New to the forums, new to larrivee

[Laurens]

Yes,


My name is Laurens from the Netherlands and I just signed up to this forum because I am getting really close to purchaging my very first Larrivee. And the first thing I noticed browsing these forums that it seems to be tight community, sticking up for each other in the world of guitars :) And I just want to be part of it!

Larrivee, why Larrivee, I am playing the guitar for a few years now, and I really grown to like the acoustic aspect of the guitar, wich resulted in me picking up my Crafter acoustic way more then the Epiphone DOT ( ES-335 model ) guitar I own. As I learn new songs, and currently taking guitar lessons with a great fingerstyle artist who is really an inspiration to me.

Some material http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfhYqwgty00 here.
                        http://www.arnaldolopez.nl/audio/Arnaldo%20Lopez%20Live%20Life%2001%20Dreams.mp3

The thing is good forumpeople, soon I am going to get my very first Larrivee guitar, I absolutly adore them and I believe that I can find "my sound" in a Larrivee. I played on some Taylors and Gibson guitars, but somehow the Larrivee is the kind of guitar that sits in the background, not trying to get too much attention to itself, but when you pick it up you instantly get the feeling that it's an "honest guitar". What I mean is, look at the price you pay for a gloss top or back on a taylor guitar, compare it to the quality you get in a Larrivee for almost half the money.

I got my eyes on a OM-05 right now. I still need to play one with fresh strings on it. the one that I played in the shop had old strings on it.

So the search continues :D

[BenF]

Welcome Laurens, sounds like you have done your homework OK.  I have the OM-03, I suppose the satin version of the OM-05 you have your eye on.  It is such a versatile guitar.  It handles delecate fingerstyle articulately, and puts up with a great deal of strumming should the mood take me.  It has been my only guitar for a few months now as I wait for my forum III guitar to arrive (I guess you will have picked up the excitement about that if you have been reading the forum for a while).  I like your suggestion that the Larrivee is an 'honest' guitar.  That kind of sums it up well.

I hope you stick around here, and join in the madness.  It is good to hear from Larrivee owner here in Europe, as their popularity seems to be spreading worldwide at present. 

The Netherlands always strikes me as a good place to be a guitarist/musician, as there seem to be a lot of stores and very good prices compared to other European countries.  Certainly a good bit cheaper than the UK where I am.

I use Newtone Masterclass 12-54 strings on my OM, and find they suit it excellently.  Others will offer advice on string types, but I agree that it is a problem trying guitars with old strings on.  will the store not put a new set on for you to try it out, if you seem pretty keen on buying it?

As with most of the European members on here, I am impressed with your English.  It is actually quite disgraceful that us Brits do not learn other languages they way you all do.



Ben

Mr Lopez sounds good, I enjoyed that youtube clip.

[tuffythepug]

Welcome Laurens

New members are always welcome here.    Some of our newest members are the most active and have the most to contribute the thre dialog it seems.   Although English is obviously not your first language you do an excellent job of describing just what is so appealing to many of us about Larrivee guiitars.   They are not the first name you think of when it comes to acoustic guitars but we here on the forum take a bit of pride at being in on the best-kept secret in the business.   Larrivee guitars are without a doubt the best guitar for the money that is out there. 
An OM-05 would be an excellent choice.   Mahogany back and sides with a sitka spruce top and gloss finish in the OM style is hard to beat.   Fresh strings should wake it up.   It can handle medium gauge so if you really want to bring out the beast inside it try that.   
Hope you are able to get one soon and join in the fun.

Tuffythepug

[Dotneck]

Hellos Laurens...

I think an OM-05 is a great choice...and don't let a set of dead strings cause you to pass up a good guitar. Ask the shop owner to change them or buy a set so you can hear it properly. That guitar is just waiting to be brought back to life...

Also, welcome to the forum!

[ryler]

Hi Laurens,

Well, it sounds like you know what you want and what will satisfy you.  I'm sure the OM-05 willl live up to your every expectation.  Welcome to this very friendly group.

[Mr_LV19E]

   Laurens

The OM is a great first Larrivee.  Good luck to you and I hope you get it soon, we will need pictures.

   

[ducktrapper]

Hello, welkom and goedemorgen.

[carruth]

We all started with one Larrivee.Welcome to the club.

[Safricanplayer]

Welkom Laurens,

Jy sal jou Larrivee baie geniet.    You'll find a great group of folks on this Forum. Obviously we love our Larrivee's but all acoustic guitars are openly discussed and reviewed on this Forum.

Keep the donuts coming

~ Ray ~

[rpm60912]

Laurens, 

I'm here with a small group of Forumites about to visit the Factory here in Vancouver, BC. You're right about being a tight community looking out for each other. So glad you found this Forum too - as I did not too long ago.

Larrivees? I agree with your "honest guitar" description.  I happen to think that the OM model can do all that a demanding learner or expert can throw at it. Fingerstyle or strumming - it just plain delivers and does it so well.

Best kept secret in the business - as Tuffy rightfully says.  And like Ben, I've gone nuts about my OM.

Your choice of OM-05 as a first Larrivee is a really fine choice.  Make sure you get to try it with fresh strings.

Be warned though - many of us (including me) thought that our first Larrivee would be the be-all-and-end-all of guitars - but I discovered as many here did too that you can't have too much of a really good thing. 

Here's another tradition here for newbies...    donuts & coffee.

When you've posted 10 times, you can attach pictures - we like pictures around here.

Enjoy & look forward to hearing more about your Larri experience! 

ricky

[Laurens]

We all started with one Larrivee.Welcome to the club.

I smiled when I saw your sig, you own about 8 :P

Thank you all for your kind reactions :) and of course, I will try to contribute to the community when I'm really a part of it (That's when I get my own Larrivee). Ill post pictures of 'her' as soon as possible, I suspect within a few weeks.... yes... YES!   

I need some feedback though. I've fallen for the gloss top back/sides, but I need to know if there is a brighter alternative to mahogany, Maybe some limited model of the OM? And I can't go as far as the OM-09 with my available budget. But I am a fan of the brighter tonewoods.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Mr_LV19E]

Laurens,
I know you would like the gloss but there is a OM-03K in the for sale section you should check out. I believe the Koa would give you a brighter sound than Mahogany.  Plus he could ship it to you from Germany.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=25868.0

[ffinke]

Laurens, WELCOME!!!

I've got a Collings OM2 (rosewood) and a Larrivee L-03 (either Mahoghany or Sapele, I think the latter) and I believe the L is every bit as bright as the OM. The biggest difference is in the strings. For brightness stay with the 80/20s. You've made a great choice in Larrivee no matter which guitar you end up with.

Again, welcome to the club.

fred

[Laurens]

Laurens,
I know you would like the gloss but there is a OM-03K in the for sale section you should check out. I believe the Koa would give you a brighter sound than Mahogany.  Plus he could ship it to you from Germany.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=25868.0

A reply to that guitar was in order, so I did :)

Koa always tickled my senses a bit. And it could never hurt asking for some pics 

It might not say a lot to some people. But I still have that om-05 in the back of my head, wich I can buy for roughly 1400 euros, but here's the catch. I know of a shop that sells a Larrivee OM-9 (2005) Indian-spruce for 1700 euro's..... Worth checking that last one out guys?

:)

[BenF]

Laurens, if it helps I genuinely believe, and others will agree I think, that the larrivee satin finish is far from cheap looking or feeling.  I used to think gloss was essential, but I actually prefer Larrivee satin to gloss now.  There may be an issue with noise when recording however.  Many people have polished the satin finish to a semi gloss, and it looks fantastic, with the benefit of far less finish on the guitar, theoretically improving sound.

A Koa OM-03 sounds like a sweeeeet guitar.

[carruth]

I like the satin finish too. All my Larrivees are lovely guitars. Coming from New Zealand where our NZdolllar buys USA50c I was happy to stick with the Satins.

[carruth]

The Parlour is of course gloss .Dont rule out the Satins.

[pennerblue]

Welcome Laurens.

Maple, Koa and Walnut are generally thought to be brighter than mahogany.  There are various Larrivees made over the years in these woods, but they might be tough to find.  You can keep an eye on the For Sale section of this forum.  There are MANY great reports of successful transactions here, especially if the seller is a regular contributor (you can tell by their number of "posts" to the forum, versus someone that joined only to sell their guitar).  One big issue, however is that you might not be able to actually hear the guitar before you buy it.

It sounds like you are closing in on a guitar, and ready to buy.  It's hard to go wrong with mahogany, but if you really don't want it perhaps you should keep looking.  Or, if you think you are getting a really good deal, you could buy it, enjoy it, and sell it for minimal loss once you finally find the exact one you are looking for.

Another option might be Silver Oak (Grevillea Robusta).  Larrivee made about 150 of these in the D and L sizes (but not OM) last year.  There are still a few dangling around.  The L body is sort of a compromise between the Om and a dreadnaught.  I have one, and think it is brighter than mahogany.

Good luck.  We hope to hear back once you are a happy owner.

Go Orange! (KNVB)