Larrivee OM-03 all Mahogany- 14- fret

[Gill]

Long shot here folks, I used to own the 12- fret version of this guitar, recently, a 14- fret version has come up for sale,but it's a little too far for me to travel and play before buying, has anyone on here had any experience playing this particular model? the 12- fret version I had was pretty punchy,and loud, I'm wondering if this 14- fretter would be much different,and in what way, the guitar in question is a 2015, not a case queen, but has been looked after well,I'd appreciate your informed opinions..

[William2]

I'm interested to hear any responses to this question. While I probably won't buy any more instruments, if I did it would be an all-hog guitar. I've never received a response on this site as to whether the scalloped or non-scalloped bracing is better for a mahogany top. The other day I was watching an Alamo Music video of mahogany instruments. Their favorite was a Honduran mahogany guitar. I also thought it sounded the best and made wonder if Honduran mahogany produces a better instrument or is it the interesting bridge that gave it its edge. The Yairi has a 25" scale, the Taylor a 24 &7/8" scale, and the Martin a 25.5" scale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZa4mSHuUfE

[mgbgt]

om03mt was my first "new" Larrivee. I sold it and went to a 00-15. Liked the size better and could slightly hear it better. Found that i needed spruce for my hearing. Ommt03 was a nice guitar, just couldnt hear it

[teh]

Gill

While I've never owned a Larrivee OM guitar, I can't provide a specific answer to your question but I can offer a couple of points to consider.

Question
First, why did you sell your 12 fret version and why are you looking at a 14 fret model? If these are/were both all mahogany OM-03 models, they were most likely custom or special edition guitars. If so, did one or both have Scalloped or Non Scalloped bracing?

Comments/points to consider
I own two all mahogany Larrivees including a custom 14 fret non-scalloped LV-03 12 string and a custom 12 fret scalloped 00-24 six string. In both cases, I wanted a different (more mellow and compressed) sound, at least to my ear, than a spruce topped guitar produces and Larrivee was able to deliver. Because I'm primarily a finger style player/picker and an old guy, I've come to favor 12 fret necks and scalloped bracing. YMMV. My 12 string is ideally suited for finger picking and strumming. The hog top gives a fuller sound that is less jangly than a spruce topped 12 string.

I also have a 14 fret OM and a Grand Auditorium (spruce/rosewood) and a 12 fret 000 (spruce/mahogany). All three have scalloped bracing and are not Larrivees.

From 2004 to 2018, I lived 35 minutes from a shop that sold Larrivee, Martin, Taylor and Gallagher acoustic guitars along with other brands. That allowed me to be like the proverbial "kid in a candy store" and gave me an opportunity to play a wide range of guitars. It didn't hurt that the shop owner was both a luthier and a retired wood engineer so I was able to ask a lot of questions.

Sorry for the long winded answer but I'm fishing this week and the wind is blowing so I've had time to kill. I've also learned a lot from reading about the experiences of many members of this forum over the years. This forum includes many people who are much better players and a lot more knowledgeable than I ever will be. In closing, I have flathead, Phillip's head and hex head screwdrivers in my tool box. Like guitars, they all serve the same purpose; they just do it a bit differently. Good luck with your decision.