OM-09 vs OM-60 ? ? ? ?

[waynep]

Is there any real difference other than the headstock shape and some cosmetics?

I am researching a smaller bodied guitar for fingerstyle. I have a dread and it get uncomfortable sometimes. I am thinking about getting a OM or L sized guitar.

wayne

[Denis]

Is there any real difference other than the headstock shape and some cosmetics?

I am researching a smaller bodied guitar for fingerstyle. I have a dread and it get uncomfortable sometimes. I am thinking about getting a OM or L sized guitar.

wayne

The OM-60 has a larger soundhole and forward shifted which gives it a different tone.  Then there's the herringbone binding and rosette which give it a traditional/classic look as well. 

[waynep]

The OM-60 has a larger soundhole and forward shifted which gives it a different tone.  Then there's the herringbone binding and rosette which give it a traditional/classic look as well. 

How would you describe the tone difference ?

wayne

[Randy_R]

it should have better bass response at the expense of the typical Larrivee 'balanced sound'.

[Calvin]

The OM-09 has better bass (well depends on what you mean by better, but it has a bit MORE bass due to the smaller sound hole).  I like the D-60 better, more crackles.  Although the D-60 looks more traditional, the OM-09s sound more like a traditional martin. ...although neither actually sound like a martin :GRN> lol, if that makes sense.

OM-09 I think has that traditionall richness Larrivees are good for, but the OM60 has much more of a crackle like bell sound.  I like them both (in Rosewood).  If you want more bass get the L05/D05 instead.

[jeremy3220]

The forward shifted braces increase bass response and the larger sound hole decreases it. I don't know which wins out, it's been awhile sense I went test driving Larrivee's. I do remember the OM-50 having an surround sound kind of effect. It sounded very open. you need to go try them out.

[expatCanuck]

Here's what Dave Wren (co-owner of the 12th Fret) wrote about the OM-60's tone:

This series of instruments seems to have a bit more sweetness in the lower mids, a bit more of that nice 'dry' sound that older Orchestra Models develop when they've had time to open up,  but still has that signature Larrivee detail in the upper partials;  definitely worth putting an ear on if you get the chance!

Here's the link:
http://www.12fret.com/new/larriveeOM60page.html

- Richard

[rpg51]

I owned an OM 50 for 6 months and ended up selling it.  It is so hard to describe the tonal differences. I STRONGLY recommend that you actuallly play the guitar before you buy it.  If you can't play it, might be best to wait.  The only other way would be to order one with an approval period - that never works for me though because I get all emotionally invested in the thing and I rationalize keeping it.  6 months later I have to sell it.

For what its worth, if it were me, I would not buy an OM 60 sight unseen.  I would buy an OM-09 sight unseen.

[waynep]

I am not ordering anything yet. I am playing a Taylor Dread now. I would like to get a smaller bodied guitar in the future and am looking around. I have thought up until now about getting a L-05. However I have become curious about OM's. I would like some bass in there. I played a OM-03 and it's not something I would get. The L-05 I played a while back sounded great. I also played a H&D Rosewood OM a while back that sounded fantastic. If I would have had the money, I would own the H&D OM.

I have also thought about trying to find a small luthier OM or mini-jumbo. Kaybe a Kronbauer mini-jumbo. 

wayne

[Calvin]

OM's in mahogany are not really my cup of tea.  I think you need a rosewood one.

Taylors have a very thumpy sound, I like the punchiness, but I don't think I would appreciated as much in the long run.