"Twenty years ago, Eric Schoenberg dreamed about having an OM with a cutaway styled after the Selmer Maccaferri guitar. I drew up something that he liked and started building, but found that I wasn't able, at the time, to make such a tight bend in the side! So I gave up and substituted the much rounder version that I still use today."  - Dana Bourgeois

The OM is already a small guitar. It's unique sound results from the ratio between it's 25.5" scale length, the surface area of its soundboard, and the volume of it's air cavity. The addition of a cutaway, therefore, is no small consideration. Harmonizing beautifully with the classic curves of the original OM outline, Dana's solution offers three additional frets of accessibility while minimally altering the OM's critical proportions.

This OMC, with a custom Bearclaw European Spruce top, is a fingerpicker's dream offering great tonal response with suburb balance.  European Spruce is also a great flatpicking tonewood, as it is stiffer than Sitka but not as stiff as Adirondack.  This is a perfect compromise for many players who are looking for the most versatility out of a tonewood.   Even with a cutaway, low end is rich and balanced to the clear, distinct, and resonant highs and mids.  The OMC is simply and elegantly appointed with East Indian Rosewood back and sides, a wood rosette, Short patterned Squares and diamonds inlay, Ebony pyramid bridge, tortoiseshell binding and nickel Waverly tuners.

Sean Watkins, of Nickel Creek, used his Bourgeois OMC to record most of the cuts on his CD, Let It Fall. The solo guitar piece, "Cloudbreak", is an excellent example of what the OMC is all about.

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