2025 Arcara OM-18 w/ Soundport

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 2025 Matthew Arcara OM-18-style—a beautifully executed, masterbuilt interpretation of the golden-era Martin orchestra model. Combining hand-selected tonewoods, Arcara’s deep experience as a restorer of 1930s acoustics, and a few thoughtful modern touches, this instrument delivers a playing experience that feels both timeless and unmistakably contemporary.

This OM features a solid Adirondack spruce top paired with solid Honduran mahogany back and sides, a classic wood combination chosen for its harmonic balance, quick response, and exceptional clarity. True to his reputation, Arcara employs meticulous hand-voicing and forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing to coax out the warmth, bloom, and articulation that define the best prewar OMs. The result is an instrument with a wide, balanced frequency spectrum, ample headroom, and a dynamic sensitivity that rewards both a light touch and an energetic attack.

One of this guitar’s standout features is its discreet soundport on the bass side of the upper bout—a modern enhancement that adds an immersive, almost surround-sound sensation for the player. Rather than projecting solely outward, the guitar’s voice seems to unfold around the performer, offering greater detail, immediacy, and an enhanced sense of tonal depth.

The OM body lends itself naturally to fingerstyle, vocal accompaniment, and articulate flatpicking, and this example excels in all three contexts. Notes bloom with a gentle sweetness before opening into a room-filling projection that feels refined rather than forceful. The instrument’s balance—string-to-string and across the entire register—is exceptional, making it an inspiring tool for both studio work and intimate live settings.

Playability is equally impressive. The rounded-V neck profile, ebony fingerboard, and precision setup provide a comfortable, broken-in feel, while the guitar’s modest weight and responsive top contribute to an effortless playing experience. Finished in a thin natural coating and free of unnecessary ornamentation, this OM embodies Arcara’s aesthetic philosophy: subtle, honest, and built with a singular focus on sound and craft.

This Arcara OM-18-style comes housed in its original TKL tweed hardshell case and remains in virtually mint condition. For players seeking a hand-built, heirloom-quality OM with both vintage soul and modern sensibilities, this guitar represents an outstanding opportunity.

Specifications

Model & Year

• Model: OM-18 style by Matthew Arcara (MGA Guitars)
• Year of Manufacture: 2025
• Serial Number: 215

Body

• Top: Solid Adirondack spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid Honduran Mahogany
• Body Shape: Orchestra / OM
• Bracing: Forward-shifted, scalloped X-bracing
• Binding: Subtle edge binding — four thin black purflines
• Rosette: Black outer ring; paired thin black purflines, a mahogany ring, then two more black purflines
• Finish / Color: Natural (thinskin)
• Pickguard: None
• Body Depth: 3 5/8″
• Weight: 3 lbs 13 oz
• Soundport: ~1 1/8″ (bass-side, upper bout)

Neck

• Wood: Mahogany
• Construction: Set-neck (dovetail joint) with volute and two-way truss rod
• Profile: Soft rounded “V” with taper
• Nut Width: 1 3/4″
• Scale Length: 25.4″
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Pearl dot markers (5th, 7th & 9th frets)
• Frets: Original — nominal .080″ W x .040″ H (medium-gauge vintage profile)
• Headstock: Plain with rosewood overlay veneer

Hardware

• Tuners: Waverly, gold open-back
• Bridge: Ebony belly-style bridge (2 3/8")
• Saddle: Bone
• Nut: Bone
• Strap Buttons: Black end-pin

Condition:

• Cosmetic: Virtually mint — no play-wear; a single, subtle finish indent near the treble side of the bridge (imperceptible in most lighting)
• Structural: Excellent — no cracks, repairs, or issues of any kind

Playability / Setup

• Setup: Precision setup for 12-gauge strings; bass side 7/64″, treble side 5/64″; no buzzing or dead spots
• Character: Balanced, responsive, and dynamic — traditional “OM” feel with good projection and clarity

Case & Accessories

• Case: Original tweed TKL hardshell