considering an OMV-03R ...

[tyoung13]

Hi, my name's Ty and I just joined.

I just started playing a little over a year ago, ultimately to fix the problem of acoustic guitar players not showing up to play in a band I lead at church.   Currently I'm playing on a Breedlove Atlas AC25/SR Plus, and it's a great guitar.   

But then I stumbled upon an OMV-03R at a local GC recently, and I played it.   According to Luke at Larrivee, it's from 4/15/2002, and it has the Baggs iBeam onboard system.   Sounds *really* good ... rings and rings and rings and rings, many times over the already bright and wonderful Breedlove.    I haven't decided yet whether it stays in tune as well as the Breedlove though.

Although I'm not an accomplished player, it *feels* like it's easier to play, and it sounds better, so I'm kind of at a loss for why to not buy it.

From other postings I've read here, it looks like everyone who owns an OMV-03 is happy with it, to say the least.   Any thoughts for or against my move to Larrivee?

[gary0319]

Hi Ty,

Welcome to the forum, good folks here abouts   

After much consideration, there's not one reason I can think of for you to not buy the OMV....  I have an OMV-03SP (Sapele) and it's a great guitar. However, Larrivees are a lot like potato chips...you know, can't stop at just one.

By the way, a little routine we have here, is that the new guy buys the donuts and coffee. I'll put out a few for you until you get yours ready   

Gary

[Blue in VT]

Ty,

If your looking for someone to talk you out of buying that Larri....then you have come to the wrong place!!!....

I have no experience with Breedlove guitars....but I can tell you that the Larrivee is bound to make you happy...especially if you've played it and like the tone.  I'm personally a mahogany guy...but many folks around here seem to love their rosewood Larri's

Go get that Guitar....

oh yeah.... ...your among friends....

Cheers,

Blue

[limnephilidae]

Welcome. I own an OM-03R and I can't put it down. It gets played more than anything else in my herd, the D-60 MR included. It's very comfortable and has a clear sweet tone. I also find that I like the sound of gentle strumming on it, whereas I'm not impressed at all when I strum my Blueridge 000.

You can't go wrong with the OM-03 series, I'm absolutely flabbergasted by the value.


Welcome to the forum! 

[acoustic6]

I've been thrilled with mine!    For sure gets most of my play time too.  Let us know what you decide!

[AtlasHeating]

Isn't the Breedlove Atlas made overseas? I like the fact that my OM-03R is made in Canada.
I have had mine for 2 years now and I still love it.
I use it in Church about 1/3 of the time. I am not sure I love the pickup that I installed. (Fishman Rare Earth Blend). It works very well for fingerstyle.
My Martin HD-28 has the sound and the Pickup (Fishman Ellipse Blend) for leading the band and good hard strumming.
As far as your comments about staying in tune, I believe that is a function of strings (how old and what gauge) and the tuning machines. Both of which can be changed easily.

[tyoung13]

Yep, the Atlas is indeed made overseas.  It's a fine guitar, but as I was playing it last night, I realized that I think the difference I'm hearing between it, and the OMV-03R I'm considering, is that the Breedlove is *bright* in tone, but the OMV *rings*.    More than one person has said that the Breedlove lacks low end, which I guess could be a result of the laminated back/sides (instead of solid, but I'm not sure that's an accurate assessment.)

While we're at it, I need a case to put this OMV in.    Some guy out there on eBay is selling (new?) Larrivee HSCs for some price.   Anybody have experience with Larrivee cases, and is there any compelling reason not to just get one of these?      The GC sales guy who's holding my OMV for me says it didn't come with a case, so he'll throw in a cheap soft-side rigid case for free.

Thx

[AtlasHeating]

I had one of those soft cases that came with my epiphone masterbilt guitar. I loved the case. It zipped together and had a nice music pouch. You should have a case with the guitar. Larrivees come with cases. Guitar Center looses cases.

[tyoung13]

Hi folks,
I am happy to say that I am now the proud owner of the OMV-3R I  mentioned earlier.    I am just LOVING this guitar ...

Played it in worship tonight at church, and it was very cool being told that our bass player needed to back off a bit because the guitar was too bass-heavy!   Quite a bit different from the Breedlove's response ...

They (GC) included an orphaned case which, while actually a classical guitar case, fits pretty well.  And it's kind of crazy-looking, as it's got a tweed fabric exterior.   May keep it, or may go out and pick up a better case down the road.   

Either way, the guitar is a beautiful example of Canadian craftsmanship and I love it.