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(2 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)

on the Stratabond necks.... the low profile 1 3/4 inch nut width and 2 1/4" string spacing is excellent for fingerstyle playing. The Stratabond laminate is 25% stronger than Mahogany or Maple or Cedar.  The string transfer though not as "woody" a tone as Mahogany is still very strong Due in part to Martins Mortise/Tenon neck joint. Laminates being very dense transfer vibration very well. Also the Stratabond neck needs way less truss rod adjustments than conventional wood because it's stronger and with less tendicies to bow.

I own an early production OMC1-E and it has begun to "open up" and "flower" tone wise. It sounds as good as any other 000 style Martin except maybe a Brazilian Rosewood model, plays like melted butter and resonates extremely well.

Mine has been upgraded with a Fosslized Walrus Ivory nut, West African Hard Ivory saddle, C.F.Martin open back "Waverly" style 18-1 vintage gold plated tuners, a Greven 50's vintage tortise shell beveled pickguard, Gold end pin jack nut, and Grained Ivory string pins with abalone center dots. But regardless of my upgrades... this model Martin is definitely a Best bang for the buck instrument Martin makes right now in my humble opinion.