I may have asked before
But how did you come upon Larrivee
guitars?
What's your story?

 Fun topic. I'm sure I've said it many times but about 13 years ago I WANTED to get into acoustics, but the ones I tried just sounded too twangy to me and I preferred my classical. Then, a Canadian client sent a sound clip of a microphone I upgraded for him. He was playing Celtic music and the guitar he used in the clip blew my mind. I had to know what it was. A Larrivee L-05. I had finally found an acoustic with a more articulate, sort of classical sensibility. I got one. Then another. Etc. The Larrivee family and their way of doing business are admirable, which is important to me as a small business owner. And, this community was so cool I just stayed all these years and I enjoy it more than the big forum.

In May 2004, a co-worker took me to Trinity Guitars in Jamestown, NY that was owned by Jim Holler, a retired wood engineer and luthier, who ran the shop out of his basement. I came home with my first new guitar purchase in 27 years, a spruce/flamed maple Larrivee special edition parlor.

Imagine if you can, walking into a basement showroom filled with Larrivee guitars. When I bought my parlor, I had five to choose from including two mahogany, two rosewood and the flamed maple model that came home with me. Over the next three years, I ordered a custom 12 string from Larrivee and Jim began selling Martins. In 2007, I added a new sunburst Martin OM-35 that Jim found for me to match my Shade Top D-35. Over time, Jim purchased a building, moved the shop and added several other brands including Taylor, Gallagher, National and Weber.

Until he closed up shop and retired in 2018, my son and I were frequent visitors to Jim's brick and mortar store. In 2015, I ordered a 12 fret 000 from Martin's custom shop through Jim which is truly one of a kind. From 2004 until 2018, I had the opportunity to play well over 100 guitars of all shapes, sizes and wood combinations. I also had a front row seat when Jim put together the Forum III and Forum IV offerings. It was a fun ride while it lasted.

As BOWIE says, fun topic!

For me it was good old Guitar Center circa 1997/98 or so. 

I started seeing these plain-Jane guitars on the wall in their acoustic room and finally picked one up (probably a D03, the best guitar in the world).  I was blown away by the huge, clear sound from such a no-nonsense guitar. 

I played a bunch on my trips there during that season and always liked the Larrivee sound over everything else on the wall.  I just couldn't figure it out since back then an -03 guitar had a sticker price of something crazy like $499 (which I didn't have then, being broke and in my early 20s) and the lower-end Taylors were selling for around $1k.   

Around this same time I started seeing ads for Larrivee in the guitar mags with Barenaked Ladies, Brad Paisley, Pete Anderson, et al.  By now they were on my radar and stayed there. 

I finally got my own Larrivee in 2003 and still have it.  It's my only acoustic guitar. 

It was my first proper (quality) guitar. Shopping for my 21st present, I was looking in shops and on the eBay equivalent here in NZ, and I came across a D-03e. Larrivee's didn't have a big name in NZ so I hadn't heard about them. My guitar ear wasn't well trained then since I'd only been playing for just over a year, but I knew I was onto a good thing when I found this one-year-old dread (2005). I paid over $2000 for it back then which would have been close to RRP in our currency and it was worth every penny. I sold it earlier this year to a visiting Canadian and he was pretty happy with it. Was a fantastic guitar but so too is my 1995 C-09, which I have treasured for the past 2 years. Fantastic guitars.

Had to downsize from dreadnaughts, and at the time was playing an Eastman, so staying with the brand, bought an Eastman OM. Eastman necks are hand carved, and the OM's was like a baseball bat compared to the dread. The OM size was a great fit so while looking for a replacement kept seeing favorable posts about Larrivees on the "other forum". Found a Larrivee OM in GC's FL store, had it shipped, and never looked back - a great guitar and the neck was perfect!* The OM resulted in Goldilocks Larrivee purchases of a Parlor, a 00-40, and currently a 000-40 because of the 12 frets to the body vs the OM's 14 - a wonderful guitar journey!

*As posted elsewhere, Larrivees ironically led me to Halcyon, which uses the same necks as the Larrivees.

Quote from: Silence Dogood on October 30, 2025, 11:33:06 AMFor me it was good old Guitar Center circa 1997/98 or so. 

Took me a moment to consider, but I think that's where I saw and bought my first Larrivee. Probably in the later 2000s or so. It was a really nice LSV-11 I treated myself to and enjoyed for a while, but sadly one of the quietest guitars I've ever owned so it got sold.

From that LSV-11 I must have found this very guitar forum right around the time of a Forum III group order which stimulated quite a bit of forum activity at the time. When the IV order rolled around I joined in and have been a loyal Larrivee OO 12-fret fan and active forum member ever since.

Interested in getting a parlor guitar and stumbled upon Larrivee's model.  It's been quite a journey since then 👍😀

Quote from: Strings4Him on October 31, 2025, 01:46:21 PMInterested in getting a parlor guitar and stumbled upon Larrivee's model.  It's been quite a journey since then 👍😀

Exactly how I ended up with my first Larrivee. :thumb

Back in around 2005 I saw an ad in a guitar magazine for Larrivee's new Traditional model an 000-50 and I had to have it.  Since then and 11 Larrivees. a forum III and one custom Larrivee later I'm still a devoted Larrivee fan.

First in a shipping box,next in a guitar case,then on a guitar hook. :wave

I was going to say 'just walked into my music room and there they were'.   :wink:

But, going back a few years, I had other acoustics and started on a journey to find Canadian made guitars.  Eventually there happened to be a used OM for sale in a local shop so I went and played it.  Came home with me.  Started to sell off the others.  While I eventually sold that OM, due to the 14 fret, I now have the FVI and am waiting for the FVII.  Also have a couple of other acoustics built for me by Ed Bond who worked in the Larrivee shop when it was in Vancouver.

I currently keep an eye out for used Larrivee's that include the older Canadian built LS model and the 12 fret OM.  Would certainly buy those if I ever see one for sale.

Quote from: jazzereh on November 01, 2025, 09:41:30 AMI currently keep an eye out for used Larrivee's that include the older Canadian built LS model and the 12 fret OM.

Hmm, if ever there was a model that might entice me away from an OO it would be a 12 fret OMV. I capo a lot and I might get a more richer tone past the 3rd fret with a bigger OM body. Was that model ever a thing or are you dreaming of a custom find of a lifetime?  :winkin:

The OM 12 fret is a thing.  I know it was done as an all mahogany for example back in 2012

Would post a photo if I could.....

A quick google found me some OMV 12s. A Koa 60 model is on Reverb now, but another I saw was posted as a 2006 model with the note "now out of production" implying it might have been at one time. Another from a dealer as a 2018 model OMV-05. That one had the generic label inside where I would expect to see "Custom" something but no.  I even found my Forum WTB post of 2018 which never happened.

Perhaps there's hope for you as this model might have been in production a couple of years ago!

Great stories!

I grew up in the 90s playing guitar around my uncle, who was an avid songwriter and a habitual GAS-er (like, had to downsize his house type GAS). Every week it was another amazing guitar. SCGC, Collings, vintage Martin and Gibson's, Goodall, Bourgeois, more luthier-built guitars than I can recount, etc. And one week there was a new (maybe used) Larrivee OM  sitting on the stand. I can't remember the exact model #. I just remember loving the sound it made. Being a poor 15-year old, I never thought I'd own one. That was the age where I (we) would just marvel at such craftsmanship, thinking such magical objects would never be within reach.

From then until 2017, it was electric guitar. Bands. Etc. That year I decided to start hunting for an acoustic guitar, because that's what I spent my formative years learning on. I was lucky enough to find a Larrivee dealership within 45 minutes driving distance (still there, too!). The owner had just received his order from the NAMM show, and he had 25-30 Larrivee guitars in stock. New and new-old stock. Yeah, great times, I know. I decided to play them all without looking at price or model number. It was my humble, but much beloved, OM-02 that won the day. It just sounded killer from jump street. And it has only gotten better over time. I should really do a review of that guitar, because the list of illustrious brands and models that have come and gone, while that OM-02 remained steadfast....people wouldn't believe me.

I could go on about what I liked in the sound of the guitar, but I really like Bowie's "classical sensibility." That's exactly right.

2008 I was dead set on a Martin D-28. The young sales guy in the Sam Ash store said to me, "just buy a Larrivee. They are less expensive and better". I disregarded his advice and for 10 years played an HD 28. I wanted a smaller parlor guitar, found a brand new P-03, and never looked back- full Larrivee convert now.

Every few months I try my local shop to see what could be good. Today there was a wild grain custom shop Martin, CEO7, D18, a few Atkins, a few Collings, Alvarez. The punch from the scalloping on some of these is nice. I've just come home, as usual, and played my Larrivee's and Northwoods. These guitars are untouchable. The whole package is here and at affordable prices for real musicians. Easiest necks to play, stunning build quality and sound of the heavens. At some point I'm going to have to try the 50/60 series (rare in UK..) but yeah... Nothing is standing toe to toe with these guitars.

Once upon a time there was a guitar shop in a distant & yet to be gentrified part of Ballard,Wa called the Guitar Emporium run by one Rob Eagle,I was more into paying my bar tab in those days rather than buying something you don't piss away,that smells better than hangovers and was in tune! My Wife and I walked into the store and Rob tried his best to get the pint out of my hand for a guitar case handle of one gorgeous L03-Sitka over Bubinga.The guitar Emporium is long gone,but that's was my first becoming aware of Larrivee Guitars & very fortunate to have a couple that were ringing from the moment I opened those Larrivee guitar cases.

I ended up going back to the shop and getting a custom shop OM28 ADI & wild grain EIR! It was one of those good ones that haunt you so I slapped down the credit card. I've done a few recordings now with my OM05 back to back with it and it's 50/50 whether people can hear the difference. But I can. The Larrivee definitely has more balance, which is real nice. Never thought I'd buy a Martin, let alone an EIR (I'm generally a hog player). Good to have some variety. It's brought home just how great the Larrivee sound is - there's so much harmonic richness in it. I hope I didn't make a mistake passing up an OM10 to get this!

I grew up in the Toronto area, a friend of mine got one and later on when I became more serious about all things guitar, I started to acquire them.

Congratulations on a nice find. As the owner of a custom shop build it's important to remember that these guitars are built by Martin's most experienced employees. They also put extra effort into selecting better grades of wood for their custom builds. My custom 000 has a Sitka spruce top that is listed on the build sheet as grade 5/6 which is better than a standard 18 series guitar. The three piece mahogany back/sides are a cut above the standard grade too.

Having said that, I'm confident that the wood selected for each of my Larrivees was hand selected and/or  inspected by Jean, John Jr. or Matthew Larrivee. While I've never been bothered by the plastic used on my Martins, the maple binding used on my Larrivees is a cut above. It's also interesting to read about the development of the orchestra model between banjo player Perry Bechtel and C.F. Martin III back in the 1930s. The Sitka/Rosewood wood combination used on my OM-35 makes it a keeper but I won't part with any of my Larrivees either.

Oooohhh I would LOVE to hear demos of your Sitka/hog if you have any? My ears seem to favour adi+EIR and Sitka+hog. I think Sitka is mellower, warmer, deeper bass and suits mahogany really well. Agree that the custom shop models have always been a cut above. I think the reason I'm liking the EIR is that the bracing coupled with the adi top is giving the guitar a real thrum which is incredibly similar to the type of thrum that I like in mahogany guitars (I find my OM05 and newly acquired om28 sound ironically quite similar, in many ways). The plastic binding isn't great.

They are all winners. Dying to see what the 60th model will be (and hoping I have the $$$ to consider a buy)

Probably worth mentioning, Martin isn't grading woods on tone but on cosmetics, which is also what Larrivee does for gloss vs satin models. Visual quality can sometimes indicate things that lend to stiffness but, generally speaking, you're not getting a better sounding top. That's why the lower level Larrivees are such fantastic value.

Totally agree and great point. It's amazing that we get tops like moon spruce on 03 models..

Quote from: B0WIE on December 22, 2025, 02:00:00 AMProbably worth mentioning, Martin isn't grading woods on tone but on cosmetics, which is also what Larrivee does for gloss vs satin models. Visual quality can sometimes indicate things that lend to stiffness but, generally speaking, you're not getting a better sounding top. That's why the lower level Larrivees are such fantastic value.

This is one of the things that stood out to me when I discovered Larrivee guitars back in the day.  I would always wonder how an 03 model could sound as good (or better) than the much fancier and more expensive guitars on the shop wall?  I didn't realize back then that good tone didn't have anything to do with aesthetics. 

I miss seeing Larrivees in my local shops.  Around here, there is really only Charley's in Dallas where I'll sometimes see a used one on the wall, and sometimes I'll see a used one in the Arlington GC.  But on the other hand, the rarity makes it a lot of fun when I do run across one.  I remember a few years ago at Charley's someone had a whole slew of Larrivees on consignment.  All of them were from the late 90s/early 2000s.  I played a few of them and they were all great. 

I can't get over how truly, truly, TRULY awesome the p-03 is. I think the parlours might be my favourite guitars. 24" scale warmth, the compression that comes with the smaller body (which gives the unique sound), the solid build quality, the amazing Larrivee mahogany tone, 12 fret lower bridge placement goodness and the thin satin finish. I honestly love these little things.

Quote from: guitarman001 on December 22, 2025, 03:59:14 PMI can't get over how truly, truly, TRULY awesome the p-03 is. I think the parlours might be my favourite guitars. 24" scale warmth, the compression that comes with the smaller body (which gives the unique sound), the solid build quality, the amazing Larrivee mahogany tone, 12 fret lower bridge placement goodness and the thin satin finish. I honestly love these little things.

The parlor is the only model from Larrivee I've yet to play, but I know people really love them. A 00 I'm in for, but I wonder if a parlor might be a bridge too far for me size-wise.

Congrats on your OM-28. The best (and most articulate) Martin I owned was an OM-18V. The first two days after a string change, that guitar would sing. But after that, it got too "muddy" for me (I finger pick with bare flesh). I am now Martin-less, but that was a wonderful sounding guitar, and if
I only played in the open position, I'd probably still have it. Hope you enjoy yours!

Thank you, Sir (and it's great to be able to mention the big "M" here without any judgement).
Sound clip (phone recording) of the OM28 here (https://on.soundcloud.com/bDvEdiWa2w1HhFQGJZ) if interested!
This (https://youtu.be/wlH5L29f7Ow?si=HtzGlKjrh4oEA0xr) is basically the same but a OOO.

For some time I've hankered for that punchy sound in the bass so when I tried it and found it to be something special, I put the credit card down. Insanely expensive, though. What will be interesting, is comparing the Martin and Larrivee over a period of time. I tried the L-05 and OM-40 to try and get that touch more punch but I vastly preferred the sound of my OM-02/05 and P-03 to those. I tried the adi-topped OM18s with GE bracing -> really nice but I think mahogany goes better with sitka, personally. I find sitka to be warmer and with a deeper bass which I think complements the mahogany well (I quite like adi with rosewood... I feel rosewood is a harder wood and having the harder top really brings it alive - maybe also why I love my moon spruce P-03R as the moon spruce can be hit hard).

I'm still the "mahogany man" but I find this OM28 to be very, very close to mahogany (or at least Martin's build sound gets there). The punchy bass of these guitars can die out quickly unless hit hard and I found their mahogany guitars (with inherently less bass) saw the bass drop off quite quickly. With the rosewood back & sides, the bass is that bit deeper (so it doesn't die away) and with the GE bracing there is a real thrum to it, sort of like mahogany - plus there's the richness of rosewood there. Rosewood = deep, mahogany = warm. I think with mahogany, the softer wood absorbs some of the sound waves and they swirl around before they come out of the guitar. It has its own resonance and melds the notes together, and coupled with that growl, is easier and more interesting to my ear (generally). Only some builders can make it sound rich and Larrivee imo is still one of the best (if not THE best) for mahogany. My OM05 and OM28 bear remarkable tonal similarities.

Compare this OOO18 to the OM05.
OOO18 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOGx7A4iAf4&list=RDwOGx7A4iAf4&start_radio=1)
OM05 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wWAflztdXc)

The Martin has the nice nasally tone but imo the Larrivee (and yes it's a bigger body) has more presence, I'd arguably say as much bass (and longer sustaining), and more volume. I'd give the Larrivee 10/10 there and the Martin 6-7/10. There is a remarkable (truly) mids-treble richness in the tone of the Larrivee traditionally braced guitars which I can hear from a mile off.

I did try an OM18 with sitka top (and GE bracing) once but passed on it (probably since it was so close to my Larrivee being same woods). I probably should have bought it. I think the rosewood OM28 and mahogany OM05 is a great combo. Rosewood imo can sometimes lack punch. Mahogany inherently has punch (which is why I think it works so well on traditionally braced Larrivee's). The added punch from the Martin bracing on the rosewood is really what makes it (saying this I saw a "Guitar Gallery" demo of a moon spruce OM60 vs sitka OM28 and imo the OM60 was the better guitar). I reckon Larrivee 12 fret rosewoods achieve similar punch (this (https://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/guitars_Sub_LarriveeLSV09u.htm) LSV-09 sounds insanely good, for example).

I know what you mean about the sound muffling on your old OM18 after some days... those guitars can really sing until the strings start to die out a bit. It's funny as some (only some) vintage Martins can sound incredible but many more, to my ears, sound flat. However, MOST "vintage" Larrivee's I hear mature into having a really, REALLY nice sound. They age incredibly well.

So re body size...

- The L was (for me) too deep and the sound "too much" (I have a touch of tinnitus and was too loud)

- The OM has less bass but more mid-range thrum/roar which I love.

- I only have a Northwood (deep body) OO (adi/hog) with lower bridge placement and interestingly, the sound-hole to bridge distance is maintained as the bridge moves down (on Larrivee, the distance increases because the sound-hole stays put). I do notice a hell of a lot of thrum from this guitar (listen here (https://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/NorthwoodStudio00ma.htm)) but the slightly shorter scale and smaller body size means less of a bass punch than my OM05 (also no scalloping).

- P-03 is incredible. Hog = warm and what can be warmer than pairing it with sitka and reducing the scale length to 24" (plus the wide-distance sound-hole to bridge spacing plus the lower bridge placement). The scale length reduction really makes it. There is an O-18 in my local store which I might try out today (14 fret, though) to compare. I think I might actually like this the best of all (on some days... other days the OM05 I think is the best all-rounder). They're like little collectibles, take up very little room and I just cannot stop playing the parlours when I pick them up. Compare the OM-10 below to the (wild grain, private reserve) P-09... I have to say that I prefer the sound of the P-09 by some margin. Just did a phone recording of the p-03 (all fingers, excuse the playing!!) here (https://on.soundcloud.com/NALTKwWp7CiKG1DDOE). Listen that that spongey/punchy/plosive sou0nd - love it! For good measure, here (https://on.soundcloud.com/QYzmspCWxqgmgZ0uZ4) is the P-03R JCL with moon top (I am more and more starting to appreciate rosewood)

OM10 (https://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/LarriveeOM10CusRS.htm)
P-09 wild grain (https://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/LarriveeParlorCusRS.htm)



--> I just re-read what I wrote here and I realise I need to get a 12 fret Larrivee rosewood or similar (well, other than my P-03R which sounds exactly like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap7I2FqmO0o&t=1s), for completeness - what a sound). Roll on the 60th model!!

I first Larrivee after 10-15 years of solid electric playing.

I started on a classical and I guess I came full circle back to some form of acoustic playing.

It was at some random store and I swear I tried nearly every guitar in there, no exaggeration.

I almost left the store but then the store owner said I should try this new brand that they got in stock.
He handed me my OM-02 and it was love at first hold / strum. I played that for 10+ years until lockdown when I acquired lots more.

Quote from: guitarman001 on December 23, 2025, 05:47:29 AMI first Larrivee after 10-15 years of solid electric playing.

I started on a classical and I guess I came full circle back to some form of acoustic playing.

It was at some random store and I swear I tried nearly every guitar in there, no exaggeration.

I almost left the store but then the store owner said I should try this new brand that they got in stock.
He handed me my OM-02 and it was love at first hold / strum. I played that for 10+ years until lockdown when I acquired lots more.

"Lockdown" sure was good for the guitar industry,  :bgrin:
 :nana_guitar  :nana_guitar
Anyone who didn't buy a guitar back then got a puppy.

Very true!!  :roll

Blue Bowman

FWIW, my first good guitar was a dreadnought which I played almost every day from 1997 to 2004 until I bought my second good, make that great, guitar: a Larrivee Parlor. Built during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, I spent more than a year looking and played over 100 guitars before I bought my Martin D-35 for my 21st birthday for $600. 27 years later, I walked into a room filled with Larrivee Guitars including five Parlors and walked out with my first Larrivee, a Special Edition model for $570 including an upgraded hardshell case. Based on 21 years of playing a parlor, I have observed that people either love them or they don't. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground but I happen to love mine. It's the perfect porch picking/travel guitar on the opposite end of the spectrum from a dreadnought. My parlor spends a lot of time at my son's house because it's his favorite guitar of mine. YMMV.

Quote from: teh on December 24, 2025, 07:57:58 AMI spent more than a year looking and played over 100 guitars before I bought my Martin D-35 for my 21st birthday for $600.

That's the exact price I paid for my D-03BW back in 2003.  I've spent a ton more on strings and things for that guitar since.   Hard to believe I've gotten so much enjoyment out of that simple purchase.  My love of this guitar and the way it has enriched my playing life is beyond any price tag.  Even crazy expensive guitars are bargains when seen in this way. 

I think Sitka, in particular, pairs well with mahogany. Both woods are warm and the Sitka melds the notes together nicely and adds a little bass as compared to Adirondack. The 24" scale of the parlour adds even MORE warmth. And then the 12 fret lower bridge placement adds even MORE warmth plus a bit of that plosive sound (but since not scalloped, the note lasts longer and the mids aren't hollowed out). It might just be the best mahogany guitar ever!

I think I first took notice of Larrivee many years ago when Little Brother (Doug Jones) was speaking highly of them.

I ran into Larrivee guitars totally by accident back in the early 90's. I was casting around, buying all sorts of Martin's, Gibsons , and others, but was dissatisfied. I ordered a used, early 80' L09 from Guitar Center and was gobsmacked. It was beautiful and sounded better than anything I had played in more than 20 years of searching. I foolishly sold it, but have owned other, usually smaller, models since then. Larrivee truly builds great guitars for less money than any other maker working.

Quote from: teh on December 24, 2025, 07:57:58 AMBlue Bowman

FWIW, my first good guitar was a dreadnought which I played almost every day from 1997 to 2004 until I bought my second good, make that great, guitar: a Larrivee Parlor. Built during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, I spent more than a year looking and played over 100 guitars before I bought my Martin D-35 for my 21st birthday for $600. 27 years later, I walked into a room filled with Larrivee Guitars including five Parlors and walked out with my first Larrivee, a Special Edition model for $570 including an upgraded hardshell case. Based on 21 years of playing a parlor, I have observed that people either love them or they don't. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground but I happen to love mine. It's the perfect porch picking/travel guitar on the opposite end of the spectrum from a dreadnought. My parlor spends a lot of time at my son's house because it's his favorite guitar of mine. YMMV.

A guitar player who owns both a parlor and a dread? Respect  :thumb

I've been through quite a lot of their mahogany guitars and to cut a long story short, I've been on and off re selling the one that started it all - my now-aged OM02, because I have an OM05. But played it today and what a guitar... As I say, it's aged really well, I put a k&k in it and basically it's not worth selling this beast when it's outplaying instruments costing 10x what I paid.

This is the voice of reason: Keep that OM-02!!!!    :guitar

Went to the local music shop 20 years ago,to buy some strings and had some spare time to noodle in their high end room.
To my ear's,the LO1 was by far the best sounding guitar in that room,and there were plenty of Martins and other well know brands in that room.
I purchased that guitar, and she came home with me......and I am still in love. :arrow
The two key things about Larrivee's for me is not only do they sound wonderful,but I really like the shape of their necks.
Since then I have acquired an unspecified number of Larrivee guitars, and they are all very fine instruments that I love to play. :bowdown:

Quote from: StringPicker6 on December 29, 2025, 02:05:19 PMThis is the voice of reason: Keep that OM-02!!!!    :guitar

As I've said on here before, my OM-02 (basically an OM-40 without the rosette) is one of my favorite guitars since I bought it brand new 8 years ago. It's one I think I will never get rid of, and I've been through A LOT of nice guitars.

I have a friend that works at a high-end music shop a few towns over from me. I'll occasionally pop in there with a cool guitar to show them. A few week ago I decided to take my humble OM-02 in. Of the four cats working there, only two of them had heard of Larrivee (the owner and a guitar player).

Well, one of them, who was unfamiliar with the brand, just fell head over heels in love with my OM-02, pronouncing it one of the better guitars he's ever played. Again, I know this, but it's cool to see the same reaction from another player. This guy is a devout Martin owner/lover, but he liked that the OM had "its own thing going on." He couldn't believe how "little" I paid for such a wonderful guitar. As I was leaving the store, he shouted to the perusing customers, "Don't play one of this guy's guitars...he'll ruin you for your own collection at home!" A good visit  :bgrin: 

I popped back in this past week to see the guys, and I had a great chat with the same fella about Larrivee. He has since devoured all the Larrivee interviews online, read up on articles about the family and history, and familiarized himself with the Larrivee line-up. He has his eyes set on an OM.

One of the many things I love about guitars is that the best ones are self-evident. Doesn't matter the make and model. Doesn't matter the cost. Doesn't matter if you can't pronounce the strange, French name on the headstock. The best ones represent themselves well by being played. Yes, it's all too simple and obvious, but I love that.

Quote from: BlueBowman on January 12, 2026, 10:21:25 AMAs I've said on here before, my OM-02 (basically an OM-40 without the rosette) is one of my favorite guitars since I bought it brand new 8 years ago. It's one I think I will never get rid of, and I've been through A LOT of nice guitars.

I believe your OM-02 has different bracing than the 40 series as well.

I forgot to take my OM02 ad down and got a despicable low-ball offer. No way.
The 02 line has undergone lots of revisions with the newer ones having "upgraded" scalloped tone bars iirc?
--> (No surprise) I prefer the symmetrically-braced 02 that I've got. Just a great guitar.

Re Martin I have to admit that the custom shop output in recent years has really increased their game (imo they far outshine their standard models). My new OM28 is incredible and I played an O-18 at the weekend which might have my name on it. It is interesting owning both brands - absolutely nothing new but Martin has that punch whilst Larrivee is more balanced with a harmonically complex sound (and easier to play, better appointments). Just different.

I suppose that if you want an OM-02 with the original style bracing, you need to go with an OM-03 these days? Still a very good price for such a great guitar brand new!

Quote from: Rockysdad on January 12, 2026, 02:46:30 PMI believe your OM-02 has different bracing than the 40 series as well.

I called Larrivee when I discovered the 40-style bracing under the hood. John Jr. told me my OM-02 is a fifth generation, and all of those were built with the traditional bracing. The bridge plate even says "40 series" on it.

I've owned guitars with both styles of Larrivee bracing, and I like both. But I'm also more of a "the sound is in the top" kind of guy, so long as the bracing gets out of the away of it  :thumb  Although, to my ears tapered bracing does seem to do something "different" than scalloped bracing. I think it's mostly a different kind of sustain that I hear. Hard to draw a strong conclusion though.

Quote from: StringPicker6 on January 13, 2026, 11:11:19 AMI suppose that if you want an OM-02 with the original style bracing, you need to go with an OM-03 these days? Still a very good price for such a great guitar brand new!

My understanding is that the first through fourth generation OM-02s have symmetrical bracing. G-man, I think, owns one of them.

Quote from: BlueBowman on January 13, 2026, 05:22:22 PMI called Larrivee when I discovered the 40-style bracing under the hood. John Jr. told me my OM-02 is a fifth generation, and all of those were built with the traditional bracing. The bridge plate even says "40 series" on it.

I've owned guitars with both styles of Larrivee bracing, and I like both. But I'm also more of a "the sound is in the top" kind of guy, so long as the bracing gets out of the away of it  :thumb  Although, to my ears tapered bracing does seem to do something "different" than scalloped bracing. I think it's mostly a different kind of sustain that I hear. Hard to draw a strong conclusion though.

Learn something new every day. :wink:

I did play a flamed walnut 40 series OM some months ago which was pretty damn good!
But symmetrical bracing from Larrivee will always have my heart.
Yes, I think mine was one of the earlier 02s.

Found one at Guitar Center in 2006. Before that I'd never heard of them.  It was a D-09 Brazilian and bought it on the spot because it sounded great compared to all the Martins, Gibsons and Taylor guitars they mostly carried in their "high end" room.  Recently traded it for another Larrivee, so I guess I'm hooked.  :nana_guitar     

Simple Peter Yarrow played one. I found a used ls09 at a music store which I still own.