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I play C.F. Martin OM-45 models in the video of April 2014, "Playful Springtime", and in the video of September 2014,
"Tango in Heaven". An OM-45 1933 GE, Golden Era, in April's video and an OM-45 Custom 1833 Restricted in September's video.
In this video I'm completing a trilogy by adding even one more video in which I play an OM-45 model.
But this one is an OM-45 Deluxe - and besides this difference it is not a Martin guitar:
The guitar was created by a craftsman who in every detail knows as much about guitars, especially C.F. Martin guitars
as anyone can learn during a lifetime: The legendary David W. Musselwhite,
luthier and former master repairman at the Martin factory's repair department
- a specialist in repairment and restoration of vintage pre-war Martins.
In 1993, when David W. Musselwhite built this OM-45 Deluxe,
he put all his knowledge of these great guitars into it - and it confirms his skills and experience
with original Golden Era Martins. In 2011, I came in touch with David and he told me the following:
"I built a D-45 Deluxe guitar at the same time! It took a year to complete them.
When I started building them they were just going to be style 28's.
I thought with the wood quality they should be a little more fancy than that!
That's when I got a little carried away. Ha..Ha".
David built the OM-45 Deluxe and its twin, the D-45 Deluxe, for himself - not as a commercial product for Martin.
"They were not for sale in the beginning, and then a Guy in New York City saw them at a guitar show
and had to have the D-45. I wasn't going to sell the OM either and a friend fell in love with it and I gave in.
I always thought I would build another one, but it hasn't happened yet!"
In 2010, Rudi Bults at The Fellowship of Acoustic in The Netherlands stated:
"David Musselwhite's repair and restoration skills at the Martin Factory where he is employed
are very highly regarded. Over the years he probably earned his place in the Martin history books
for his restoration work on many fine vintage Martins, Dave is regarded as the Guru of repair and restoration
of vintage and pre-war Martin's, among them a good number of pre-war 45 models.
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The Guitar is considered of historical importance being made of old Martin stock and build
in the Martin Premises by one of Martin's most experienced craftsman.
That's why the guitar is featured on Page 222 of the book "Celebration of Martin Guitars" by Jim Washburn,
were you see David playing this guitar."
Rudi Bults continued:
"David Musselwhite will be remembered for his influence and importance in Martin's second golden era
in a similar way say Dick Boak and Mike Longworth are, being one of the brains behind the Golden Era series,
and of course the person that personally build the 29th and most luxurious of all OM-45 Deluxe ever,
exceeding any model in existence."
Yes, this guitar really is very luxurious. Basically, it is an OM-45 Deluxe but it features more stylish inlays:
the pickguard inlays are different, and the "tree of life" on the fingerboard and the side inlays on the neck
and headstock are also somewhat different. Another spectacular feature is the three-piece back.
I haven't ever seen a Martin OM-45 with a three-piece back.
How it sounds? Well, it sounds very, very fine. However, it sounds differently from the Martin OM-45s that
I have played. You cannot talk about "better" or "worse" when talking about guitars of this kind.
Only about differences - and there is no doubt that David W. Musselwhite has put his very own personal touch
into this guitar.
But the sound of a guitar is so difficult to explain in words.
Therefore, I would be pleased if you will watch the video instead and listen to the sound of it in the video.
On the pages about
(link:) "Playful Springtime"
and
(link:) "Tango in Heaven"
I have written in more general terms about the Martin OM-45s.
Pictures of the guitar courtesy of The Fellowship of Acoustics, The Netherlands.
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