Om-150ce vs om-250ce

[Jackaljay]

Played an om-250ce the other day. Really liked it. Felt like it might be holding back just a touch but still nice. There are a few around at decent prices. However, is the om-150ce “better”? Sound “nicer”? Both look like solid tops with rosewood back/sides. What is different? Just cosmetics? Worth extra $300? Thx.

 

[Tom O]

The OM-150ce has a 1.75 in nut rather than the 1 11/16 on the OM-250ce. The wider nut is better for fingerpicking. It would be the biggest difference you would notice if you picked up both. Almost bought a OM-150 but found a used Guild USA with a 1.75 in nut instead.

 

[davismanLV]

Also, I believe the 150ce is all solid wood vs. the 250ce being solid top and laminate back and sides. If I'm not mistaken.

 

[Jackaljay]

The OM-150ce has a 1.75 in nut rather than the 1 11/16 on the OM-250ce. The wider nut is better for fingerpicking. It would be the biggest difference you would notice if you picked up both. Almost bought a OM-150 but found a used Guild USA with a 1.75 in nut instead.

Interesting. I prefer strumming and scale playing so the wider nut may not be for me, even though sounds like solid back and sides (comment below) thx.

 

[Jackaljay]

Also, I believe the 150ce is all solid wood vs. the 250ce being solid top and laminate back and sides. If I'm not mistaken.

Thanks good to know. I would prefer but sounds like wider nut of the 150 may make me consider the 250 instead.

 

[adorshki]

Played an om-250ce the other day. Really liked it. Felt like it might be holding back just a touch but still nice. There are a few around at decent prices. However, is the om-150ce “better”? Sound “nicer”? Both look like solid tops with rosewood back/sides. What is different? Just cosmetics? Worth extra $300? Thx.

Welcome aboard Jackaljay, the real critical difference is that the Om150 is flat backed, braced solid wood:

OM-150 | Guild Guitars

guildguitars.com

That's discontinued BTW so I'd expect to see some deep discounting there.


The 250 is arched back, laminated, no bracing:

Guild Guitars | OM-240CE Natural

Guild’s signature arched back design allows for great volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound.

guildguitars.com

There are subtle voice differences between the 2, as I took years to discover between my own D25 and D40, which are essentially same build formula except for back configuration.

In my opinion an arched back is better for a pure strummer, makes chords sound "fuller", but in my case at least, the D40 records better, with the least distortion. And for strumming, it's more "focused", one can hear individual strings more clearly. I'd expect similar qualities to apply to the OM-150/250 comparison.

 

[Jackaljay]

Welcome aboard Jackaljay, the real critical difference is that the Om150 is flat backed, braced solid wood:

OM-150 | Guild Guitars

guildguitars.com

That's discontinued BTW so I'd expect to see some deep discounting there.


The 250 is arched back, laminated, no bracing:

Guild Guitars | OM-240CE Natural

Guild’s signature arched back design allows for great volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound.

guildguitars.com

There are subtle voice differences between the 2, as I took years to discover between my own D25 and D40, which are essentially same build formula except for back configuration.

In my opinion an arched back is better for a pure strummer, makes chords sound "fuller", but in my case at least, the D40 records better, with the least distortion. And for strumming, it's more "focused", one can hear individual strings more clearly. I'd expect similar qualities to apply to the OM-150/250 comparison.

Thanks more food for thought. I’ll try some guitars out with that knowledge. Wish I can a/b the two directly but that’s a tough task.

 

[adorshki]

Thanks more food for thought. I’ll try some guitars out with that knowledge. Wish I can a/b the two directly but that’s a tough task.

The D25 is the archback and the D40 is the flatback, btw, just realized I didn't make that clear in case you didn't know.

 

[Tom O]

Here is a used OM-10CE Looks like a good price. No relation to seller.
https://reverb.com/item/41026487-guild-omc-150-ce-2020-natural-gloss

 

[Jackaljay]

I saw that. Does look like a good deal. Can’t trade or return but probably the way to go. I’ll sleep on it. Thx.

 

[Jackaljay]

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up ordering a D-260ce, almost the exact opposite of what I was asking about. I own an Ibanez AW-500 and after looking it up, turns out it has a spruce top and rosewood sides. Only recently started playing that guitar (martin extra light strings made a huge difference in playability and sound quality) so hadn't really paid attention to it. So, I decided an om-150 or om-250 might be too similar, plus the aw-500 is sounding very good. So, the D-260ce is a bigger dreadnought and has ebony back and sides. I think it will sound very different. So, I'm excited. I'll post pics when it arrives!

 

[adorshki]

Always been curious abut those ebony bodies.

 

[Jackaljay]

Update. I had ordered the D-260ce because I saw a used one cheap online. However, it seems to have been sold off the floor before my online order was processed. So, I ended up getting some $$$ knocked off a new OM-260ce deluxe. So, I'm kinda back where I started. However, this OM does have an ebony body and sides. So, I'm super excited. Arrives tomorrow.

 

[valleyguy]

let us know what you think of the new guitar.

 

[davismanLV]

As valleyguy says, we'll need some photos and your impressions once you get your new guitar!!

 

[Jackaljay]

Guitar showed up in one piece! Looks good out of the box, haven't gone over with fine tooth comb, but only a few minor specs in the finish. The ebony sides and back are slightly darker in person. Action a little high and buzzy. Strings corroded (see black fingertips) - its been sitting in warehouse for a while. Played a little dark and muddy while strumming outside, but brightened up inside. Much better than my mahogany Alvarez AF-60ce (older strings) though and darker than than the ibanez aw-500 rosewood (semi old strings). Finger picking, wow! It really came to life when I fretted individual notes. I'm more classical than folk/country picking but the guitar really responded. Left my other two guitars (comparable in price, though not design or wood) in the dust. The notes are rich. Lows are low and the highs are very dimensional. I'm going to put identical new strings on all 3 guitars to further compare, but this guitar is clearly a keeper.

 

[davismanLV]

Wow!!! It's beautiful!! Congrats.