My OM-50 Sunburst arrived today - UPDATE

[uke richard]

UPDATE (A FEW POSTS) BELOW

Just like Ryan, (rehonsteiner), my OM-50 Sunburst arrived today. It looks great! I played it all evening, switching to another guitar once in a while to compare. It's pretty late now so I'll try to post my comments tomorrow.

I didn't take new pics but here is a "montage" of the pics taken by the seller.

http://www.calgaryuke.com/ukerichard/images/g6006.jpg

Richard

[PCT57]

Another stunner!!!!

[Big Martin]

I always stay up late playing a new guitar also...

what fun

[Novalis]

Congrats! Jean's sunbursts really are works of art!

[phil]

Outstanding. I really like that the burst is on the top only. Often on mahogany guitars you see bursts painted all over the body and neck.

[Falcon Jazz]

Great looking burst, Congrats!

[rehonsteiner]

man..awesome looking guitar.  congrats. 

[BlastersFan55]

Oh man, that's a real beauty.  Congratulations!

[uke richard]

Thanks everyone. I am happy indeed. The guitar looks spectacular. I'll still have to get used to its tone though.

My comments:

The BAD first:
1- (this one is about me, not the guitar) it's the first brand new guitar I own in 30 years so, while I'm used to issues related to vintage or used guitars, I have never really dealt with issues related to a new one.
2- the guitar still has to open up; I'm looking forward to it as I expect the tone will mellow as it ages (I find it a bit bright right now).
3- I've got some fret buzz on the low E string
4- I find that the guitar is a bit stiff and needs more work to play compared to my other ones;

Comprared to:
a- Larrivee O-01 parlor: the parlor being a shorter scale, I expected the sound of the OM to be not as mellow as the parlor
b- Larrivee O-01 parlor: for the same reason, the parlor is much easier to play
c- Larrivee O-01 parlor: on behalf of the OM, I have to say that my O-01 parlor has exceptional tone and I have yet to find one playing as well
d- Martin C-1 1935: same scale length as the OM-50; the Martin plays like a charm and the tone is sooooo mellow

So I find it a bit stiff although the action is really low and it sounds a bit bright. Not quite as responsive also (probably due to the stiffness). In case you wonder, I did change the strings as soon as I received the guitar.

The GOOD:
1- As I said, it looks spectacular in every possible way
2- I am sure the bad comments will resolve:
a- first step is a good set up
b- then to play it as often as possible to get used to its differences, to find out what kind of playing this one is for (compared to the others) and to have the wood vibrate as much as possible to allow the guitar to open up.

I couldn't play last evening as I was not at home. The evening I received it, (the stiffness, the buzz and the tone remained, but) I was already seeing/hearing/feeling a difference after a couple of hours of playing.

The VERDICT:
The BAD is not as bad as it seems. I think it's a great guitar despite my reservations, as I think these should resolve soon after a good set up and some playing. One must remember that different guitars call for different playing. I've been playing mostly my parlor lately and the OM is a totally different beast.

I'm very happy with my new guitar. I believe that while some instruments "fit like a glove" right from the start, others need some time and some others, well, you know right away they're either not good or just not for you. I'd say that for me, my OM is a very good guitar that falls just in between the "hit it from the start" and the "grows on you" categories.


Richard

[PortHueneme]

The brightness you refer is probably just the OM. I have a SD that I love to play. When I pick up the OM my first thought is wow this is bright, but after a few songs my ear adjusts. When I go back to the SD I go this is low, but again quickly adjust.

I really like the OM size and versatility. A good set-up should take care of the other issues, as wll as just playing and getting the guitar opened up and your ears used to the voice.
Strings will also make a difference in the voice, so you may want to experiment some to get the sound and feel you are looking for.

Congrats on the new guitar and the sunburst is gorgeous. I love mine, but it shows every fingerprint.

[ElJefe]

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/OwnerManual/manssguitar.html

Good source of info.  Look at the bottom under trouble shooting.  Good re-stringing info, also.

Enjoy.

[uke richard]

Wow! It's been a week now. I ajusted the rod a tiny bit and there is no more buzz. The new strings now sound good and the guitar is just fantastic. I certainly don't have anything to complain about. This is a great guitar that plays and sounds just as great as it looks.   

To anybody interested in getting one like this, go ahead, you won't regret it. It's a really great "all around" guitar. Fingerstyle, fnger-picking, flat-picking; old standards, swing, folk, contemporary country/folk/rock; everything suits it (or is it the other way around? - it suits everything). 

Once again, Larrivee proves it: you get a lot of guitar for your money. 

Cheers 

Richard

[guitarcrazy]

Hello Richard, thanks for the updates.  Another thing to consider is string gauge.  The 50 and 60 series are shipped with medium strings, which will definitely stiffen up the playability.  In many cases my customers don't want the medium strings, and I set it up for lights.  You lose a tad in the bass and overall volume, but it makes it easier to fret.  When you change strings you may want to try a lighter gauge.  I would start with the strings you use on the Martin and see what that does for you.  Thanks.  J

[uke richard]

Another thing to consider is string gauge.  The 50 and 60 series are shipped with medium strings, which will definitely stiffen up the playability.  In many cases my customers don't want the medium strings, and I set it up for lights.  You lose a tad in the bass and overall volume, but it makes it easier to fret.  When you change strings you may want to try a lighter gauge.  I would start with the strings you use on the Martin and see what that does for you.  Thanks.  J

That's right J. I've always been a light gauge strings player. So that's what I put when I changed the strings. This may be what caused the fret buzz too because I didn't have to release the truss rod very much to get rid of it.

About the "stiffness" I first fund, I would say it's mainly because of the difference with my parlor that I was mainly playing up to when I received the OM. I don't feel it at all anymore. Comparing it to my prewar Martin was also a bit unfair for the OM...


Richard

[mrcolin2u]

Lovely looking axe!! I just ordered an OM-50 myself can't wait to try it out 

[uke richard]

Lovely looking axe!! I just ordered an OM-50 myself can't wait to try it out 

Good for you   

Did you choose the sunburst or the regular top? Also, if you look on Larrivee's site, you will see that the sunburst OM-50 they show has the optional slot-head which I find very cool. On the solid peghead though, the vintage type open back / engraved tuners also look very good.

[mrcolin2u]

I'm getting a non sunburst. Its actually a slightly used guitar I bought on ebay.
I have a sunburst Guild D50 which looks and sounds excellent. really looking forward to owning a larrivee though.
Cheers
Colin