I am torn between the OM-03R and the OM-09. Are there any differences in sound besides the OM-09 having a bone nut over a tusq one. Both instruments are great, but just not sure if the OM-09 is worth the extra money. Thanks in advance for your help.
( i haven't gotten the chance to play an OM-09 model yet)
The only noticeable difference is in appearance (primarily gloss finish and abalone)...the sound is the same. A bone nut can be purchased for $20.
I'm really attracted to the gloss finish, but am OM-09 will cost me $650 more than the OM-03R. And larrivee probably doesn't take any special requests? 1 more thing, I am used to playing a 1 - 11/16" nut, I'm wondering if the 13/16" nut will make it harder to play at all. What are the advantages of a slightly wider nut? I always thought smaller ones made it easier to play.
Hello and Welcome to the forum!! You are going to absolutely love this place!! So much great information and inspiring folks that all have one of the best kept guitar secrets (ok, maybe not anymore) in common!!
As for the 03R vs 09, he bone saddle is one thing, but that is a measily $20 upgrade. The biggie for some, may be that the 03 has a satin finish, and the 09 a gloss. The 09 also sports some extra Abolone as well as a more "select" grade of wood... I have an 03 and an 09 (not OM) and I love them both equally for different reasons. So, I think it really comes down to personal preference. Since they are the same model, and both Rosewood there is only one question to ask.... Does the OM-03 come in BLACKWOOD??? :D
The wider nut, in theory, should make fingerstyle stuff easier. I've never had any problem going from one nut width to the next, but some people find it very frustrating. You will definitely want to try the wider nut before you purchase.
QuoteWhat are the advantages of a slightly wider nut? I always thought smaller ones made it easier to play.
I always played the smaller nut too, but went to the larger nut when I purchased my LV-09... I find that the wider nut is easier to be "precise" with. Most finger style guitarists also like the wider nut for that reason. It took me about 2 hours to grow VERY fond of the wider nut!!
QuoteSince they are the same model, and both Rosewood there is only one question to ask.... Does the OM-03 come in BLACKWOOD??? :D
They both DID! :angry: No more Blackwood.
is it possible to replace the wider nut with a 1- 11/16 " one
Quoteis it possible to replace the wider nut with a 1- 11/16 " one
I was told yes, but You would have to custom order it.
QuoteThey both DID! :angry: No more Blackwood.
The 09 came in Blackwood too?!?! And there is no more??? Oh man, then the Blackwood I have is never leaving my hands... It is one of the best sounding guitars I've ever played!!
QuoteQuoteThey both DID! :angry: No more Blackwood.
The 09 came in Blackwood too?!?! And there is no more??? Oh man, then the Blackwood I have is never leaving my hands... It is one of the best sounding guitars I've ever played!!
Couple or more of the the members have 09 series Blackwood.
There is Blackwood L-03 on classified section right now.
09's are better trimed, and gloss. 03's are value oriented. 09 also use much better grade woods (althogh I've seen some good ones on 3's too) correlated with better structure and tone.
It's like buying a BMW 330i with all the option vs. A BMW 320i. They are both Bimmers 3 series, and for everday driving you'd probably notice very little difference until it falls into a true professionals hands on a racetrack.
QuoteIt's like buying a BMW 330i with all the option vs. A BMW 320i. They are both Bimmers 3 series, and for everday driving you'd probably notice very little difference until it falls into a true professionals hands on a racetrack.
Or you then drive a 5 series.... An M series..... A 7 series..... IT NEVER ENDS!!!
Welcome to G.A.S.!!!!! :lol:
LoL, ask my parents, I can't afford even the 320 lol.
I hear ya DM3MD, It's easy to get stuck in a "got to have the best" rut, and then forget what the Hell to do with it... There are guys that can do incredible things with old beat up guitars that have the action of a telephone wire and the feel of a 2x4...
BTW, speaking of cars, I blew a head gasket last week and bought a 2000 Lexus SC400 yesterday!!! Now THAT is a driving MACHINE!!!! And with 4.0 V-8 260HP, I'm a pretty happy camper right now... Too bad the speed limit stays the same no matter how fast your car is :lol:
Hi David - I think you can still get some L bodies with 1 11/16 nut - and of course most of the dreads have that.
On the differences, I suspect that the higher numbers have choicier looking woods, and that's OK with me and my D-03R. The construction quality is the same all the way up and down the line. Maybe tighter grained spruce in the higher end makes for better sound, but I can't hear it (and I'm happy that way!)
QuoteHi David - I think you can still get some L bodies with 1 11/16 nut - and of course most of the dreads have that.
El, I checked their website and all the current L's have the 1 3/4 neck. Were older L's made with the narrower neck?
I love my L03-R, but after playeing narrower necks for a very long time I am struggling to get comfortable with the L neck. Just tough to teach an old dog new tricks :lol:
not certain but I believe the only 1 11/16 necks on L's are the L-01's from 2000 to 2003. 2004 L-01's definitely have 1 3/4
can I custom order the 1-11/16" nut from Larrivee? how much will that run me
re 03 nut width, see:
http://www.larriveeforum.com/forums/index....80&hl=nut+width (http://www.larriveeforum.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=1880&hl=nut+width)
so if i don't like the 1- 3/4" nut, that is easily fixable, but is the neck width the same as the dreadnaught? or is the overall neck wider as well
Just my opinion, and this can be argued, but I think that a satin finish might sound a little different than a gloss. I happen to think that a satin finish sounds a little more woodsy compared with a gloss finish. But, it could be that i've had my LV-03RE the longest and it has had more time to open up...
I forgot to mention....
The dreadnaught neck is slimmer than an L series neck, so usually a 1 11/16 nut will have a slimmer neck and a 1 3/4 nut will have a wider neck....
i was just reading the specs on the larrivee website, and the fretboard radius, fret width. and fret height are the same for all OM, D, and L models. I dont know if that means its the same size neck though, can someone verify?
Difference in nut width, and therefore, string spacing. Most of the D-s are 1 11/16. Most of the rest are 1 3/4. There are some wider, and some exceptions.
If you're bold/foolhardy enough, you can do a 'roundover' op on the fingerboard edges ( filing fret-ends to more of a slant & filing the sharp edge of the binding to a rounder profile) which, in conjunction with re-spacing the strings on a replacement nut (if required) can go a long way toward making a too-large neck more comfortable; of course, it pre-supposes knowing pretty much what you're aiming for, & having the requisite skills & confidence - but such a move is endorsed by highly-esteemed luthier Paul Hotstetter,( which helped assuage any reservations I had about butchering a nice instrument), but probably best to practise on a cheapy first tho, before laying into that lovely Larry..
Good luck..
I would never want to do that to mine. I also went and played some guitars today at a store, and the slightly wider nut width is actually more comfortable for me, so i'll be going with the OM body after all. Thanks for your help guys
I also wondered what the hype was with the wider nut myself, but after finally getting my hands on an OM with the wider nut I was converted! THe only grip I had was that the high E string was prone to slipping off the end of the fret if I wasn't careful.
That's a minor gripe IMO, but overall there was much less collatoral noise (squeaks, fingernail clicking off adjacent strings, etc). than if I were trying to fingerpick on my non-Larrivée dread that has the narrower 1.6875 nut.
Quotei was just reading the specs on the larrivee website, and the fretboard radius, fret width. and fret height are the same for all OM, D, and L models. I dont know if that means its the same size neck though, can someone verify?
If neck sizes are all the same, does that mean you can change a 1-11/16 nut to a 1-3/4? I have a D03 and I'm thinking of getting the nut replaced. I've been playing on some friends' guitars with 1-3/4 nuts and I find it quite comfy.
Andrew Lieu
alieu, I'm pretty sure you can change to the 1-3/4" spacking, but not positive. Also I was curious if anyone here has played both the OM-03R and the OM-09 and what the difference in sound was.
You'd probably end up with your E strings too close to the edges, and have problems going over the edge. 1 3/4 nut usually means the neck is wider than one with 1 11/16 - most guitar makers, anyway. Never took out a measuring stick to Larrivée's but I'd be surpried if the two had the same neck width.
Thanks guys,
I'll talk to my luthier. He probably knows if it's possible.
Andrew