This Martin OM-42 features the pre-2018 configuration with a Low Profile neck and wider 2 1/4-inch bridge string spacing.

It is built with a solid Sitka spruce top, solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, 1/4-inch scalloped X-bracing, and a traditional hand-fitted dovetail neck joint. Compared with the later redesigned OM-42, this version provides more room for the picking hand and retains the familiar feel of the earlier modern OM specification.

The compact OM body keeps the response balanced and controlled, while the 25.4-inch scale provides clear projection and firm note definition. East Indian rosewood adds bass depth, sustain, and overtones without losing the separation required for fingerstyle and solo guitar.

—— GENERAL ——

Brand: C. F. Martin & Co.
Model: OM-42
Made in: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA
Type: Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
Construction: All-Solid-Wood
Body Shape: Orchestra Model / OM
Martin Body Size: 000-14 Fret
Neck Joins Body At: 14th Fret
Electronics: None

—— BODY WOODS ——

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
Back: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Bracing: Scalloped X-Bracing
Brace Size: 1/4 in
Brace Material: Sitka Spruce
Neck Joint: Hand-Fitted Dovetail Neck Joint

—— NECK AND FINGERBOARD ——

Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Low Profile
Neck Finish: Polished Gloss
Fingerboard Material: Solid Black Ebony
Fingerboard Radius: 16 in
Scale Length: 25.4 in / 645 mm
Nut Width: 1 3/4 in / 44.5 mm
Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: Approximately 2 1/4 in / 57.2 mm
Total Frets: 20
Frets Clear of Body: 14
Fingerboard Inlays: Style 45 Abalone Snowflakes
Fingerboard Binding: Grained Ivoroid

—— BRIDGE, NUT, AND SADDLE ——

Bridge Material: Solid Black Ebony
Bridge Style: Belly Style
Nut Material: Bone
Saddle Material: Compensated Bone
Saddle Radius: 16 in
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/4 in / 57.2 mm
Bridge Pins: White with Abalone Dots

—— HEADSTOCK AND TUNERS ——

Headstock Shape: Solid Headstock with Square Taper
Headstock Detail: Traditional Martin Diamond Volute
Headplate Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Headstock Logo: Vertical C. F. Martin Pearl Block Inlay
Headstock Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Tuning Machines: Gold Gotoh Open-Gear Tuners
Tuner Buttons: Butterbean

—— APPOINTMENTS ——

Top Inlay: Style 42 Abalone Pearl Trim
Rosette: Style 45 Abalone Rosette
Fingerboard Inlays: Style 45 Abalone Snowflakes
Back Purfling: Style 45
Body Binding: Grained Ivoroid
Pickguard: Beveled Tortoise-Color Pickguard
Top Color: Natural with Aging Toner
Finish: Polished Gloss

—— REFERENCE DIMENSIONS ——

Body Length: Approximately 19 3/8 in / 492 mm
Lower Bout Width: Approximately 15 in / 381 mm
Maximum Body Depth: Approximately 4 1/8 in / 105 mm
Scale Length: 25.4 in / 645 mm

—— ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ——

Original Martin Hardshell Case

—— SOUND AND PLAYABILITY ——

The OM body offers a balanced response across all six strings. Its bass is deep but controlled, while the midrange remains clear and the treble carries the bright overtone character associated with East Indian rosewood.

The 25.4-inch scale contributes projection and note definition. Combined with the 1/4-inch scalloped bracing, the guitar responds well to a light touch but still has enough headroom for stronger playing.

The wider 2 1/4-inch bridge spacing provides additional room for the picking hand. It is particularly comfortable for fingerstyle, arpeggios, chord-melody arrangements, solo guitar, and detailed recording work.

—— MODEL BACKGROUND ——

The original OM-42 is one of the rarest pre-war Martin OM designs, with only two examples documented from 1930.

The model returned to wider attention through the limited OM-42PS developed with Paul Simon in 1997. Martin subsequently introduced the modern OM-42 into regular production, combining the smaller OM body, long scale, rosewood construction, and Style 42 appointments.

This guitar represents the earlier modern specification, before Martin changed the neck profile and reduced the bridge string spacing on later versions.

—— CONDITION ——

The guitar is in very good pre-owned condition and includes its original Martin hardshell case.