Martin OM-2832 Shenandoah Brazilian RW 1991 — Rare Variant

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

The Martin Shenandoah series ran from 1983 to 1993 as an intermediate line — assembled in Nazareth, Pennsylvania from components manufactured in Japan, designed to offer Martin craftsmanship and finishing at a price point below the standard American-made line. The back and sides are laminated rather than solid, the tops are solid spruce, and the instruments were finished and set up in the Martin factory to Martin's standards. They are genuine Martins in terms of construction quality and playability, with the honest caveat that laminate back and sides are a different material than the solid rosewood found on the standard D-28 or OM-28.

This particular instrument is the OM-2832 Brazil — an Orchestra Model body variant with Brazilian rosewood veneer back and sides — and it is not a standard catalog model. The Martin community has documented only a small number of Brazilian rosewood Shenandoahs across all body styles, and an OM configuration with Brazilian veneer is among the rarer variants known.  The previous owner stated that his research showed that it might be the only one in this configuration. 

The pearl diamond fingerboard inlays, OM body dimensions at 15" lower bout and 25.4" scale, and the natural finish are all correct to the instrument. The Brazilian rosewood veneer is visually distinctive and contributes tonal character in the way that even laminate Brazilian does — it is not simply Indian rosewood with a different label.

The tuners are non-original Waverly open-gear — a legitimate and respected upgrade that actually improves on the original Schaller-style tuners in terms of both function and aesthetics, and one that does not affect collector value meaningfully on a Shenandoah. There is a K&K pickup system installed with no preamp.  Visible in the photos is an RCA connection that allows the addition of a soundhole pickup. The bridge saddle has been replaced. Action is set at 3/32" on both strings at the twelfth fret. The original hardshell case is included.

The original frets show little wear.  The neck feels amazing, and the setup is spot on.

This is an unusual and specific guitar for a buyer who understands exactly what the Shenandoah line is — an honest, well-made, Martin-finished instrument — and appreciates the rarity of the Brazilian rosewood OM variant within that context.

We buy, sell, and take trades.

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Excerpts from Real Online User Reviews:

• "The Brazilian Shenandoahs are off-the-charts rare — the OM body with Brazilian veneer is one of the least commonly seen variants in the entire line." — The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum
• "Some Shenandoahs sound plain and some sound really awesome — the ones that are good will sound better than the regular Martin counterparts of the same era." — The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum
• "Despite being lam, the rosewood is awfully pretty — and the guitar feels quality, which won't disappoint someone looking for a Martin at a lower price point." — jakewildwood.blogspot.com
• "The Shenandoahs were finished and set up in Nazareth to Martin's standards — they play and feel like Martins because they are Martins." — Acoustic Guitar Forum

SPECS:

• Color: Natural
• Weight: 4lb 5oz
• Top: Solid Spruce
• Body: Brazilian Rosewood Veneer
• Neck: Mahogany
  
• Fretboard: Ebonized Rosewood
• Inlays: Pearl Diamonds
• Frets: Original
• Fret Count: 20
• Nut: Original
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
• Radius: 16"
• Scale: 25.4"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .809"
• Neck thickness at 10th Fret: .935"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Overall length: 40"
• Body length: 19-1/2"
• Lower bout: 15"
• Waist: 9-1/4"
• Upper bout: 11-1/4"
• Body depth/thickness: 4-1/4"
• String gauge: 12-53
• Electronics?: Passive K&K system, no preamp, with RCA input for addition of a soundhole pickup. See pics.
• Electronics Original? No
• Pickguard: Original
• Bridge: Original, new saddle
• Tuners: Non Original Waverly Open Gear
• Case: OHSC
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.