How does this Martin compare to the Larrivee OM-03 models?
For one thing the "GT" means the martin has a gloss top. The Larrivee is all satin finished.
Not sure what all the other letters in the Martin stand for but I think the SW means the martin has a short wave radio built into it too. So if we translate properly SWOMGT means the martin is a Short-wave OM with a Glossed Top".
Hope this helps...and welcome to the Larrivee forum!
SW= smart wood= Cherry wood back sides and neck (all solid) OM= orchestra model GT= gloss top
Martin's evironmentally-friendly "Certified Smart Wood" guitars with an Orchestral style body. It features solid cherry sides, back and neck, solid spruce top, katalox (Mexican hardwood) fretboard and bridge. The headstock veneer, body binding, backstrip, heelcap, endpiece & pickguard are all tortoise-shell, and the multilayered rosette has tortoise center. The tuners are enclosed with gold, and it features a satin finish on the body and neck, and gloss top with aging toner. All woods (except top and braces) are from forests certified by the Smartwood Program of the Rainforest Alliance to comply with environmental, social standards. Top & braces are from reclaimed pulp logs.
OM-03
Sapele back and sides, Sitka top, Mahogany neck,(all solid) Ebony fingerboard and bridge and satin finish. Rosewood back and sides on the OM-03R.
Darn...I always thought short-waves were cool...
Quote from: Dotneck on March 08, 2010, 10:29:11 PM
Not sure what all the other letters in the Martin stand for but I think the SW means the martin has a short wave radio built into it too.
:roll
I've payed several of the various Smartwood models, and I rather like the way they sound.
Most look like they have received a beat down with the ugly-stick though. The Tortoiseshell headstock overlay... :wacko:
The Martin SW guitars are are unique and no doubt good quality. It would be tough to compare to a Larrivee because I think that you make like the tone of one but not the other. The only way to know for sure is to find one and play it, otherwise it's just a guess.
FWIW, I've owned both an OM-03R and a SWOMGT and I like the Martin way more, tone-wise and playability-wise. It's all subjective though.
Quote from: AZLiberty on March 09, 2010, 11:54:14 PM
I've payed several of the various Smartwood models,...
Did you ever get your money back?
I tried one once and was pleasantly surprised. I think it had American cherry wood.
Had a D-16GTR for a couple of weeks. Nice sound, but just couldn't get past the micarta fingerboard. Found it to be sticky. These have a Katalox wood bridge & F/B, if I'm not mistaken. A South American hardwood compared to the density of ebony, but a lighter color. Only the top is glossed, the back & sides matte. Played one @ Sam Ash a little over a year ago (?) & was impressed with the sound. Godin has been using Cherry wood for years on Seagulls & others, having lots of success.
If my D-16 had a wood F/B, might have kept it, as long as it felt right. Didn't, brought it back, got an OM-03SP. Upgraded from that one to an OM-05, for just $300 more. Was before the Larrivee '08 price increase, getting it for a bargain. $1400 out the door. Each had it's own sound, but preferred the HOG body. Are really nice guitars, the sustainable wood series. Unique sound, but still a Martin!
Jeff
Although I like the traditional tonewoods the most, I mean Mahogany, Rosewood and Maple. I have had a cherry back and sides guitar that was fine. Not a Martin though.
Larrivee has a workhorse in the 03 series and the Rosewood models are just so hard for anyone else to compete with on the same price level. Not that the Mahogany ones are chumps. (I have one and one coming)
But that LV-03R I had was as good a player as guitars costing two to three times more and had some fine looking RW as well as a very nice bearclaw top.I only paid 650 for it used, but in excellent, almost unplayed condition. That is just too hard to beat. :nice guitar:
But Martin deserves a compliment for using renewable smart woods. It's good for all of us. :thumbsup