Larrivee OM ???

[flagstaffcharlie]

Just to throw this out there...

I had a OM-03R a couple years ago and loved it. My one complaint was that it seemed a little quiet for a guitar that size. I eventually sold it locally because it seemed to not have a job in my stable. For me to keep a guitar, it has to have a job.

Anyway, next year I've got a songwriter CD coming out and I am going to be doing some travel to promote it. I could use a player guitar that works plugged-in and also in a small room without amplification. I go from delicate fingerstyle to really hammering on the strum.

Is this less volume thing my imagination? It really seemed my little Martin 00C was louder than the OM-03R. But maybe this isn't everyone's experience. Or maybe it's just something I imagined? In a lot of ways, an OM-03 or 03R might be a good choice for my travels. (Plus, they sure are pretty!) I've been leaning towards a Martin OM-21 or maybe even spending more to get a "beater" Santa Cruz. But you never know...

Off my own topic: I just saw a songwriter named Jim Malcolm from Scotland. Go see him! Great show! Wonderful singer/guitarist/entertainer! Ok, now back on topic...  

Thanks in advance for feedback.

[Queequeg]

Anyway, next year I've got a songwriter CD coming out and I am going to be doing some travel to promote it. I could use a player guitar that works plugged-in and also in a small room without amplification. I go from delicate fingerstyle to really hammering on the strum.

Is this less volume thing my imagination?  I've been leaning towards a Martin OM-21 or maybe even spending more to get a "beater" Santa Cruz. But you never know...

Off my own topic: I just saw a songwriter named Jim Malcolm from Scotland. Go see him! Great show! Wonderful singer/guitarist/entertainer!

Speaking as the owner of an OM-50TSB for several years, go with your instincts, flagstaffcharlie.
I've seen Jim Malcolm three times now at house concerts in Michigan. Terrific. 

[jeremy3220]

Is this less volume thing my imagination? It really seemed my little Martin 00C was louder than the OM-03R.

It's not your imagination. Larrivees aren't loud, they aren't terribly quiet either but it shouldn't be hard to find a louder guitar in that size. I've owned an OM-03R and an OM-21 and the Martin was definitely louder. I've got a Santa Cruz now and that's also a great option.

[Denis]

Not your imagination Chuck.  That OM-03R you had, the one you bought from dcarey here the forum, was mine and I had bought it brand new.  I found it quiet and that was a big part of why I sold it.  Larrivee makes guitars that have more volume to be sure.  I've played several D-03R that could rattle some windows.  I know my 00-03MT is much louder than you would think a guitar that size should sound.  The 00-50 I had, same thing.  It sounded huge. 

I've even tried a few OM-03R since I sold mine and found that they aren't ll the same...obviously. 

[dgrose]

My one complaint was that it seemed a little quiet for a guitar that size... Is this less volume thing my imagination?

Chuck,
It sometimes depends on where you're "sitting" - as a player or a listener.
FWIW... I had 2 OMs to compare - an OMV-03RE and an OMV-09E. I always thought that the Larrivees were both relatively quiet and that the 03 was louder than the 09.
I had a friend play each guitar while I listened. Although they didn't seem loud to me when I was playing them, they project remarkably well to a listener... and one was pretty much as loud as the other.

dg

[flagstaffcharlie]

Thanks! I was also thinking it might have something to do with the tonal quality. There's a certain kind of "bark" in my Martin guitar's tone that gives it a little edge. That Larrrivee I (we!) had offered superb tone, especially for things like DADGAD and slack key playing that I do at home. But on gigs I'm usually in standard and some of the stuff with the more aggressive/percussive playing wasn't really working for me.

Yes. I think it's true they are different from guitar to guitar. I'm going to be in San Diego in couple weeks and I think I'll test drive some guitars!   

It's funny how I look at my little stable of guitars. Usually there are 6-7 here and I use them all. I'm selling/trading the Larrivee 12 I have. But I kind of feel like there should be a Larrivee in there. I just have to find the right one and then find it a job. They are such nice guitars! Maybe if I get my chops together and find a fingerstyle gig at some restaurant or something. Alas, I have some practicing to do!

[dgrose]

... I think I'll test drive some guitars!   

Try and find an LS or CS to check out. Although I kept one OM, one dread, and a couple L's for different "jobs", I usually grab an LS or CS as a "go to" guitar. They're great for everything... fingerstyle, plectrum, strumming - whatever. and they cured my acoustic G.A.S.

dg

[OutWithTheBlue]

Thanks! I was also thinking it might have something to do with the tonal quality. There's a certain kind of "bark" in my Martin guitar's tone that gives it a little edge. That Larrrivee I (we!) had offered superb tone, especially for things like DADGAD and slack key playing that I do at home. But on gigs I'm usually in standard and some of the stuff with the more aggressive/percussive playing wasn't really working for me.

Yes. I think it's true they are different from guitar to guitar. I'm going to be in San Diego in couple weeks and I think I'll test drive some guitars!   

It's funny how I look at my little stable of guitars. Usually there are 6-7 here and I use them all. I'm selling/trading the Larrivee 12 I have. But I kind of feel like there should be a Larrivee in there. I just have to find the right one and then find it a job. They are such nice guitars! Maybe if I get my chops together and find a fingerstyle gig at some restaurant or something. Alas, I have some practicing to do!

I'm assuming since you'll be in San Diego that Buffalo Brothers will be on your list of pit stops for the test drive. If you find anything that strikes you and you do not buy it, lemme know! :) They have like 4 different Larrivee models in right now.

[Nort]

Chuck,

It's Nort from over at the AGF, you contacted me about the Santa Cruz OM I had for sale,
both the Santa Cruz om's are gone.
However I still have the Larrivee OMV-09K for sale that's listed here and at the AGF
when you're in So. Ca., if you want contact me, you're welcome to come try it out.

Nort

[flagstaffcharlie]

Chuck,

It's Nort from over at the AGF, you contacted me about the Santa Cruz OM I had for sale,
both the Santa Cruz om's are gone.
However I still have the Larrivee OMV-09K for sale that's listed here and at the AGF
when you're in So. Ca., if you want contact me, you're welcome to come try it out.

Nort

Cool. Thanks. I'll keep this in mind, though if I lean back towards Larrivee I'm likely to go with an 03 or 05 series guitar. But we'll see...

[dermot]

well i started this thread after a comment by my partner about how loud the Larrivee OM19 is;
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=33330.0

The place is the size of a football feild or more, she could hear me playing clearly on the far side where the consession stands are... fresh set of medium's, acrylic nails, heavy thumbpick... but on the other hand, DADGAD, a light touch & very, very low action 

It's really loud... like matches my '54 D18 loud....

d/

[dcarey]

Not your imagination Chuck.  That OM-03R you had, the one you bought from dcarey here the forum, was mine and I had bought it brand new.  I found it quiet and that was a big part of why I sold it.  Larrivee makes guitars that have more volume to be sure.  I've played several D-03R that could rattle some windows.  I know my 00-03MT is much louder than you would think a guitar that size should sound.  The 00-50 I had, same thing.  It sounded huge.  

I've even tried a few OM-03R since I sold mine and found that they aren't ll the same...obviously.  

Hey Chuck!

Dan here...sorry you didn't like the OM. I never noticed that it was quiet...but then again, I only played it in my living room or on the patio. Actually, I'm sorry that I sold it.
If the buyer ever decides to sell...drop me a line. I just loved that striped fretboard, too.

Just goes to show how subjective opinions can be!

I will also admit that I once found a killer Martin OM-21 in a local GC...and decided to wait until "tomorrow" to make a decision...it was gone before 11:00 AM the next day...

Dan

[flagstaffcharlie]

Hey Chuck!

Dan here...sorry you didn't like the OM. I never noticed that it was quiet...but then again, I only played it in my living room or on the patio. Actually, I'm sorry that I sold it.
If the buyer ever decides to sell...drop me a line. I just loved that striped fretboard, too.

Just goes to show how subjective opinions can be!

I will also admit that I once found a killer Martin OM-21 in a local GC...and decided to wait until "tomorrow" to make a decision...it was gone before 11:00 AM the next day...

Dan

Hey Dan,

I liked it! It was/is a great guitar. I just had other guitars for the same job. Sometimes, like right now, I sort of regret selling it too. I think it found its angle of repose when it hit my friend Bob. He loves it.  I think he's keeping it. He doesn't seem to suffer from this GAS thing like some of us.

Best, Chuck