanship

• High-quality solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides provide balanced, articulate tone with plenty of warmth

• Fishman Sonitone electronics reproduce the guitar's natural sound accurately with easy controls

• Slim taper maple neck and smooth satin finish on neck allows for very comfortable and fast playing

• Impressive attention to detail in the build and appointments

• Comes with very nice hard-shell case for safe transport and storage

Cons

• Higher price tag, though justified by the build quality and woods

• Electronics can provide feedback if not controlled properly

• Not as affordable or accessible for beginner players compared to other options

• Lacks the bold or punchy tone that some players may prefer

• More delicate tone that requires a careful technique to project

Verdict

The Martin OMJM John Mayer signature model acoustic-electric guitar manages to capture the spirit and style of Mayer's music in a finely crafted and highly playable instrument.

With its mid-sized grand auditorium body shape, solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and comfortable Performing Artist taper neck, the OMJM has a rich, balanced tone profile that excels for pop, rock, blues, and even some country styles. The solid wood construction allows it to blossom and mature over time, aging beautifully into a guitar with superb resonance and sustain.

The Fishman Aura electronics and straightforward control set give players organic amplified tones and seamless transitions between acoustic and electric modes. Combined with high-end appointments like an ebony fingerboard, bone nut and saddle, and Gotoh nickel tuners, the Martin OMJM delivers exceptional build quality in line with its premium price tag.

For players seeking a inspiring bluesy acoustic that looks sharp, plays like butter, and captures the mojo of John Mayer's style, the OMJM is a top-flight choice deserving of close consideration. While not cheap, it provides enduring value that discerning players will appreciate as the guitar blossoms over years of playing. The OMJM earns an enthusiastic recommendation for fans of Martin craftsmanship and Mayer's influential tone.