I've Gone Postal!

[poki]

I mean PARLOR! :)
My brand new O-09K curtesy of Dave of Guitar Adoptions.com. The wood patterns are incredibly 3D and varies constantly depending on view point. These pictures are actually bland compared to what it looks like in person. Soundwise initial impressions are, it has more volume than expected and the upper registers are sweet and melodic, bell-like.  The lower registers fall well short of my OM-09 which is no big surprise but the guitar is very new so i'll give it plenty of time to mature and open up.  Workmanship is typical of Larrivee and is nothing short of superb.  This baby will likely replace my OM-09 as my primary guitar due to my small hands and possibly serious problems developing in both wrists.  Unfortunately, my job has caused many coworkers repetitive wrist injuries including several with carpal tunnel syndrome requiring surgery and i can tell i'm headed that way.  Sadly, playing the OM-09 has made things worse in my left wrist but so far i don't have symptoms of CTS.  The Parlor is much easier playing due to it's smaller scale and lower string tension so i think i will be fine playing it long term...
poki B)






O-09K and big brother OM-09.

[NewStrings]

Wow Poki!!!  Your new parlor is absolutely stunning!!!!  I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice, they never capture the depth and detail like the real thing.  I think you are right, given a little time for the parlor to open up, the sound will expand a bit more.  As you ween off your OM-O9 and play the parlor increasingly, I'm convinced you will truly enjoy the sound (and the comfort) of playing a parlor.  

Once again, congrats on purchasing an incredible guitar!  Enjoy!! :D

NewStrings

[guitaradoptions]

Congrats and thank you again!
-Dave

[wyodeb]

I think you are right, given a little time for the parlor to open up, the sound will expand a bit more.  As you ween off your OM-O9 and play the parlor increasingly, I'm convinced you will truly enjoy the sound (and the comfort) of playing a parlor.

The parlor I just received is a 2001 and has already opened up quite a bit (I bought it used). You'll love the way it sounds. Mine is also koa, but not nearly as figured as yours (I think they save the prettiest wood for their upper-end models). It has a much richer bass than I would have thought, and the treble is bright and clear, but not obnoxious. The difference in string tension is remarkable. I can play for hours without tiring or getting sore.

Congratulations!

Deb :lol:  

[Imapickn]

Hey Poki,  I think you should get rid of that mean ol' OM-09.... yep, get it far away from you... dang ol' thing.   I tell ya what,....... you can send it to me..
I know, I know...... I don't have to be so nice... but what the heck, glad to help  ;)   Just let me know when it's on the way...    
Your welcome,  
Don

[Scottee]

Haha, I was just gonna say the same thing. :lol:  

[orsino]

Mighty purty!

[poki]

Thanks folks, i'm getting a lot of pain free playing time on the parlor.  It's a one of a kind jewel and a lifetime keeper.  As you may already know, koa is getting harder and harder to obtain since it only grows in more and more limited areas of Hawaii.  

I called Larrivee regarding some low E string buzzing and was told to try med gauge strings to pull the neck up more which i may try.   Larrivee leaves the necks pretty flat on newly made guitars to allow string tension to pull the necks up over time and this is obviously a very new guitar so time will provide the best solution.  By the way Larrivee uses single action truss rods so the rod only has limited adjustment capability...I was also told the koa for this particular guitar (which he  was very familiar with) was harvested in the Hilo area of the Big Island...For the folks who are fortunate enough to own Koa guitars, you have something very unique and special indeed.

As for my OM-09, i can't bear to part with it anytime soon but if my wrist problems continue to get worse i probably won't be able to play it at all.  i knew there were risks taking up the steel string guitar with already compromised wrists but i intend to hold out as long as possible as best as possible.

poki  B)  

[Fingertwister]

Poki, if wrist trouble makes fretting difficult there are various styles of slide guitar that are fun & satisfying..

[poki]

Poki, if wrist trouble makes fretting difficult there are various styles of slide guitar that are fun & satisfying..

i know a really good guitar performer who knows how to play with sldies and i was planning on asking him about it (among a thousand other things) when i see him. it sounds like something i'd like to try out.
thanks, poki B)  

[Fingertwister]

Poki, for any  slide info, any BOB BROZMAN-related search should yield results..