I thought I would share a few details I've gathered as I'm learning about the differences between an Orpheum OM and a F30 Standard.
Similarities:
Nut width - Both are 1 3/4"
Nut, Saddle & Bridge Pins - Both are bone
Braces - Both are Adirondack
Back & Sides - Both came in Mahogany & Rosewood
Differences:
Tops
Orpheum - Adirondack
F30 Standard - Sitka
Fret Board
Orpheum - Ebony
F30 Standard - Rosewood
Dimensions, Depth (F30 Standard is deeper)
Orpheum - 4" lower bout
F30 Standard - 4.50" lower bout
Dimensions, Width (Orpheum is wider)
Orpheum - 15.75" lower bout
F30 Standard - 15.25" lower bout
Tuners
Orpheum - Open back gold custom tuners
F30 Standard - Sealed chrome Gotoh tuners
During a 15 minute stretch, when I had a chance to play both an Orpheum OM Rosewood and a F30R Standard, I really didn't know much about the differences at the time. I was simply trying to listen to both guitars, and came up with the following first impressions.
The Rosewood Orpheum OM
- More of a woody/airy tone.
- Louder, more articulate and resonant.
The F30R Standard
- Quieter
- Deeper base/tone overall
- More fundamental sound, with less overtones
I really liked both guitars and just walked away feeling they were different. One wasn't necessarily any better than the other, and they each offered great tonal options. Also, the deeper tone of the F30R was intriguing as I compared it to OM sized Martins and Collings which were in the shop as well. At the time all the other OM guitars I played were louder, but there was a special lushness (if that's a word) and a deep fundamental presence from the F30R that was distinctive among all these guitars. Once again, it accomplished this in a quieter way. So, tone-wise...I noticed the F30R had a unique yet slight Gibson-ish quality but with more authority, mixed in with a buttery texture and a slightly deeper Guild voicing within the spectrum of an OM. The tone wasn't quite as deep as a 12 fret, but deeper than any other 14 fret OM's I played that day. The shop owner listened to me compare and play all these guitars, and said he really liked the F30R. With that said...I could just as easily be happy with an Orpheum Rosewood OM too with it's greater resonance, overtones and enhanced articulation. Anyones preference would simply depend on what you're in the mood for at the moment, and both seem to be great guitars with a Guild sound that will easily hold it's own.
Hope this is helpful, and let me know if anyone else out there had a chance to do a comparison. - Robert
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(Edit - Added my comparison of an Orpheum Rosewood and F30R)