OO-05 review

[ryler]

Time to do some talkin' on this one.  I've not posted a review yet for two reasons:  First, needed some time to get to know this one, and secondly, after that occurred I only wanted to post a review with pics.  But don't shoot arrows at me or anything, but if I wait for that, I'll never get to it.  So... may some donuts assuage the picture-wanting beast within!

Well, let me tell you, picking up the OO feels akin to coming home from work, taking off your suit and tie (since most of you are men) and putting on your comfy sweatshirt and old jeans.  It fits me!  It fits me!  Just feels like a good friend in the comfort department.

And let's talk fingerstyle, shall we?  This is what this one is built for, hands down.  A beautiful, ringing fingerpicker, this one.  I was delighted to discover the overtones of playing up the neck.  A bell-like harmonic that my OM-03R doesn't have from about fret 5 up.  This thrilled me because I get trapped in the first 5 fret rut--and I am, because this particular git sounds so good up there, committed to learning many more voicings up the neck.  It seems that if you ignore that part of a OO's fretboard, you may be missing out on some of its greatest capability.

The volume of this small box totally surprised me.  I know everyone who reviews a small body says what a loud voice it has for the size.  But you know what?  I've revised me expectations on the size to loudness relationship.  Maybe it's the 12-fret/long scale bridge placement that does it, but this is every bit as loud as my OM.  Resonant and sustain that sings forever.  It just fills the room.  (Know that "the room" is a 12x12 sq. foot room, so maybe that ain't hard to do, but it sure works for me.)The bass, as you would expect, is less throaty than larger models, but is very balanced as I think all Larrivees are. 

I would give the nod to the OM as a strummer over the OO.  My rosewood OM is a bit richer, darker and seems to have better note separation when strummed, so that's where the limitation of this one lies, in my estimation.  The OM sounds bigger when strummed, but I don't think that's a volume function.  I think it's a bass response thing.  Don't get me wrong, it still sounds quality when strummed, it's just not the strongest feature of a OO.  My goal in my musical life has always been to be a fingerpicker, so this consideration is rather minor for my style.

And lastly, it's just really pretty.  The coloring on the sitka top is much more caramel than my OM and I like the very small hint of bling that comes with an abalone rosette and gloss finish of the 05 series. 

Yeah, I'm pretty wedded to the OO.  Y'all are familiar with my shoulder issues, and this just handily takes care of that.  I was considering a parlor for a long time, but when I actually played one, the tonal compromise was just too great.  Maybe I didn't give it a chance, though, as I only played in a store just once.

I'm a happy camper.  Now to find that camera and learn to upload photos....

[gtrplayer]

Good review ryler.....as someone who has an 00-50 I couldn't have said it better!

[Mr_LV19E]

Nice review, I'm sure there is quite a difference between the 00 and the parlor, due to the bridge placement and the long scale. I'm glad the F-III did not turn out to be a short scale, that is the one thing about my parlor that I'm not too fond of. I have a tendency to grip a little harder than necessary and the strings bend to easily for me, throwing notes out of tune. That said, the tonal characteristics of the parlor are quite nice. Vise grip hands come in handy for many things, controlling them is the problem I have.

   

[Denis]

Good review ryler.....as someone who has an 00-50 I couldn't have said it better!

A OO Larrivee in hog and sitka?  They don't get much nicer than that! 

Your review was dead on.  The whole comfort thing, the balance, the volume that comes out of such a small guitar, the beauty of it...although the 50 series is a bit different, I've got nothing bad to say about any 05 series guitars...congrats ryler.   Makes me wonder just how good that Forum III in mahogany and IS that I ordered is going sound!!!

[magictwanger]

Nice review,and I am really happy for you!.....I've been thinking about a "00" for the future,since it may cure my GAS,but sadly Larrivee does not make this anymore....Right?

[tadol]

Review is right on - that is how I feel about my 00 as well, but I prefer the 05 to the 50 as the paddle head and smaller soundhole seem to work better for me. But once my new Forum gets here, there may very well be an 00 up for sale -

Tad

[Danny]

  Thanks for the best written review I've read to date on the forum. You really covered all the aspects with great detail.
My 00-09FM is a maple cousin of your guitar, it even says 05 on the neck block.
   Most of the issues you brought up are exactly identical to my experience. Shoulder troubles aren't a problem. Parlors really don't come close in volume or tone to these. I've had two Larrivee Parlors and they both paled in comparison.
   The 12 fret neck just feels right to me also. I wish all my gits had 12 frets to the neck. Anyway thanks, you said it all so well.
      I think we need to revisit this review when we start getting some F-III reviews, because I believe they will be of a similar nature. The IS will be a surprise though that should kick the F-III up a notch from the sitka. But the IS may need more time to fully open.
    Here is a pic of a 00-05 until you get yours up.

[Danny]

Nice review,and I am really happy for you!.....I've been thinking about a "00" for the future,since it may cure my GAS,but sadly Larrivee does not make this anymore....Right?

Right, they are not made anymore, I suggested the 00 early on in the thread that led to the Forum Guitar Discussion, But Tadol brought up the LS in the original spec size and that's what we went with. The older LS and the CS models are only slightly larger than the 00, but most of those are 14 fret to the body.
So have the cash set aside and keep an eye on the sales forum. I got mine the day it came up and ryler moved on hers quickly also. If they are priced fairly, they will go very fast.

      This is my 00-09FM.

[Zohn]

Nice review,and I am really happy for you!.....I've been thinking about a "00" for the future,since it may cure my GAS,but sadly Larrivee does not make this anymore....Right?

SC H-13 (00 in Sitka/Hog) - don't spread the word though....

[Zohn]

  Good review thanx Ryler
My SD is a great guitar, but it could certainly be supplemented with one of these fine 00's.
I think we should launch a Forum IV census towards the middle of the year for a 00-hog, don't you think? 

[jshowyin]

Hey Ryler,

Glad to hear your bonding with the OO continues. You are much more eloquent and concise in your descriptions of the OO than I could ever be.  I am happy that she has found a new home with someone who will make her sing, play her a lot and give her the attention she deserves. Almost makes me wish I didn't sell her, but...

Would love to hear some sound clips of you making her sing in future.

Let us know whether her tone develops further as you put some hours into her and advice on the influence of different string types that you try would be much appreciated.

Enjoy and take care.

[flatlander]

I like what you said about playing up the neck more because it sounds so good there. I find myself playing different guitars differently. congrats

[Broadus]

Thanks for the review, ryler. I wonder why Larrivee stopped producing the 00's. They seem preferable to me than parlors.

Bill

[ryler]

Well, thanks everyone!  You were so generous with your compliments that I just smiled ear to ear today when opening this thread up.  Very kind.  And thanks to Danny to throwing a picture or two on this thread.  I'll be with you every step of the way as you spill your thoughts on the Forum III when they arrive.  Talk about a slew of reviews in store for us!  

[rpm60912]

And let's talk fingerstyle, shall we?  This is what this one is built for, hands down.  A beautiful, ringing fingerpicker, this one.  I was delighted to discover the overtones of playing up the neck.  A bell-like harmonic that my OM-03R doesn't have from about fret 5 up.  This thrilled me because I get trapped in the first 5 fret rut--and I am, because this particular git sounds so good up there, committed to learning many more voicings up the neck.  It seems that if you ignore that part of a OO's fretboard, you may be missing out on some of its greatest capability.

This is by far the best thing that has been pointed out to me regarding the OO.

I'm encouraged to do more fingerstyle and go farther up the neck... and maybe go beyond 12th - thank goodness my FG III has a cutaway.

Moderate strumming yes... I can't wait to hear my OO-09 plugged in. But first, must install the K&K pwm.

I also feel I owe a review of my OO-09 to my fellow Forum-ites here. However, I needed to hear a "glowing review" like yours - I think my OO-09 is waiting for me to learn more and encouraging me to mature more in my musical learning experience.

Thanks for sharing this ryler.

ricky