So I tried new strings, several different types, and tried my hardest to like her but the new LV-05 just didn't cut it. Something was just missing from the guitar. It seemed very quiet with very little bass response, in short in sounded much too much like a Taylor for my liking. So I bit the bullet and went back to Buffalo Brothers to pass her along and upgrade. Their inventory is very impressive and I spent a long time playing just about all the smaller bodied guitars in there, but I kept coming back to one. It played like silk, was very loud with an almost dread like bass, and was just a very unique instrument. The Larrivee OM-19 California was a clear winner in about a 30 guitar shootout. Perhaps since it is a few years old it has had a chance to open up a bit more but the instrument just sounds amazing. I can't believe how much it projects and how rich it is. I had to tone down my attack a little becuase the guitar is so powerful, and in such a little package too. It is MUCH louder and more responsive than the LV-05 I traded in. Some of the guitars I AB'ed it with included Martins OM-28v, OM-18v, OO-18v, OM-35, OOO-18, A very nice Lakewood, a few Larrivee L-09's and and OM-10 and an OMV-60, A Couple of Goodalls and Huss and Daltons...I mean really nice stuff. It consistently outshined guitars that were 3 times as much money. I don't know how this little gem has lasted several years in that store without someone taking her home. The scary thing is that it appears to have the original Elixir strings on it which are probably years old! So I took her home, here is a little picture of the new baby
http://photos.yahoo.com/jess7577 (http://photos.yahoo.com/jess7577)
very nice. congrats.
Great - enjoy!
just goes to show it doesn't matter what it says on the headstock......a good rosewood OM is hard to beat....I went through about 15 or 20 before I found my OM-10 custom. It walks all over a lot of "boutique" guitars that I have owned!!
Good one.
Hmm. I want one inlaid at the 12th fret with Georgia
:lol:
Yeah I must admit being a native San Diego boy the "California" inlay and palm tree were the icing on the cake!
I haven't had the oppurtunity to play a bunch of good guitars at the same time I had available cash; however, I too had to go through two L03's before landing the one that was just right. The good thing is the other two were just fine for the individuals who got them (so I ate a few hundred$ ouch). I just played a new L03R yesterday at the shop where I got my L03 mahog- back and though the guitar played like a dream it didn't have the punch I like-and I realize it needs time to open up but hasn't it been said don't buy it unless it works for you in the present? Anyway congrats on the 19, I have a very nice Yairi Masterwoks FY95 OM and its a great guitar but I'm always searching for the ultimate-sounds like you got purdy-darn-close based on all the other models you compared.
Yeah I think for the first time ever I feel I have found a real keeper, which is a good feeling!
She's a beauty -- Congrats!!! :)
Sure is nice at Buff Bros....where else can you play some of those obscure hard to find pieces? Dell A'rte, Breedlove, H & D, et al.
Congratulations on your new guitar, I just bought a OM 19 Calif about a month ago. It's really a great guitar, I put a new set of strings on and it came alive. A question, does your case fit very tight? On mine the guitar has to be pressed into the case, the junkers I've had in the past just fell into the case.
Larry
yeah both larrivees I have had fit really snugly in the case
My D-09 also fits very tightly in the case. My D-03R goes in a little easier...
Mark
I'm envious Bkinley...sounds like you had a fantastic day of "guitar trials"! What a perfect way to spend time auditioning such a broad selection of fine guitars. I too, prefer the smaller bodied guitars and think a rosewood may again be in the future (had a Taylor 414rce but couldn't get comfortable with the body size)
Enjoy! and thanks for the pics!
I wasn't a big fan of the Californias until I got to play one. I love the blue purfling!!! The one I had a chance to play was an L and it also sounded amazing.
Congrats on a cool guitar.
-josh
I think the L-09CEs are constructed with the same care and high grade materials, but with slightly different inlays. I do think the blue inlay on the Californias is attractive, and I might have bought one if the L-09CE hadn't become available. Great guitars which will be highly sought after for their sound, playability and good looks.
For an all-around guitar, the OM is as good as it gets.
E. Shoaf
Nice, very nice. And I will have to second the OM as a great all around guitar.