1933 Pre-war OM-28 Acoustic Guitar Kit with Torrefied Top - 010
Limited run! Torrefied top for built-in vintage tone
For this special kit, the Red Spruce top has been torrefied. Torrefied woods give new guitars a head start on that rich, booming "played-in" tone. The change is notable: builders have reported improved tap tone, greater strength, and lighter weight—just like a well-aged vintage guitar.
Build the iconic guitar that changed the world
Born in the 1930s, this redesigned model revolutionized guitar building forever. The new 14-fret neck made it easier to play the higher notes, and the smooth belly bridge and the forward-shifted bracing made it the most player-friendly guitar of the period. Perfect for bluegrass, blues, or folk—there's nothing an OM can't do.
For many, just seeing a pre-war herringbone OM is a treat—owning one seems like an impossible dream. The originals rarely survive in playable condition, and those that do are exceedingly rare, and extremely expensive.
Build your pre-war icon
Now you can finally experience this incredible guitar by building one yourself. We reproduced this remarkable instrument down to the smallest detail to bring you the world's best and most faithful authentic pre-war kit. It's all there—everything but 80 years worth of dings and scratches.
No detail was too small
Not only does this special capture the correct period LOOK of the original, but it also faithfully reproduces the "bones" of the instrument—it's just as authentic on the inside as it is on the outside.
We went the extra mile on these kits: we spent months examining every inch directly in hand from a museum-grade example. We studied how the forward-shifted bracing and unique shape fundamentally focused and directed the sound, and reproduced the exact location of every brace for you with a full scale bracing plan.
We also meticulously reproduced all the little things as well: we matched the ivoroid celluloid binding as closely as possible and include real abalone inlays like the original. We even included the cheesecloth that caps the X-brace and the fabric ribbon used back in the day as side reinforcements.
Our finest hand-selected woods
Let's face it, the woods are the foundation of these great guitars, and we knew we had to keep them as faithful to the original as possible. Brazilian Rosewood, which was used on the back and sides of the originals, is no longer commercially available, so we hand-selected the highest grade 5A Madagascar Rosewood (Dalbergia baronii) on the market. This species of Rosewood looks (and sounds) just like the real thing.
Torrefaction: the tonewood time machine
We then paired the rosewood with the lightest and stiffest Adirondack Red Spruce (Picea rubens) from our reserve, just like they did in Nazareth in the 1930's. To get even closer to the vintage-correct tone, the top has been torrefied. This special heat treatment changes the wood at the molecular level—the top becomes much more resonant and responsive.
And finally we hand-picked the blackest Ebony fingerboards and bridges for these kits. Since it's illegal to use elephant ivory, we use our finest bone for the nut and saddle.
We did add two modern features to this kit: a two-way adjustable truss rod and t-style frets. We believe if these highly adjustable truss rods existed in the 1930s they would have been installed in every model. Since bar frets are complicated to install and service, we chose t-style frets. T-style fretwire became standard on these guitars later in the 1930s.
What you see is what you get
As you know, every piece of wood is unique, and has its own story to tell. When surveying these priceless guitars, we found some with elegant interlocking grain lines, and some that were wild and dynamic. For this reason we've photographed each of these kits individually—what you see pictured in the first image is the actual wood you'll receive.
Check out the vintage-correct details of your next build:
- AAA Torrefied Red Spruce top with soundhole and rosette channel
- 5A Madagascar Rosewood back, joined and cut to shape
- 5A Quartersawn Madagascar Rosewood sides, accurately bent
- Ebony fingerboard, slotted
- Madagascar Rosewood headstock overlay
- Ebony bridge
- Carved Mahogany neck, with precisely machined dovetail joint
- Quartersawn Spruce pre-carved braces
- Abalone diamond fingerboard inlays
- Tortoloid pickguard, with vintage correct pattern
- Unbleached bone nut and saddle
- Upgraded precision-machined white Waverly Galalith bridge pins
- Waverly Galalith white end pin and white strap button
- Waverly Tuning Machines with Bright Nickel Butterbean knobs
- Ivoroid celluloid binding
- Pre-radiused frets
- Herringbone top purfling
- Special rosette and back purfling
- Hot Rod two-way adjustable truss rod
- Pre-cut heavy cardboard molds for trouble-free body assembly
- Full-size blueprint and forward bracing template
- Illustrated 36-page spiral-bound instruction book
- 71 minute, step-by-step DVD: Building an Acoustic Guitar Kit
We're with you every step of the way
This kit also comes with our industry-best customer service. Our techs are standing by to answer any questions throughout your build. We also include a 71 minute DVD that is a full course in guitar building and a full scale bracing plan and blueprint so you'll have the knowledge and confidence to finish this build with ease.
All WOODSTAX items come with our 100% satisfaction promise and no-hassle returns. If you are unhappy with the wood once you get it, simply return it in its original, unworked condition for a full refund or exchange.
