L and OM neck width changes?

[mikesnow]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and have found it very useful in searching for old useful threads.   I have a question as I am a long time player and now considering a purchase between several new and used L-03's and OM-03's.   I see on Larrivee's site that the nut width for both of these models is 1 and 3/4''.   I have heard OM neck is wider and nicer for fingerpickers.   I am wondering if the necks are in fact the same?  Also over the years, assuming they were (since I am considering used guitars) were the L-03 and OM-03 necks always the same?

I had been only considering OM for balance of sound across the strings for recording and playing live plugged in.  However when trying out guitars at the dealer the other day here in Montreal, I found the OM a bit lacking in low end, and I do play acoustically a fair bit.   Thanks for your time and any info appreciated.  Was glad to find this forum.  Mike

[Danny]

   I find the L series more balanced, the nut on some early models of OM's was 1 11/16's. I don't think any L's were. But it would be good to ask if you are buying sight unseen.

[ST]

Hi Mike,

You might enjoy these Larrivée Sound Clips of various models.

[Randy_R]

Only a small number of the very earliest 03 series had the 1-11/16 nut. Probably with the out-of-sequence low serial numbers. Also the earliest OM-50's with abalone rosette had an 1-11/16 nut.

[AZLiberty]

03 series OMs and L's had 1-11/16" necks for years and years.  My OM-03R (April 1998) has a 1 11/16 neck, so does my wife's OM-03.  While I'd prefer the wider neck, I couldn't afford the upgrade cost to an 09 at the time.  The first 500 parlors also had a 1 11/16" neck.

[Randy_R]

03 series OMs and L's had 1-11/16" necks for years and years.  My OM-03R (April 1998) has a 1 11/16 neck, so does my wife's OM-03.  While I'd prefer the wider neck, I couldn't afford the upgrade cost to an 09 at the time.  The first 500 parlors also had a 1 11/16" neck.

years and years sounds like a long time. I think it was more like a couple years at most.

1998 is a very early 03. Does your and your wife's 03 have the origonal 03 unique serial numbers before their serial numbers became part of the general serial number scheme?

[AZLiberty]

years and years sounds like a long time. I think it was more like a couple years at most.

1998 is a very early 03. Does your and your wife's 03 have the origonal 03 unique serial numbers before their serial numbers became part of the general serial number scheme?

What year did they start the 03 series?

Mine was made in Vancouver BC.  It has a Serial number on the headstock and on the paste in tag.  Headstock says 0046XX.  Tag says 046XX.  Drops the leading zero.  Tag has the Cherrub on the right side.  Per an e-mail from Larrivee, it was started in April of 1998.  This is an OM-03RE.  Old enough that the model number is on the tag.

Black plastic binding on the body with thin white purfling. (sp?)

Wife's is # 036XX, again the # on the headstock has an extra leading zero.  I don't know when her's was made, but it was bought the same week as mine. OM-03.  Same binding.  Again, model number is on the tag.

I don't know when they switched to wider necks, possibly when they changed to the maple body binding? Or when they adopted the new ugly (to me) pickguard?

They were still narrow a couple years later when I bought my D-03R-12.  (obviously the 12 string has a wide neck) the 12 also has the Cherub tag, but no model or serial# on the tag.  Same with my narrow neck Parlour.

[Randy_R]

The origonal run of 03's were in 1997 and 1998 I believe, and mostly went to Guitar Center. I infer from something said that there were about 5,000 of them  all total in their own serial number block. The switch from clear pick guards only happened 3 years ago.

[mikesnow]

thanks so much guys that is very helpful to me
appreciate the info

[AZLiberty]

thanks so much guys that is very helpful to me
appreciate the info

Unfortunately, we still haven't figured out when they transitioned to the wider neck.

[Larrivee4me]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and have found it very useful in searching for old useful threads.   I have a question as I am a long time player and now considering a purchase between several new and used L-03's and OM-03's.   I see on Larrivee's site that the nut width for both of these models is 1 and 3/4''.   I have heard OM neck is wider and nicer for fingerpickers.   I am wondering if the necks are in fact the same?  Also over the years, assuming they were (since I am considering used guitars) were the L-03 and OM-03 necks always the same?

I had been only considering OM for balance of sound across the strings for recording and playing live plugged in.  However when trying out guitars at the dealer the other day here in Montreal, I found the OM a bit lacking in low end, and I do play acoustically a fair bit.   Thanks for your time and any info appreciated.  Was glad to find this forum.  Mike

I assume the OM's you played were new guitars.  If you can find an older OM , you may be surprised at the low end these guitars can produce.  My thirteen year old OM-19 is one loud guitar  and has a nice full bottom along with the sweet focused mids of a smaller body guitar.  The all mahogany version of the same OM has a very nice voice too. Very rich sounding.  I never think of it as lacking bottom end.  I play with bare fingers most of the time and these OM's are perfect for that.  When I want to do some flat pick strumming, I grab the dread.

[old folky]

I hear there's a '05 0M05 with a 1 7/8" neck width for sale on this forum, oh wait, that's mine!!  Just a shameless plug.   Kidding aside, I find the wider neck more comfortable for finger picking, although I find very little difference with the 1 3/4 necks.