Well, the NGD was actually over a month ago. John and I were chatting about my about-to-be-delivered OM-18/21 at the time, and he started gushing about an OM-28 he had just strung up. The guitar was built for The Music Emporium, and John was so effusive about it that my interest was piqued. When John asserted it was one of the best guitars of his career, I decided to snag it before it hit TME. I was lucky because I don't think it would have lasted very long.

Because it wasn't set up for me specifically, the relief ended up being too low for for my playing style. Since the relief isn't adjustable on this guitar, I wanted to wait to be sure the neck was stable before I had some relief Plek'ed into it - which Lewis Santer just did last week.

I knew it was special even with the low action, but the buzzing limited the volume and headroom, so I couldn't really hear its full potential. Now that I've had a week to play the guitar with proper action and relief, I can say it's outstanding and lives up to the billing John gave it. While my Circa OM-18/21 is very much a classic adi/mahogany OM sound, this 28 is to my ear a classic adi/rosewood sound. Where the 18 is dry and mid-focused, the 28 has more reverb and overtones. The 28 also has the mid-scoop I'm used to hearing in most (but not all) traditionally-built rosewood guitars in this style. I'm anxious to see how the bass and the rest of the spectrum develop over time. It doesn't have the bass depth of my Brondel OM-42, but very few OMs I've ever played really do. Not good or bad - just different.

Much to my great satisfaction, the increased action and relief revealed enormous volume and headroom . . . very much on par with my other Circas. My Madrose Circa OM-30 is, quite interestingly, a very different guitar. It has characteristics that remind me much more of mahogany than rosewood. It's dry and punchy, where the 28 is more diffuse and enveloping.

This guitar is built in a very traditional style, with new Rickard banjo tuners (12:1 ratio), bar frets, and a pyramid bridge. The neck is reinforced with carbon fiber rods, which means it's very stiff and lightweight. I wouldn't go out of my way to get a guitar with bar frets, but they're workable.

The workmanship once again proves that no one is crafting a finer guitar in the luthier world. There isn't an electron out of place on this thing. It's a work of art.

Specs:

Body Style: Traditional Martin OM
Top: Adirondack spruce
Back and Sides: Brazilian rosewood
Nut: 1 25/32"
Saddle: 2 5/16"
Neck shape: Medium C
Bridge: Ebony Pyramid with Burton LeGeyt Fancy Pants™ late 1800s Martin style bridge pins
Fingerboard: Ebony
Appointments: Style 28
Finish: Nitro
Tuners: Rickard banjo 12:1
Frets: Nickel bar

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Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz)

Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa)

Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad)

Congrats Juston...

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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings…

Lovely guitar. I'm on his list but a long way out. :-(

Perfect. Congrats Juston.

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Jimmy Caldwell
www.barfrets.com

Very elegant Juston, and the tuners are a particularly nice touch.

Absolutely stunning

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Instruction
Youtube
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This is absolutely spectacular. Can you describe the neck profile and is it typical for a Circa build? In other words are his necks consistent from guitar to guitar or do they vary a lot? (I have never seen or played one in person).

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Merrill | Martin | Collings | Gibson

For Sale: 2023 Collings D2H 1 3/4 Nut, Adi Bracing, NTB -- $4100 shipped

Well that’s pretty perfect lookin

Breathtakingly beautiful.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

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John

Breathtaking is right... that is simply stunning! Gorgeous, Juston. John's guitars are really something. Congratulations!

Hey, Juston, thanks for sharing your impressions now that you've had the chance to get this outstanding guitar set up to your specifications. You're one lucky player to have been able to add this instrument to your collection. Enjoy in good health, my friend!

Love it! Again, John's guitars are exquisite. I was thinking about those tuners for my OM. You will have to let me know if you find them to your liking.

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Life is like a box of chocolates ....

That is one amazing guitar. I’ve been waiting for this one to land at The Music Emporium. My wait continues. Terrific!

You can’t wait, you have to jump! I think even the next one is spoken for already.

That guitar is simply as good as it gets...ever...period!

Congratulations!!!

But...how about some sound clips...please!


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher