OM03 VS OMO3R ?

[superdave]

I haven't had the luxury of being able to a/b the two but there seems to quite a few more owners of the rosewood variant vs the hog. I just got a sapele or as they say African Mahogany model and wonder if Larrivee's rosewood version is that much more for just a little more money. I've always thought that for fingerstyle playing mahogany seemed to give a little more shimmer without the overtones that rosewood is associated with.
Dave

[Denis]

My first ever Larrivee was an OM-03R.  I liked it but started getting a taste for the mahogany guitars.  I had a sapele OM-03 for a time too.  Both weregreat but I soon realized that I was a mahogany lover.  Today, I have an FIII LS-03 with mahogany and spruce as well as an FIV which is an all mahogany 00-03...dang I love that guitar!!

[BenF]

The Sapele OM-03 I had was a truly fantastic guitar.  I miss it a lot.  Should have sold something else when times were tough  .  I wouldn't let the spaele vs mahogany thing put you off in any way whatsoever.  The R is more expensive because RW costs more than Sapele.  Doesn't mean it is better. Not by a long shot.

[acousticphd]

I've had both, essentially: a mahogany OM-4, and an OM-03R.  I have since sold the OM-03R because overall I like the pop/clarity of the mahogany a little more.  Also it seemed to me, both rosewood Larrivees I've owned (D-03R and OM-03R) were quieter than the mahogany versions.  I regret selling the OM-03R though; even though it had a softer voice, the tone was very lush and velvety.  I would say that the mahogany OM-03 in general sounds drier and woodier, and possibly louder (or more "forward", or whatever) than the rosewood.  I agree with the poster above; neither is better.

[bluesman67]

I think the comments are pretty much right on and I would summarize by saying...  both are wonderful, the hog will give a bit more clarity of tone, particularly with strumming chords.  The RW with it's overtones and a bone saddle sound downright piano-like.   The tone of the RW amazes me, but I have come to realize that I prefer mahogany after owning 2 OM-03Rs and an LS-03R Forum III.  It's no fault of the guitars that I didn't keep them, in fact...as I said, they sounded terrific.  But for me, they sounded terrific in "trial mode"... like lets see how nice this guitar sounds if I play this chord (wow that sounds amazing).  But, when I started doing my thing...which is all kinds of blues, mostly fingerstyle, I came to realize that mahogany...especially a mahogany topped OM is what I prefer.  A hogtop is another beast entirely (one you may want to consider), but if given the choice, I would choose a mahogany OM over rosewood.

[cbarclay]

I had this same question a few days ago but I found the sound samples links from Guitar Adoptions and it helped me to get a clear idea on what the differences are - at least over a set of computer speakers.
I've always felt that Larrivee does mahogany better than anyone.  They do rosewood and walnut quite well too but their mahogany work really stands up above everyone else.  I have decided on getting the OM-03 because of this and because I think the mahogany will cut through better.   
As far as cost differences go, as said above, it cost more to buy rosewood than mahogany not because the tone is better but because the wood costs more.  Some people like rosewood better than mahogany and vice versa.   
There ends my two pesos. 

[Denis]

Nothing like quality a quality mahogany guitar.  If you can find something in a 12 fret Larrivee too, any model with mahogany and spruce or all mahogany, and give it a try.  I used to think I wanted an OM and found I liked a 00 pretty much best of all.  Unless you're more of a strummer?  Then go a bit bigger and try an L-03, I miss mine for that.  It covers a lot of territory, very versatile.  I would really love to try a 000-50 too.   Good luck in your search.

[carruth]

I love both my OMO3 and my OMO3R. If I had to choose just one, it would be the OMO3R.

[OutWithTheBlue]

Its a very hard choice, both so very great. Would just depend on my mood I suppose.

[AtlasHeating]

I played both side by side and choose the R.
I also have the L-03 in Mahogany.
My reasons for choosing the R was because I liked the sound better and it was louder.

[superdave]

Thanks for the reply's but I think I'm going to stay put for now since this OM03 spoke to me as soon as I picked it up and there were a few others to try. A couple of used Koa L's and a couple of LV's rosewood and mahogany, but something about this mahogany OM got my attention. Im sure there will be another Larrivee in my future but this one will have to do for now.
Dave

[OutWithTheBlue]

Thanks for the reply's but I think I'm going to stay put for now since this OM03 spoke to me as soon as I picked it up and there were a few others to try. A couple of used Koa L's and a couple of LV's rosewood and mahogany, but something about this mahogany OM got my attention. Im sure there will be another Larrivee in my future but this one will have to do for now.
Dave

Can't go wrong with it thats for sure!

[carruth]

They are both bloody good guitars.   

[KenS]

My sapele OM-3 is the best-sounding Mahogany type guitar I've ever owned.  UPDATE: I have since learned that this guitar is Khaya rather than Sapele.  Still be best mahogany-type guitar I've ever owned.

Ken

[dcarey]

I love both my OMO3 and my OMO3R. If I had to choose just one, it would be the OMO3R.

Same here. I just always seem to gravitate toward rosewood. There was a time, when I was rich and famous,
that I owned both. There will come a time again...

The hog is a bit more focused in tone and the rosewood has more overtones (often called a richer or fuller sound).
Both are good choices!

[bacchus]

I know that you have made your decision, but I figured I would chime in, for the sake of posterity, on team rosewood.  I am currently in a rosewood frame of mind.  To be honest, it is hard for me to compare since the two guitars I have to make comparisons are a Larrivee omv-10 rosewood and a '53 Martin D-18 adirondack/mahogany, not exactly apples to oranges.  But in general, I find that for what I am currently doing, which is just sitting on my couch and playing music, I mostly prefer the lush texture and, dare I say, 'prettier' tone of the rosewood.  Everyone here is right though, the mahogany seems to be tighter, with a little more punch which a lot of people desire when gigging.  Having said all that, I have been watching the Larrivee forum youtube channel and have seen some full 'hog Larrivees being played, absolutely stunning sound, I was blown away.  Doesn't hurt that the man behind the guitar (I believe Denis was this man) obviously rocked pretty hard.  Ooooh the GAS.

[Denis]

I know that you have made your decision, but I figured I would chime in, for the sake of posterity, on team rosewood.  I am currently in a rosewood frame of mind.  To be honest, it is hard for me to compare since the two guitars I have to make comparisons are a Larrivee omv-10 rosewood and a '53 Martin D-18 adirondack/mahogany, not exactly apples to oranges.  But in general, I find that for what I am currently doing, which is just sitting on my couch and playing music, I mostly prefer the lush texture and, dare I say, 'prettier' tone of the rosewood.  Everyone here is right though, the mahogany seems to be tighter, with a little more punch which a lot of people desire when gigging.  Having said all that, I have been watching the Larrivee forum youtube channel and have seen some full 'hog Larrivees being played, absolutely stunning sound, I was blown away.  Doesn't hurt that the man behind the guitar (I believe Denis was this man) obviously rocked pretty hard.  Ooooh the GAS.

cheers bacchus.

Mahogany is definitely my preference and if you happen to be in a rosewood way these days, then send me the '53 D-18.  I promise to take good care of it!

[superdave]

My Vintage Artist Santa Cruz is Spruce and Mahogany and is a cannon. You couldn't own a louder guitar. I'm not concerned about the volume of my new Om03 since if I were to gig with it I would run it thru some sort of amp or system. I have had a good solid week to bond with my new Om03 and have decided it's a keeper. Thanks to everyone for their sage advise and thoughts on this subject.
Dave

[bacchus]

cheers bacchus.

Mahogany is definitely my preference and if you happen to be in a rosewood way these days, then send me the '53 D-18.  I promise to take good care of it!

Haha  .  Well... all of this is not to say that I don't absolutely adore my Martin, because, believe me, I absolutely do.  My current playing style just vibes quite nicely with the rosewood 'lush'.  Dennis, I am sure the Martin would love to be played by someone with a bit of competence again, if you are ever in NM.  I inherited the guitar from my grandfather who bought it new in 1953-54, it is also the first guitar my father learned to play on, and, in turn, was my first nice guitar.  Both of my guitars get a tremendous amount of love though. 

Now, back to the thread at hand.  I have not had a chance to play the OM-03 at all so I cant really speak to that.  But it seems as though you have made up your mind and I don't think anyone would disagree with your decision.

[HNS]

Sometimes I think I'm in denial ... I sold off my L-19 because to my ears my L-05 sounded much better .... but still .. I'm in the market for an OM-03r !!!