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2010 McAlister OM-45
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Serial #: 291 Dated, September, 2010
Body width at lower bout: 15" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale length: 25.4" Body depth: 3 1/4"-4" at endpin. String spacing at bridge: 2 1/4" Neck depth: .76/.88, 1st/10th frets
Materials: Solid bookmatched Adirondack spruce top; solid bookmatched Brazilian Rosewood back and sides; solid one-piece mahogany neck; solid ebony fingerboard; inlaid ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle; Waverly nickel 16X1 butterbean tuners; swirl tortoise pickguard; inlaid bridgepins; abalone body binding; hex-key adjustable truss rod; polished bone nut.
Notes: David Crosby plays one. And bandmate Graham Nash. Don't forget Jackson Browne, Robbie Fulks, Rick Ruskin and a host of other steel string luminaries. And you can too, if you're fast. And lucky.
Master luthier Roy McAlister's bespoke instruments have graced concert stages worldwide for over three decades. While prototyping top-line models at Santa Cruz Guitars, including the Smeck and Baritone models, McAlister had his guitars singled out by Crosby as the very picks of the litter. Working independently since then, Roy handcrafts a dozen or so ultra-premium instruments a year to custom order from his workshop in tranquil Gig Harbor, WA, at the south end of Puget Sound.
McAlister's OM-45 model is a meticulous tribute to Martin's top-of-the line Orchestra Model, their first long scale, 14 fret guitar. Introduced in 1930, the OM-45 was Martin's most costly offering to that date, with a mere 40 examples produced in an abbreviated production run of just four years.
McAlister's contemporary version is scrupulously faithful in design and materials to the fabled originals. With an X-braced soundboard of clear, quartersawn Adirondack spruce, and a body of old-growth Brazilian Rosewood, the McAlister OM-45 is vintage correct right down to the snowflake inlay, small tortoise guard, grained ivoroid binding, and lustrous abalone torch and purfling.
In 100% original condition, this stunning guitar is free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows gleaming, brightly polished fretwork. At a mere 4lb 10oz, the instrument is notably lightweight and well balanced, in the lap or on the strap. The voice is clear and open, with excellent detail, separation and sustain. Sensitive and resonant, this versatile wonder responds nimbly to either finger or pick style play. Action is smooth and low over a generous 1 3/4" ebony fingerboard on an elegant, gentle C profile neck, with a fresh high-precision setup.
With prewar Martin examples at this writing topping a quarter million dollars or more, a few stubborn players still unaccountably prefer to remain on the sidelines of the feeding frenzy. If you suspect you may be one of them, we present for your consideration this splendid instrument, at a price that is somewhat more sensible. Fitted in its opulent tan Ameritage hardshell case, complete with hygrometer and original paperwork, this McAlister OM-45 is a rare masterwork from one of America's premier builders. Jump the wait list: one only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter strings, according to preference. Action is set to 4-5/64" at the 12th fret, with light neck relief.
