How did you find Larrivee?

[carruth]

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.
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.

[BlueBowman]

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

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   

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.

[Rockysdad]

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

[guitarman001]

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.

[StringPicker6]

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!

[BlueBowman]

I 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    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.

[BlueBowman]

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!

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

[Rockysdad]

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    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.

[guitarman001]

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.

[rockin_ron]

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.       

[fretfile]

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