OM 40 vs OM 03

[bifenwolf]

Greetings all;  Just wondering if any of you have been able to directly compare the sound/voicing of the Larrivee OM 40 Mahogany vs the OM 3 Mahogany?  I understand the differences, aesthetically and the bracing under the hood is different...so my inquiry is about the sound/voicing with all things equal between the two or as equal as possible.  Otherwise, I would love to hear any additional information concerning the om3's vs the om 40 series....thoughts on the same models with rosewood would also be appreciated.  Doing my diligence on what might be my next Larrivee!!!   

[AZLiberty]

The differences are extremely subtle.

The -40 has very slightly more bass, and is very slightly more responsive.

[johnbgood]

Hi bifenwolf 


I own an OM-40 Mahogany made in 2013

Recently played an OM-03 Mahogany made in 2007

The OM-03 felt physically lighter
Sound seemed lighter and kinda delicate, if that makes sense
Playability seemed comparable

Just installed Waverley tuning machines because the original 7 year old Grovers were getting kinda notchy. Easy drop in. used original screws. looks perfect



Changed Bridge pins to bone.noticed a nice change in the sound, very slight though. Worth the $36.
I might add that an 03 not made in Oxnard but in Canada might be an entirely different deal

Cheers

[mike in lytle]

Greetings all;  Just wondering if any of you have been able to directly compare the sound/voicing of the Larrivee OM 40 Mahogany vs the OM 3 Mahogany? 

Welcome, thanks for donuts. 
I thought twice about answering your inquiry, since I have a problem being brief.

The OM-03 in mahogany may be the best guitar Larrivee currently offers. I recommend it without reservation. I have one.
Read on for my observations.

I have played the -40 series vs -03 series over the last few years at a local dealer.
All were L-bodies and OM's and in my own case, the compared models were new from the factory, delivered at the same time or within a few days of each other. Mahogany and rosewood.
The 40 series have more bass, subtle on the OM's and not subtle on the L-bodies. This was dominant on the rosewood models. The L-40 rosewood was actually too bassy. The rest of the "response" was negligible.
I said in the past (in this forum), that the L-40's would sell well. They are very nice guitars. Never made a post on the OM-40's.

In your case, for an OM, it probably makes no difference, and you will be happy with either.
In my case, I have a bunch of Larrivee acoustics, all standard series L and OM, and I am biased.
If you really want to get crazy, get an L-40 rosewood with a moonwood top, and we will all know you are nuts, ha ha. 
Mike