I'm not one for bragging. Really, I'm not. Except for now. :GRN>
I'm totally new to Larrivee guitars as well as the forum. I play mostly fingerstyle folk for my own amazement and, like so many other folks, I just love the sound of a good guitar. More often, I'm a Martin guy. Now I'm a MartinLarrivee guy.
To make a long story short, I got hoooked on this OM-O3R 12-string at The Podium in Minneapolis back in February. When my Martin J16C-RGTE custom 12-string arrived and had to be sent back in September, I remembered the Larrivee at the Podium and began making plans :wacko: :wacko:. . . . .
The beginning of December I phoned 'em up and put the guitar on layaway. Meantime I had Marty install an IMix Onboard system. I picked the guitar up December 23rd.
I cannot say enough good things about the guitar and the IMix. It's not a loud guitar at all; just very delicate and articulate. Through the IMix though, it's absolutely incredible.
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/0M03R.JPG)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/OMO3R4.JPG)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/OMO3R5.JPG)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/OMO3R2.JPG)
EDIT:
Here's a thread regarding the case for this guitar:
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=9691.0
Also, some pictures of the poor fit of this case:
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/larricase.JPG)
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/larricase2.JPG)
Advice to those who intend to buy one of these guitars. . . . they sound wonderful, they're lovely, they play wonderfully. But carefully consider how the OM-O3R Twelve string fits in this case before you buy the guitar. Larrivee Guitars did not build an adequate case for this instrument and you may end up spending $400 or so for a custom case.
I think I'll soon be in the market for an Larrivee OM.
Nice one whiskeyjack, and welcome to the Larrivee' Forum.
Larrivee's are tops in my book. I have an OMV-09 on order now. Got a L-09 first.
One just ain't enough!
I played my OMVre with our Church group at midnight mass and got rave reviews. My OM is bright and shimmers with overtones. I love it.
I sure appreciate the testimonials regarding the Larri OM's. I had a chance to a/b the things while I was down at the Podium but the GAS didn't strike me just then. It has now. Yee Har.
I have an OM-03r -12 as well. its a great guitar! enjoy! :ph34r:
Whiskeyjack,
This is kinda weird, but I've played your guitar! Minnesota local here, and I frequent the Podium whenever I can. I remember that 12 string being incredibly smooth and comfortable to play. Don't have too much 12 string experience, but enough to know that was one class act! I almost bought an an OM-MT from them, but ended up getting my OM-03MT from a forum member.
Congratulations on a fine purchase.
Oooh...the Podium....definitely a place to either 1) Induce GAS or 2) Mitigate GAS through a purchase.
Was in the Twin Cities area over the holidays and dearly wanted to go there...but was stuck at IKEA and Mall of America....only good thing was I got to listen to Neil Young's new Harvest CD but didn't succumb to the MOA's $19.99 pircetag..ouch!
My wife knows better now than to endorse a visit to the Podium.
Congrats WiskeyJack on your acquisition..bet that 12'er sounds fine.... I tired out a 3xx series Taylor 12 this weekend...no bottom end at all....very chimey but no supporting bottom end. I'll have to check out a Larrivee 12.
Rick
Welcome to the forum and Larrivee family! :GRN>
Great guitar;-)
Thanks all for the welcome and congrats.
GusHustler:
Far Out!! And, YES! It IS smooth to play. I don't know as I'll be selling this any time soon. There's just not too many OM-12's out there.
The IMix Onboard did add some weight to the guitar and I just can't say enough about that pickup.
Miata 13:
It's good to be in good company. Those guys at The Podium are very professional & helpful and I don't know a better luthier than Marty.
Did either of ya visit Charlie Hoffman while you were in the neighborhood?? He loves to talk guitars and sure builds some lovely ones.
Musicman:
I sure haven't seen too many rosewood OM-03R twelve models around (and NONE of 'em were cutaways). Trinity Guitars had a couple mahogany ones earlier this year but I didn't much care for the tone. Jim's a real gentleman to do business with and verly talented to build the guitars he does.
Thanks all again.
Congrats whiskeyjack. That looks like one sweet 12 string. I have the 6 variety of that particular guitar and can only imagine how good that guitar must sound. The fact that it has 12 strings makes me think that it should open up that much faster. If it's anything like my OM-03R, it must have sustain and overtones 'o plenty. Believe me when I say that you'll have plenty more of both in a few months!!
Whiskey ...
Could I ask what was wrong with the Martin that it had to be sent back? Hmm ... guess I just aked. :GRN>
You've got an email, CF.
Thanks, Denis:
'Fact is, I'm debating right now between an OM-03R and a Martin OM-16GT. I truly feel privileged to have these choices.. .
Quote from: whiskeyjack on January 04, 2006, 02:48:30 PM
Thanks, Denis:
'Fact is, I'm debating right now between an OM-03R and a Martin OM-16GT. I truly feel privileged to have these choices.. .
Would your 6 be way louder?
Those are two really different guitars with one rosewood and the other mahogany.
I was wondering if that was you over at the UMGF. I've never tried an OM-16GT only a 000-16GT and 000-16RGT. I love my Larrivee. It's plenty loud. I am a bit weary of some of the Martin 16 line. I don't like the thought of a micarta fingerboard or bridge. I know they are fine but Larrivee, for the price, I find you get so much more guitar. Find a Martin with basically the same specs as the OM-03R and you'll pay a lot more I'm sure. It's an OM-21 with ebony fingerboard and bridge, satin finish and maple binding which looks nice in my books. I'm not knocking the OM-21 BTW, not in the least. If I had had enough money, I might have fgotten one instead of the Larrivee but I am happy with my choice.
No, Larrivees don't sound like Martins but that doesn't mean they don't sound as good though, just different.
Thanks, Denis.
I completely agree. The build on a Larrivee OM-03R simply doesn't compare with the build on a comparably PRICED Martin. You could almost consider the Larri OM-O3R a custom guitar compared to a Martin OM-16GT. Lots more attention to build and detail.
I'm really leaning toward the Larri OM-O3R. And it doesn't help that I've already got a twelve string with the exact same body and binding. There's a new song I'm writing just for the occasioin. It's called, "The Happy-New-Year-I'm-Broke Blues"!! ^_^
Quote from: whiskeyjack on January 04, 2006, 04:35:12 PM
I'm really leaning toward the Larri OM-O3R. And it doesn't help that I've already got a twelve string with the exact same body and binding.
Get a regular Larrivee OM-03 with the mahogany back and sides then. It's actually closer to the OM-16GT that you were considering and it's cheaper than the rosewood version to boot. Or an L-03 which no one else has because it's specific to Larrivee. Can't compare that one to Martin.
Good point, Denis... And good recommendation on a comparable model, too.
Whiskeyjack, I want to point out, they must have done an excellent job on the install of your Baggs system. I think they are great, (but I am biased), yet the I-Beam portion of this system sometimes get a bad rap due to poor installation. +1 for the Podium, for making your Larrivee experience a great one.
Ya, I've heard the same complaints and whining about the LR Baggs systems. . . .and I was indeed a bit fearful. I think Marty knew I was a little nervous about it. He has a very high opinion of them and is clearly aware of the root of the most of the complaints. I would never attempt to install one of these things myself. . .that's what luthiers are for.
I thought I had a problem with my 000-15S - the B string seemed overly hot through my Ultrasound AS50R amp. I thought for sure that one of the sensors on the K&K Pure Western had been misplaced. Marty plugged it in to his system and it sounded perfect. The moral of that story was a matter of amp settings and the amp itself: there's lots to be said for compatibility of amps and acoustic pickups - it takes a little tweaking to get 'em where they need to be.
Denis:
Thank ya. That makes perfect sense. My illogical comparison between the 03R and 16GT had more to do with price point and build quality than it did tonewood, although I much prefer rosewood. I should really have been comparing the 03R to a 16RGT from a tonewood standpoint. But for now, I think I'll forego the additional expense of a Martin rosewood OM and buy the better built 03R and experiment a little.
whiskeyjack,
If it's rosewood you want, well, then it's rosewood you should get. The entire 03R series Larrivees have to to be the most popular of all their models. I am willing to bet they sell more L-03R, D-03R and OM-03R than everything else. Many, if not most, new members here at the forum seem to be getting guitars from this line. But then, where else can you get an all solid wood, dovetail joint, ebony fretboard, ebony bridge, maple binding, solid rosewood b/s, sitka spruce top...etc etc.etc. for under $1000? Here in Canada, my local Larrivee dealer sells them for $1350CDN which is closer to $1200US, still a deal.
I have a satin rosewood parlor, a late one(2004 according to the ser. #) that's basically got the same specs as the 03R series with the maples binding...etc on layaway here in town. It's got an LR Baggs ribbon transducer already installed. Man, I cannot wait to get my backpay here at work so I can go pick up that beauty. :UND>
QuoteBut then, where else can you get an all solid wood, dovetail joint, ebony fretboard, ebony bridge, maple binding, solid rosewood b/s, sitka spruce top...etc etc.etc. for under $1000?
From my standpoint that IS the conclusion of the matter as well. The guitar won't have the exact duplicate of a Martin voice, which is what I really would like. BUT, I'm willing to chance liking the Larrivee OM voice just by virtue of the better build. By most accounts in my research, the Larri OM is between a Martin OM and a Tayor x12. That's a pretty nice compromise that'll get less Taylor-like with age. Did I mention that I don't much care for Taylors?. . . . except one. . . .which doesn't sound like a Taylor.
QuoteI have a satin rosewood parlor, a late one(2004 according to the ser. #) that's basically got the same specs as the 03R series with the maples binding...etc on layaway here in town. It's got an LR Baggs ribbon transducer already installed. Man, I cannot wait to get my backpay here at work so I can go pick up that beauty.
Congratulations on that!! It's really a privilege to have extra money to buy these things, eh? I'm not familiar with the LR Baggs Transducer (Element?), but my initiation into L.R. Baggs products has been a wonderful experience. As Artisan & Marty (The Podium) mentioned, it's all a matter of correct installation.
Quote from: whiskeyjack on January 05, 2006, 10:26:28 AM
From my standpoint that IS the conclusion of the matter as well. The guitar won't have the exact duplicate of a Martin voice, which is what I really would like. BUT, I'm willing to chance liking the Larrivee OM voice just by virtue of the better build. By most accounts in my research, the Larri OM is between a Martin OM and a Tayor x12. That's a pretty nice compromise that'll get less Taylor-like with age. Did I mention that I don't much care for Taylors?. . . . except one. . . .which doesn't sound like a Taylor.
While I agree with your assessment of the Larrivee sound in general, in a way they sound like neither Martins nor Taylors. My OM-03R has changed dramatically since I got it a year ago. It's mellowed considerably and the sustain has increased as well. The overtones seem to keep it ringing. I love tuning it to DADGAD and playing the harmonic across the 12 fret then putting my ear a bit closer. It just seems like it will never stop ringing. I swapped out the Tusq saddle for a Colosi bone one and took off the clear pickguard and replaced that with a Greven OM pickguard. BTW, I bought mine having never played one. I got it from one of the dealers that post here on the forum and got a great deal.
I, like youself, don't care much for Taylors either. I'm not bashing them but I find that they are priced high and have very little bottom end. Martins I do like and have owned a couple. Eventually, I'll own another one. I just hope it's my uncle's '53 0-18.
Good to know about the OM's openning up. I'm following another thread here that's discussing the effect of bone (and other materials) on Larri guitars. 'Seems like the consensus is a hit or miss sort of thing. I'll wait on any alterations. But just in case. . . . ^_^. . .do you know of anyone who glossed a Larrivee?
QuoteEventually, I'll own another one. I just hope it's my uncle's '53 0-18.
Ya. I'd like to own another Martin too but price is an issue
QuoteBTW, I bought mine having never played one.
Ya. I know what that is too. . . .just this morning I bought Tarpman's OM-03R; it'll get here in about a week. Gotta' nail my boots to the floor.
Do NOT buy an OM-03R twelve string without looking closely at the fit of the case. They're gorgeous guitars but if the guitar looks like it fits too tight and the headstock is right up against the wall of the case, it's not your imagination. The case is not built for this guitar. Please following the link to a related thread.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=9691.0
(http://www.voguehost.com/ims/u/whiskeyjack/Larri%20om03r12/larricase.JPG)