A question for all the Atkin OM37 guys
Comments
I’ve got two acoustics, a Walnut/Spruce Brook Lyn and a Rosewood/Spruce Furch. The differences between the two of them are very subtle so I’m not sure there would be a massive difference between the different woods from the same luthier.
This is what they have to say about Rosewood:
"Both varieties offer a clear, bright sound with a fairly even response across all frequencies. Some observe a slight mid-scoop with slightly enhanced lows as well as highs. Its resonance could be described as dark and complex, with notably rich overtones and a metallic zing that’s difficult to replicate with other woods!
Summary: rich sound with complex overtones and crystal-clear high frequencies. A dark, luxurious appearance with fine black lines in the grain.
And Walnut:
Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. The midrange is where it differs, however, with a healthy bark that puts it somewhere in between rosewood and mahogany. It’s worth noting that again, similarly to koa, the tone of walnut will become warmer and softer with age.
Walnut is a popular alternative to koa; it’s often easier to source and work with, resulting in more common usage and a more affordable price tag. Its tonal brightness, woody midrange and dark, rich appearance have proven popular among numerous luthiers; for many, it’s something of a departure from the usual suspects, resulting in a uniquely beautiful instrument that remains versatile and playable.
Summary: bright, sparkly tone with slightly boosted low and mid frequencies compared to koa. Dark, stripy appearance.
But the best advice I can give is not to overthink it; if you can play an example of each and see which you prefer. Trying to distill somebody else's words into a sound that you think you'll hear is a fast track to nowhere!
On a slightly different note I found a webpage of Andertons discussing and enthusing about Atkin guitars but they don't seem to stock them, I wonder why ?.
I've tried 5 difference varieties of 12 gauge strings on my om37 in the last few months. All had very different tensions, makeups and coatings and the guitar was rock solid throughout. I can see how 13s would choke a bit too. It's news to me that D'addario xs are atkins choice but it makes perfect sense as they were set no.5 and the ones I prefer.
Also fairly certain that the walnut om37s are all custom orders either ftom dealers or people ordering customs through dealers.
Good luck with your search. You won't be disappointed. My OM is truly a great guitar
Bo
We use D’Addario XS 12-53 Phosphor Bronze strings on all our guitars, except for 11-52 being used an our Dust Bowl Parlour model.
This will be Black Walnut, an American timber and on a worldwide basis, probably the most commonly used of the walnut species. It is also grown in plantations in Germany and (I imagine) other places. In Europe, Common Walnut is ... er ... common.drofluf said:Found this https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/acoustic-guitar-tonewood-guideAnd Walnut:
Much like koa, walnut is a dense wood that delivers a sparkly brightness. The midrange is where it differs, however, with a healthy bark that puts it somewhere in between rosewood and mahogany. It’s worth noting that again, similarly to koa, the tone of walnut will become warmer and softer with age.
Walnut is a popular alternative to koa; it’s often easier to source and work with, resulting in more common usage and a more affordable price tag. Its tonal brightness, woody midrange and dark, rich appearance have proven popular among numerous luthiers; for many, it’s something of a departure from the usual suspects, resulting in a uniquely beautiful instrument that remains versatile and playable.
Summary: bright, sparkly tone with slightly boosted low and mid frequencies compared to koa. Dark, stripy appearance.
But the best advice I can give is not to overthink it; if you can play an example of each and see which you prefer. Trying to distill somebody else's words into a sound that you think you'll hear is a fast track to nowhere!
In the UK, Common Walnut is also called "European Walnut" and (ridiculously, for it is introduced) "English Walnut". The third well-known walnut for musical instruments is Claro Walnut. The description above fits well with my limited experience of Black Walnut. Lakewood describe Common Walnut as follows: "Soft and middy tone with gentle trebles and nice dynamics." That fits with my (even more limited) experience of it. They describe Claro Walnut (another American species) this way: :Well-balanced full tone from low to high frets with emphasis on rich mids and soft trebles". I haven't tried it myself.
All three fit neatly into the middle of the midrange of back and side timbers, between mahogany and maple: Black Walnut weighs the same as Koa and is marginally softer; Claro and Common Walnut both weigh the same as Blackwood (slightly more than Koa) with Claro slightly softer and Common a bit harder.
(There are other, completely unrelated, timbers used for guitars also called "something walnut". Queensland Walnut - now rare - is a member of the laurel family, grows in rainforests, and is roughly as hard and heavy as maple. Brazilian Walnut is a name given to several very different South American timbers belonging to either the laurel family or the jacaranda family. Doubtless there are others timbers also called "something walnut".)
On the strings thing, many makers around the world have switched relatively recently from Elixir to D'Addario XS as their standard factory-fit string, Cole Clark and Furch are examples. I imagine that the D'Addario sales people have had a big push to get into the OEM market. Smart move - you would not believe how many people say rather mindlessly "Oh I always use Brand X on my Martin/Taylor/Maton/Guild/Furch/whatever - that's what they fit at the factory so obviously they must be the best."
Yes, I've found that with 13s on several guitars. Some don't mind, others choke. Horses for courses.MSedg said:on the string front, I have tried going to 13s on my OM and quickly swapped back - didn’t seem to agree with it. No big change in setup required, but the heavier gauge seemed to “choke” it a bit, if that makes sense.
I haven't tried a walnut OM but I've played a tonne of J45s in walnut, hog and rosewood. I've never played a single walnut one I didn't like the sound of - it's a great wood, and Atkin make great stuff, so I woudn't have much concern personally.
I have asked several questions about an Atkin OM37 and having pondered, postulated and procrastinated I have decided to go ahead with the purchase on an Atkin OM37c in Figured Walnut.
Of course, this means that you have to post pictures in a NGD thread. :)
There’s a how to guide here https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/54241/posting-pics-vids-soundclips-how-tokmajor said:Okay guys, how do I add pictures
In summary unless you’re a subscriber you need to store a copy of your pictures on another site, I use post images, which is free, and embed a link to that site in your post. But the how to explains better.
What is the tonal difference between an Atkin OM37 in figured Walnut compared with Indian Rosewood.
What type of string are the OM37's shipped with.
If changing the string type, perhaps to a slightly lighter or heavier then does this have much effect on the set up.